UnitiServe or NS01

Posted by: Mr Underhill on 13 March 2011

I know - listen to them, which I am going to do.

I have been lent a UnitiServe for few days by my dealer, and another dealer has an ex-dem NS01 for sale, and they have agreed that I can have a listen for a few days before finally committing to it.

I do have a few questions:

1. Can the NS01 be sent back to Naim HQ for the SSD treatment?
2. Can the NS01 have the HD PCI upgrade?
3. The NS01 can be used to stream to 6 end-points - what can be used as the clients to render these streams?

Any thoughts/experience on the forum with respect to the UnitiServe vs the NS01?

Thx,

M

Posted on: 13 March 2011 by Manu

1) yes
2) If you mean, PCI board and memory upgrade: yes
3) NaimNet room amps or Digilinx amps, all Naim server can do that, including UnitiServe. NS01 is also a UPnP server.

Main differences: NS01 has an analog out, even if not great, it is ok.
HD are not same config, but if you want SSD, it doesn't matter to you.

Posted on: 13 March 2011 by Mr Underhill

Thx Manu,

The analog out makes no difference for me, as this will feed into my nDac.

How much are the SSD & PCI upgrades currently?

Would you expect any SQ differences by same spec (SSD/PCI) UnitiServe vs NS01?

M

Posted on: 13 March 2011 by Wazza69

I could be wrong but I was under the impression that the extra streams (not the local one) need the NaimNet room amps or Digilinx amps. Just something to bear in mind if planning on using it for multiroom

Posted on: 13 March 2011 by Mr Underhill

Using the Search box, nice to see it return, I think the relevant prices are, or were:

PCI = £250
SSD = £650.

Wazza, I read Manu's answer No 3 as NaimNet/Digilinx for multiroom, as you confirm.

Any thoughts on sound quality of the NS01 vs UnitiServe?

Thx,

M

Posted on: 14 March 2011 by Mr Underhill

The ex-dem NS01 I have been offered is in fact brand new.

Having spoken to the chaps at Naim HQ the NS01s are not supplied with the updated PCI, so if I want this I would have to fit it.

SSD is nearer £500. The box is probably fitted with dual 500GB drives.

I'm going to have a listen, and then consider my options.

M