Has Anyone Tried a non-Naim Streamer in to the nDAC

I use a Squeezebox Touch into my nDac.  It sounds great even compared to my Mac into the dac.  Not saying it is better, just very enjoyable for streaming Rhapsody and Pandora.  I had a Squeezebox Duet previously, and to my great surprise, the Touch does sound better, even used only to provide a digital source.  I have not heard the NDX, although I am intrigued...

One of the things you notice in these comparisons of archived music vs. streaming music is that often the streamed music is a re-mastered version, and can sound better just due to that.  So the streamers allow you to hear, and archive (in your favorites) these new versions without replacing your cd's or downloads.

I'm using Logitech Transporter into nDAC/XPS and I could not tell it apart from the UnityServe through DC1. I also tried TP against SB3 and SB Touch and PC/Foobar/WASAPI/HiFace and TP was always better.

To qualify which Squeexebox I used, it was a Duet..

Simon

AMA, what is TP?

TP is a very interesting streamer with a very high quality S/PDIF output.

AFAIK Logitech continues sales of TPs without central knob (which I never use btw).

The price is ridiculous for such a wonderful performer -- something like 1.5 K$. 

I'm using a fully charged combo: TP/DC1/nDAC/XPS with Hiline and fully Powerlined -- and I believe it's hard to beat at the same price point.

For example, Linn ADS and Naim HDX are more expensive single-box streamers but  they don't sing as good. Besides TP is more flexible than both of them in handling the local audio library and internet radio.

Claus

> am not keen to get a Sonos

Fair enough, but the Wired 4 Sound version of the Sonus ZP90 gives great results plus you get a superb iPAD/Mac friendly user interface. No need for Windoze-only program like the DTC (which for me is unusable). The Sonus works faultlessly with Apple kit and does not require me to fiddle about with UPnP. Sonus support is very good too, but you hardly need it. 

I don't know the NS01 so it may be even better. The TP is excellent too. A Mac running iTunes connected through the MF V-Link is another very good option.  

There are lots of good ways to feed the Naim DAC (it likes a 555PS). 

Hi-res music: I'm not worried about that - haven't got any and haven't seen anything released in the format that interests me greatly - got a few Kinks/CCR/Moodies SACDs, but that's it really.  

All the best, Guy

I have read good things about the TP but it is not available in the UK to try. I guess what I would like is a streamer front end from Naim for the nDAC but I have not read anything to indicate there is one on the cards. 

I was really looking for anyone who might have used a streamer from a recognised Hi-Fi company, rather than Logitech or Sonos type companies. As good as their products may be, they don't (maybe apart from the TP) give the quality of sound I'm looking for - there or there about an NDX.

While I hear some people being positive about PC/Mac based systems, for me they are far to complicated to get right. I've downloaded various 'audiophile' Amarra type products but actually found the sq to be worse than iTunes. While I'm sure some tweeking might help, that's not what I want to spend my time doing. To some extent I have the same issue with Logitech, which can be complicated and painful to get working correctly - last time I tried (I think with 4.51) the software was up the spout and I wasted hours trying to get it working correctly.

I want a simple system, run from a good iphone interface that I can use with dbpoweramp rips on a HD. That's what I think most Hi-Fi companies seem to be trying to do.

Regards

Huw 

Hi,

WRT Cambridge, I had tried the NP30 and returned it.  It was extremely unstable in my wireless environment and was constantly restarting the network connection.  Could not listen for more than 2 minutes without interruption.  A completely unusable piece of equipment.

-Larry 

I'm using a Squeezebox Touch, and I like it a lot for many reasons:

-It sounds better than my previous Apple TV mk1. In fact it sounds really great on the nDAC.

-I have zero bugs with it (With the Apple TV, I had to constantly fight for ports ruling in Windows Defender and it was incompatible with my back up software; Acronis True Image).

-Software stability (I had to shut down the computer every now and then with the annoying iTunes updates).

-Rock solid playback with no cuts and no glitches, even when using WiFi to play 24/96 WAV or Flac files. (In direct comparisson, the Apple TV failed miserably at this, and play Hires only by downsampling it first to 48 Khz/16 bits).

The only issues I spotted is the management of the music collection that may appear inefficient if you have a large one, especially in artists and albums browsing modes. The touchscreen is nice and precise, but the visual interface's speed of execution could have been more fast and fluid.

All that said, it's an unbeattable value at 350$.

Bye.

Claus, your post can mislead the forum readers.

First of all TP sounds better than HDX through analogue output in my measures of sound qualities.

I mean that TP is a complete and excellent streamer on its own and keeps its quality until now.

I remember when I first tested nDAC with TP at home I disqualified the possibility to pay extra for nDAC. It's only nDAC/XPS which managed to surpass the performance of TP analogue output.

Second, TP easily handles 24/96 and I enjoy hi-res through TP/nDAC broadly, every single day. Why do you state the opposite? Did you actually come across TP in the past?

Third, why do you think ns01 has  a superior S/PDIF to TP? I already did a home demo with a brand new UnityServe and found no SQ improvement comparing to TP.

Fourth, TP GUI is just WAY better than Naim.

Fifth, why should I bother with ns01 ripper facilities if I already ripped my huge collection and keep ripping the new CDs with EAC in Accurate Rip verification via internet?

Sixth, how did you come to such a strange conclusion that ns01 wins hands down? Did you do a demo of the two?

> I guess what I would like is a streamer front end from Naim for the nDAC but I have not read anything to indicate there is one on the cards. 

Then you need to use the UQ or NDX. 

I've just conducted an experiment and I'm very very surprised by the results - it is not scientific, as I'm the only dude involved apart from Bob Dylan who is helping me.

I have been playing the album Modern Times through my home office system - several times - the loudspeakers are a pair of Time Domain 508s. 

System A - CDX2 in to UQ analogue 

System B - Apple Music Server + MF V-Link into optical in on UQ

System C - Apple MacBook running Playback UPnP software into UQ wirelessly

System D - Clapped out PC running Vortexbox wired in to same switch as UQ

System E - MacBook optical out into UQ

Forget System E - it is not very good really - Mr D's Modern Times sounding a bit too rough. 

System B is fine and I like this one, but the CDX2 is clearly sounding that bit better - oh well it should given what I paid for it - both systems added clarity and the CDX2 made my foot tap just like it always does. Of course, the CDX2 was always going to win - it is a great CDP

Now wait a minute - for System C and D had to convert my nice AIFF rip to FLAC to get it to play, bit of a pain but XLD did it. Then played the music using the UQs remote - a functional rather than stunning interface, but it works. Not much difference between these two systems - in fact none I could hear. They are sending music to the UQ over the network (wirelessly and wired) and using the Naim renderer in the UQ to play the songs. 

Of course I know this will will not be as good as System A or B, I'm not daft - no I'm completely barking mad - these two systems sounded better than ever. Hold on CDX2 cost me a lot more than UQ/TD508s/VB put together so it sounds best right - wrong - the Naim renderer really is magic. 

Please note there is no such thing as a magic ripper as far as I'm concerned - the ripping as long as it as accurate makes no odds. Also I still do not think Pure Music improves on iTunes. I tried a couple of other players: same result. However eliminating the S/PDIF and using the Naim renderer works a treat. OK just doing as Phil Harris and the guys at Naim recommend gives the best results: quite stunning in fact.   

I suppose I should use try my Sonus ZP90 W4S, but I know that'll sound best - just like I knew the CDX2 would and the MF V-Link - so what's the point besides there is a limit to how many times I want to hear Bob singing Modern Times in one day. I will try it later, much later. 

So don't get me wrong - the Sonus is superb, the V-Link is excellent and the CDX2 remains a great one box CDP, but this UQ is something else - some have described it as the best vfm product that Naim has made - I disagree slightly as I'm inclined to think it is the best vfm product any audio company has made. Why don't they sell millions of these things - perhaps they will, they deserve to. 

Use the UQ to feed the Naim DAC - you can't go wrong - is the NDX really better? 

No idea, not tried it. 

All the best, Guy

Read my post. In my world for my use ns01 ndac wins, and as stated I am not in the market for old hardware with no support at all from the current owner of Logitech, even if ´I could get my hand on a unit.

If you are that concerned with misleading people on this forum, you should state that you are using a streamer that is not in production anymore and has not been for years.

I have a squeezebox Touch (applied with soundcheck's software mods + upgraded PSU) into nDAC vis DC1 (RCA->BNC).  I haven't compared this combo against other streamers but the modifications made a huge difference.  I am also considering other streamers, would love to hear your experiences.

Edwin

Edwin - Sonus ZP90 as tweaked by Wired for Sound is really good - Guy

Claus, I have read your post again and it clearly states that TP can not handle 24 bit audio which is NOT true.

Besides a huge amount of people on this forum are using Naim/Linn audio which are "no more in production anymore and has not been for years" but it does not stop them from enjoying the music.

I really don't see where are you trying to steer the thread...

TP cannot handle 192/24.It does handle 96/24. So it is 24 bit capable.

Some people (including Sean Adams) have tried to make Squeezebox Touch transfer 192/24 hi res music via USB out to an external USB DAC. I don't know if they have succeeded to do so. I think they ran into problems which would involve quite a bit of programming to make the Touch function as a hi res USB streamer/transport.

Best wishes,

Peter

It seems pretty clear to me...... i.e. he is trying to steer the thread away from TP and towards NS01.

I would bet a NS0x would fair much better in functional ways when used with nStream and a Naim Renderer.

Dont get so sensitive.  I am sure the TP is a nice digital out/streamer.  Also it is well regarded as a DAC.  But no one has really mentioned them recently as a source for an NDX/nDAC in a long time.  Maybe because there are now better options.

-Patrick

sonos zp90 with ultra low jitter spdif mod by g. volk with apogee wyde eye cable. huge improvement in sq!

Patrick, I'm OK 

I only try to make forum aware of true TP functionality -- that's it.

I know you are AMA....