AIFF with Naim streamers...

HDX / NS0x servers currently support (with 1.5a software) AIFF file playback–if you are using EyeConnect on the Mac, the NaimUniti can receive AIFF-to-WAV transcoded files for playback.

How can I do this AIFF-to-WAV transcoding? Does it work on the fly? No experience with that...

Cheers
Scaramucce

If you're using iTunes on the Mac, simply install EyeConnect (it's an OS X Preference Pane plug-in) and you're off and running–seriously, it's that easy (the plug-in does the transcoding for you in real time).

If you're using iTunes on the PC, sorry, no easy answers for you.

On the PC, I´m running Asset Upnp (free). Asset is able to trancode a lot of formats to wav on streaming.
ramona

Thank you for the answers!

I am running an all mac system at home, so EyeConnect may be a solution. Does it support files above 16/44, or does it downsample? I could not find any specs.

Are there any other mac-native solutions for on-the-fly-AIFF-transcoding than EyeConnect?

Asset UPnP seems to run on a mac through 'Crossover Mac'. Does anyone have experience with that solution?


Cheers
Scaramucce

I am in a similar situation to you - a large AIFF library and the frustration of the Uniti without AIFF support. I have been using EyeConnect but you will see under the Uniti upgrade thread that having this on your network prevents the Uniti from pausing UPnP streams.

Good luck in your search for other UPnP servers but what would have been best is for Naim to come up with AIFF support in the Uniti upgrade.

quote:

Originally posted by David Dever:
If you're using iTunes on the Mac, simply install EyeConnect (it's an OS X Preference Pane plug-in) and you're off and running–seriously, it's that easy (the plug-in does the transcoding for you in real time).

If you're using iTunes on the PC, sorry, no easy answers for you.

Sorry, I have to speak out on this. Taking one digital file format, and then munging it using a bit of software on a man-in-the-middle-computer, and then calling it "easy" is simply not on

I cannot and will not accept on-the-fly transcoding in any sort of serious discussion of high-end hifi

People on here claim to hear differences between different rips from the same CD using different software, ostensibly ending up with the same numbers in the file.

Recommending doing a complete format transcode in the context of high-end audio is laughable.

:-)

jon

Transcoding from a lossless format such as AIFF to another lossless format is perfectly acceptable in a high-end audio context, especially since we are talking about streaming, where the Naim unit is only receiving ethernet packages with perfect integrity that it will buffer and arrange into PCM digtal data. Claiming anything else is basically the same as saying that computers can't do calculations.

Isn't the idea to use a computer to present the DAC with what is to be decoded from whatever file type - such as FLAC, WAV, AIFF, ALAC or MP3? If the computer is competent then sending a good signal [in digital form for Digital to Analogue Conversion] should be not be a problem.

Certainly my recent experiences show that a good if not expensive DAC fed [via USB and thus bypassing the PC sound card and clock] can get very close to [i.e. only slightly better than ...] the best replay from LP or CD. Certainly fine enough to avoid any intrusive system character. I have yet to find LP replay that is not prone to system characteristics, such as needle fluff, grooved out records, variable EQ characteristics [see Superline Loading Thread which is all about EQ distortion], and worst of all - and only rarely adequately dealt with - a simple lack of pitch and timing accuracy. It is fascinating that JV had no doubts [according to his own views currently to be found on page one of the Hifi Corner] about the basics of LP replay. His criticism was based on lack of pitch stability and therefore timing ...

CD replay can be splendid, but is still prone to characterful presentation even in some fairly high-end players.

I enjoy a system that is characterless, beyond having the integrity to present the character in the performance and music!

ATB from George

quote:

Originally posted by jon honeyball:

Recommending doing a complete format transcode in the context of high-end audio is laughable.

You mean like in EVERY CD player where things go between i2s & spdif?

Or in every single possible permutation of a distributed audio source?

If i could boldface that rolly-eye i would.

quote:

Originally posted by jon honeyball:

quote:

Originally posted by David Dever:
If you're using iTunes on the Mac, simply install EyeConnect (it's an OS X Preference Pane plug-in) and you're off and running–seriously, it's that easy (the plug-in does the transcoding for you in real time).

If you're using iTunes on the PC, sorry, no easy answers for you.

Sorry, I have to speak out on this. Taking one digital file format, and then munging it using a bit of software on a man-in-the-middle-computer, and then calling it "easy" is simply not on

I cannot and will not accept on-the-fly transcoding in any sort of serious discussion of high-end hifi

People on here claim to hear differences between different rips from the same CD using different software, ostensibly ending up with the same numbers in the file.

Recommending doing a complete format transcode in the context of high-end audio is laughable.

:-)

jon

It's probably worth pointing out that real-time format conversion from AIFF to WAV requires fewer clock cycles than decoding FLAC or Apple Lossless files, or, alternately, "decoding" AIFF-C/sowt (technically, a containerized file).

Of course, it goes without saying that no self-respecting audio professional would dare supply an AIFF in 2010 when there are far better options for archiving or delivery. I distinctly remember a time when AIFF files would need to be cross-converted to AIFF (!) simply to handle little-endian vs big-endian issues on some digital audio workstations. For me, that's an unacceptable, wasteful step (especially when dealing with large session files) that effective renders that file format a historical curiosity.

However, the HDX / NS0x servers DO play AIFF natively without conversion. The fact that the Uniti range does not play AIFF natively is probably less of an issue for the target audience, especially when using an HDX / NS0x (which has software-selectable format conversion) in tandem with a Uniti-range product (worth doing a comparison at 16/44.1 between WAV and AIFF-transcoded-to-WAV across the network).

As EyeConnect sits on the UPnP server computer, it can hardly be called "man-in-the-middle" when in fact software calls for format conversion or transcoding are built into the UPnP AV specification.

quote:

Originally posted by pcstockton:

quote:

Originally posted by jon honeyball:

Recommending doing a complete format transcode in the context of high-end audio is laughable.

You mean like in EVERY CD player where things go between i2s & spdif?

Or in every single possible permutation of a distributed audio source?

If i could boldface that rolly-eye i would.

Yet people claim that two files, with identical digital data in them, sound different...

David Dever
David

quote:

Of course, it goes without saying that no self-respecting audio professional would dare supply an AIFF in 2010 when there are far better options for archiving or delivery.

But you said it anyway.

So which archiving/delivery format would you recommend given Mac Mini iTunes Library and a Uniti (upgraded) with 24/96 digitised vinyl?

Eyeconnect still valiantly downsamples my 24/96 AIFF to 44.1 kHz LPCM8.

How important is iTunes to you?

quote:

Originally posted by David Dever:
HDX / NS0x servers currently support (with 1.5a software) AIFF file playback–if you are using EyeConnect on the Mac, the NaimUniti can receive AIFF-to-WAV transcoded files for playback.

David,

Just to clarify I take it that with the new 1.5a update that there isn't any need for transcoding and that AIFF is possible for streaming as is?
If so will this be the case with the UnitiQute/Serve?

TIA

quote:

Originally posted by nap-ster:

quote:

Originally posted by David Dever:
HDX / NS0x servers currently support (with 1.5a software) AIFF file playback–if you are using EyeConnect on the Mac, the NaimUniti can receive AIFF-to-WAV transcoded files for playback.

David,

Just to clarify I take it that with the new 1.5a update that there isn't any need for transcoding and that AIFF is possible for streaming as is?
If so will this be the case with the UnitiQute/Serve?

TIA

HDX / NS0x servers play AIFF natively through their audio outputs, AND, separately, can stream AIFF or AIFF-trancoded-to-WAV over the network.

Uniti family can play AIFF-transcoded-to-WAV but not AIFF.

quote:

Originally posted by David Dever:

quote:

Originally posted by nap-ster:

quote:

Originally posted by David Dever:
HDX / NS0x servers currently support (with 1.5a software) AIFF file playback–if you are using EyeConnect on the Mac, the NaimUniti can receive AIFF-to-WAV transcoded files for playback.

David,

Just to clarify I take it that with the new 1.5a update that there isn't any need for transcoding and that AIFF is possible for streaming as is?
If so will this be the case with the UnitiQute/Serve?

TIA

HDX / NS0x servers play AIFF natively through their audio outputs, AND, separately, can stream AIFF or AIFF-trancoded-to-WAV over the network.

Uniti family can play AIFF-transcoded-to-WAV but not AIFF.

Thanks David,

Would there be any possibility in the future of bringing AIFF to the Uniti family do you think?

quote:

Originally posted by David Dever:
How important is iTunes to you?

I guess important enough for me not to have chosen to use FLAC.

quote:

Would there be any possibility in the future of bringing AIFF to the Uniti family do you think?

I have asked Naim this question directly. The answer was along the lines of not immediately but possibly at some stage. I, for one, think it would help solve a lot of problems.

quote:

Originally posted by jon honeyball:

quote:

Originally posted by pcstockton:

quote:

Originally posted by jon honeyball:

Recommending doing a complete format transcode in the context of high-end audio is laughable.

You mean like in EVERY CD player where things go between i2s & spdif?

Or in every single possible permutation of a distributed audio source?

If i could boldface that rolly-eye i would.

Yet people claim that two files, with identical digital data in them, sound different...

i tried wav/flac i couldnt detect any real differences. is seems most download sites prefer flac.

guess it will be always a discussion point ,

I had a Uniti at home over the weekend for test driving. It's a great machine, and Naim can be really proud of it! The ease of use is stunning! It seamlessly integrated into my airport network with just a few clicks on the remote control and I could listen to the rare flac-files on my iMac's hard drive (through XBMC Media Server). That's all nice, but my short journey into streamed audio already ends here. The Uniti (as a streamer) in its current state does not go together well with a Mac/iTunes-based system, if you want to stay with uncompressed audio files or even high resolution files.

I cannot believe, how nothing really fits together:

* iTunes does not support album art with WAV-files
* The Uniti does not support AIFF
* XBMC does not support AIFF
* EyeConnect downsamples to 16/44
* SongBook recognised the Uniti, but Uniti did not see SongBook
* and so on...

Even with lossless files:
* iTunes does not support FLAC (natively)
* Uniti does not play ALAC from a mac

The lowest common denominators are lossy MP3 and AAC.

I could not find a single combination of audio files, UPnP-server and the Uniti that made me happy


Cheers,
Scaramucce

quote:

Originally posted by Scaramucce:
I had a Uniti at home over the weekend for test driving. It's a great machine, and Naim can be really proud of it! The ease of use is stunning! It seamlessly integrated into my airport network with just a few clicks on the remote control and I could listen to the rare flac-files on my iMac's hard drive (through XBMC Media Server). That's all nice, but my short journey into streamed audio already ends here. The Uniti (as a streamer) in its current state does not go together well with a Mac/iTunes-based system, if you want to stay with uncompressed audio files or even high resolution files.

I cannot believe, how nothing really fits together:

* iTunes does not support album art with WAV-files
* The Uniti does not support AIFF
* XBMC does not support AIFF
* EyeConnect downsamples to 16/44
* SongBook recognised the Uniti, but Uniti did not see SongBook
* and so on...

Even with lossless files:
* iTunes does not support FLAC (natively)
* Uniti does not play ALAC from a mac

The lowest common denominators are lossy MP3 and AAC.

I could not find a single combination of audio files, UPnP-server and the Uniti that made me happy


Cheers,
Scaramucce

Hi Scaramucce

I'm glad you like the Unity and I also believe it is a wonderful machine.

But I also feel for you, by this unfriendly welcome to the sorry world of UPnP.

There are probably others who have found a working combination to help you.

-
aleg

quote:

Originally posted by Scaramucce:
I had a Uniti at home over the weekend for test driving. It's a great machine, and Naim can be really proud of it! The ease of use is stunning! It seamlessly integrated into my airport network with just a few clicks on the remote control and I could listen to the rare flac-files on my iMac's hard drive (through XBMC Media Server). That's all nice, but my short journey into streamed audio already ends here. The Uniti (as a streamer) in its current state does not go together well with a Mac/iTunes-based system, if you want to stay with uncompressed audio files or even high resolution files.

I cannot believe, how nothing really fits together:

* iTunes does not support album art with WAV-files
* The Uniti does not support AIFF
* XBMC does not support AIFF
* EyeConnect downsamples to 16/44
* SongBook recognised the Uniti, but Uniti did not see SongBook
* and so on...

Even with lossless files:
* iTunes does not support FLAC (natively)
* Uniti does not play ALAC from a mac

The lowest common denominators are lossy MP3 and AAC.

I could not find a single combination of audio files, UPnP-server and the Uniti that made me happy


Cheers,
Scaramucce

This corresponds to my own views and experience completely. Even more frustrating now my Uniti has been upgraded to "support" 24/96.

It is very surprising that the Uniti does not support the native uncompressed file format on Apple Macs. Any reaction from Naim?

By the way, I have posted a query about EyeConnect downsampling on the Elgato EyeConnect Forum. No reply yet, but you might want to weigh-in in support there.

If the Squeezebox Touch proves as good as hoped, when it is finally out, I will be abandoning attempts to use UPnP.

quote:

Originally posted by noname:
It is very surprising that the Uniti does not support the native uncompressed file format on Apple Macs. Any reaction from Naim?

Pigs will fly before you get a comment re this....It was a bone of contention with me when I was seriously considering the HDX...Considering the Uniti is meant to appeal even more mainstream, it's even more surprising...

I would have just put it down to two companies stubbornly not reconising/supporting each other's format/platform/equipment (whatever) - fairly common in the IT world - but the real head twister in this current situation is that Naim have FULL Apple certification on the nDAC - and boast about being one of the first in doing so....! Along with also jumping on the App bandwagon finally, it seems to make little sense (to me anyway) that some things seem to be Apple friendly but others overlooked/ignored..... Go figure.........??

Steve.

quote:

Originally posted by noname:
It is very surprising that the Uniti does not support the native uncompressed file format on Apple Macs. Any reaction from Naim?

Actually, I've just found the thread when it was last stated that ALAC support would come to the HDX - over a YEAR ago with the 'imminent' 1.4d software update - HDX/Apple Lossless

Considering we're over a year on and the 'major' 1.5 update has been released for the HDX, I guess something went awry...........As for the Uniti and it's offspring, who knows....?