Wireless Access Point for Core/HDX

1. Yes

2. Normally you set via an app or web browser

3. Fine

4. Very good

5. Very basic and getting long in the tooth now, but simple, Apple AirPort products, better, more capable, modern protocols, can participate effectively together with multiple APs and a lot more performant but you might need to read a manual, Ubiquiti products....

Thanks Simon for your very prompt reply. I think I will be taking a trip to Hi-Fi Lounge in Bedfordshire in the near future.

I've had an Apple Airport Express connected to my Naim gear in the past, and it works just fine. Very easy setup, too. If you buy a Naim ripper/server and a streamer, connect both of them, and an Airport Express, together via a switch. They then have the benefit of a wired connection to each other, but use WiFi to connect to the internet and to control devices. If you do this, I find it easier to connect an Airport Extreme to your router too, taking over WiFi duties from the ISP supplied router.

The Naim servers are a great way to rip a large collection easily. The only limitation is that if you have a large classical or jazz collection, they do not handle the metadata very well, and in this case, I would look at a computer based ripper, storing on a NAS, which is also much cheaper. 

Many thanks Chrissu. Unfortunately a streamer is not an option due to lack of room and getting the whole caboodle past the "Financial Controller". I have no jazz and very little classical in my collection so hopefully the metadata issue should not arise. I did think about computer based ripping and the NAS route but the plethora of software combinations and kit choices made my head spin. (This from someone who has built their own computers for years). I decided to go down the high quality Naim ripping route and also for simplicity (hopefully).

Bear in mind that a Core, Unitiserve or NAS can be located anywhere as long as they have a good network conection, but you will need to add a streamer to your system to play music over your network. Alternatively, the Core can be put on or near your rack, and connected directly to a DAC. Only the HDX has a built in DAC.

Thank you for your comments Chrissu. What I neglected to say is that I would connect the Core directly to my Supernait which has a built in DAC etc. The streaming aspect is only a secondary consideration for me, the main one being getting all the CD's we have ripped into one place as It's becoming a nightmare sorting what to play even in alphabetical order. This has been the most helpful forum I've ever participated in.

Ah, didn't realise you had a Supernait 1. That makes a neat solution with the Core, it'll be interesting to hear how that works out. Possibly better than an HDX....or not? A Unitiserve might also be worth considering if you can find one for a good price, although the Core, with it's built in linear PSU, should sound better over SPDIF.

Hi

I don't think you question was asked before in context of the Supernait 1, having the internal Dac.

I have the SN1 too, and I love it because it is such a complete integrated amp. 1 box which can do almost everything.

The internal Dac is often used by me, I use a Raspberry Pi to stream cd-rips and hires albums to it.

But ... the internal Dac of the SN1 is ok, but no worldclass. When I connect my Dragonfly Black 90 GBP usb dac to my Raspberry Pi, it is already significantly better.

Therefore I suggest to squeeze a Dac between the Core and the SN1 or add a Hicap DR to the SN1 - which improves the SN1 and the performance of the Dac strongly. The Chord Mojo is used by many people on this forum and there have been very good comments on SN1 + Chord Mojo.

HDX is another story because the HDX has an internal Dac which is better than the SN1's internal Dac.

If you want to change next your Core to the network you need a Wireless Bridge. I use one of these with my UnitiQute in my main system. 

Some access points can run in Bridge mode, just to confuse things.

Do believe that the Apple Airport Express can be in Bridge mode. 

I'll that your wireless network needs to be up to snuff. I used an app for my phone to measure Wireless performance in my room and at my Bridge the I measured 35-65 Mbps. I had occasional drop outs and network issues. I added an access point at the other end of that room and got it up to 130-140 Mbps. No issues since. 

Thank you for everyone who has commented on my nooby question. Just to ensure that I haven't confused anyone (including myself) I'll do what I should have done at the very beginning and list my system:

Oppo 105 (analogue outputs used for CD, SACD, DVD Audio and Blu Ray films and Blu Ray audio discs. - Stereo only - not surround. Step too far for multi speaker system in domestic environment.

Supernait Mk1 with Hicap DR

PMC Fact 8 speakers (Some real persuasion for these in the living room)

Atlas Hyper Symmetrical 1.5 M RCA-RCA (Oppo to Supernait)

Atlas Hyper SPDIF RCA 1.5M (Connects to SONOS Play from Supernait) - Perhaps the less said about that the better. (Pressure for internet radio from the other half)

Naim NAC A5 speaker cable 3M per side

Naim Hydra Power Cable 2-1

Everyone's comments have been very useful and given me food for thought.

A number of people have recommended the Apple Airport Express - does it play nicely with non Apple products?

...A number of people have recommended the Apple Airport Express - does it play nicely with non Apple products?

I have used one for years & never had any connection issues with: phones, tablets, PCs, Macs, anything & everything else finds it & connects.

Welcome to the forum, theres no such thing as a nooby question, seems perfectly reasonable to me.

Regarding Apple devices, I would, as I mentioned before, attach an Airport Extreme to your router, as well as an Airport Express to your Core. Once you have these devices running your network, there is no problem with non-Apple devices using it over WiFi and wired Ethernet connections.

In your position, I think I would go for a Core, rip a load of CDs, and at a later date, consider adding an external DAC as an upgrade, as I suspect the SN1 DAC would then be a weak point.