NDS newbie.

You will likely want to convert your existing library to FLAC prior to the swap; this will also make it easier, should you wish to re-visit tagging via dBpoweramp (which can be set to use the Rovi/AMG database in the same manner as the HDX) later on.

Asset UPnP, brought to you by the same folks who provide dBpoweramp, will also work on the Mac–fortunately for you, both are now available in beta or final release versions for your platform. These work very well together on the Windows side of things and seem to be pretty stable on the Mac as well.

For ripping I suggest XLD, does a good job. dBPoweramp is under development for mac, but will probably not be available before the end of the year. So for the moment I would go with XLD. I use it often to convert FLAC to AIFF to add the albums to my iTunes library

Let me second what David Dever wrote.  Now that you're moving away from a Naim ripper, I too suggest letting the HDX convert the Naim rips from wave to flac.  This will give you a library that is much more versatile. 

XLD seems a fine ripper for OS X.  And there are some good metadata (tag) editors for OS X including Tag and Metadatics.  Tag edits flac only; Metadatics handles more formats. 

I agree. XLD rips and converts from one format to another eally well - no fancy UI but it works.

Metadatics for editing tags

But for the OP, if he wants to (and he really should) convert his Naim waves to flac, he should use his HDX and not XLD.  He'll be meta-data-less if he doesn't use the HDX before it goes away!  And it will be a huge huge pain to populate 500 albums of flac files with metadata.

Is keeping the HDX as a server a possibility?

Keith

for mac there is no dBpoweramp (yet)

most people talk about XLD, but why not use iTunes? 

iTunes will not rip to flac, for one.

Thanks for all your thoughts so far.

The consensus seems to be that I'd benefit from converting the existing rips to flac, before getting rid of the HDX.

Keeping the HDX would be as a server would be the easiest way of integrating the NDS into my setup, avoiding the need to do so, but seems overkill really, and I'm planning to recoup much of the outlay on the NDS by moving on both the HDX and nDAC.

Given that, and the fact that I'm on a mac, which, it seems is not best suited to dBpoweramp, does anyone have any experience of one of the various ripper/servers such Vortexbox?

It stikes me that this approach would keep the ripping process simple, not require the involvement of a computer, and would free up my existing nasdrive as a backup?

Again, thanks for your thoughts so far, and any more advice would be most welcome before committing to a final plan of action. 

Regards,

Dave.

I'd recommend vortexbox. Used it for the last few years (now with an NDX). Its easy for a relative technophobe like myself to figure out, works really well and sounds great for very little outlay. Tempted by some of their newer style units but can't really justify it. My unit went back for a service (£30!) inc. new fan and the customer services was also very good.  

If I could swing it, I'd keep the HDX.  Naim servers and Naim players do talk to each other well.  But obviously other options do work.

Hi Bart,

I do remember my dealer saying exactly that, the "handshake" between my HDX and the on demo NDS was the reason that everything sounded so good.

It's quite tempting to retain the HDX as part of the setup, but does result in an awfully expensive streamer, if a quality nas drive would do the job equally well. 

Regards,

Dave.

It is woth saying there is a beta version of dbpoweramp for OSX. looks quite interesting as it appears it will bring FLAC and WAV meta tag recognition to OSX.

Simon

Hi Dave, I've got to agree with KRM & Bart, keep the HDX - it just works, full stop.  And you retain the ability to rip to WAV with the advantage of the HDX's integrated metadata database.

On the other hand I fully appreciate the need to part fund the deal - when I did this I kept the HDX, sold my DAC and funded with a zero-interest credit card, plenty of which still abound (mostly in MY inbox, it seems ! ).

Good advice from K and B - deffo keep the HDX (have you thought of selling your mother in law, perhaps? )

PS - there's no such thing as a quality NAS drive, btw, until you get to the multi-£000's rack mount commercial systems. 

Hi RJ,

The mother in law.................she's priceless .................so that's not an option!

As I said above, the demo, with my HDX,  as a server to the demo NDS, sounded sensational, so it seems that's the future, as they say, .......like garlic bread!

Looks like the only funds I'll be able to recoup will be from the sale of the nDAC..............mind you, as I said a while back, when last discussing this, was that this will mean beans on toast for next month.............your response being that "beans are good for you"! 

Happy days,

Dave.

Hi RJ,

Got home with the NDS earlier today, and hope to get it set up sometime tomorrow.

I'm planning to start out with the suggestion of keeping the HDX as a server, for a while at least, and just need some help in getting things set up.

Out comes the nDAC to be replaced with the NDS, and I'm quite happy with the connections to both the 252 and the 555PS.

What I'm unsure of is the connection between HDX and NDS. Do I use the DC1 which currently connects the nDAC to the preamp, or am I best to use an ethernet cable to the switch which currently "sees" both the HDX and the NAS?

Once configured, I'm guessing that my network will "see" all three components on power up?

I'm assuming I need to move on from nServe and download nStream, to provide control of the NDS on my iPad?

Many thanks in advance,

Dave. 

Connect via Ethernet. Use nStream to control the NDS, and retain nServe to manage the ripping process, tagging etc.

You could potentially swap the HDX for a UnitiServe, freeing up some money in the process, though you'd need to add a linear power supply for ultimate sound quality. Whether the cash freed up us worthwhile though....

Nigel is right, but I'm tempted to ask why your dealer isn't instaling the NDS?

Keith

Hi KRM,

The NDS was a private sale at a great price. 

Regards,

Dave.

Fair enough.

Connect HDX - ethernet -switch - ethernet - NDS. 

You may find you don't save much by downsizing to the Unitiserve. Harrry, of this parish, uses his old HDX as a server to his NDS. 

Keith

Im definitely happiest with an ethernet connection.  With the HDX running, you should be able to power up the NDS and have it "see" the HDX server virtually immediately. 

Use n-Stream to control playback.  But you may want to keep n-Serve hanging around to edit metadata on the server, etc.  But unless you do the direct (DC-1) connection, you cannot control playback with n-Serve; only n-Stream.

My home setup is similar; uServe with an ethernet connection to both my NDS and my Qute, in different areas of the home.  Works quite well.

Hi Guys,

Decided to take your advice regarding retaining the HDX as the server, and got things set up earlier today.

Powered up............looking promising............NDS connecting straight away to my network.............seeing the NAS................recognising the HDX as the server ............press "Play"............Silencio  !!!!!

Check all connections again, (what did I touch last?)..........nothing obvious.

Give up, phone my friendly dealer, who soon spots that, since I'm connecting the NDS to the 252 with a Highline, the output really ought to be on DIN, rather than Phono.............Doh  !

Anyway, music restored, happy bunny once again...........it really is a special piece of kit, this NDS.............Bliss  .

Thanks so much for all the good advice, and it sounds as if the HDX will survive after all.

Aw ra best,

Dave.

Cheers Dave -- enjoy!

I think you'll find it hard to ditch the HDX as a server. The Naim ripping solution is so easy.

Good to know you're enjoying your NDS.

Keith

How easily we talk ourselves into re-couping all that money (here for NDS) by selling on other boxes, and in the end we don't (here hdx, which sounds sensible). And sadly, the naim dac has lost value recently - you will get not much over 1k, I think (I am in the same boat, having sold my nd5 and xp5 but possibly keeping the DAC as a variation in sound to the NDS).

s.