Going digital
Posted by: Mister R on 17 October 2013
I have 2 systems currently set up. The One for music(in a room that will be taken over by a 2 & 4 year old- Cyrus cd8/psx/dac-XP/psx/mono X driven thru Dyn Contour S1.4s)and one for movies- arcam solo movie 5.1 with Dyn 42 fronts, 122c and 42w with a sub300. I want to integrate the system and go digital with music(a few CDs to sell!).
I listened to a system recently that sounded great- think it was a naim uniti serve based HD using the naim app on an iPad as a controller. It was pretty cool. Would this be all I need to go digital and have all my artwork, music backed up etc??
Numerous options for sure.
Thanks for your help!
Iain
Hello Iain
I wasn't sure form your post exactly what you want to end up with, and how much of your existing kit you are keeping, but if your main aim is to get a music server that you can have all your CDs on then here are some thoughts.
The UnitiServe (and in the interests of full disclosure I have one) will rip and store all your CDs, file them in a sensible way, grab artwork and metadata off the net, etc. There are two ways to connect this into an amp. The first is a digital cable into a DAC or digital amp (eg your dac XP) - either optical or coax. The second is to use the US uPnP server - you will then a streamer. The US can actually serve music independently and simultaneously thorugh both - so you could have the US connected directly into your DAC for a system in one room, and a streamer based system in another room.
To back up the UnitiServe you will need a NAS drive also on the network. The US has a very simple and effective backup scheduler in its software.
The US is however a pretty expensive way of doing this. Other options that you can read about on the forum are using a MacMini which can be controlled from an iThing without needing monitors and keyboards plugged into it, a thing called a Vortexbox, or virtually all NAS drives have uPnP servers on them.
All of those are cheaper than a US. I got a US because it is as close as these things get to being plug and play. Remove from box, plug in power and network cables, start ripping and playing. It's as simple as that.
In my system I have a SuperUniti in the lounge, a Qute in the dining room and another Qute in my upstairs den.
Hope that helps.
David
That's exactly what I intend to do- use the Dac-XP which is a great bit of kit...with the view to ripping my CDs on to a server and using the iPad to control. Sounds like an option would be a unitiserve plumbed in using a digital cable to the Dac-XP? Is a NAS necessary too? Sounds like there are a few options to consider....I like the idea of using a naim source and app particularly if the quality of sound is going to be good.
Apologies for my lack of technical knowledge in this area...have either of you used a Sonos? It's a different price point but think they have a similar option? I have a very knowledgable dealer near me- music matters in hatch end who stock naim.
Cheers!
Iain
I've just read your note again and think it makes sense. I like the plug and play ease of use. Be good to know there are cheaper alternatives that are just as good however if the storage capacity is good and there's little chance of losing my collection by using it...it could be the easy way...and of course selling the music collection would I am sure part fund the purchase ;0)
I'm sure you realise that if you sell your CDs once they are ripped, your digital copies are illegal as you no longer own the copyright. Coupled with which, they are the ultimate backup.
I have been using a UnitiServe for a few months, and it is really excellent. I stream into a SuperUniti, which is about as simple as it gets. As you seem to have a good dealer, I would check out the options: direct connection to your DAC v streaming.
Iain, the Sonus system is more similar to using the UnitiServe as a UPnP server, as opposed to a direct connection to a dac. If you use the uServe as a server, you can access the music in more than one room; you just need a network player in each room. And a network connection.
The similarity is that in both modes you can control playback from an iPhone.
Iain
i looked the DAC XP and it is a pre-amp with DAC with 6 digital inputs. I have a Naim DAC rather than Cyrus, but the principle is the same. We are both limited to using a S/PDIF interface. Not a problem at all.
DAC V1?
Not yet made a DAC XP as far as I know.
ATB from George
That's exactly what I intend to do- use the Dac-XP which is a great bit of kit...with the view to ripping my CDs on to a server and using the iPad to control. Sounds like an option would be a unitiserve plumbed in using a digital cable to the Dac-XP? Is a NAS necessary too? Sounds like there are a few options to consider....I like the idea of using a naim source and app particularly if the quality of sound is going to be good.
Apologies for my lack of technical knowledge in this area...have either of you used a Sonos? It's a different price point but think they have a similar option? I have a very knowledgable dealer near me- music matters in hatch end who stock naim.
Cheers!
Ian
Ian,
The UnitiServe is a good product but it's very expensive for what it does. IMHO it's ridiculously expensive for what it does! Similar and arguably equal results can be achieved by ripping your CDs using XLD, if Mac based, or dpPoweramp, if PC based, and providing a low jitter bit stream into your nDAC. Two very good options are the current version of the MacMini via optical out or a Dr. Gert Volk / W4S modified Sonos Connect (ZP90). FWIW, IMHO even a standard plain vanilla Sonos Connect with a good digital coax cable such as the Naim DC1 will sound very good when feeding lossless rips into the Naim DAC.
Check out this thread for more infos:
https://forums.naimaudio.com/to...han-standard-version
Good luck
tp
Dear George
The original poster has a Cyrus DAC XP and wants to feed it with a nice digital signal. He wondered if a Naim UnitiServe might fit the bill.
The DAC V1 is Naim's digital to analogue converter ...
It will be ever so slightly confusing if Naim brings out a DAC XP too ...
Best regards, Wat
Dear Wat,
Oh dear. I am sorry. I have not kept up with the models and makes of replay equipment, and so I made a mistake!
Sorry.
ATB from Goerge
i looked the DAC XP and it is a pre-amp with DAC with 6 digital inputs. I have a Naim DAC rather than Cyrus, but the principle is the same. We are both limited to using a S/PDIF interface. Not a problem at all.
Option 1 is to buy a Mac Mini and use a USB to S/PDIF interface between the Mac and DAC. This combination plays music in just about any format you can think of. Using a player called Audrivana even lets me play DSD downloads through my DAC. The sound quality is excellent and it is very easy to use and keep up to date. You do not need a NAS or any form of network when playing music. You do need Internet access when ripping to get the artwork and track details and lyrics for your song collection, but a wireless connection is fine for this and for Internet radio services or youTube, TV and so on. This my chosen method.
Option 2 as for option 1 but use an optical cable between Mac and DAC. This limits the resolution available, but it is still up to 24/96, but no DSD this time.
Option 3 a Sonos connect and NAS or networked Mac/PC. The Sonos will connect to a file share on any or all these devices and then you can use a Sonos bridge and Sonos Connect to supply wireless digital to your DAC. Use the optical connection, but this time it is 16/44.1 CD quality, no higher. If you have no interest in high resolution then this is a fine inexpensive solution and has a fine user interface. You can even have the S/PDIF modified to give top notch sound that few CD players can surpass.
Option 4 ... So far no Naim ... My problem is all Naim streamers have a built in DAC and so you're going to buy something with a substantial bit that you won't use. The ND5 together with a Synology NAS which supports UPnP or Vortexbox or Naim UnitiServe will provide a digital stream to your DAC. It can be a little tricky to setup and is better if you use a wired network: especially if high resolution is your aim. It is not as versatile as option 1, but should sound almost as good (an opinion that is totally subjective, of course, but I prefer the Mac Mini)
Option 5 ... Use a Naim UnitiServe instead of the Mac Mini. It is nowhere near as versatile and i heard this with my DAC and once again preferred Option 1. In my opinion, Naim didn't intend it to be used this way, but in the Option 4 setup. The UnitiServe can act a bit like the Sonos, but rather than play it is intended to send out the music digitally using UPnP in a format that is ideally for Naim streamers.
I'm sure there are other options .. i know there is the Squeezebox and the Bryston Digital Player, but never used either of those.
My thoughts are that whatever option you choose you'll get a Cyrus sound as your DAC and amplification and speakers will really govern what you hear. There will be subtle difference between the options and you'll find some more versatile and easier to use than others.
Good luck and hope that helps a bit, Wat
+1 What Wat says, very sensible advice, he's summarised all options really well!
It all comes down to what your budget allows. The unitiServe would be a simple and elegant way to rip, store and play your cd files. You can achieve this for a lot less, with a NAS drive and a music server, but you will also need a mac/PC to first rip, catalog and move the files over to the NAS drive. You will also require a bit of networking knowledge.
Like a lot of expensive kit out there, the unitiServe in my opinion, is a luxury item that is aimed at those that don't mind spending the money for something that just works out of the box.
Iain
I'm puzzled you don't appear to be considering the Cyrus Stream X2 - have you discounted it for some reason?
Pricewise it (plus a NAS) would come in between a Mac Mini and UnitiServe, and aesthetically it would complement the rest of your system (sound and appearance wise).
You might think about a Sonos on the Arcam in your "vision" room for non-critical listening of the music on your PC or NAS drive (assuming you get one) and internet radio, Spotify etc. Also if you have a smart TV you can hook it up to the ethernet socket of the Sonos and piggy-back the Sonos wireless network to get iPlayer/Youtube etc on your TV. We do this in our family room and it works very well because Sonos sets up it's own private wireless network, so my son playing GTA V online with his mates on his X-box doesn't make iPlayer stutter.
Olly
Great advice, many thanks for giving me your views! I'm going to explore all options you mention and see what works easiest for me. Budget is key. I'd be hoping to have funds to buy a unitiserve in the new year however in comparison, what would rough cost be if I went for option 1 or 3 against the unitiserve option?
Cheers!
Iain
You need to consider whether you are happy to use a computer to do the ripping and fiddling. Today I had three new CDs arrive in the post. Pop one into the UnitiServe, which sits in the Hifi rack, let it rip for four or five minutes, the cd pops out, and a minute later it was playing. It's just so easy. And at 4am tomorrow, it will back up to the NAS for security. Are you willing to pay for an easy life? A Mac mini or sonos is cheaper for certain.
Out of interest, whereabouts do you live? You'd be very welcome to see the serve in action.
Iain
I'm puzzled you don't appear to be considering the Cyrus Stream X2 - have you discounted it for some reason?
Pricewise it (plus a NAS) would come in between a Mac Mini and UnitiServe, and aesthetically it would complement the rest of your system (sound and appearance wise).
You might think about a Sonos on the Arcam in your "vision" room for non-critical listening of the music on your PC or NAS drive (assuming you get one) and internet radio, Spotify etc. Also if you have a smart TV you can hook it up to the ethernet socket of the Sonos and piggy-back the Sonos wireless network to get iPlayer/Youtube etc on your TV. We do this in our family room and it works very well because Sonos sets up it's own private wireless network, so my son playing GTA V online with his mates on his X-box doesn't make iPlayer stutter.
Olly
Hi there. I live near Amersham in South Bucks.
Thanks for the offer!
Cheers,
Iain
Out of interest, whereabouts do you live? You'd be very welcome to see the serve in action.
Fair play to you Nigel!!
On the ripping aspect, you do need to think about what you want to use the files you rip for. I think that is a big factor on convenience and a potentially a big plus point for the Mac Mini.
The unitiserve is on my wish-list, and I think the concept is great in the context of a home Naim system. The trouble is I also play much of my music outside the house on a portable device and critical to me is that the files I rip can be loaded and played on my ipod just as easily as they can on my Naim or other replay systems around the house. For me this trumps ultimate sound quality at home.
I know the unitiserve has been improved in this regard recently vs the original incarnation, but I don't know how much faffing around it still needs as compared with iTunes/Mac/PC. A unitiserve means you don't have to obsess about whether you PC/Mac has performed the perfect rip if that is important to you, but that doesn't bother me (because I always have the CD and I can re-rip if I hear artefacts which happens rarely) and I don't find ripping on my PC a big hassle because it's always on and iTunes is always open.
Horses for courses as ever!
Olly
Hi there. I live near Amersham in South Bucks.
Thanks for the offer!
Cheers,
Iain
If you fancy a trip to Emsworth, let me know, though it's probably getting on for two hours drive. Send me a mail if you like, at gmail.