Unitiserve - more than one streamer mutually exclusive?

Posted by: Mr Fjeld on 05 January 2014

I don't know if this question has been asked before, but I have tried to search for answers with no luck. Naim states that: "StreamNet-enabled for NaimNet audiophile multi-room replay of up to six streams over a network" 

Does that mean that each streamer can play individually of the other streaming unitis/dacs, or do they just play the same material? I get the impression that it serves to play the same music but was rather hoping one could use a DAC-V1 with a set of closed headphones while the Superuniti was being used upstairs?

 

 

Posted on: 05 January 2014 by hungryhalibut

If you have two streamers, you can certainly listen to different music on each at the same time, as we do, using a SuperUniti and a Roberts music player. In your case, the DAC v1 is not a streamer. It would certainly work with a Qute. 

Posted on: 05 January 2014 by Bart

Output for the Dac V1 would not be from the UPnP server portion of the UnitiServe.  But that said, you can do both at the same time -- digital output of one music selection via SPDIF, etc, to the dac (controlled by n-Serve), and stream output of another selection via ethernet (controlled by n-Stream) to the Superuniti.

Posted on: 05 January 2014 by Mr Fjeld
Originally Posted by Hungryhalibut:

If you have two streamers, you can certainly listen to different music on each at the same time, as we do, using a SuperUniti and a Roberts music player. In your case, the DAC v1 is not a streamer. It would certainly work with a Qute. 

Ah, I see. I was under the assumption that one could stream via the DAC v1. That was somewhat of a disappointment as I understand the Headphone amplifier is supposed to be very good. Thanks for your answer Hungryhalibut  

Posted on: 05 January 2014 by Mr Fjeld
Originally Posted by Bart:

Output for the Dac V1 would not be from the UPnP server portion of the UnitiServe.  But that said, you can do both at the same time -- digital output of one music selection via SPDIF, etc, to the dac (controlled by n-Serve), and stream output of another selection via ethernet (controlled by n-Stream) to the Superuniti.

Thanks for your reply Bart I wonder if it would be simpler to give up the "simultaneous streaming idea" altogether and instead use a digital out from the Superuniti into a decent headphone amplifier? 

Posted on: 05 January 2014 by Bart
Originally Posted by Mr Fjeld:
Originally Posted by Bart:

Output for the Dac V1 would not be from the UPnP server portion of the UnitiServe.  But that said, you can do both at the same time -- digital output of one music selection via SPDIF, etc, to the dac (controlled by n-Serve), and stream output of another selection via ethernet (controlled by n-Stream) to the Superuniti.

Thanks for your reply Bart I wonder if it would be simpler to give up the "simultaneous streaming idea" altogether and instead use a digital out from the Superuniti into a decent headphone amplifier? 

Do you mean analogue out?  If you are going to bypass the Superuniti's dac, you're going to want a headphone amp with a better dac.  Otherwise, why not just use its line level analogue out?  I guess it depends on your price point, and here I'm out of my league as I've never shopped headphone amps before.

Posted on: 05 January 2014 by Mr Fjeld
Originally Posted by Bart:
Originally Posted by Mr Fjeld:
Originally Posted by Bart:

Output for the Dac V1 would not be from the UPnP server portion of the UnitiServe.  But that said, you can do both at the same time -- digital output of one music selection via SPDIF, etc, to the dac (controlled by n-Serve), and stream output of another selection via ethernet (controlled by n-Stream) to the Superuniti.

Thanks for your reply Bart I wonder if it would be simpler to give up the "simultaneous streaming idea" altogether and instead use a digital out from the Superuniti into a decent headphone amplifier? 

Do you mean analogue out?  If you are going to bypass the Superuniti's dac, you're going to want a headphone amp with a better dac.  Otherwise, why not just use its line level analogue out?  I guess it depends on your price point, and here I'm out of my league as I've never shopped headphone amps before.

Sorry, this where my lack of knowledge shows But I was thinking that the Superuniti already has a decent Dac and a streaming functionality and this could possibly be used together with a really good headphone amplifier (sans internal dac).

I realise I don't know much about these issues and I really appreciate your patience

Posted on: 05 January 2014 by hungryhalibut

What Bart is saying is to take an analogue signal from the SU, into a headphone amp. By suggesting use of a headphone amp without a DAC, you are saying the same thing!

 

The ideal headphone amp is a Headline, which would need a napsc (or a better power supply) to power it. 

 

I've never tried the headphone output on my SuperUniti, and only have folding Sennheiser headphones that I use with my iPod, but it may be an idea to see if the built in output is good enough, especially if only used for occasional listening.

 

If you don't find it good enough, you may find a cheaper headphone amp. Or maybe an older olive Headline with napsc, which you can get for around £300, which is much more reasonable.

Posted on: 05 January 2014 by Mr Fjeld
Originally Posted by Hungryhalibut:

What Bart is saying is to take an analogue signal from the SU, into a headphone amp. By suggesting use of a headphone amp without a DAC, you are saying the same thing!

 

Thanks, I finally seem to grasp it

 

The ideal headphone amp is a Headline, which would need a napsc (or a better power supply) to power it. 

 

Yes, it looks like a good idea. I think I have to think about this one.

 

I've never tried the headphone output on my SuperUniti, and only have folding Sennheiser headphones that I use with my iPod, but it may be an idea to see if the built in output is good enough, especially if only used for occasional listening.

 

I do have a Grado SR80 with a broken cable. I might just do as you suggest and try it first. It's just that I'm so satisfied with my current (and final) setup that if I invest in a headphone based system I would not want to be disappointed. But I will try it out first.

 

If you don't find it good enough, you may find a cheaper headphone amp. Or maybe an older olive Headline with napsc, which you can get for around £300, which is much more reasonable.

 

Thanks HH, you have given me a few advices I have to consider carefully.