Unitiserve 2TB

VFM is in the eye of the owner/beholder.  For those who want to replicate all of the functions of the UnitiServe with a computer and other hardware, it's low VFM.  For those who want a one-box, totally turn-key solution that just works every time, it's good VFM.

The 2tb hdd will not change anyone's idea from either camp IMHO.

+1 Bart

Probably worth mentioning the wonders the US does with metadata & and improving iPad support as this doesnt always accompany the computer / other hardware alternatives. 

Even more attractive than 2TB drive is the ability to add music you have downloaded to the store and to no longer be restricted to WAV. However, I still feel it is PC centric and until I could control all its functions without any need to ever use Windows then it'll never be for me. 

I am concerned that firmware upgrades on several Naim products seem restricted to Windows users; I really don't think you should need a computer to upgrade a box that has an Internet connection and can accept USB sticks. Naim needs to fix this or it means I'd have to buy a product knowing I need to return it to my dealer every time there was an upgrade announced. A Mac friendly upgrade would be adequate for me if it is really impossible for Naim to provide it in the way every other manufacturer seems to. 

This is a tacit acceptance on Naim's part that uServe v1 was somewhat flawed.

That v1 arrived with the philosophy that nobody would want to add their own files to the store directly was just plain silly and the music aggregation approach to gathering files from across the network was a mistake.

In reality you need a music library in one place to ensure that you maintain accurate and multiple backups.

The only problem now is that you are left with a ludicrously expensive PC server that makes even a firmware update stupidly complex.

I can see that the uServe will slowly fade away as Naim learn to leave PC hardware to others with deeper pockets.

Tog

I totally agree with Guido Fawkes. The fact that the Unitiserve is connected permanently to the internet, should mean that it can update without a computer. I have the SSD version, which I only took delivery of five weeks ago. Not quite sure how I would be feeling had it been the 1 TB HDD version, then four weeks later the 2 TB is launched.

I have a post running about updating my Unitiserve SSD. Am having trnouble updating it, even with NAIM'S OWN UPDATE DISC. All instructions are loaded towards Windows users. That should be a thing of the past, as loads of people now have Macs.

Since it seems possible to upgrade older UnitiServe and HDX's to the 2TB versions, the question comes to my mind if one should upgrade to the 2TB version or have the units converted to SSD??

What do you think?

Regards,

Michel

Just checking my understanding, as I am thinking about Naim servers....

Is there a problem with the feature of  searching and playing files from any source on the network for the US, HDX and NSs ? Or is it the concept that is a problem ?

Also, does the fading away principle also apply to the HDX and NS servers?

Jude 

I agree whole-heartedly.  Perhaps the thinking was that those who appreciate a '1-box' solution would be only those who own an extensive cd collection and want to rip it to the box, and that is only what such customers would want to do.  But the fact that customers might pay a premium for simplicity, but such customers would never move beyond, perhaps was the error.  In any event, it's a good sign that v2 fixes that severe limitation.

Other hi fi companies sell music storage solutions and don't leave it merely to third-party computers.  I think that there's still room for Naim to be in the server and storage business, but in the mode now embraced.

I have the 1TB version and updated to 1.6c.  Should I be able to save downloaded or pre ripped music to my UServe or is this strictly for the 2TB version?  Seems with a firmware update, both should work the same.

It's not like the concept of having all your music in one place is new to Naim servers, this is what the SSD version has been doing since launched...all music - one place - NAS drive,  but now you can use an internal drive instead.  Some might wonder if this is a retrograde step... introducing unprotected storage to the public at large... the need for backups... the need for NAS drives... 

No, for me it's forget 2TB "upgrade"... go SSD for a real upgrade !   

Strictly for the 2TB version.  The firmware update does not provide this feature to the 1TB hardware.

Well well well... this thread makes me think.... I now have a SuperUniti that streams a NAS. All sorts of problems. The application is weird (doesn't even have the right song under the tag), my files are all over the place, etc etc. I come from a Mac Mini + external HD/USB/Spdif set up that had absolutely no problem playing all my music to this nightmare...  But frankly, I want to give it the best shot before I go the UnitiServe way. I think over 4000 quids for a dedicated music server is outrageous. If I can figure out how to stream correctly from a NAS only, even if its not perfect, I'll keep my money for more music. So I will be patient and do my homeworks.

But if I continue to have all sorts of problems (and I think it's heading that way - again, Yip, be patient), one day, big Yip is going to fetch into his no-so-deep pockets and buy a UServe. But I agree with Roger, it is definitely going to be a SSD. Who needs a internal 2TB when he can have a 4 or 5TB and store even more than music?

BTW, The SU with the 250.2 is a great combo. Me thinks its a combo of the future! 

Is the argument for an SSD  server just cost/VFM? or is the SQ better, too?

J

Not at all - we have added functionality to the servers as time and capacity have increased ... I came up with the schema to add the Downloads folder into the software and integrate it in with the system about the time that we went from the 1.4 to 1.5 software versions. It has been planned for some time and has simply been held until it was decided that the drives were big enough to have this implemented.

Not at all - in reality distributed storage can (and does) work perfectly well, allows easy staged expansion. Running out of space - add another NAS (each NAS looking after itself for redundancy and backup) and seamlessly overspill onto it ... capacity expansion on a single large RAID based device (or drive pooling) is not a simple thing for a non-techie end user to get to grasps with.

Hmmm ... you're prepared to roll your own devices Tog but many people don't want to do so and the UnitiServe is designed as a solution for those who don't want to.

Software updates are purposely on a CD as we do have many systems that are installed in situations that do not necessarily have broadband internet access (yachts, remote retreats etc.) or are in NaimNet systems that shouldn't just be automatically updated and generally the update process isn't that fraught (although there are always exceptions).

Phil

Last I saw prices the SSD cost is slightly higher than the normal disk versions, and adding to the cost is external storage. If you want ssd why not by the streamers, only difference is the n serve or n stream apps, and that you do not need to setup a upnp server.

When do we get a price for the 2 tb upgrades for the different servers? I will probably skip it but it is a n a typical Naim way of keeping up with the development.

Claus

I think most mac users should be able to burn an iso image, so the disks are in no way Windows-centric. A few users have had problems, but that was not with the disk but the unit. Actually the iso support on xp did not exist so xp users still have to install software to burn the Iso unlike on a mac.

Claus

That is a poor decision on Naim's part.  Adding the capability to store downloads shouldn't be "hardware" driven.  A software update should handle this type of feature.

The feature requires a complete repartitioning of the drive so cannot be a software update...

Cheers

Phil

Phil,

Does this mean you are allocating a certain amount of GB of the overall 2TB to free downloads, i.e. the download folder being physically separated from the rest of the available storage, or is the amount of free space that can be used up by downloads vs. Naim rips interchangable as required, i.e. without external limitations?

Many thanks

tp

The space is freely shareable between Naim  rips and downloads ... just setting a fixed partition for downloads would have been the easiest route but would have pleased no-one.

Cheers

Phil

The recent issue of HiFi Critic has an interesting comparison of the SQ between the HDD and SDD versions. In Martin Colloms view - and in his system - the HDD version is superior in terms of pace and rhythm. He describes the SDD rendition as initially more attractive (more finely resolved) but ultimately less engaging than the HDD.

Jan

Let's see now... 1TB holds about 1200 CDs. So, assuming a CD lasts for 60 minutes, if I listen on average for 2 hours each day, I can go for about 20 months without hearing the same track twice

The 2TB version seems like a very good proposition, especially since it sounds better than the SDD version .

Jan