Using UnitiQute 2 As A Digital Streamer Only?

Just out of interest why are you not using the Air card ?

Hi - I would also be interested in the answer to the OP's question, notwithstanding the wolves that are circling .....

To reply to the responders question - currently, AIR needs a PC or Mac as the source.  Now, I don't know about you, but these devices are for work, not play.  This will change as the Devialet matures but, at the moment, that's it.  

So, the OP was probably asking could he use a Naim streamer, within the Naim ecosystem, as a source to the Devaliet.  And how good are the digital outputs.   A fairly simple question?

OP - if you don't get advice here, suggest you check out HiFi WigWam, PinkFish Media, WhatsBest Forum.  And let me know the feedback, looking at different streamers for my Devialet 170 myself.  

ATB, Ken 

That's exactly what im asking, I like Naim's way of doing streaming, using N-Stream, being able to use V-tuner to listen to internet radios stations in high quality and the fact I can use a USB stick to listen to flac and WAV files. 

So an interesting question here is how good is the S/P DIF output on the UnitiQute 2 to lets say compared the ND5 XS, NDX and NDS.. would the be a difference in sound quality?

I don't like AIR it cuts out alot, seems jittery is the WiFi signal isn't strong enough. 

Thanks Ken - I'm reasonably au fait with the Devialet way of doing things and i'm also quite able to understand the original question. The reason i asked the OP about the Air card is i used to use my NDX as a source for mine and found after a while i preferred to use the internal AIR streamer option (via wired Ethernet) which i felt bettered the NDX as an S/PDIF source (and got rid of another box in the process)

To the OP, it's worth asking Paul at Hi-Fi lounge. He has taken on the Devialet range and has been trying out the various options (including Naim sources) and has posted some of his thoughts on the big Devialet thread on the Wam. 

James

Yes I was the customer that went down to see Paul and try out the Devialet 240 paired with the NDS via S/P DIF. We then tried the ND5 XS couldn't tell the difference, i'm guessing because it's only taking the digital signal.

But the NDS has better isolation for its streamer and other various components, so wonder if a UnitiQute 2 wouldn't sound as good as the NDS via S/P DIF.

Interesting you state Ethernet sounded better than S/P DIF. I listened to a Synology NAS via ethernet, but couldn't tell the difference between that or NDS via S/P DIF.

What do you use to stream internet radio if you got rid of the NDX?

How did you compere the NAS via Ethernet - Devialet doesn't support UPnP yet - i thought you could use the Synology via USB ?

Initially i preferred the NDX when the Devialet was new but after swapping between the two methods ended up with the Devialet on it's own, the NDX just being a bit overkill for its role of an Ethernet to S/PDIF converter and i didn't need it as a digital hub anymore. My music 'server' is a headless mac mini so the Devialet Air app will send all sounds streams - whether iTunes, YouTube or Internet radio to the amp, all controlled from my iPad. I don't have a strong wireless signal in the lounge so have never used the wireless Air option. 

I'll be interested to hear what you end up with. 

Ken - no worries. The Aries looks an interesting piece of kit. Auralic seem to be on a bit of a roll at the moment. 

Cheers

James

Hi, sorry I meant USB, not Ethernet. Didn't think about using the mini mac a server then using the ipad to control it. Do you use FLAC or WAV files stored on your mini mac?

As i'm not a fan of iTunes. Which was my reason was for using a Naim streamer as an alternative. 

It's a shame Naim don't have something similar to Sonos, just a stripped down streamer without a dac, with only digital and analogue outputs plus USB input with vtuner would be perfect.

Just curious, if Devialet doesn't support uPnP what is its ethernet port for ?  I was under the impression that wireless streaming using the AIR module was one option, not the only option.....

I think the rumour going around is that Devialet may well bring out uPnP in the future. Let's see if Devialet announce anything from Munich High End show in a few weeks.

I see, interesting.  So it's more about having the slot built into the hardware, in readiness for future functionality/firmware to exploit it..... ?

Yeah pretty much, that's why they done away with the HDMI slot. 

The Air board supports connectivity via wireless or wired Ethernet. That's how the port is configured at  the moment. 

I've always used iTunes for my music management and the Mini has just stayed through various DAC and Streaming setups. UPnP was always a bit hit and miss with the Mac when i moved from Linn to Naim so not having that anymore was a bonus too. The only thing missing is UPnP support now and once Devialet has this sorted then it's connectivity options are pretty well covered. 

Hi James,

Now I'm a little confused again.  If wired ethernet works today, but not with uPnP, how would the Devialet "read" any network-accessible files in order to play/stream them ? 

Is it the PC/Mac AIR app installation which makes files on the computer readable to the Devialet, basically turning the computer into a server -  just not a uPnP/DLNA server ?

K

Hi Karlos - Yes, you need the Air app installed on a PC or Mac. It just intercepts the audio stream on the host machine and sends it at native resolution to the amp over a wired or wireless connection, so using this method you are reliant on a computer. 

James

Got it  :-)

Actually that would work for someone like me, where the computer remains on 24/7, and its hard drive holds a mirror of the NAS music library.  Hmmm......

As long as you have a music player on the computer that will work. All my music sits on a NAS and the Mac just serves it to various computers in the house via iTunes sharing and the Devialet via the AIR app. I just use iTunes remote to control it 

The answer to the OP's original question is yes, it can be used as a digital source only.