Unitiserve SSD - nDac/DAC V1

To my mind, the US is about providing a UPNP server/ripping solution for a streamer. Neither of the DACs are streamers. If you want a DAC [either] then you are better off with a computer and hard drive/server. If you want a streamer, then get the US if you must.

Of course, you can buy a US SSD to rip but it seems awfully wasteful of funds when you can get a computer to do the job just as well, a computer which you will need to feed a DAC anyway?

As regards the V1 and DAC, they are targeted at different markets. If you don't hear the downsides of SPDIF like I do, you might like the DAC. The V1 is obviously a lot more recently developed so may be better in some respects but is a bottleneck in that it cannot be upgraded with power supplies.

Julian

+1.

As you have the US you'd be better off with the original naim DAC. The v1 doesn't bring anything to the party.

I have gone the US SSD route (ex-demo price) as for later it felt the correct route for the ND5 XS/NXS/NDS?

I home demo'd an NDS with XPS PSU and loved the sound produced, using dBpoweramp and Asset via PC Laptop for UPnP into it (also tried J River and many others). Also used USB drives and internet radio plus Apple Airplay for the iTunes library.

Thinking being US SSD to NDS/NDX/ND5 (I am happy with the n-stream/NAIM UPnP approach) plus amp and speakers. All rips will be wav which can be backed-up and used in other UPnP software later if things move on, J River for Mac perhaps.

Then you look at the nDAC and that feels like a solid route, although I am relying on SPDIF Toslink via glass fibre cable.

This kit is a little too expensive to buy, learn, make a mistake and try again, I can't keep home demo'ing for ever, so the US SSD is the first step to a solid NAIM family system build, but even now I am thinking have I got my thinking back to front?

Thanks

Dan43

Not really Dan. You've gone for the US which is a nice one stop solution to ripping and serving. Serve UPnP via a Network to one of the N series players and you've got the basis for a very nice system. 

James

Keen on the NDS, I heard it, I liked it a lot, US gets my CDs ripped in the manner that suits me and I get to play everything back to a good standard until the NDS is purchased.

Downloaded hi-res files get played back, I'm happy at the moment, the rest of the jigsaw will fall into place very soon.

So far so good, I think ;-)

Cheers

Dan43

Dan, the Naim network streamers are quite straightforward. You can set the US or NAS/upnp server elsewhere and connect to the network player by an Ethernet patch lead (or wifi if you are desperate).

Its then a case of chosing the presentation you like.. The NDS/555PS is clean and refined, the NDX/NDAC/555PS is organic and analogue like.. Both very good, the NDS combo has a smaller box count of course which could be important. The NDAC is a bit fiddly to get it sounding it's best, the NDS is straight forward by comparison IME.

If you want it simple and have the funds, perhaps opt for the NDS, 

Simon