Will UnitiServe add any real value?

The recent issue of TAS includes a short review of the UnitiServe paired with a SuperUniti and concludes that adding the UnitiServe brought forth some "markedly superior" results in the realm of SQ (I think the comparison was with a MacBook Pro).  Their findings matched my own when moving recently from the Synology UPNP Media Server to a Unitiserve-SSD (as a UPNP server) in conjunction with an NDX/282/250.2 system.  

I've never tried my UnitiServe against anything else for sound quality (save for an iPod). My dealer assured me the sound was better than a NAS, but I wanted the serve regardless, based on ease of use. It does sound very good with the SuperUniti, so for once I can agree with a magazine review.

Wat - my reason for buying a UnitiServe was not because of the Naim badge (I don't use naim amps). I simply realised that it was the quickest and easiest way to start ripping CDs. No need to decide on what software to use, what file type to go for, how to deal with metadata, how to ensure accurate rips. It is for people who do not want to fiddle with computer software to listen to their music. People who want to fiddle or like experimenting should use something else. If I want to do it the hard way I can use my PC to rip CDs. I will have to do that to rip DVDs and Blu-rays sometime down the line.

I'm sure the Unitiserve is a great piece of kit, like most (all?) Naim gear, but could somebody explain how it makes more accurate rips and then corrects wrong tags, adds discnumbers (i.e. so multiple cd sets run in sequential order) etc etc. automatically vs a $3400 less Vortexbox (or equivalent NAS/autoripper)? I mean data is data, and from what I gather the Naim can actually be more difficult to work with if that data isn't correct in the first place. But perhaps I'm wrong?

On the alternate power supply US-TP: has anyone tested it with 192 Khz Super Hi-def Album/tracks - Antonio forcione & sabina sciubba meet me in London.

It couldn't play it - so, I return it for refund.

Charlesphoto - the U/S does not make more accurate rips. It checks that the rips are bit perfect. You can program any other ripper to do the same, if you know how. Bit perfect rips should be the same regardless of what kit did the ripping.

The tagging is usually accurate. I have ripped 1000 CDs and the meta data has been incorrect on a handful of occasions. I don't know how it does this in detail. If you need to edit incorrect data it is simple to do using the n-serve app. You do not need to know where or how the U/S keeps the metadata.

Thanks for the answer. Honestly, if money was no object in my life the US would be great to own (umm, along with a rack of 500 series....). I'm a Leica shooter and to me Naim is the hi-fi equivalent of that. It just works - not too many knobs, menus, etc that one will never use. Yes it can be a bit fiddly and esoteric at times but that's also part of the charm. 

Nothing wrong with uServe - just think there are more flexible solutions that suit my setup. 

tog

Given that all the PS does is provide power, how could it possibly discriminate against Hidef albums? I have the Teddy PS and the MMIL Hidef and it plays perfectly. You clearly have other issues in the setup if your system won't play it.

I've have this album, and the power supply you mention, and it plays fine. I'm not sure how a power supply can 'not play' some albums just because they happen to be Hidef. Perhaps the system has other issues.

Yeah, I was surprised too. i had 3 other hi def files & it didn't play any of them. The supplier didnt offer a replacement - so I exercise the 30 days money back guarantee. Obviously, a faulty one.

I couldn't ask for opinions at the time - as the subject always get removed from the forum. 

I bought US as it was released. Had issues with HDD version. Naim offer replacement & I opted for SSD version and it has been brilliant. It was an easy decision back then - limited server/streamer choices from Naim unlike now with so many products to choose from.

That's even more weird, like something from the X Files. It just doesn't make sense.

Hi Wat - no offense taken.

I believe it does acces an external database, but I don't know the details. I am sure there are others on the forum who can enlighten us. I think it is in the Naim white paper.

I don't understand your question about song lyrics. I was not aware that song lyrics were part of the CD audio data being ripped. I think you can look up the song lyrics using a google search in n-serve or Rovi, or a google search via your ipod/ipad, so I am not sure storage is required.

Its AMG and FreeDB.