Best way to integrate Qobuz into a Naim system

Posted by: Goon525 on 01 October 2016

There have been a number of discussions in the past on this - such as the now closed (why?):-

https://forums.naimaudio.com/topic/how-to-qobuz

But these haven't resolved matters for me. I have recently, after much wavering between Tidal and Qobuz, decided to support the latter, and I've bought a Sublime subscription at a useful discount. My main reason is Qobuz including access to CD booklets, very important for the classical that is the bulk of my listening, but useful for all genres.

For some time I've used Qobuz via iPad/iPhone apps connecting to an Apple TV device via Airplay over wifi, then by digital output into my SU. This works pretty well, but can occasionally suffer from interference, and the quality is limited by the rather Heath Robinson route for the music. Noting that the estimable Simon-in-Suffolk doesn't think proper Qobuz integration by Naim is likely any time soon, I've now decided to consider other ways to create a wired connection to the system for Qobuz.

I've tried a Mac (actually a MacBook Pro, but if I wanted to do this permanently would buy a MacMini to use headless), using one of the apps designed to run a Mac remotely from iPad or iPhone - but I didn't like it. It creates a complicated sequence of apps to open to play music, and actual control of the screen is a bit fiddly, and resolution not that great. So not the solution for me.

In the 'How to Qobuz' thread above, there were references to using something called uPnP Bubble on a Synology NAS. By good fortune, I happen to use a Synology NAS hard wired into my system. But I lack an understanding of how this would work, whether it would give the hard-wired solution I seek, and how it's controlled in use. If anyone is using this and understands it, I'd be really grateful for an explanation!

My other option would seem to be buying either an Auralic Aries Mini or a Bluesound Node 2. Both of these devices have been well reviewed, and both claim Qobuz integration - though one thing I don't yet know is whether if one is using the Auralic or Bluesound control apps, one still has access to the booklets.

At this point I'm willing to invest a bit of money to resolve things, though it goes against the grain to buy the Auralic or Bluesound devices which largely duplicate functionality which I already have on the SU (and theoretically at a higher quality level). I'd very much welcome contributions before I make a final decision.

Posted on: 27 October 2016 by Ardbeg10y

Dozey posted:
You can now cast Tidal from the Tidal app on your android device or iphone. There is a small icon in the middle of the display on the left hand side - easy to miss.
This means that the data is coming from the web via your network Ethernet wire, not via the phone and wifi. Together with a battery power supply for the Chromecast Audio (and toslink connection to my NDS digital input) the sound quality is very impressive.
No doubt the NDS firmware update will be at least as good, but I am not impatient for it to happen any more.
Sorry for the thread hijack - I know it is a Qobus thread!)

Hi Dozey,

How did you battery-power-supply your ChromeCast Audio? I would be interested in that too: hardwire + batterypowered.

Are you telling me here that the NDS is just an overpriced DAC and Naim should stick to what they can do well: making stunning amps?

Posted on: 27 October 2016 by Ardbeg10y

In my humble opinion, this is one of the first threads on this website where people are in public writing about the very good quality / satisfaction of the ChromeCast Audio.

I start to think to get an nDac, and leave the NDX / NDS / any Naim Streamer for what it is. nDac / PS + chromecast audio or another digital thingy seems to be the key to happyness, much cheaper, widely supported.

All we do is sharing our music preferences with Google Almighty (yes, they monitor these tiny devices - all of them).

Posted on: 27 October 2016 by Ardbeg10y

Anybody following the new Apple releases currently (Apple Event ongoing)? I'm waiting for it to buy a new mac mini if it gets there tonight.

Mac Mini --> Supernait or AV2 & TV to do the Digital Concert Hall thing too - like Goon525

Posted on: 27 October 2016 by Goon525

Yup, I'm watching, and vaguely hoping there isn't a sensational new Mac Mini that'll make me regret buying second hand!

Posted on: 27 October 2016 by Dozey

I think the NDS is a very good dac. And it is an excellent streamer. But I can see that a CCa plus Hugo would be a good option too. I haven't done the comparison though.

My comment earlier about avoiding wifi is not correct. You avoid the phone, but the data goes from your router to the CCA directly via wifi.

The battery is just a standard Chinese power bridge from amazon - the sort with a lithium cell which can power a usb socket. Cost about £15. You can use it to power your phone too.

Posted on: 27 October 2016 by Goon525

No mention whatever of a new Mac Mini. Which doesn't quite mean there isn't one, but it's unlikely. I can breath easily.

Posted on: 27 October 2016 by Dozey

Ok - Tidal gapless is still a work in progress. I listened to Teodor Currentzis Rite of Spring and there are annoying gaps.

Posted on: 27 October 2016 by Goon525

But they have put prices up - a lot. Think I got this one right.

Posted on: 27 October 2016 by DavidS

[@mention:27613035029716976] You can run off wired Ethernet using the Google Adaptor I mentioned above (page 2). My CCA is near my Wi-Fi access point and I didn't notice any difference though others have reported more stable streaming.

[@mention:55771800629066628] Like @Dozey, I'm using the CCA mini-TOSLINK output and relying on the DAC in the mu-so, not the DAC in the CCA. Haven't compared them. Maybe I should cool

Posted on: 27 October 2016 by Ardbeg10y

DavidS posted:
[@mention:27613035029716976] You can run off wired Ethernet using the Google Adaptor I mentioned above (page 2). My CCA is near my Wi-Fi access point and I didn't notice any difference though others have reported more stable streaming.
[@mention:55771800629066628] Like @Dozey, I'm using the CCA mini-TOSLINK output and relying on the DAC in the mu-so, not the DAC in the CCA. Haven't compared them. Maybe I should

Regarding the first point, I did not notice a difference either in SQ. The problem is that I have a wife and 4 kids. Apart from the fact that they are lovely beings, they consume loads of bandwidth :-) Since the CCA is hardwired, I have no dropouts anymore.

Regarding the second point: I am a happy owner of the SuperNait 1, which has an internal DAC. So, my CCA is also connected using the optical connection. Looking backwards, I made a good decision in buying this device. Loads of power, and most flexible in one box. Maybe not the most refined amp, but definitely a head start in the Naim world without spending too much money.

Posted on: 27 October 2016 by Ardbeg10y

Goon525 posted:
But they have put prices up - a lot. Think I got this one right.

Congratulations, you win!

I might consider buiding an Minecraft / Audio pc together with my eldest son.

Or stick to the Mac Mini plan.

Don't know yet.

Posted on: 28 October 2016 by Goon525

Ardbeg

Can only say the Digital Concert Hall is working brilliantly and trouble-free via Mac Mini into TV via HDMI and SU via digital audio output; all controlled using Screen Share on a MacBook. Enjoyed Haitink conducting the Schubert Unfinished at a recent concert last night. I know the Berlin Phil subscription ain't cheap, but I think it's going to be worth it.

Paul

Posted on: 28 October 2016 by DavidS

Hi Paul

I'd like to understand how you are doing this

What application are you using to access Digital Concert Hall on the Mac Mini? Assume Safari
How are you connecting from Mac Mini to HDMI on TV?
Which digital output is connected to the SU? From the TV?

Thanks

david

Posted on: 28 October 2016 by Goon525

David

Yes, Safari.

With an HDMI cable.

No, from the mini digital output, hidden in the analog headphone outlet, on the Mac Mini.

Regards

Paul

Posted on: 01 November 2016 by docbot

I have no problem at all using bubbleupnp server and asset. Bubble was very easy to set up. Both are running on my server pc but I have had a quick check of my qnap ts-451 nas that I normally use for backup. The combination of bubble and asset work in the same way. I then access QOBUZ using lumin on my ipad and iPhone or Linn kazoo on my MS Surface. I subscribe to QOBUZ and this combination with my Unitiqute 2 works a treat. I tend to use the Qobuz app or web site to choose favourites and read booklets etc and then play via the lumin/kazoo.

Posted on: 02 November 2016 by Ardbeg10y

New Mac Mini arrived here today.

Got the kids on my side when I told them that it is the perfect minecraft computer on a 4K screen.

Wife had to agree.

Rest is history.

Now I can choose to run the Digital Concert Hall app embedded on my Loewe tv, or via the Mac Mini. All hard-wired.

Feeding either the Dac of my SN1, or one of the optical ports of my AV2.

Can't hear a difference of WAV files between these Dacs. Very similar.