Best Source For NDX

Hi and welcome to the forum

Imho the ndx gives of its best when used via its wired Ethernet connection although wireless is not too far behind. Should suit your flac files nicely too. How the data is served does make a difference in sound quality too.

Atb

Ray

Probably one of the Naim servers, eg. UnitiServe? You'll have ripping and storage combined in a single box...

Regards,

Michel

A Mac Mini with Supernova 6 glass optical cable sounds great in to a Naim DAC so it should sound OK in to the NDX, but I'm unsure why you bought the NDX if you don't want to use its networking capability ... that has to be the way to go ... Vortexbox + NDX would work - you would just need an Ethernet crossover cable between them. Otherwise the DAC is more appropriate for you. Just using the NDX as a DAC means you are not getting full value out of what you bought ... Vortexbox costs less than a Mac Mini ... so cheaper to go with the network option too. 

Hi I find the NDX works well with various sources. I think it excels with upnp. The USB memory stick option works well, but I use it rarely, and mainly when I am doing DSP and spectrum tests ( as I have described elsewhere on this forum in the past). The NDX works well with USB as you can navigate through your USB memory stick files via your NDX.  I use the optical input with my AppleTV, given the limitations of AppleTV it works very well and is great for films and TV. Lossy compressed download music or iCloud usually disappoints except when used for background 'lift' music, but that is little to do with the interface or the NDX.

A mini mac is something I could look into in the future if it sounds better than using a USB Stick.

Trouble with Upnp, is that my naim system will be located upstairs in a bedroom, away from the router downstairs. So the convienece factor was to use USB/Ipod on the system. But the mini mac option sounds good.

As to why I bought the NDX, well during my demo at a dealer I found there was virtually no difference between the Naim Dac going into the NDX, So I came to the conclusion the dac in the NDX is very good, and prefered a bare NDX with powerlines connected.

Also looked into a Superuniti, even connected upto a nap 250 with powerlines, still felt it fell a little short compared with an NDX + Supernait + Hicap.

So I ordered a NDX with FM/DAB Module. For me it's like a Naim Dac with streaming abilites.

I have a NDX and SN, I use a zoneripper as a UPnP server and storage device.They are situated at one end of my house and the hifi on the other side. Instead of running a ethernet cable I use powerline adaptors (using ethernet on the mains line) . I am able to access all my ripped CDs and other music without any problems. I guess you could try the same.

Gtiboy, to get your NDX atits best use wired Ethernet to the upnp server.. Not Powerline adapters or wireless.. Put your NAS near your NDX and put your upnp server on it. Used wired Ethernet to coonect up using a little switch.  Use a wifi bridge back to your router also connected to your switch. Little traffic will go over that other than Internet radio, DHCP and Nstream control point info. You are sorted. A few have done this on this forum and works well with no drop outs, noisy mains, and reliable  hidef.

The apple airport express is a good wifi bridge designed for this sort of application.

Simon

Simon in Suffolk, to check my understanding...

Would I need a switch and a bridge ? Or does the Airport Express cover both functions?

Jude

Jude

You need both. The Airport Express can be set up to act as a wireless bridge to your wireless interent router elsewhere in your house. THe Airport Express plugs into your remote switch along with your NDX and NAS.

Simon

Simon and others

My router is upstairs in my study and linked by ethernet to my iMac which in turn is connected to my NAS. I have just bought a UnitiQute which is downstairs in the lounge close to the tv and feeding a pair of n-Sats.  So far I have it playing internet radio by wifi as well as providing better sound for the TV and blue ray player.

The next, and most important, step is to get my music playing on the UQ.  I was thinking of running an ethernet cable from the router around the outside of my house but your earlier suggestion using Airport Express would be an easier alternative.  However, should I move the NAS downstairs and link it by ethernet to the UQ or is it OK to leave it upstairs and set up an AE downstairs to find it?  The latter would be preferable as I don't want the NAS in the lounge unless I can't avoid it.  

If I keep the NAS upstairs do I leave it connected to my iMac or should I connect it to the router? Sorry if I have misunderstood you or this sounds a bit garbled but I have a lot to learn.

Bob

Simon,

Could you sort of a draw a diagram of what you're suggesting. I'm kind of lost.

I've got the following setup:

NAS hardwired to Airport Extreme.

Airport Extreme talks wirelessly to Airport Express.

Airport Express hardwired to Streamer.

Airport Extreme also happens to be connected to a switch that is connected to a PC downstairs.

@Simon:

I tried reading your post again, and here's what I think you meant:

a) Take a switch: Hardwire streamer, NAS and AIrport Express to switch.

b) The Airport Express communicates wirelessly with the Airport Extreme (router).

I'll try that and report if it's any better or worse than my setup.

Mangomonkey.. Spot on !

Since I would prefer the NAS to be in a different room than the switch, should the NAS be next to the switch, or the streamer next to the switch? Would getting Cat6/Gigabit router make any difference?

The cables in the walls are Cat5e and I don't intend on changing those.

So, I could do

Streamer ->Cat6 -> switch -> Cat5e in wall -> NAS in laundry room or

Streamer -> Cat 5e in wall -> switch -> Cat6 -> NAS

Switch: Gigabit?

I know it makes not much theoretical difference because the amount of data that needs to be transmitted is minscule. On the other hand, its just $20 vs. $40 to go from fast ether net to Gigabit router and $4 vs. $6 for the short Cat5e vs. Cat6 cable.

Hi

A gigabit or CAT 6 router won't make any difference andI unnecessary as it's main job is to connect your LAN to the Internet.

Either of your two options with the switch would work fine. If you have a CAT 6a patch lead you try between streamer and switch or wall to see if there is any sound difference ( the CAT 6a lead might leak less local RF).

As far as gigabit switch, not neccessary, but they are so cheap you might as well if it is of good quality and has a reasonable or better powersupply.m

Finally unless the switch is 'green' type and auto senses link voltage based on length of segment on the port, I'd be inclined to site the switch as furthest away from your audio equipment you can manage, but we are talking marginal sound difference if any here.

Simon

Simon

Sorry to trouble you but I would be grateful for any comments you have on my earlier post above.  My dealer who sold me the UnitiQute just suggests either wifi over standard home network or Powerlines and I would like to get the best possible streaming and, if possible, avoid having to fit lengthy runs of Cat5/6 to the outside of house.

Bob

You could do what I suggested in a different thread:

Use an airport express to do the wireless bit, and run a cable from it to the UnitiQute. You'll offload wireless ethernet processing to the Airport Express and make wireless streaming more reliable.