Does Unitiserve improve performance
Posted by: Tariqv on 21 March 2015
I have an NDX amplified by an XS-2, and planning an upgrade. I had been advised by aNaim retailer that a Unitiserve should be the first upgrade option. Having auditioned the same setup that I have with and without the Unitiserve, I have indeed noticed a noticeable improvement in timing, cohesiveness and musicality (apologies for the laymans terms) with the Unitiserve as the primary source rather than uPnP.
Would appreciate any comments, and your suggestions as to what would your preference be as the next upgrade.
Thanks
Hi Tariqv, IME & some others on the forum do not agree the US is better compared to a correctly installed fully wired NAS.
But your post raises questions - UnitiServe compared to what???
- what/where are you storing your files on before the US
- what UPnP/DNLA server
- how is data transferred (ethernet, wireless, EoP)
Try plugging a USB stick into the front of the NDX, unplugging the Ethernet cable, and playing file from the stick. If they sound better, then your network is degrading the sound, and that's what needs fixing.
Are you using a separate network switch or just your ISP provided router?
This is most likely going to be one of those no conclusion threads........
What did you play when you auditioned the UnitiServe, .flac or .wav & was it transcoded ?? & what was the comparison with, what NAS, .flac or .wav & what UPnP.
I ask because reading other posts it seems there might be an SQ change between the various UPnP servers with transcoding.
So it seems important to compare exactly the same file types without the complication of UPnP server transcoding variables.
The next complication is what UnitiServe are you talking about, the standard UnitiServe has an internal HDD & the SSD variant uses an external NAS.
But IMO the bottom line is – with the same file type (.flac or .wav) & no transcoding, the NDX receives exactly the same data from a NAS as it would receive from a UnitiServe, & the data stream is then received & stored in the NDX buffer, so I find it hard to understand why there would be an SQ change.
During the audition we compared similar flac files through the front usb, through the NAS and flac files stored on the HDD Unitiserve.
Just want to reiterate that my only concern is not whether the US would provide better sound but what would be the best upgrade step for my system.
Thanks
A server running on your NAS such as Minim or Asset and an NDS. If the NDS is too much of a stretch, then Minim or Asset. It's really easy to check this out for yourself before you spend anything.
A UnitiServe is definitely not the best upgrade. Put Minim on your NAS and set it to transcode to WAV. I had a UnitiServe since starting streaming, and it's great for a novice, but I think the Synology using Minim actually sounds better.
As an upgrade, a power supply for the NDX is probably the way to go, though others have found adding a Chord DAC to the NDX gives great improvements. Whether that's true I have no idea, but it's certainly a lot cheaper.
During the audition we compared similar flac files through the front usb, through the NAS and flac files stored on the HDD Unitiserve.
Just want to reiterate that my only concern is not whether the US would provide better sound but what would be the best upgrade step for my system.
Thanks
If there's no discernible difference when playing from a USB stick (assuming you physically disconnected the network), then your digital set-up is as good as it can be. Changing to a UnitiServe won't actually improve the sound.
Using Minim to transcode to WAV may give an improvement.
The best upgrade options for you are
Add a HC(DR) to the XS-2
Add a XPS to the NDX
Add an external DAC to the NDX (nDAC / 555PS or Chord are usually recommended)
Replace the XS-2 with an SN2
Replace the XS-2 with a NAC202 / NAP200
Replace the NDX with a NDS
The only real way to tell which option is best for you, is to listen to all the options with your system / speakers.
And while your considering all the suggestions per above posts, add a switch
- ISP router to switch
- NAS (or whatever) to switch
- NDX to switch
Now, I'm inclined to go forth with the following in no particular preference order:
- replace XS-2 with SN-2: Would it really be a big step forwards? Or should I go pre+power instead?
- add a power suppy to NDX
- add a DAC to NDX. I had auditioned Chord's QBD76 but did not care for its sound much, preferred the bare NDX over it by far; so not really sure how the Chord Hugo would improve on the NDX?
It's always going to be down to personal taste. The Naim DAC is IMO a good upgrade for the NDX. Best to let your ears decide.
+1 for the Hugo. I demoed the Naim dac and Hugo at home and was amazed at home much better the Hugo sounded to me. Its a brilliant upgrade for a relatively small amount of money
XS-2 to Supernait 2 definitely is a big step up. We made that change over a year ago and noticed the great improvement immediately.
Room correction... 
I already owned a HiCap, but I did get it converted to the DR version. I did not do extensive listening with vs. without the HiCap.
I'm not good with hi fi vocabulary, but can state with certainty the the Supernait 2 over the Nait XS was "more of everything." My wife provides an independent set of ears for my equipment changes, and she was extremely favorably impressed immediately, with no idea how much it cost vs the Nait XS. If pressed, I'd say it presents much the same sonic characteristics, but just better in every way. Again, hi fi vocabulary isn't a strong suit of mine.
Room correction 
I'd be interested in auditioning some of the better room correction boxes, but can't quite figure out how they'd be installed with a Supernait 2. I've got a sub-optimal room and WAF prohibits the basic changes that'd improve it.