NDX with iTunes library ?

Posted by: james n on 01 May 2011

Just a quick question before i arrange a demo...

 

I manage all my music using iTunes (ripped via XLD). My collection is AIFF format.  Music is stored on a NV+ NAS and a Mac mini is used as a UPnP server. The UPnP server and control point app i use are 3rd party application, which integrate fully with my iTunes library but are Linn DS specific (Chorus DS). Control is via an iPad. 

 

How do i do the same with an NDX. Is Nstream the only way to control it ?

 

Cheers

 

James

Posted on: 01 May 2011 by james n
Thanks Allen - had a google around and Allegro seems like it should do the trick.



Cheers



James
Posted on: 02 May 2011 by DavidDever
Initial tests w Squeezebox Server 7.6 beta look very good - well worth trying.
Posted on: 02 May 2011 by DavidDever
...and there is a NETGEAR build as well.
Posted on: 02 May 2011 by Tog

and for Vortexbox Dave

 

Tog

Posted on: 02 May 2011 by aysil

James,

Kinsky desktop works perfectly with my NDX. It also integrates with iTunes. So, I don't see why your Chorus DS software should be Linn specific. I guess any control software for Linn would also work with NDX - apart from preamp controls etc which Allen points out, of course. So, you may not need any new control option.

 

Actually, you don't have to worry about these for the demo, because NDX comes with an onboard control option anyway.

Posted on: 03 May 2011 by james n

Aysil - thanks for that. Now to see if i can get my hands on an NDX for a couple of days...

 

James

 

Posted on: 03 May 2011 by Tog
Originally Posted by aysil:

James,

Kinsky desktop works perfectly with my NDX. It also integrates with iTunes. So, I don't see why your Chorus DS software should be Linn specific. I guess any control software for Linn would also work with NDX - apart from preamp controls etc which Allen points out, of course. So, you may not need any new control option.

 

Actually, you don't have to worry about these for the demo, because NDX comes with an onboard control option anyway.


Kinsky on a PC or Mac?

 

Tog

Posted on: 03 May 2011 by aysil

Tog,

I am on windows; but I guess the mac version has the same features.

Posted on: 03 May 2011 by Steven Shaw

I hope this is a temporary situation, but its a bit of a poor show that we have to use free Linn software to run out Naim streamers.

 

I find that kinsky has a lot of nice features that are simply missing in N stream. Making playists is a doddle, and it can show how far through a track you are.

 

Only problem is with classical music the playback isn't gapless.

Posted on: 03 May 2011 by aysil

Steven,

Well, the idea behind open source software is not 'show' but collaboration. So, there is nothing I can do but be thankful for those who contributed to its development. The letter U in UPnP stands for universal, right? But, I agree, it is a great software.

Posted on: 03 May 2011 by Steven Shaw
Originally Posted by aysil:

Steven,

Well, the idea behind open source software is not 'show' but collaboration. So, there is nothing I can do but be thankful for those who contributed to its development. The letter U in UPnP stands for universal, right? But, I agree, it is a great software.

Regardless of where kinsky comes from, I too am thankful of its existence and use it for most of my listening. I'm just hoping naim can sort something out with n stream that will add similar functionality and allow gapless playback.

Posted on: 03 May 2011 by aysil

Steven,

 

I am thankful also to Naim that it incorporates control options in its devices, so I can listen to music without having to turn on my computer.

Can you explain this gapless playback wish? It seems natural to me to have gaps between tracks, other than if the recording is continuous like in an opera for example. What happens if there is no "gapless playback"? Are gaps introduced even if there are no gaps in the recording?

Posted on: 03 May 2011 by Steven Shaw
Originally Posted by aysil:

Steven,

 

I am thankful also to Naim that it incorporates control options in its devices, so I can listen to music without having to turn on my computer.

Can you explain this gapless playback wish? It seems natural to me to have gaps between tracks, other than if the recording is continuous like in an opera for example. What happens if there is no "gapless playback"? Are gaps introduced even if there are no gaps in the recording?

 

Exactly as you have mentioned, using kinsky, and any other UPNP control I have tried such as foobar or plug player introduces gaps into tracks when there shouldnt be, which is most obvious when playing opera when there is no natural gap in the music, but the CD has been divided into tracks. Fortunately using the naim remote or n stream means playback is exactly as it should be.

Posted on: 03 May 2011 by garyi

You guys must be on about a different kinksy the one I used was utter tripe, if I could get it to load that was good and it looked like a windows 95 throw back application created by kids.

 

Looking at the website, I am still required to install all manner of other things just to get it to run. I'll pass on that one again. 

 

Open source can be good, but not always.

Posted on: 04 May 2011 by Tog

Actually - N-Stream is far from perfect but compared to most of the UPnP competition I think it is pretty good. In fact if I forget about the DAAP based "Remote" I can get along with it fine on both my iPhone and Ipad.

 

My server is pretty quick, there is a little lag but cover art doesn't refresh as it has to on Remote and it has been very reliable even though I have only hardwired the server side with the Uniti on wireless for now.

 

One thing I have noticed - N-Stream does benefit from a faster processor as it flies on my wife's Ipad 2.

 

My concern is the speed of development - although if David is right we may be due an update soon.

 

I miss playlists and true shuffle.

 

Tog