NDX vs Linn DS?

I'm glad there's a growing consensus that Naim could make some progress in a tutorial type approach, one which would speak to all their legacy customers, not just those who've jumped aboard in the last few years.

NAD have a good flowchart-type interactive document on their site, but I believe Naim could do something far better, as long as it's not either driven by their marketing dept or the technical guys who've written the rather too compex white papers!

Incidentally I tried the Qute as a source component into a 252-based system and it doesn't really work for me. The preamp intrudes too much, and the standard is clearly of its level (though often highly enjoyable). Clearly the NDX will be the way to go.

Dave,

I installed an NDX into my system last night.  Despite never having laid hands on an NDX before, set-up was really easy and I was streaming music from a network connected laptop in a matter of minutes.  It was also fun to listen to some radio stations I've listened to in the past when living abroad.  I downloaded the n-stream app for my iphone and had that working with no problems - oh, no problems but one - not getting any cover-art at the moment but probably down to the upnp player chosen by the laptop.  I'll have to have a play with a few different ones to see what works best. 

At the moment I have a few TBs of music ripped to hard drives and will be getting a Readynas Duo to migrate it to in the near future.

Sound quality has been most encouraging on the few files I've played so far. Certainly better than laptop through Hiface into the DAC, and no more paranoia waiting for a track to skip ever so slightly...

I'm going to play around with things while it warms up and breaks in.  I need to make up a lead to connect the IR control to the NAC552, as it will nice to be able to control system volume through the iphone as well.

So far, very impressed.

One of the unexpected benefits I've noticed about the NDX is how quickly I can be back up and listening to music after a thunderstorm passes.

My PC server running Asset is in another room, hooked up to a distribution block with surge protection.  I do not bother to unplug it or my NAS when a storm hits.   So all I have to is turn everything with a Naim logo on and, voila, the NDX is playing iRadio...or ready for my UPnP selection.   No more PC server reboots.  No more application startup.  No more reconnecting the file shares.  Just turn on and play.  

I think it is a side benefit of the UPnP architecture where most of the work is done on the server, and the renderer processing is relatively light weight (resulting in less electrical noise, and a lower noise floor, etc.....was it Mr. Hopkins who recently explained this?...was looking for, but could not find that post....thanks).

Oh yeah, there is that pesky 10 second delay where the NDX reloads my history, getting me back to my last UPnP selection or radio station at power off..... 

So yeah, I agree with Richard......it is impressive.

Hook

PS - Had one of those eureka moments last night, where my newish NDX and 400's came very much on song.  You know the feeling.   An hour goes by in about 10 minutes, and you think to yourself....wow, the ol' stereo sounded *particularly* good tonight...... 

PPS - Have been going through some of Dave Holland's 1980's-90's ECM catalog...contemporary jazz with incredible sound quality.   His latest, "Hands", is jazz standing bass meets flamenco guitars, and features Spain's Habichuela family -- great music, with incredible depth in the recordings -- too freaking cool! 

Hook,

yes, it is impressive how quickly the NDX picks up where you left off.  In fact I find that it takes rather longer for my iphone to re-connect to my network and have n-stream back up and running...

Now, a question for anyone running a Readynas: Is the supplied upnp server adequate or should one look at installing and running something else? 

Really I'm most interested in reliability, ability to show coverart on DBpoweramp WAVs, and also recognition of album track order.

+1 Hands is a beautiful album - really wonderful music making - and listening.

Hello Richard

Re: the Readynas, The standard built-in UPnP server will not stream WAV files, the renderer will never be offered them. There are no settings to adjust, no transcoding, only the option to switch the server on or off.

There is a community built add-on of Twonky that can be purchased and installed; I have not done this so cannot comment on how well it works. Information is - Here.

I have not had any reliability issues but did find certain files stopped playing after a while. This was very frustrating and I blamed the NAS server but thanks to a post by one of the guys from HQ found it was simply the album artwork was too large, once corrected have not had further problems. No problems with track order.

Peter

Peter,

thanks, that's useful info.  I tried to find out more on the Netgear site but it was very vague on what will and what won't work.  What are you using?

Richard…..I have a ReadyNAS_nvx model running the built-in server streaming flac files ripped with dbpoweramp. I am just using a Qute into nDAC at the moment but looking forward to the Summer_Sounds On-Stream event next month were we hope to settle (finally) on another model. We cannot use wireless so use the remote for selection of music, otherwise, from a netbook 4U2Steam works well as does J River MC. Sorry; I am therefore not able to comment on the use of the app.

Peter

I'm running a ReadyNAS NV+ (same as duo but with 4 slots) and use Twonky. I got the instructions of how to install it by reading the forums of the scottish competition. I had planned getting one of their ds streamers before settling on the Naim.

It was quite easy to install as I remember. It has worked perfectly serving up flac files to my unitiqute.

Hi Steven

Does your Twonky install allow you to stream WAV files?

Did you not install the special build of Twonky from the READYnas forum website?

Thanks

Peter

Hello Peter

I've just ripped a cd to wav using EAC and stuck it on the NAS, after rescanning twonky is serving it up just fine.

The only issue is that there doesnt seem to be any tagging present in the file, so I had to find it by browsing folders. My usual tag editor (mp3tag) doesnt seem to work with wav files.

I did download twonky from the link you suggested. It was just that there were some really helpful step by step installation instructions on the other forum. I think twonky is quite popular with linn ds owners.

Simon, that's interesting to hear.  It might mean my idea of getting a Readynas is no good, especially as I have all my stuff ripped to WAV via DBpoweramp.  I'm assuming here that the only server capable of dealing with these properly is Asset?  In which case maybe I should consider building a mini-PC server instead.

Asset has proven to me to be rock-solid, and it is doing almost everything I want a UPnP server to do.

Like Simon, I also have it running on a PC.   At first, I thought like Tog - too many boxes.  I did not like the idea of a double-hop (NAS-to-PC, PC-to-NDX) with all of the extra network traffic.  But so far, I have not seen any negative impact of this.   And how is this any different from running a UnitiServe SSD with a NAS?  If it is good enough for Naim, then....

On the surface, RipNAS and AssetNAS seem rather pricey for what they do.  But ever since HP and Acer got out of the WHS business, choices have become very limited.   I guess that DIY is an option.  Have done some some research, and have now run into the exact opposite problem:  too many choices, paralysis through analysis.

I guess I could probably get QNAP/Twonky to work.   And I've read some posts by Synology owners where they talk about their UPnP having a FLAC-to-WAV on-the-fly transcoding option, but for some reason, I can not even find any documentation on Synology's UPnP!  Again, like the WHS options, both of these NAS boxes seem premium priced (compared to say, a new LinkStation).  And I cannot envision myself taking advantage of all of the extra software features (that I assume are driving up QNAP and Synology's price).

Maybe my next network storage solution will not be a NAS at all, but simply a local eSata or USB 2.0-based storage array.   4 slots, 3tb drives, Raid 0.  Stick it behind my PC running Asset and call it a day.  

Every one of these choices seems to have a downside, and right now, I do not feel great about any of them.   Would be nice if Asset were ported to Linux and, therefore, installable on some of the more commodity-priced NAS boxes.   But that does not look like it will happen any time soon.  

Feels like the more I think about this stuff, the further away I get from making any decision.

Hook

Why mini?  Windows machines are so inexpensive that you can have a full fledged networked computer

(unless size is an issue) so you can use it to go out and purchase music with it, rip your music, etc. and simply do what Hook suggests and tether a storage array on it.  Done.

Any downsides...Dave D., anyone?

@realhifi……I guess it is a desire for a low power machine.

I have been going round in circles, much like Hook by the sounds of it. I am now thinking of a dedicated mini-computer running J River MC, although maybe your suggestion is worth further thought. This would be positioned in my office (away from the listening room). I could then use a netbook and remote desktop to control the music from the listening position. I need at least 2 streams but would think even a mini would easily cope with this.

The alternative would be a Naim server, but ideally I would like the streams to be synchronised, this I feel may become possible in the future using a computer, not sure it will with the Naim option.

Peter

Many thanks for that info Steven.

I have resisted installing Twonky as I could not establish whether or not it would handle WAV files satisfactorily; I will continue to resist as I need a better solution.

Regards

Peter

Richard, Hook,
The reason I got the separate WHS box is because I had the ReadyNAS already and contains all my photography images as well ad audio and some video. If I was starting from scratch I would look at a WHS box that doubled up as a NAS such as those made by Tranquil that are quite small and cost effective. The Asus I bought is no longer made, which is a shame,  as it's small (large book size) and low power and barely gets warm.
As far as uPNP servers, I am not familiar with all variants but Asset certainly works well and works well with different formats, transcoding and supports interesting search options.
I guess building a low energy PC to run WHS is an option, and in which case you can design the NAS to be built in to it.
Simon

The HP Microserver is an attractive proposition at the moment, £100 cashback buys a Server for £140 that would make an excellent long term proposition. 

It needs an optical drive and operating system but is a good starting point for a quiet reliable machine that can take up to 4 disks and 8 gigs of ram and saves quite a lot of DIY hassle.

Richard

Thats interesting Richard I will look into that

I'm using a QNAP TS210 with 2 Seagate 1TB and run out of space with 1000+ CDs in FLAC and not keen on going above 1TB for reliability reasons

Additionally I have tried Asset and Twonky which I am now using but found Asset to be far quicker and prefer its functionality

Hi,

it's right, but from my point of view this is due to the extream good middle tone presentation of the Linn's.

In my comparison of ND5 XS and LINN Majik DS I found it as well, but the ND5 XS was as well able to present the insturments each single one in orchestra's.

However, Miles Davis Trompet doesn't sound as a tropet. In my and my wife's ears.