Nserve v Nstream apps

n-serve can be used with hdx, ns01 ns02 ns03 and unityserve. N-stream with the streamers. N-stream can access extra rovi materiel about the music you are playing more than the meta data the n-serve can show. I suppose the n-serve will be updated to do the same in the future. 

There is no overlap in functionality.  nServe controls the Naim servers, whilst nStream controls the Naim streamers (players).

NServe:

For control with Naim server products (I.e HDX / UntiServe / NS01 etc):

• Edit metadata
• Build playlists

NStream:

For control with Naim streaming  products (I.e Uniti range / NDX / NDS etc)

• Input selection
• UPnP: Library browsing / playback control
• Rovi Database
• USB / IPod input control
• FM / DAB input

I'm new to this, so thank you for your answers. I had been planning to start out with a Unitiserve attached via a DAC to my 552. I won't be ditching the CD555 anytime soon but I would like to be able to explore my collection using the Naim apps. Do I understand that I will have very limited functionality        

with the Nserve app and that I can only get the full info if I also put a Naim streamer into the system, which I do not need initially. 

Hope this question makes sense.

David, my understanding is that Naim are migrating the two products intro a single common app in the near future.

I use the HDX which is brilliant and the nserve is great, no real "loss"

There are very few things you cannot do with the n-serve app, the most important being to update a share when you have downloaded new music. The only reason to add a streamer to your setup is that at least one user has compared Userve plus ndac, with Userve plus nd5, and found he preferred Userve plus nd5. 

For many reasons I would prefer ns01 and even better ns01 plus ndac my own setup. You get an extra hard disk internally with automated daily backup. You avoid the external psu, but you get a standard naim box not half size, and you have to pay more of course since the ns01 has a dac inside.

Rumers about the unified app has been around for a long time, but it will probably show up some day.

Does n-serve allow volume control? 

No volume control with n-Serve ...

Regards,

Michel

While ripped cd's are available immediately, downloaded music is not available until the share has refreshed.  This does seem pretty inefficient, and I wonder whether Naim are working on a better solution.  If the OS "knew" that new files were added to the Downloads folder, it could trigger a rescan (update) or some such action.  As Claus points out, presently we have to go to a computer and thru the web interface, or DTC (or now n-Serve for OS X), force an update.

No idea how competitive products work . . .

Thank you all. One last question, can the desktop app be run from a PC Connected wirelessly to the network?

Yes

Thank you Cbr600. I have decided to start with a unitiserve and a dac, and then settle down to several months of ripping, by the end of which it will probably all be obsolete, given the speed of change in this area. Still, it's exciting!

The death of cd and the news about new incompatible streaming formats is simply not true. On the other hands cd has never been cheaper overall. I have never bought so many cds before I got my ns01. Be sure to get a nas for an extra backup, like I wrote  earlier, this is taken care of with the ns01, but if  you already have a nas it is no problem, otherwise you should really by a Netgear Duo or another inexpensive nas so you can backup your ripped cd. 

Claus, I hope I am not causing you any anxiety! I am a firm believer in CD but I also know the value of ripped versions. I have a Brennan with 1700 rips (320k) of my own CDs. This comes with me when I go on holiday, for example.  My unitiserve is planned to give me the same, but uncompressed  'bit perfect' source,  in no holds barred situtations, so I can build on it in future. Am I missing something?

Hi,

I would hate to rip my850 cds again! Normally I have been fairly relaxed when it comes to backing up files on my computers,  but with my music both rips and downloads I have now one nas, and 2 external cloud backup automated systems working. Hopefully my disks or ns01 will never fail, but at least I know I do not have to buy downloads again allmost no matter what happens, and I can have my stored music back in a few days time.

Claus

Have got as far as ripping CDs to Unitiserve,with replay using locally attached DAC to 552. Two big gaps in the nserve app so far - year of album release, and no ability to play entire database randomly.  Am  I misssing anything. Otherwise it is fantastic, not as good as CD555 but v.promising.

David, try the 555PS on the nDac for a while, it gives a big improvement

Gerry.