"Can't Play. Unable to open stream"

NAS is the work of the devil. UPnP? Yeah right. The only letter in that acronym that makes any sense is the "n" - and it doesn't even stand for anything.

As Garyi says - keep it simple.

I was able to get it playing after I restarted the NDX.

This is not the first time it has happened and I'm just wondering why.

Not sure what is meant by "simple" - but all the connections are wired (not wireless).  I have a single router to which is connected the NDX, the RipNas, and my Macbook Pro.  The router is in the same room -- so all wired connections are quite short.

The Mac with PlugPlayer acts as the control -  I use it to select music to play.

I would guess the problem lies with the Server.  Usually anything strange going on with control points and renderers originates there.

If not there I would look to see what the RipNAS might be doing in terms of back-up or something.  I dont know very well how a NAS works.

UPNP servers are NOT all made equally.  Not even close.

-Patrick

I thought the NDX and a NAS was enough for this streaming stuff. I still don't really understand what the Mac does that is strictly necessary. Why not select your music using the NDX? If you insist on using an actual computer, why not just have the NDAC? Colour me confused.

Hi WinkyinCanada -

Using the NDX remote control is fine if you are sitting right next to the NDX and can see its little screen.

Using a Mac running PlugPlayer allows library searching and song playing from the comfort of the listening chair.

IMO, an NDX without an iPad 2 running N-Stream is like pancakes without maple syrup.  Yes, it requires you to do a bit of tree-walking and yes, it does not yet support playlists and yes, it only shows time elapsed on current song....but it is fast, and it is reliable.  And if you add a cheap RCA cable (or two, if you have a DAC), then you get input selection and volume control from your listening chair.

I was a long-time PC guy with an Apple aversion, but have radically changed my views over the last year.  Now using a Pro as my desktop, and an Air for traveling.  For the last year or so, I thought that people buying iPad's were nuts, and considered it an unnecessary toy...and perhaps even just a passing fad.  I was wrong -- once I started actually using one, I fell in love with the efficiency of the interface.  And I am amazed on a daily basis at the number and variety of very cool (free or very inexpensive) apps.

My former PC music server has had its high-end sound card removed, and has been relegated to running Asset.  I can log in using Remote Desktop Control to change Asset settings, but never use Asset for playing music.  It will get unplugged completely once I upgrade my current NAS to Synology or QNAP.  It's a shame that MS has wrecked WHS, or I would be looking for a WHS-based NAS, as I have been very impressed by Asset's stability so far.

BTW, I did get the error message above just one time, and that was when I used N-Stream to select a 24/192 FLAC needledrop.   IMO, it would be nice if the NDX offered intelligent downsampling (192 to 96, 176.4 to 88.2) for UPnP input.   Maybe in a future firmware update?

Hook

If the built-in DAC can handle 176.4 or 192 kHz, there doesn't exist a need to re-sample.

Keep talking guys,  I've been home bound and trying to figure this out.  I have option of Mac based system and want NDX with FM so that I too can explore options of a built in DAC.  I've seen Winky's profile and thanks for putting all the info. The Halide cable looks like a key element.  I was thinking of a new Mini at 320GB and probably find an older iPad for sale.  

Sale of CDX2 and Tuner would really reduce box count and stop my CD clutter.  Tho I still have my vinyl collection which will get back into use when I'm better.

What are your ideas?  I'm mostly overwhelmed by the many other postings but Hook and Winky seem to make it understandable.  I think I'd need to graph it out and find price lists.  Probably wouldn't happen till Fall.

There is really no point of Halide AND NDX, unless you have NO interest in nDac.  If NDX, I would look for a good UPNP server and avoid the halide altogether.

-p

Hi Dave -

Right, I understand that the DAC supports it, but the UPnP stack does not.  Paul did say that he NDX's UPnP input would support resolutions higher than 24/96 in the future.  But until that day arrives, I cannot stream my highest resolution files, and any attempt to do so produces an error message.   Now that I think about it, was mistaken -- the error message was "Unsupported format" and not "Unable to Open Stream".

It just seemed to me that downsampling 24/192 to 24/96 (and 24/176.4 to 24/88.2) would have been a nice work-around for the present, as the math seems so easy to do.

Hook

Hook,

I know you would like the NDX to do the downsampling but can this function not be set in Asset? Just asking because Phil Harris from Tech Support gave the below answer to a similar question in another thread:

"SqueezeServer will be transcoding the 24/192 files to 24/96 and your UPnP server *SHOULD* do exactly the same ... if your UPnP server is not transcoding the files into a format that the Uniti (the UPnP client)supports then you will get that message."

The discussion centers around the Uniti Qute but the issue at hand is the same, no?

tp

Hi TP -

Thanks for the suggestion, but, unfortunately, the only option in Asset is to downsample *everything* to 48kHz.  There was a request made on the Asset forum to improve this facility and provide more options, so maybe someday it will be a good solution.   I am hoping that Naim beats him to the punch, and delivers UPnP support for up to 24/192 first.  Paul said it was on the roadmap, but did not give any indication of timing.

I've been doing some more listening to 24/88.1 versus 24/176.4 vinyl recordings and, to be honest, the differences are quite small.   Mrs. Hook can pick one versus the other, but I can not.  One thing is for sure: opening, converting, editing and storing huge files is a major pain, and makes me not want to work on recording!   There is a huge difference in the workflow when the files are only 24/88.1, so that's what I am moving forward with.

But still, it would be nice to have the option to purchase downloads up to 24/192, and not have to put them on a USB stick in order to play them.  I've grown very fat and lazy with my iPad and N-Stream...

Hook

Ah, I see. What a pity, it would have been easy otherwise.

Good to see you are taking a more relaxed approach to hires though. I am sure Naim will come out with an upgrade for the NDX at some point. Until then 24/96 surely is not a bad thing, it is bound to sound great. And with the system you have I am sure even 16/44.1 is sublime. But I see where you're coming from, there is always that little bit more that you know is feasible. But then again there'll always be, as with all upgrades. Received my nDAC today, burning in as we speak. Up until now I have not listened to a single hires file. It will be interesting to see what the fuss is all about. Easy does it, one step at a time...

Best

tp 

TP -

Congrats on the nDAC!   I am certain you will love it!

In fact, IMO, the nDAC will find its place among top 5 most important innovations in Naim history (hmmm, a new thread idea perhaps? ).

Good luck!

Hook

PS - IIRC, my nDAC stopped its initial harshness after about 48 hours, and was sounding really good within a week.  Many others report it taking months, but you know the old story....ymmv, etc.

I'm still confused about using an iPad or a hard wired Mini as music server and then being told just get a good UPnP player,  I have no clue what a good one would be.

Hope this clarifies things for you.

I would use a USB converter if i had to use a Mac.  Then play in iTunes and control with Remote App for iOS.

Use UPNP if you have a Naim Server or have a PC.  For the PC I would HIGHLY recommend J River.  If you want to run headless, use Foobar.  Either way control with PlugPlayer iOS or a web browser.

There may be ways to run a decent UPNP server on a Mac but something tells me it is boot camp or parallels or whatever people do to make Macs run PC software.  Or maybe whatever Vortebox is.  Does that run on a Mac?  Tog?

-patrick

Thanks Hook.

Yes the nDAC was a bit harsh out of the box, it all sounded a bit metallic. But like you said it had improved quite a bit by the time I got home yesterday evening. I'm sure it will be just fine given a few more days and so I am very much looking forward to the weekend 

Cheers

tp

Hi Patrick - you can run Vortexbox on Mac hardware either by replacing OSX on an old machine or using virtualization software like VirtualBox.

However it runs best on any ordinary Intel based hardware where it can be the sole OS.

Vortexbox is actually a suite of programs that run on top of a minimal Fedora 14 Linux distro. The UPnP server is miniDLNA which is runs on Linux but can be configured for OSX with a degree of effort and probably tears.

Oddly enough I had the same issue with the sudden "Unable to open stream" on my Uniti - checked all the error logs on my Vortexbox server - all fine. Nothing to do with the server - Uniti needed a reboot. I suspect there are still a few firmware bugs lurking.

I used to want my Macs to act as streamers but I've gotten over it. It is much better to use a dedicated server that just delivers music. Turns out not all UPnP servers are the same after all.. you can dish up over two thousand squid for a UnitiServe or build a higher spec Vortexbox for £350. 

Tog

Gotcha.  Get a PC.

Tog, 

Do you know if there is a way for VB to transcode FLAC to WAV on the fly? I am curious because feedback on the VB forum was that miniDLNA does not have any provisions for server-side transcoding. However, if I remember correctly, I think you mentioned in one of your posts that your VB set up can do this. If so, may I ask how you managed to set it up this way?

Many thanks

tp

Thanks Tog. I was thinking more along the lines of VB acting as a server to a Naim streamer such as the NDX. The old debate about Naim streamers having been optimised to play WAV and hence sounding better with WAV than FLAC or other file formats...

tp