HDX questions
Posted by: Richard Adams on 14 February 2010
I had a demo of HDX/DAC/555PS last week and was very impressed with the sound. So much so I'm demoing again this week at home to compare against my CDS3/555PS.
I do have a few questions though. I think these are mainly aimed at those people who are running the beta version of the new software
1. I have more CDs than the HDX can store on it's HDD so will need a NAS. Assuming the HDX is doing all the ripping doe the files stored on the NAS and streamed to the HDX sound the same as those stored on the HDX HDD? Has anyone actually listened to see if they are the same?
2. All my computers are Apple Macs connected via 200Mbs Homeplugs. I will use a Netgear ReadyDuo NAS connected to a Netgear router. Will this be a problem? I really don't want to be messing around with computers so I can listen to my music.
Thanks for your help
I do have a few questions though. I think these are mainly aimed at those people who are running the beta version of the new software
1. I have more CDs than the HDX can store on it's HDD so will need a NAS. Assuming the HDX is doing all the ripping doe the files stored on the NAS and streamed to the HDX sound the same as those stored on the HDX HDD? Has anyone actually listened to see if they are the same?
2. All my computers are Apple Macs connected via 200Mbs Homeplugs. I will use a Netgear ReadyDuo NAS connected to a Netgear router. Will this be a problem? I really don't want to be messing around with computers so I can listen to my music.
Thanks for your help
Posted on: 14 February 2010 by gone
quote:Originally posted by Richard Adams:
1. I have more CDs than the HDX can store on it's HDD so will need a NAS. Assuming the HDX is doing all the ripping doe the files stored on the NAS and streamed to the HDX sound the same as those stored on the HDX HDD? Has anyone actually listened to see if they are the same?
I've played around with this, and there is no difference IMO between CDs ripped to the hard drive and CDs ripped to the NAS. I don't think there's any reason why there should be. The way the HDX sets up the NAS is as a "Music Store", which is transparent as far as the user is concerned. I expect there's a bit of clever buffering going on to make sure there's always enough data being fed to the DAC at any one time
quote:2. All my computers are Apple Macs connected via 200Mbs Homeplugs. I will use a Netgear ReadyDuo NAS connected to a Netgear router. Will this be a problem? I really don't want to be messing around with computers so I can listen to my music.
I don't think the NAS and router part is a problem, but I really wouldn't recommend those Homeplugs, and I think Naim also looks down on them. They inject a LOT of crud into your mains (by design) and really should be avoided. If you have to go wireless, I'm using an Airport Express to talk to my router, and that works fine, but I'm sure any wireless network bridge would work.
One negative point on the HDX/NAS setup is that the HDX 'takes over' the NAS, and will only use the root of the drive as a Music Store. I think the intention is that your NAS will only be used for music, which is a pain if you are also using it to backup your photos etc.....
So far, I haven't found a way round that, but I might be being thick
Hope that helps
Cheers
John
Posted on: 14 February 2010 by rich46
i have ripnas and a seperate nas for back up. ive listen to the back up and i cant tell any difference between the two. guess data is data so there shouldnt be any difference . the only thing i paniced about after ripping 2600 cds was losing data. , solution 2 backup drives ,one is boxed up safely...allan convinence of instant access is great tooquote:Originally posted by Nero:quote:Originally posted by Richard Adams:
1. I have more CDs than the HDX can store on it's HDD so will need a NAS. Assuming the HDX is doing all the ripping doe the files stored on the NAS and streamed to the HDX sound the same as those stored on the HDX HDD? Has anyone actually listened to see if they are the same?
I've played around with this, and there is no difference IMO between CDs ripped to the hard drive and CDs ripped to the NAS. I don't think there's any reason why there should be. The way the HDX sets up the NAS is as a "Music Store", which is transparent as far as the user is concerned. I expect there's a bit of clever buffering going on to make sure there's always enough data being fed to the DAC at any one timequote:2. All my computers are Apple Macs connected via 200Mbs Homeplugs. I will use a Netgear ReadyDuo NAS connected to a Netgear router. Will this be a problem? I really don't want to be messing around with computers so I can listen to my music.
I don't think the NAS and router part is a problem, but I really wouldn't recommend those Homeplugs, and I think Naim also looks down on them. They inject a LOT of crud into your mains (by design) and really should be avoided. If you have to go wireless, I'm using an Airport Express to talk to my router, and that works fine, but I'm sure any wireless network bridge would work.
One negative point on the HDX/NAS setup is that the HDX 'takes over' the NAS, and will only use the root of the drive as a Music Store. I think the intention is that your NAS will only be used for music, which is a pain if you are also using it to backup your photos etc.....
So far, I haven't found a way round that, but I might be being thick
Hope that helps
Cheers
John
Posted on: 14 February 2010 by Richard Adams
Thanks for the replies
The plan is to get a separate NAS for music and the HDX to access. I'll just back up all my other stuff on a local external HDD.
The hifi is on a separate spur to the Homeplugs does that make a difference? I've got and Airport Express so can try that route anyway as well.
The plan is to get a separate NAS for music and the HDX to access. I'll just back up all my other stuff on a local external HDD.
The hifi is on a separate spur to the Homeplugs does that make a difference? I've got and Airport Express so can try that route anyway as well.
Posted on: 14 February 2010 by John Bailey
I use Homeplugs and they work fine with no noticeable degradation of the system.
Naim mention that they may be suitable for use both in their NaimUniti troubleshooting guide and as follows (from the HDX advertising blurb):
"You do not even need to install copious reels of new network wire either as network hardware that uses existing household mains cables can do the job."
Naim mention that they may be suitable for use both in their NaimUniti troubleshooting guide and as follows (from the HDX advertising blurb):
"You do not even need to install copious reels of new network wire either as network hardware that uses existing household mains cables can do the job."
Posted on: 14 February 2010 by David Dever
...for temporary use (while ripping CDs, to get metadata online). They're still a sub-optimal solution sonically.
Posted on: 14 February 2010 by Harry
quote:Originally posted by Richard Adams:
The hifi is on a separate spur to the Homeplugs does that make a difference? I've got and Airport Express so can try that route anyway as well.
A good question. David, are you saying that Homeplugs can potentially bugger up the sound quality if they are running on a dirty ring, but the HiFi syatem is on its own dedicated spur?
Posted on: 14 February 2010 by John Bailey
quote:Originally posted by David Dever:
...for temporary use (while ripping CDs, to get metadata online). They're still a sub-optimal solution sonically.
Well if I can't trust my own ears or Naim's advertising who can I trust?
Posted on: 14 February 2010 by gone
I seem to remember Paul Stephenson posted on this subject not so long ago, but I can't find it. Maybe someone else can dig it out?
Posted on: 14 February 2010 by Harry
Perhaps it varies between installations? I don’t want to fan an argument. Maybe I should just go for a good wireless bridge. There seem to be plenty about and if received wisdom is to be believed it should be a doddle to set up.
Posted on: 14 February 2010 by John Bailey
I think it's fair to say that given a choice there can be no doubt that a direct connection over a dedicated ethernet cable would be 'safest' as would a dedicated spur etc etc.
But back in the real world this is for the most part not possible for most folks therefore a compromise needs to be sought.
Personally the homeplug solution works fine for me and definitely better than Wi-Fi which suffered bad drop-outs from time to time.
I personally am delighted with the sound quality of my system. At the time I made my post on the homeplugs I was ripping a CD to my ReadyNas (via them) whilst listening to a CD on the CDX2. And it sounded great.
Optimal - what is optimal? Has anybody on this forum ever reached it?
But back in the real world this is for the most part not possible for most folks therefore a compromise needs to be sought.
Personally the homeplug solution works fine for me and definitely better than Wi-Fi which suffered bad drop-outs from time to time.
I personally am delighted with the sound quality of my system. At the time I made my post on the homeplugs I was ripping a CD to my ReadyNas (via them) whilst listening to a CD on the CDX2. And it sounded great.
Optimal - what is optimal? Has anybody on this forum ever reached it?
Posted on: 14 February 2010 by gary1 (US)
For best audo quality your Naim system should be setup on edicated inphase mains spur. Makes a huge diference (like adding a PL to he whole system).
If possible avoid a wireless connection to the NAS device. For riping no problem to obtain metadata, but audio quality should be direct ethernet connected to oherwise to the HDX.
If possible avoid a wireless connection to the NAS device. For riping no problem to obtain metadata, but audio quality should be direct ethernet connected to oherwise to the HDX.