I have been reading posts on the forum for some time, but have only just registered and this is my first post. I know there has been a lot of discussion about servers and NAS, so am wary of going over old ground!
I am currently planning a move to streaming. Having had a number of listening sessions at my local dealer of the NDX compared to my 1984 Linn Karik and the CDX 2.2, I really liked the 'musicality' of the NDX, which to my ears just had the edge over the CDX 2.2 and, not surprisingly, wiped the floor with my Karik! In addition to the Karik, my amplification is Naim 42.5/Hic-cap/250 all chrome, and all Naim serviced by my dealer about 2 months ago.
Having read various posts on this forum and elsewhere on the internet, there seems to be a variety of options for storage/serving music to the NDX. I've decided to go down the dbpoweramp route and a NAS rather than a Naim Uniserve or Ripnas. For logistical reasons, the NAS will need to be placed quite close to the hi fi, so it needs to be quiet in operation. Having read about various NAS/servers (Qnap, Synology, Vortexbox, Asset NAS etc), I think an AssetNAS (with AssetNAS server software) would be a good option. However, there only appears to be one place in the UK to buy it and one in Austria (not sure if I can mention the retailer names so have left out) - although the version from Austria is an AssetNAS pemium and looks smaller than the UK version.
I appreciate that choice of NAS is very much down to personal preference, but as a novice to streaming and networks (I am computer literate and have some basic knowledge of networks from my own reseach but it's by no means extensive!), I would welcome any thoughts on the AssetNAS (NAS) and whether this is a good option given my need for a quiet NAS and something which is not too complicated to set up. Also, does anyone know if there is any difference between the AssetNAS NAS and the AssetNAS Premium NAS?
Many thanks in advance for your replies. Apologies for the longish post.
Posted on: 24 June 2011 by garyi
What is the logistical reason for your NAS having to be next to the hifi?
Where is your home router?
If this is by the hifi you are on the back foot to start with.
There is not a single NAS on this planet that is acceptable next to your hifi, unless all you listen to is Ed rush and optical.
In short an NDX is what? £3k, sort your home network out before you even go there.
Posted on: 25 June 2011 by Simon-in-Suffolk
Hi, I do agree best sort your network out before investing in network streaming. Good idea to keep all computer and network equipment separate from your hifi on different mains plugs etc
Try and enable wired Ethernet. It is reliable, you can forget about it and of the currently available network options tends to produce the least RFI.
You talk about an Asset NAS. I am not aware of that or you might be getting confused? Asset is a uPNP server software package made by illustrate. It works well with the NDX. However it accesses a NAS separately, which is the actual storage on the network, this might be a separate box such as a NetgearNAS. Therefore the Asset uPNP server and the NAS may exist as separate devices on your network.
Finally you will need to ensure your wireless access point supports multicast and packet flooding for wireless control points to work such iPads etc. Most do, but not all do. If you find your control point Software starts crashing and losing album art etc, this is possibly the cause.
Simon
Posted on: 25 June 2011 by likesmusic
Originally Posted by Simon-in-Suffolk:
You talk about an Asset NAS. I am not aware of that or you might be getting confused?
AssetNAS is the proprietary name of a server running Asset UPnP - ripcaster and HFX sell such boxes. If you google "AssetNAS" you'll find examples.
Posted on: 25 June 2011 by DaveM6
Many thanks for all your replies. I will definitely work on sorting out my network before purchasing the NDX. Curently the router is in the same room (lounge) as the hifi as this is where the master phone line enters the house, but I will look at setting up a network so that the NAS can sit in another room away from the hi fi.
Re AssetNAS, I was aware that it is uPNP software but was also looking at the Asset NAS NAS 'boxes' sold by Ripcaster and HFX in Austria as possible options for a NAS (box), instead of a Linux based NAS using something like Twonky. I appreciate there are also other NAS options that work with the uPNP AssetNAS software - HP, ASUS etc, but wondered if anyone had experience of using the AssetNAS NAS 'box'
Thanks again for your replies.
Dave
