Going NAS: Advice please

quote:

Originally posted by Eloise:
How about using a switch between NAS and Uniti (or other streamer) then connect a wireless bridge to the switch enabling Internet connection (and other access such as control).

Eloise

Would work Eloise but seems complicated compared to the more conventional link to router link to Uniti

tog

quote:

What I have learnt is that UPnP is not Naim's fault

Well we have to blame somebody.

Airplay is proven to my satisfaction - it works for me with just a couple of clicks of a mouse. It uses a proprietary Apple protocol which I've no issue with as Apple has always been pleasant and helpful to deal with - even if they do annoy me occasionally with product decisions - bring back HyperCard.

I don't want to use any Microsoft products if I can avoid it as they have been particularly obnoxious and unhelpful and their decline in the computer world is no loss to those of us they have treated with such contempt in times when we had no axe to grind [bring back Netscape] - if others want to buy their products that is their choice - I don't like UPnP at all: its design is simply not very good and I agree that Naim didn't design it, but I do my bit to encourage them to offer an alternative. I agree with you that it is possible to run some windows software using WINE, but I try not to run any Windows software at all ... I really want Airplay and as a consumer I reserve that right - tick on a box on the client and tick a box on the server (already ticked) as long as both client and server are on my home network (logged in via WPA2 or plugged in to my Juniper SRX switch-router-firewall-IPS) then they rock. If Naim used its own software like Squeeze Centre then I'd be up for that too (or if they used Squeeze Centre).

My stance is odd I know - I will always use Naim amplifiers, DACs and speakers and have no desire to swap brands. But I just can't come to terms with the distributed audio products and their dependency on software from Microsoft. Linn does not have this dependency and Vortexbox does not have it either; moreover Marantz, Denon and B&W don't have it - I don't think Meridian has it, but I could be wrong there. So my hope is Naim will support Airplay and also lose this dependency too.

For me - MacBook/hiFace/nDAC/555PS is my best distributed audio option as it works well with my Naim system. I can play music stored on my MacBook as well as music stored on my server. It was very easy to set-up and seems to work faultlessly. It is far from the only way of getting music to my Naim DAC and from there in to my Naim system, but I don't know a better way of playing digital music outside of using a CD555.

ATB Rotf

quote:

Originally posted by Tog:

quote:

Originally posted by Eloise:
How about using a switch between NAS and Uniti (or other streamer) then connect a wireless bridge to the switch enabling Internet connection (and other access such as control).

Would work Eloise but seems complicated compared to the more conventional link to router link to Uniti

Yes complicated. But it would allow wired between Uniti and NAS while still letting the Uniti (and NAS) to acces the Internet and the rest of the network.

I think you cab actually get Wireless bridges with 4 port switch built in which would be less complicated.

Eloise

quote:

But I just can't come to terms with the distributed audio products and their dependency on software from Microsoft. Linn does not have this dependency and Vortexbox does not have it either; moreover Marantz, Denon and B&W don't have it - I don't think Meridian has it, but I could be wrong there. So my hope is Naim will support Airplay and also lose this dependency too.

Firstly, since when is UPnP a Microsoft product?

Secondly, even if it was, why would you want to simply trade one tyrant for another?

Being dependent on Airplay seems much more limiting and narrow thinking than UPnP.

What are these Microsoft "limitations" you speak of?

-Patrick

quote:

Originally posted by aht:
Uh, what do you mean by "don't even have a network point"? My HDX is connected to my network.

Only after purchasing the HDX was I advised by the likes of Dave Dever, via the forum, that wireless connection to NAS drives degrades performance. I was not told this when I purchased the HDX.

I was also not advised that the promised internet radio would never materialize. There have been a lot of disappointments with the HDX.

But if someone from Naim wants to step up to the plate and recommend wireless connection for streaming, I'm all ears. My dealer, in this area, is clueless.

Just to clarify - Internet Radio via the vTuner service is currently shipping on the Uniti family of products - potential or work-in-progress product features do not get discussed here, by Naim or its distributors.

Wired networking trumps wireless in everything but topology (that damn piece of wire).

@aht - which retailer were you referring to: your local retailer or the one who mail-ordered your unit?

[QUOTE]Originally posted by ROTF:
bring back HyperCard.

Aaaah Hypercard ..wonderful product

I agree with you about Windoze ... and No 7 is simply horrible.

I mentioned WINE simply as a way of cooperating enough to access all the functions of a UnitiServe etc. I have software at work that won't work on Mac so I have to dip my toes sometimes ...

MacMini> Halide Bridge > Uniti controlled by n-stream and remote 2 seems a better solution than UPnP at the moment. Yes the above attached to N-dac and amp would have been nice but expensive ...maybe one day. More flexible than UnitServe and expandable in terms of NAS / DAS

Tog