Moving files from PC to Naim server

You need the new UnitiServe 2 - it can do this now and as a result is a much more attractive proposition. You could ask Naim if you can upgrade from the 1 to the 2, as the 1 only stores music from CDs it has ripped off. AFAIK

It's just software, I'd expect the functionality to get rolled out to the smaller hard drive models too.

I'd hope so - Naim usually facilitates upgrades whenever possible. 

Ignorant question:

Is it not possible to load files via a hard disk attached to the USB drive port? Especially if that disc only has music files on it. USB drives are relatively cheap.

Geoff

Geoff,

Up until now the Naim servers would only "read" information from it's USB inputs.  So you can play the files but you cannot copy or store them on the server.  The only way you could store onto the servers hard disk was by ripping a CD in the machine itself.

I assume the SSD versions are different as all the storage is off board on a NAS etc, so you could put what you want on a NAS and play it.

But for machines with on board storage I believe you could not put downloads onto it so there was no danger of infected files getting in and corrupting things.

I think some are hoping that with the new software update, there may now be a possibility of storing your downloads onto the server.  Whether that is actually the case, I don't know!

I hope I haven't missed your point and that explains what you wanted to know.

All the best.

Thanks Jason.

I use a NAS with my KDS so not clued in on how Naim works.

Just as a matter of interest what would be the delay accessing music files to play them if a USB disk was 'permanently' attached via the USB port? I would assume the Uniti would not need to rescan it if it is not disconnected.

regards

Geoff

Geoff,

I'm not sure about a USB disk drive I've never tried that, but if you connect a USB stick with music files, it will take a moment to read the info on it and catalogue it, but once that's done it can access it instantly during replay. With my HDX, it will then happily jump between the USB stick and the internal drives seamlessly where you have a playlist accessing music from both. You wouldn't know the difference once it was playing.  I assume the Uniti works on the same basis once it has scanned what's on there and catalogued it, giving instant access until you disconnect again.

Jason.

Thanks for the replies everyone. I've already transferred my ripped vinyl to CDs so it looks like I'll need to re-rip them to the server. I was hoping for a simple mass drag and drop but it appears that is out for now.

It sounds like it's available with the new hardware (UnitiServe2), but I can confirm thus far it's not possible with the old hardware even with the new software update.

If you transfer your rips to cd media in standard cd format, the uServe, for example, WILL copy them to the hard drive.  In other words, make the disc you burn appear to be an audio cd, not a data cd. You can then go in and manually fix tags as needed.  I have done this with a cd my dealer made for me.

We're talking 100+ LPs and unfortunately the UnitiServe is unable to look up their details so I'm having to enter each manually. It would have been nice to have save a little bit of the work with a mass transfer

I'd drop Naim a line and see if they can help out ... I'm wondering if a big USB stick might help as I think you can navigate this quite effectively if you have a UServe - unlike my Naim DAC (sorry I don't have a UServe so can't try this for you). 

Jejoma

I've a decent chunk of family vinyl (Dad's Jazz and Classical, plus mine and my Sister's 80's especially 7") and would like to archive it.

How did you rip your vinyl?

Did it go to hard disc first and then CD?

Thanks

Maxi Me

Hi Maxi Me,

t's a rather long-winded process. My PC had a 2.5mm line audio input so I took the speaker outputs from my hi-fi (It was Cyrus then) and fed them into the PC using a splitter input plug. I then ripped them using Magix Audio Cleaning Lab (I tried two thee and that was my favourite). Obviously, this has to be done in real time. The time consuming problem was that the track recognition did not work very well so I had to go through each resulting file adding markers. You can also utilise scratch filters etc..

Magic ACL then saved as individual track files to my PC that I burned to CD using Nero. Adding track details at this stage also took some time. I must say I am very pleased with the end results.

Finally I'm in the process of re-ripping everything to my UnitiServer. Again I find I'm having to re-enter the track details as the Naim server cannot read them. It merely does an online lookup but this fails as it does not recognise the CDs. I'm sure it will all be worthwhile in the end.

Thanks. I've emailed Naim. You never know . . .

Thanks Jejoma,

I suspected it would be painful!

I will stick with my Rega P3; Super Elys; and Trichord Dino into the Naim system, physical media is still fun occasionally 

That's exactly what the new 2tb disc is supposed to allow, right?  We are all hoping that that capability can be applied retroactively . . . a word from Naim would be wonderful.

I use a big usb stick plugged into the back of my uServe and it works well.  Seamless integration with the hard drive based music (and probably "good enough" even if Naim never permit the retro-fit I mentioned above).

The initial reason I ripped them all was so as to be able to play them on my mobile mp3 player. Moving them to the UnitServe is just a bonus (?)

It sounds like that could be the way to go.

Thats kind of what i was suggesting above when I talked about attaching a USB Hard disk drive to the server and keeping it connected to save 'rescanning' every time. You could put quite a lot of music on one of those.

Geoff

Price considered, a 64gb stick is a better deal the last time I looked.  The uServe accepts 4 usb devices, and for me several of those provide enough capacity.  Larger capacity external usb drives are still quite expensive, at least when I looked last.

Hi Bart

Maybe I am lucky but I just picked up a WD Passport 500 GB USB drive for 80 Euros ( about 60 quid). I rip Vinyl at 96/24 myself and a typical album comes in at around 1.6 to 1.8 Gb so probably about 30 albums on a 64 Gb stick which is OK but 500 Gb gives you a lot more based on the price I paid.

regards

Geoff

Geoff I assume that that is a hard disc(hdd), not a solid-state drive (ssd).  I was referring to ss technology.

I am 96% sure that an external usb hdd is not compatible with the usb slots of the uServe.

We really need a sticky FAQ about the capabilities of the uServe with respect to moving files to its internal drive, and its usb capabilities.  They've been discussed here a ton

I tried my 500 gb usb normal HD with my ns01 , and asked on the forum if this could work. Several people adviced against it, so I have also gone the 64 gb usb stick route until something else shows up, or I end with a very quiet nas that I can live with in my living room.

Claus

Hi all,

I've just received this reply from Naim. I eagerly await the promised update. In the meantime it looks like I'll be ripping my vinyl the hard way

Hi

You cannot store any files on the UnitiServe other than CD’s it has ripped, we will be offering an update to 2TB in the near future that will allow this, watch our Web site for information

Regards

Steven Hopkins

Customer Relations Manager

Thank you very much for posting that Jejoma. I appreciate it!