RipNAS vs Serve

It gets you a beautiful Naim case - a UPnP Server that works - always handy - and the ability to aggregate all the music on your network. It is quite paternalistic in the sense that it won't allow you to mess with the main music store - ant ripped music that you already have must go into a separate store from the one that the UnitiServe rips. To be honest the hard disk version makes little sense, instead opt for the SSD version and budget for a NAS drive to store the music.







The RipNas will produce equally good copies of your music in a very neat box that allows you to add whatever music that you want. Asset UPnP is every bit as good as the Naim software. If you have a decent computer save some money and buy an AssetNas - the same but without the ripping drive. This way you will save about £350 on the price of a RipNAS and have more storage.







If you want a neat pile of boxes and have money to burn get the UnitiServe - if not RipNas/AssetNAS will do just fine and sound exactly the same via streaming.







As would a Vortexbox Server - but that is another story.







Have fun







Tog

Thanks for the input - especially the AssetNas. The Serve does look real good, but I'm just not sure I can justify a grand for a box.

I've never understood what the advantage of having an SDD version is if you have a NAS already. If you have a third party NAS what is the Serve then doing before the data is passed through to a streamer that warrants a possible purchase?

The UnitiServe has a pre-configured UPnP server that simply works, as well as the ability to aggregate data from and manage multiple storage locations, including internal storage (if desired), (multiple) external NAS, PC / Mac sharepoints.

It also functions as a digital source unto itself, which is great for a second system.

Why does the hard disk version make little sense when it's cheaper and doesn't require a NAS (saving even more money)? The hard disk version also provides NAS access, should you manage to fill 1TB. I'm not clear on the down side here...

timster

Only in the sense that you can only store music ripped by the Serve on the internal drive and that means that most mortals will also need a NAS / backup storage anyway. It is a small, high spec PC with a Lynx quality sound card for £2000 - for me it makes more sense playing to it's real strength as a UPnP server/ripper/aggregator than as another NAS. The SSD version is £200 more expensive - not a lot in Naim terms but then the Serve is hardly a vfm purchase. It occurred to me and I'm probably a bit slow on the uptake, that Naim are one of the few hifi companies to tackle storage - Serve/HDX rather than just distribution (streaming) or reproduction.







Whilst we are on the subject - why do you want your music spread over multiple locations

anyway? Surely it makes more sense to have it in one place, backed up regularly - which makes the ability to aggregate multiple volumes a bit like having a car with an ash tray and cigarette lighter. Sure it's a feature but not one that many people need.







Now you are left with a very expensive Media PC with a DigiFi / Naim UPnP server. In terms of sound quality there are other solutions that will work just as well.



Tog

As will a Vortexbox with a good soundcard.

I recently experimented with a spare PC with a high quality Asus Xonar soundcard..installed Vortexbox (free) which makes the PC  become a Squeezebox server.  Vortexbox then automatically rips  CDs onto its HDD.   My main PC was then used as a remote control for the Squeezebox server.  Made very nice music with CDs ripped to FLAC.  Also added some of the hi-res tracks downloaded from the Naim music store..fantastic results all round even if not quite in the same territory as my CDS3 on CD rips.

At last another Vortexbox fan - careful ... some of the the natives can be a bit touchy about VB 

Tog

The reason I like the idea of the non-ssd version is that I do not have to stick in to a network as you would with a NAS; It can operate as part of an independent audio system. If I decide on an offsite backup, then I would want to use an external drive. In the case of a SSD+NAS, you would still need to do this.
...
I wouldn't necessarily want music spread over multiple locations, but two wouldn't be a hardship if and when it was required. First I would have to fill-up the 1TB...

I am wondering if there is something the SSD version can do that makes it more compelling as it seems less versatile to me?

timster

I have the 1tb version and have loaded 330 CD's.  It appears I have room for another 1200 or more.  I doubt I'll ever fill the drive to capacity.  I can use my NAS to backup the files in case the HD dies.  I also like that fact it is all internal.

PS.  If you purchase the RIP NAS, etc you'll have a solution that works well, but I'm pretty sure you'll always wish you had the Naim Serve.  If you purchase the Serve, you'll never wish you purchased any other product.

Timster - I thought there was a suggestion that removing the hard drive improved sound quality: so SSD sounds better. Can anyone confirm, anyone do the demo?

Not according to David Dever, for he says on this thread: 

https://forums.naimaudio.com/di...ent/3678285641748032

that putting an NDX between a UnitiServe and an nDAC improves the sound.

Then of course you'll need to add a power supply to the NDX to improve things further.

So if you buy a Serve you may well wish for two more products, not to mention still need a NAS to back it up!

There are plenty of people using the UnitiServe with the SUPERNAIT's built-in DAC, which works a charm.