Unitiqute

I'd just like to know when they start deliveries!

Bruce

gapless planned for qute, del still to be confirmed ...

Paul,

that is great news (though even better would have been the announcement of a streamer....).

Georg

Can the Unitiqute interface with SqueezeCenter server software as the library for Flac files?

I doubt it, however if you have a folder of music squeeze is tapping into, simply point a UPNP server at it as well. Job done.

quote:

Originally posted by spc:
Can the Unitiqute interface with SqueezeCenter server software as the library for Flac files?

No offense, but why would you want to? It should be able to access the same folders the Squeezecenter is looking at.

quote:

Originally posted by lawoftrust:
......for the time being until we will have a real streamer

Forgive me if this question has been done to death, but can someone tell me what the difference is between a UnitiQute and a 'real' streamer? I think I'm getting confused
Cheers
John

Nero,

The Uniqute has a preamp section, an amplifier, a DAC, etc.... A streamer should only have ethernet in and digital output. Maybe also wireless.

Many also incorporate a DAC.

Think of it as a transport for computer file media.

The UQ will do streaming in that it will look up and play network-stored music files either via its own amplifier or out to a pre-map, or DAC.

A "real streamer" when used the context here, refers to a dedicated high-end box that ONLY does this and provides quality digital stream to the nDAC (or, horror, other brand DAC!).

So the UQ is a streamer, but a lot more besides. Not all want this extra functionality.

OK, thanks - I overlooked the Qute had a power amp. In view of the fact that Naim have produced an external DAC against the law of nature (the CD555 has an internal DAC, in its own quiet space f.ex), is a top-end streamer likely to include the DAC? It seems that this is the Linn DS approach, but I would expect the Naim box to have bouncy springs and lots of metalwork too

quote:

Originally posted by Nero:
...
In view of the fact that Naim have produced an external DAC against the law of nature ...

I find it a perfectly logical approach and am glad they took it this way.

They should only now continue this line of thought and add a pure streamer of an HDX-level to sit in between NAS-storage / Internet-connection and the Naim DAC.

This is the most clean setup I can imagine and allows to develop for each device the best they can (or must I say already have, because all required technology is there already only not yet suitably boxed).

IMHO a better setup then the Linn approach.

-
aleg

A streamer is a streamer.
A DAC is a DAC.
The Linn DS is neither. It is both a wired streamer and a DAC. (and some have digital output)
The Squeezeboxes and Transporter are the same as the DS range but include wireless streaming and all have digital output.

I would expect a standalone streamer to NOT include a DAC. Just as a standalone DAC does not stream. Be careful what you ask for.

If Naim makes a true stand-alone streamer people will bitch it doesn't include a DAC. If they include a DAC, people with an existing DAC will call it superfluous.

They cannot win.

My thought is..... if you already have a DAC why the heck do you want a Naim Badged streamer???? It will be very expensive and do nothing better than running USB to your kit from an actual computer (then use any number of USB to sdpif converters out there).

If you dont have a DAC yet and want an a streamer/dac a la the DS range, maybe that is coming.

So basically, you can have a streamer or a DAC or both.

Although I doubt Naim will cover all three of those bases. Just like linn has not developed a stand alone DAC to use with their DS products with digital output.

quote:

Originally posted by pcstockton:
...
My thought is..... if you already have a DAC why the heck do you want a Naim Badged streamer???? It will be very expensive and do nothing better than running USB to your kit from an actual computer (then use any number of USB to sdpif converters out there).
...

I still don't want to have a computer near my audio set.

And those who have an HDX are very satisfied with it as a source, I think it is even believed to be better then a computer + USB-SPDIF converter.

I think Naim can make a better adapted source to its DAC than any third party can.

-
aleg

aleg,

The HDX is a computer for all intents and purposes. Also, the HDX tends to be louder than a computer optimized for quiet operation.

Plus the HDX is $9K or whatever.

How much is too much for a true stand-alone streamer? What are you willing to pay?

Would you like it to be wired, or wireless or both?

I am curious what people actually want, how much they expect it to cost and what they expect it to do?

I am guessing people want an HDX without touch screen, hard drives, ripping engine, or disc drive.

So basically you want a DS player without the DAC?

thanks,
Patrick

quote:

Originally posted by pcstockton:
aleg,

The HDX is a computer for all intents and purposes.

Also, the HDX tends to be louder than a computer optimized for quiet operation.

Plus the HDX is $9K or whatever.

How much is too much for a true stand-alone streamer? What are you willing to pay?

Would you like it to be wired, or wireless or both?

I am curious what people actually want, how much they expect it to cost and what they expect it to do?

I am guessing people want an HDX without touch screen, hard drives, ripping engine, or disc drive.

So basically you want a DS player without the DAC?

thanks,
Patrick

Patrick

I would say the HDX can be likened to a computer, but not the ordinary highstreet version of one. I'm not sure if it doesn't contain any Naim own electronics to make it better suitable for other Naim components.

What I read is that it outperforms all other sources, so it must do something better then ordinary computers.

About the loudness, if it is at all discernable, I would expect that to decrease if the hard disk units are removed.

For me personally, the HDU's, the amp-section, the DAC-section may go.
The screen would be a nice-to-have as is the ripping-engine.
Again for me personally, it would just have to have a wired ethernet connection, I don't care for wireless in such a device.

Sticking my neck out
When it doesn't have / need an external PSU upgrade option because the internal one can't be bettered, I would say a maximum price of GBP 2500 - 3000. If upgradable with say a HighCap then a maximum of GBP 2000 - 2500.

I would like it to connect to NFS and SMB fileservers (and definitely not be dependant on UPnP, that would be for me a no-go), play the main codecs (WAV, FLAC, OGG, MP3, ALAC/AIFF(?)) and to be able to stream internet protocols.

The sound quality would have to be of the current HDX-performance.

How's that for a wishlist!

-
aleg

I would be surprised if Naim produced a straight streamer without a DAC in it. The more you strip out, the more it becomes difficult for Naim to add anything to the party.
Take the HDX/NS01 as an example. If you pull out the analog section (done that with the DAC) and the power supply (done that with the 555PS), what is left? A computer and some software.
Now, let's say for the sake of argument that Naim have written some pretty smart ripping algorithms (possible, from the way it sounds), is that enough to justify the normal Naim value-added? Probably not. They'd be better off licensing their algorithm to someone else.
It's all guesswork of course, and I'm sure they look at this forum over lunchtime coffees and have a giggle
But if there is going to be a reference streamer, my money's on it having a DAC. I can only hope it comes from Wolfson, but that's a different story
Cheers
John

quote:

I think it is even believed to be better then a computer + USB-SPDIF converter.

Some people will believe anything. Especially if its got a glowing green logo...

Aleg,

Correct me if I am wrong but what you want already exists in the NS-01 right? Except for the Hard discs.

Wouldn't the hard discs be something you could live with if you didnt use them?

So if you basically want an NS-01 without hard discs, that seems pretty specific and I doubt they will ever have exactly what you personally want.

-patrick

quote:

Originally posted by pcstockton:
Aleg,

Correct me if I am wrong but what you want already exists in the NS-01 right? Except for the Hard discs.

Wouldn't the hard discs be something you could live with if you didnt use them?

So if you basically want an NS-01 without hard discs, that seems pretty specific and I doubt they will ever have exactly what you personally want.

-patrick

Maybe not exactly what I want but I can at least tell them what I would prefer.

The NS01 also has an internal DAC I wouldn't need, has a big frightening fan which I would like to avoid.

But a definitive no-go is its replaying capabilities: (copied from the user manual, but don't know if still up to date):

quote:

In order for network stored music to be available to the music server, various constraints must be met:
...
• Music files must be in WAV or MP3 formats (16 bit, 44.1kHz only) for network playback.

It has to be a HiRes (up to 192 kHz) capable player for different kinds of lossless codecs (WAV and FLAC at least).

Otherwise it comes close to what I like to see, if and big if it is at the level of an HDX, and I still have some doubts about that given the statement on NaimNets website:

quote:

What is the difference between an NS03 and a Naim HDX?
The HDX has a single audio output which has been designed with higher fidelity in mind

It would also be at the top end pricewise.

-
aleg

quote:

Originally posted by james n:

quote:

I think it is even believed to be better then a computer + USB-SPDIF converter.

Some people will believe anything. Especially if its got a glowing green logo...

very true

quote:

Originally posted by james n:

quote:

I think it is even believed to be better then a computer + USB-SPDIF converter.

Some people will believe anything. Especially if its got a glowing green logo...

James,

So I take it you have experienced differently comparing an Apple + Weiss to an HDX, both into a Naim DAC of course, on your setup?

Would you be willing to share your experiences on this comparison?

-
aleg

No but i did compare an Mac mini (optical), Sonos (coax) and HDX (analogue & coax) through a Lavry DA10. The Mac lost out slightly to the Sonos when the Sonos was used via its coaxial SPDIF and the HDX and Sonos sounded the same via the Lavry. The Lavry (to me) sounded better than the bare HDX, the HDX with 555PS evened the field. This was in another system (500 Reference belonging to Graham Russell). I've never used the HDX in my own system. The Lavry was easily its equivalent in Grahams and the Weiss via Firewire is way up on the Lavry. I'll watch Naim developments with interest but i'm not convinced (yet) that the Naim way of doing things (ripping engine etc) cannot be equalled or bettered via other means and for less cost.

My appologies if my original post seemed rude - it was a general comment and not specifically aimed at you

James

quote:

Originally posted by james n:
...
My appologies if my original post seemed rude - it was a general comment and not specifically aimed at you

James

Appologies accepted, because I did indeed feel offended by my remark being taken out of its context which refered to the opinion of people who do have an HDX connected to a Naim DAC.

I agree with you that all this ripping etc can also be done by other means, so I won't require it to be there.

But I still feel Naim best placed to build a best matching source to its own DAC, and given what I read about all types of sources, I still think the HDX to be the best matching source fitting to my requirements.

Given the fact I wouldn't want a PC in my HiFi setup, I'm still looking for something of high quality that fits perfectly in an all Naim setup.

-
aleg

quote:

Originally posted by Aleg:

quote:

• Music files must be in WAV or MP3 formats (16 bit, 44.1kHz only) for network playback.

It has to be a HiRes (up to 192 kHz) capable player for different kinds of lossless codecs (WAV and FLAC at least).

I don't have any problem playing 24/96 FLAC or WAV files across the network from a NAS, so maybe that referred to earlier software. I guess the NS01 is the same as HDX in that respect.

quote:

It would also be at the top end pricewise

That goes without saying - we are talking about Naim of course

quote:

Originally posted by Nero:

I don't have any problem playing 24/96 FLAC or WAV files across the network from a NAS, so maybe that referred to earlier software. I guess the NS01 is the same as HDX in that respect.

Nero

Have you ever tried playing 192 kHz flac or wav files?

I have recently downloaded some from Linn and it is part of current DVD-A and BluRay standards, so I would like my player to be able to handle that (my current one does, being BluRay capable).

I think I'll await the new developments with SSD's and new product announcements in Munich.

I'm not convinced that NS01 is my ultimate answer.

-
aleg