NDS and stored music

Make sure that if you get the NS01, that it can be controlled by nServe. If it can't, a lot of the benefits of metadata correction will be lost, as you'll be fiddling on the computer. I've tried to google to find out, but cannot be sure. Also, make sure it's one of the later 2tb versions. 

Thanks again Nigel and Stover for more useful help. I am off out now for a few hours but will check back this evening. The ns01 is the earlier model but the dealer will have new 2 tb disks and updated software installed. This would mean I wouldn't need a separate Nas drive, just a separate hard drive for backup purposes

The NS01 can be controlled by the nServe and nStream applications, as well as the Naim Audio Desktop Client. It operates just the same as the Unitiserve, but it has a second HDD to do its own back-ups. It also has a drawer load mechanism which some might prefer.

In which case, it sounds ideal. Also, it wouldn't need an alternative power supply. If it's the same price as the Serve, what's not to like?

These slot roller mechanisms, now so popular, may never give you the slightest cause for complaint year in year out, right up to the moment it damages one of your CDs, which is entirely possible with a loading mechanism that makes contact with the disc's surface.

Bob I'll see if I can flounder around and answer this part.

With the 2tb uServe, the nas is typically used only as a backup.

With the ssd uServe, a nas must be used for storage. In that setup, the uServe is still the server, as well as the ripper.  The advantage is that you eliminate what you read in countless dozens of posts here about how 'Twonky killed my dog' and 'which server can I install on a Qnap nas' and 'why do I see two copies of every song' etc etc.  The uServe's server will do it right, right out of the box.  Clearly the other solutions DO work, but they reside in shark infested waters for some.

Clearly we are in the right plaice for informed advice.

A dab of logic is all that's required.

Hi Mr Hills,

There is another advantage depending on your user requirements. As I have mentioned in the past based on dealer comments and my own demo experience, the U-Serve is optimised for network delivery and my experience preferred this method into the ND5 over SPDIF into the NDac (both bare). So if you intend to stream via ethernet I would seriously consider the U-Serve as the brains of your system knowing that you have 'probably' the best audio data delivery method Naim offer, whack a linear psu on it and relegate your NAS for back up duties.

It is also worth noting that Naim do not recommend an external hard drive to back up to from the U-Serve, you should use a simple NAS. A simple external Hard Drive is not sophisticated enough to uphold the U-Serves data base...I believe.

Jason.

Well it's all a bit fishy isn't it thanks to Nigel, Stoik and Bart - very enjoyable and I'm having a ŵhale of a time with this topic, despite getting into deep waters at the limit of my understanding.

Harry, Clive, Bart and Jason - thanks for your further helpful comments? It seems I was wrong to assume that the UnitiServe is purely a ripper and that when connected to a Nas drive it is the latter that takes over the UPnP  duties for replay. If the 'serve provides the UPnP then perhaps that is a good reason to use one, as recommended by Naim and some of their dealers.

Clive - do you have an NS01 and, if so, would you recommend it over the UnitiServe? It seems to me that the twin drives should be worth having - perhaps no need for a separate Nas drive. Does it require a pc for updating purposes?

Thanks 

Bob

Don't you mean 'for updating porpoises'?

Remember that the ns01 is designed specifically for the seemingly defunct NaimNet, whereas the prime porpoise of the Serve is as a streaming source. It's also virtually silent in operation, so can sit on the Hifi rack. Some say that's not optimal but it works for me. The NS01, on the other hand, contains a large fan and is designed to live in a cupboard. It may be as silent as can be, but on the other hand.....

Yes, Bob, I have the 2TB version. I think Phil Harris says that there's no need for a separate NAS drive for back-up purposes, although I do have a 2TB NAS as well and a 2TB USB HDD but those are really because I started the journey last year with a UnitiServe. The NS01 is a delight to use.

Almost forgot to say, if I recall correctly, mine came with v1.6c firmware and I immediately updated it to v1.7 which was released at about the same time as the NS01 was delivered. I did the update through my PC (which is on the same network) and it went very smoothly. It was a lot easier to update than the NDS, but even that went like clockwork simply by following the instructions. I am sure that updating the UnitiServe would have followed the same process. 

Clive - thanks again. I assume you moved away from UniyiServe because of reliability issues

Mr. Hills

Thank's for your follow up on this issue. I have learn't a lot from the recent posts. That said, I'm a simple soul and my main experience is still that with Unitiserve 2T it just works, ripping, storing and upnp kind of issues are gone.

Another thing to mention. The 2T version can also be used with a NAS, the same way as with SSD. As a bonus, you may also bring it with you wherever you go, and the music will follow.

We have NDS/US SSD running, and have kept everything as WAV. We like the simplicity and ease of use, the two apps work well for us and very happy with it.

Purchased the US SSD as we wanted the external NAS running.

The US is now serving a DAC-V1/NAP100/DB1i via SPDIF to a system in the office and streaming via Netgear switch/router to an NDS/SN2/S400 in the HiFi room. 

Both work independently of each other allowing for separate listening in each room if so desired.

Thats a great solution Dan

I have another approach to achieve the same abilities. UServe placed downstairs in the music room, close to NDS because of the ethernet wiring. I use Audioquest "Cinnamon" ethernet- cable between wall socket and switch. Then AQ "Vodka" between switch, US and NDS.

In the living room, through wired ethernet, Unitiqute 2 find UServe easily using n-stream from pad or phone.

PS! I went through a blind test with the AQ cables vs ordinary cables and the result was obvious to me. During the blind test I did not know what kind of "upgrade" that was there either.

Yes indeed. It's a lovely thing. Sounds good in its own right and works seamlessly with something like the NDS. I use one with the NDS because it was my primary player for years and I didn't see the point in disposing of it. If starting from scratch an HDX would be hugely over specified for use with an NDS but one set of circumstances doesn't fit all.

As it happens, the HDX has seen a couple of revivals as a source component in my system because the NDS has been back to the factory. It's doing these duties at the moment and although it's obviously inferior, its still hugely enjoyable and will do just fine in the short term.

 So presumably, you can use the NDS's 555PS to run the HDX until the NDS returns?   That should provide a very reasonable analogue sound source  (in fact, exactly what I was using before the NDX & NDS arrived on scene !) 

Arnaud, seems like $4000 of over-kill.  The HDX is $4000 more than the uServe -- and $4000 is the cost of a Naim Dac, new.  As Harry has said in the past, he has an HDX and an NDS, but remember he had the HDX for quite a while before the NDS was released.  

This is how we ended up where we are now in this house. The HDX ran alongside a CDX2 and after a year the CDP was deemed unnecessary as it did not give any sonic benefits. It took a year to convince me that as well as sounding good, the equipment and technology was stable enough. I also used the time to try some NAS/storage options, various 16bit file formats and dip my toe in 24bit material, the latter being unforeseen when we got the HDX and another one of those game changing events - with good enough material, of course.

Later on the DAC came in and the XPS2 which had been powering the HDX (formally powering the CDX2) went on the DAC. This was followed in due course by a 555PS and rated as really big and pivotal step, transforming the system into something we had never thought capable of. We could have stopped there but we later heard an NDS and it was too compelling to ignore. So the DAC stayed for between two and three years but everything else was retained, the 555PS going onto the NDS. Using an HDX for serving duties is extravagant in absolute terms but we didn't see the point in overly complicating matters and in any case, we really like the HDX and are happy to keep it in the family.

It's a bit of a Naim Army Knife, and it will even play CDs - how charmingly retro.But cheap for what it does it certainly ain't.