Hello to my fellow enthusiasts. I've been away from audio for a while, sold my last Naim kit and traveled for a few years.
My last system was a CDS3/XPS2/252/SC2/250.2
In the meantime I ripped my CD collection with XLD to AIFF using a Macbook Air SSD connected by USB. It's currently connected to a Quad Vena Integrated Amp via USB. It sounds quite good and I've been content but I'm at a point where I want to improve upon the arrangement.
I'm not up to speed on the integration of streaming and HIFI and not sure what the optimal set up is wrt streaming. I've been catching up though and have a high level understanding. Most of the uncertainty is around which Naim products do what I want and which ones don't.
Box count matters to me, I don't want to accumulate a tower of components, ideally 2 pieces but I have space for 3 and will go that route if the enjoyment to $ ratio makes sense.
1) I'd like to get the computer out of my hifi. It seems like this should yield some sonic benefit but I can't say for sure. I think a second hand UnitiServe makes sense for this. My library is only 1TB so I like that I can have everything in one place with the 2TB internal storage. And I've wondered if Naim bitperfect ripping produces a better file than the one I've ripped with my computer usb connected drive ( i think it was around 99% on the error chart that is floating around here).
2) I'm uncertain as to what my amp options are for connecting the UnitServe, especially from a balance standpoint. I've listened to a Nova and it sounded pretty good. I had a first generation Supernait and I didn't care for the sonics with a CDS2 at the time, it started sounding decent with a SC2 on it though. If I can't find a single box option then the 272 looks interesting and wonder what a UnitiServe/272/250DR would sound like or if that's an option.
There's a wealth of knowledge here and I always like hearing the differing POVs, I'm hoping some of the long time members are still poking about.
Thanks in advance for your input.
Posted on: 02 February 2018 by novelty
Thanks for your observations.
It seems like the logical step from the SU is to put a 250DR on it and then a 272 to replace the SU. Then a power supply (SC?).
If I went the Supernait 2 route the upgrade path seems a bit wonky. Not sure.
I expect I will want to land at the NDX/252/SCDR/250DR at some point but I'm in no hurry.
I have no need for phono or CD, I'm streaming exclusively.
Posted on: 03 February 2018 by ChrisSU
The PSU you need would be an XPS rather than a Supercap.
If you intend to progress up the separates ladder in future, I would go that way from the start rather than getting a combined streamer/preamp. A Supernait doesn’t rule that out, as you can add an external pre, power amp or PSU to it. Alternatively, leapfrog the Supernait and go directly to separates. I did this in stages by adding a 200 to my SU, then an NDX, and finally sold the SU and put in a 282. This was the most ‘efficient’ way to get where I wanted to be. The help of a good dealer is invaluable in working out the best path for you.
Posted on: 03 February 2018 by novelty
So I'd like to add a library to my QNAP, it's a AIFF library I was playing through itunes. I created a new folder under my multmedia folder in file station and copied over all the artist folders just like the current artist folders. I'm able to see and play the the new music in the Naim App but I'm unable to see the artist/album artwork. I'm curious what I need to do get the artwork copied over. Are any of the meta data files in the itunes library usable on the QNAP/Asset. I've searched and not seeing how folks are doing this.
Posted on: 03 February 2018 by blythe
I believe that AIFF files are similar to WAV files in that there isn't necessarily a "common" or "universal" method of embedding the coverart into those files.
One option is to add the coverart to each album folder as "folder.jpg"
Each album title coverart should be titled simply folder.jpg regardless of the album name. Just be sure to add the correct image to the correct album.
Posted on: 04 February 2018 by ChrisSU
....I'm unable to see the artist/album artwork....
Just to be clear, can you see any album artwork? There is no artist artwork, so it you are browsing a list of artists, it is just a list.
If album artwork isn't showing, you probably need to add it yourself in the way that Blythe explains above. The process is simple, but you need a metadata editor on your computer to do it. Metadatics (Mac) of MP3tag (PC) are good for this.
Posted on: 04 February 2018 by novelty
I can see the album artwork for the existing albums/library. And when I look in the individual album folders there is a "folder.jpg" file that appears to contain the album artwork for the existing library.
Wow, I have to put a folder.jpg file in every album folder? For a thousand albums? Ugh...
Posted on: 04 February 2018 by novelty
I was using iTunes for playback of the AIFF library I just loaded to the NAS. I didn't grab the iTunes files that contain the album artwork (ie the "itunes library.itl" or "itunes music library.xml" files) as I assumed Asset/NaimApp don't recognize these files. I don't think the album artwork is embedded in the music files but I don't know for sure as that's above my understanding of these files.
So to recap, the library that was originally loaded to the QNAP is FLAC and I can see the album artwork for all of this music in the Naim app and each album folder has a folde.jpg file in each folder.
The library I just added is AIFF and a library I was using with iTunes. The music loaded fine and plays fine. I just can't see the album artwork. Not the end of the world but a little disappointing.
Posted on: 04 February 2018 by Rich 1
Hi, For what it's worth I'll add my 2 cents. My system after auditioning Core, Nova, NAC 272, NAP 155xs and NAP 250dr paired with PMC 20 24 speakers.
Core, NAC 272, NAP 250DR, Qnap 151 and PMC 20 24's.
I really wanted to like the Nova but for me the treble had far to much sting and was slightly wild. I considered the vastly cheaper NAP 155XS superior.
Is there a difference between using Core or Qnap as source? Yes, the sound is portrayed differently and I'm not saying that one conveys more information than the other, but the Core to my ears is much easier to live with and more believable to listen to, but your ears may tell you different.
Rich
Posted on: 04 February 2018 by ChrisSU
If you continue to buy music downloads, you will need a metadata editor, as downloads do not always come with accurate or complete metadata, so it's best to get into the habit of checking them straight away. If you buy CDs and rip them, use DBPoweramp as a ripper and converter, and it includes a metadata editor too. I'm pretty sure most decent editors can do bulk extraction of artwork, which should make your current job a lot easier.
Posted on: 04 February 2018 by Eloise
We’re you using iTunes on a Mac?
If so then if you google for Dougs Apple Scripts you should on that website find a script which will explore the artwork from your albums into folder.jpg folders in the correct directories.
