Using the UnitiServ SSD

Seems that I spoke too soon!!

Doesn't seem that any of the Tag updates I did have been reflected in the system. My question would be "how often does the US SSD rescan the network shares and update the info, and, can this be done manually"?

Next problem was that the NServe app on my iPad slowed right down, it wouldn't list the tracks when I selected an album. This occurred just after as I was trying to create a playlist. I deleted the app and reinstalled from the app store, this seems to have fixed the problem at the moment, but in general it does seem slow. By the way I have a GB pan and the wireless router is very close so I get full strength signal on the iPad.

Do others find the same? 

Next I created a backup share on another NAS box, I can see it in both Mac and Windows, but still hasn't come up on the web interface for the US SSD. How long does this take?

Cheers

Tim

Hi Tim,

I always update the network share manually on my Uniitiserve, and I do this via the DTC within Tools>Music Repositories>Scanable Network Shares. i guess "Refresh all Shares " in the Web interface will work s well.

I use N-Serve on my iPod and this is very fast.

Not sure about your final point, but I have a feeling that there has to be a file/folder named music or similar in there for the Serve to link to it. Could be wrong.

Gerry 

eYou have to refresh a share after all updates on that share. I do not understand why it works that way, since the documentation at least suggests that the online shares are scanned continuoysly, but do not wait for new files to show up. The only files that are automatically sshowing up is the disks ripped by the server, and I suppose this is also true for the ssd version.

Have you been able to remove shares permanently. With the desktop client no matter how often I remove and ignore shares they reappear a few minutes after, really really  anoying!!!!

Claus

Thanks for the feedback chaps. I've only had a quick look at the desktop client as it is running on an old IBM laptop, I always seem to get crabby when I use Windows. I've concentrated on the web interface on the Mac, some of it is just getting used to where things are menu wise and I've managed to update some of the tags to correct a few errors.

I'm now just feeding the beast with CDs and enjoying the music, seems to be getting better soundwise all the time.

S'pose I better save up for a 555PS for the NDac. 

Cheers

Tim

Add a linear power supply to the UServe first. You may be surprised...

My first evening with one on my UServe was quite a revelation. Will report back after a weekend of listening on the main system.

Jan

Jan:

I'm interested, could you supply a bit more info. I did have one on the SB Touch, but forget where it came from.

Cheers

Tim

Tim this would have to be an aftermarket power supply, as Naim do not make such an item. Forum rules do not permit extensive discussion of such, and certain brands, but you can find info is you search the 'Net.

I am going to experiment with the other solution to 'noise' possibly introduced by the uServe's power supply, which is to move it and the uServe to the other end of the house with only a run of Cat5e cable connecting it to my player.

OK Jan I forgot about the rules, I will have a search.

My Unitiserve is on a separate spur to the main hi fi which has its own breaker, cable with a heavy duty earth and an uprated wall socket. So hopefully I shouldn't get more any mains induced noise.

Tim

As a further thought my intended upgrade plan is to add a 555ps to the NDac. However I'm wondering if I would get more mileage by adding a streamer? Thinking about the electronics in the Unitiserve SSD that provides output to the NDac, lets call it the gubbin's, would the gubbin's in an ND5XS or NDX give a better quality sound connected to the NDac or would I be wasting money?

Tim

Tim, what you're really asking is whether moving away from using the SPDIF output of the uServe to the DAC will make more improvement than adding a 555PS to the DAC.  My guess is "no." I've not heard these combinations, but I would strongly suspect that a uServe into the Naim DAC/555PS would sound better than the uServe into the ND5XS/Naim DAC/no power supply.  The 555PS adds something really special to the DAC.  I do not think that using the SPDIF output of the uServe, rather than streaming, detracts nearly so much as the 555PS adds. 

But really you've got to hear the combos if you are planning on hearing an improvement as it's not straightforward once you start comparing the streamers to the DAC w/o an external power supply.  If it's either/or, you may prefer the sound of an NDX to the DAC w/o power supply.  Just hard to say.  Which is why so many folks end up with both

I'm with Bart on this ... Get the 555ps ... It'll make far more difference. The naim DAC buffers S/PDIF and eliminates most of the differences between what feeds it ... Yes giving it the best feed you can is ideal, but it won't have the impact that adding a 555ps will have. 

I accept that the NDX is probably a better feed than my Mac Mini, but until i can change my pre-amp to a 552 then it is not something i feel inclined to pursue. Moreover, using a US or MM as a player is just easier than UPnP streaming. 

Keep the US as far away from your DAC as you can and if possible not on the same mains (only possible if you use a separate spur). 

All the best, Guy

Thanks guys, I thought as much, but wanted to check with others. I may listen to an NDX with and without an XPS2 straight into my 252 and compare it to the US SSD dac and 555ps. Usually the next upgrade is a no brainer, but with streaming I think things have become a bit more complicated so I'll definitely lead with my ears with this one.

Tim

Hi Timbo

Do I understand you correctly. You have just got a new UnitiServe SSD with 1.6b software on it? With out a doubt, you should have received it with the latest 1.6d software.

I have had problems with my UnitiServe, just got it back from Naim. The unit would not update the software using a disc. Had to be done remotely via my browser, by Naim tech support. Anyway they have replaced the RAM which was faulty, and also re cloned the SSD.

David

Hi David.

Yes it was software version 1.6b and I was a little surprised. I suppose it had been in stock for a while   However it did update to 1.6d, but I couldn't have done this without the support already on the forum. I have the latest manual downloaded from the website and it is really poorly written, I think Naim should be aware of this and also the updates are a bit difficult to find and also it takes careful reading to make sure one has the correct version. Additionally instructions on how to set up the update and the procedure would have been helpful - but the forum provided the necessary guidance.

I almost didn't purchase the Unitiserve as my dealer was under the impression that it did not do internet radio and that was a deal breaker for me, however, I consulted the forum again and was relieved to find it did. My dealer also checked this out by phoning another dealer for confirmation.

A few things for Naim to think about in the way they support customers, I would also put in a mention for dealers, perhaps they also need more support on what the products are capable of, and how to set them up and which are most appropriate for the customer.

So far so good.....

Tim

Martin Colloms of HiFiCritic was the first to report on the benefits of replacing the UnitIServe's switching supply with a linear supply (summarized here https://forums.naimaudio.com/di...nt/15364009045185718). His article alluded to the possibility of Naim producing a linear supply for the UServe, but this has not happened. With the advent of the DR power supplies though, perhaps there's hope that the technology will find its way to the UnitiServe PS.

Well, this weekend with the 3rd party linear power supply on the UnitiServe in system 1 (see profile) well exceeded my expectations and clearly showed how the switching power supply is holding the unit back. Gains in definition are across the board, from lower bass to treble, with substantially less grain and sibilance. Note that I did not find any gains in PRaT that Martin Colloms of HiFiCritic mentioned. I did the required A/B comparisons several times with the switching supply, but there really is no comparison. The difference is not subtle. I'm using the UServe directly into the nDAC, so I can't say how the linear supply might benefit the UServe if it's being used as UPnP server only.

This weekend has confirmed my belief in the UnitiServe as my ultimate digital source (for now ) and has made it clear that the source is as important as the DAC in the final result. I had not expected that a linear power supply would bring such a noticeable improvement. For comparison - and I've chosen my words carefully here - it's about on the level of adding a HiCap to a preamp, and at $400, it's a no-brainer.

Got to go, music beckons,

Jan

PS. In my A/B comparisons, I did try plugging the uServe switching power supply into a circuit separate from the hifi, but with no noticeable gains in SQ.

Since extended discussion is verboten, please PM if you need any more info : auditor at bell dot net.

A very interesting experience, I noticed an improvement in my SB Touch when I added an uprated power supply, it seemed as though the noise floor dropped, everything was much quieter and the listening experience was improved.

I'm finding the Unitiserve SSD is sounding better and better, after a late night Joni Mitchell session I'm convinced it is the way forward.

Tim

That's exactly what I'm finding with the linear power supply on the UnitiServe, and would explain why low-level listening is now much clearer.

Just as an update. In general things are going well, have ripped about 300 CD's of my mostly listened collection, still some 900 to go, but realistically I don't think all of them will be ripped.

The Unitiserve SSD does seem to struggle reading CDR's, I think some of them must have been damaged on the trip over from England due to the excessive cold that January.

Did have a minor scare this morning, I was ripping away but could not access the rips, checked out the shared NAS and all were there but the U/S could not read them. I ended up rebooting the NAS and rebuilding the database and all seems to be well.

Finally could anyone enlighten me on the backup procedure. I have nominated a share on a different NAS, set it up as a music store backup. The DTP sees it and it has done a couple of full backups according to the log file. However, what does it back up? I'm assuming it backs up the music store i.e. how ever many CD's one has ripped. But this doesn't seem to be happening, nothing seems to be backed up and I've checked out the area on the NAS and it has the LQ, MQ and HQ directories but with nothing in them. Anybody got any clues?

Tim

Tim, my backup that the uServe's backup utility makes on my NAS has one directory "MQ" with all of my ripped music in it.  This is a backup of my 1tb version -- so no opportunity for the "Downloads" directory that the newer HDD version also provides.

I am not sure how the backup utility works for the SSD version, sorry!

Hi Tim,

I always use my Readynas to do the back up of my music stores, and I set the Hard Disk form to NTSF and not the default Netgear format, in order that I can view the data via laptop/PC. Otherwise the files can only be viewed via the Readynas share

Have you tried to view the back up share from the Qnap NAS? I think this should show the music files.

Gerry 

Thanks Chaps.

I think I figured it out. As I have an SSD version the backup procedure is superfluous and I will have to backup the files on my QNap NAS to another NAS and will have to work out how this is done through the QNap admin system.

I'll let you know how I get on.

By the way I found some of the threads about the Unitiserve not booting after a power outage and coming back from holiday. I'm just leaving for England today and will turn everything off and hope that it all works when i get back. I have rebooted my U/S a couple of times after the software update and so far it is OK.

Tim

Thanks for the update Timbo, and yes, switch off the U/S (from the back panel) before leaving !

Have a good trip,

Jan

... whose U/S has decided that it will no longer rip CDs...

Thanks Jan - will do. Sorry to hear about your U/S - hope it recovers.

Tim