Spotify on Naim streamers

Or a SONOS Connect (ZP90) . . . . 

Works well, most of the time anyway!

John

Adam posted a link recently to the Naim Knowledgebase, start by looking at this.

http://www.netserverapps.com/n...in.php?category_id=6

specifically this one.

http://www.netserverapps.com/naimaudio/users/main.php?id=10203&category_id=6

Regards

Peter

You can connect the ZP90 via RCA Coax to the NDX and control Spotify via the Sonos iPad app.

Hello Robert

I’m afraid I am unable to comment on the use of any of Apples products, as I don’t own any. However, many others here may well be able to advise on feasibility of your proposal. Good luck.

Peter

Sonos is rock solid, never had any network issues and the user interface of their desktop controller and iPad app is a treat to use. Personally I cannot tell my Dr. Gert Volk modified Sonos ZP90/nDAC apart from my CDX2.2/nDAC when playing AIFF files. Even a 320kbps Spotify stream sounds nearly identical to the CD played on my CDX2.2 and feeding the nDAC. If hires is not important to you, to me it isn't, then the Sonos/nDAC would be a very good alternative to the NDX. Of course you coud partner it with the NDX as well, if that's what you prefer...

If you want to keep using Spotify, you will want to keep the Squeezebox Touch or Sonos in the system until Naim adds Spotify support.

Thinking along the same lines as OP, I bought a Sonos to try;  I like the way it works.  But my Squeezebox Touch sounds better, to me.  Both are spdif RCA>BNC into my Naim DAC.  I guess the folks who have paid for upgrades to their Sonos boxes are not doing it just because they can.

Spotify Premium on the SBT sounds way better than I expected -- a very pleasant surprise.

Nick

Hi Robert

I control it from the iPod, not too much of a problem for me as I just download albums to sample ahead of possible purchase.

Cheers

Gerry

I was previously streaming premium Spotify from my Macbook Pro to my Uniti via Nicecast. It was OK but Virgin's Tivo box has Spotify included so I now simply run an optical Toslink cable from the Tivo directly to the Uniti. It works a treat and the sound quality is remarkably good. I do have to mute the TV sound because it's inferior and not in synch. Control is via the TV but it's easy. It's essential to have the premium version of Spotify.

Well, so far so good - the idea seems good. Jailbroke the touch and loaded the VNC app on it and then on my android device (just to try it out before going for the ipad) and they are refusing to talk to each other with the ipod touch rejecting the connection. So near yet so far - I'm trying to learn to laugh about it but at the moment it feels like a bit of a dead end as I just don't know what to do next.

Does anyone have any experience in these this who could suggest a next step?

Cheers, Robert

Another options is get an Airport Express, optical cable to dig input on your DAC, and use Airplay to stream Spotify from your iPod Touch. 

The advantage of the Virgin route I use is that Spotify comes in at 50Mb on fibre optic cable straight to Tivo. It then goes directly via the optical Toslink cable into the Naimuniti. No streaming necessary and the sound quality is remarkably good. The Naim is Ipod controlled but control of Spotify has to be via the Tivo remote. It really works well.

Sq is not the greatest IMO, but I tend to use Spotify to try out new stuff and if I like it I buy the CD / get the hires download given Spotify only 320kps anyway.

The stability of the wireless link is an issue but seems to be dependent pretty much entirely on the quality of the wireless signal / router.  In other words where the wireless signal is good it's stable enough that drop outs are rare. 

You can get rid of one part of the stream if you download what you want to listen to to the iPod first, though that obviously takes away the spontaneous fun / doesn't work for radio stuff.

I've not done the SB Touch comparison so wouldn't know how it compares to that.

I use my iPad in to my nDAC, which sounds good. The Spotify software is very easy to use on the iPad, compared to a phone or touch. I generally play large playlists and new albums prior to buying the CD. Once started I don't reall mess with the iPad unless I am swapping playlists/albums.

I don't think you can control Spotify in to an NDX from an iPad.

As your sytem is not broken down, I'd carry on with your SBT and DAC until it stops working. I don't see the point in spending a lot of money to play 320k.

I also suspect new Naim hardware will become available over the next few years and Spotify or similar is likely to be incorporated off the shelf or maybe Bluetooth or other high quality transmission methods will be built in.

Regards

Huw

Hi Robert -

Have tried a few different VNC apps for the iPad, and some seem a lot better than others.

My favorite so far is PocketCloud Remote Desktop by Wyse.  No agents required, good response times, and very easy to use. Note that the free version can only be used to control one remote system.

Good luck!

Hook

A few random thoughts from me.

I have had different experiences than Hook.  I tried the Wyse product and hated it.   It was slow and needed a reboot multiple times a day.  Screens is much better, I think like $20.  But any VNC control has a "lag" for lack of a better word.  It's a bit of a pain, but not more than that.

I used my Sonos to stream Spotify but you need Spotify premium.  After a few months I decided it was not worth the $10 a month.  If I am worried about SQ I don't rely on Spotify.  I mostly use it to see if I want to buy the CD

What I do now....Use regular Spotify.  Run it on my Mac Mini going through a good optical cable to my DAC and control it with Screens.  It works but not nearly as slick as just controlling my iTunes library with the Remote ap on my iPad