Airplay, Android - two years on...

As much as I would prefer not to say it, but if you are looking for integrated Airplay I would look elsewhere. It would have happened on Naim by now I'm sure if they were going to do it.. At least with the current products. 

Regrettably  Naim have damaged some of its reputation on this, just as with the Android app situation.

Dare I say it, these items probably  impact more of Naim's customers and potential customers, than say the. Statement Series of  products do.

Simon

Its a real shame. When I first bought it I promised my wife that she wouldn't need to use her Apple airplay plug dongle thing in the future and would be able to stream directly to the new box. It was supposed to be a one box solution for my HiRes music and her iTunes libarary, Unfortunately that never came to pass.

Anybody got any good suggestions for a quality streamer that does do both?

And the fast forward and reverse buttons on the remote control still don't work... Embarrassing to admit to my girlfriend that I spent x-thousand on a stereo and those buttons don't actually do anything.

The N-Stream app can be used to skip through a track so the NDX is clearly capable. That Naim hasn't bothered to sort this out IMO just looks lazy and unprofessional.

Quite - unfortunately sound quality alone is not enough to capture buyers these days in the streaming area. Would potential customers wouldn't want to give up the functionality that is offered by the lower end systems (Airplay / Sonos etc) to move to Naim ? 

I agree. For me sound quality is paramount - but there are other requirements... Making things as easy as possible for other people in the house to use, being compatible with them, reducing clutter. All of these are factors that have to be weighed up.

Additionally, when I bought the NDX, an android app and airplay were 'in the works' and this did influence my decision. Unfortunately both of those things seem now to be dead. 

Would it not be more cost effective to buy an ipad mini for nstream, and still enjoy the sound of your Naim, rather than selling it on ?

I bought a mini specifically for nstream, as I too am an android user, but I don't regret it one bit. it is excellent...

How does that reduce clutter?

How does that enable my wife to play her iTunes library through the NDX?

Note to self - proof read before posting 

It's a rapidly changing arena  - It reminds me of the AV side for those of us who bought the n-Vi / DVD5 with the promised scaler card etc. It must be a difficult to determine the best place to put resource into for future developments. 

You mentioned in the original post about an app for android.  Ditch the android and buy Apple and the clutter does not increase, you get the app and can keep the Naim.  You also get a device that has a realistic battery life into the bargain.

Statistically, nearly 50% of Naim's custormers have Android devices. 0% (rounded down) have Statements.

I too, have a mini and find it useful for streaming movies when I'm in bed (bonus ). 

I use BubblePlay on Android, works ok.

Quick google search did not reveal so many candidates which would have otherwise similar specs as NDX but you could have a look what Linn has to offer and see if their products fulfil your requirements better. It seems that AirPlay has mostly included only in various A/V receivers, you can check the obvious manufacturers like Bose, Philips, Marantz, Bowers & Wilkins, Pioneer, Sony, and Denon etc.

The Marantz streamer looks very nice.  But if you are running a NAC or Nait, the System Automation synergy trumps the convenience of built-in AirPlay, IMHO.  Bolting it on with and AirPort Express and customizing an input label do not degrade the user experience very much, in my experience. 

I had a Marantz AV-Pre, briefly, and found the built-in AirPlay annoying to use, because I could not figure out how to disengage the Volume control from the iPad Volume.  I had a similar experience setting up built-in AirPlay for a friend on his Pioneer AVR. 

At least with the bolt-on solution improvements in that technology can be swapped in at will, according to taste, and at reasonable cost.

Nick

N-serve seemed OK when I last tried it, plus my PlayBook's browser could access it so no need for an iOS device. Not for the streamers though. Still reckon Naim should licence the Sonos software!

Why use NStream at all?  Leave the software, and apps to software companies.

There are different on-device playlist, input selection and integrated disc player implementations that make this a much more difficult enterprise than it (probably) needs to be–so it's not simply a case of opening this up to third parties in a meaningful way....

Have you tried an app called 'musicflow' for idevice? It's relatively cheap to buy, and uses dlna 'push' to allow playback of any sound played from the idevice. This is very similar to airplay, and will allow spotify playback to naim streamers.

Maybe it is not related but maybe it is. I was in a shop yesterday and the salesman introduced me to Sonos. 

I am moved... Is sonos a replacement for my Naim? but they got it very right in terms of usability.

Sonos does have the networking and user interface quite nice.  Plenty of posts here on the forums about the difference in how they sound - Sonos vs Naim players.  If sound is the least important criterion, move to Sonos, I think.

I am not knocking Naim for having an app.  Of course they have to have one.  I am asking people why they want to use it.  Easy enough to change inputs with a remote. You will use this for volume anyway right?

I want to use it to browse my ripped CD collection that's on my NAS.  I use it to create play lists. I use it browse internet radio.  I use it to find info about bands.  I use it all day while the musics on.

Of course!  That is what a control point is for!

Does your UPNP server offer an app?  If not I would suggest a different server/app.

JRemote and JRiver Media Center are a VERY formidable combination.  Plus you can stream to you device when on the move.

Good luck!

Patrick

I do have Airplay in my ND5XS. I have an airport express that I use both as a wireless bridge and as an Airplay source, connected to the optical input of the streamer. I can stream music directly from my NAS to the ND5XS using nStream. I can also use any Airplay enabled device to stream music, selecting the Airplay input. Or I can also stream music from my NAS to the streamer using Airplay enabled JRemote (if you have JRiver in your computer) or using the Synology NAS DsAudio app (no need for a computer working).

Nevertheless, two things to take into account in this set up: 1) sound is much better using the streamer capabilities vs. Airplay; and 2) only old "plug in the wall" airport express or Apple TV are good sources when connected digitally to any good DAC/Streamer. New "squared" Airport Express have too much jitter, which translates into continuous drop outs/"stutters" when connected digitally.