Dipping toes into the NAS (world) with no clue and getting rid of the CD player

ChrisSU posted:

Well Naim's V1 DAC was designed very much with computer users in mind, and does have a USB input, so you could say that product already exists. Whether they will produce new DACs with USB is anybody's guess, though. Going down this route, I agree that a USB connection to a laptop can be a scruffy solution. The traditional approach would be to use a dedicated small computer such as a Mac Mini or Intel NUC for audio, and control it with an iPad. There are other solutions, such as the Innuos servers, but if you want to stick with an all Naim solution, a streamer with a built in DAC is the way to go. 

Thanks for reply Chris, I very much value your opinions.

Cheers!

I've just got the latest issue of Hi-Fi Choice and the Naim Uniti Core is a clear winner out of a group of six well known candidates and it is the second cheapest by a long shot! 

If I get a core then I won't need a NAS; right? only as backup.

Then later on add a ND5 XS 2 plus all the rips will be done in a much more honed in environment, which may make a difference right?

Stephen Tate posted:

If I get a core then I won't need a NAS; right?

No, as you would be able to use a HDD in the Core. You would want either a NAS or a USB drive as backup, and although a USB drive may be cheaper, personally, I would backup to a NAS.

Sorry Chris, I edited as you posted.

Stephen Tate posted:

If I get a core then I won't need a NAS; right? only as backup.

Then later on add a ND5 XS 2 plus all the rips will be done in a much more honed in environment, which may make a difference right?

That old chestnut!!! Your DBpoweramp rips will be just fine (even on a Core.)

Stephen, a Chrissu above if you use a Core you will need some form of back up a NAS or a external HDD.

 I use a NDX and a Core and as you have your NAS set up and working I would choose to purchase a Naim Streamer prior to purchasing a Core simply because the Naim Streamer sounds rather excellent and using the APP on an iPad it is a joy to use plus you have the Internet radio side of things.

I did purchase a Core when they were released (Waited nearly five months for delivery) the Core in my system is really the icing on the cake for ease of use, operates in total silence and sounds bloody superb.

I think you should take some time with your dealer to evaluate which way you are going to proceed.

Happy hunting.

Pcd posted:

Stephen, a Chrissu above if you use a Core you will need some form of back up a NAS or a external HDD.

 I use a NDX and a Core and as you have your NAS set up and working I would choose to purchase a Naim Streamer prior to purchasing a Core simply because the Naim Streamer sounds rather excellent and using the APP on an iPad it is a joy to use plus you have the Internet radio side of things.

I did purchase a Core when they were released (Waited nearly five months for delivery) the Core in my system is really the icing on the cake for ease of use, operates in total silence and sounds bloody superb.

I think you should take some time with your dealer to evaluate which way you are going to proceed.

Happy hunting.

Yep. I am waiting for the release of  theND5 XS 2.

I have this morning been to a charity shop (as well as buying a copy of HFC) and came away with 8 more mint CDs. Went into dBpoweramp, commanded they were rippid to the desktop (where I can see them) then sent them straight to the QNAP NAS from the desktop - then dragged the 'music' folder to the desktop and dragged all the sent albums into the 'music' folder - then put the music folder back into MY PC. Looked at Asset control on the laptop that Tricky Dickie kindly setup for me and everything is where it should be, Job done! 

NEXT!

Hi Stephen, although convenient for ripping and serving (and storing with the HDD version) I didn't dare suggest a Core because I thought you were on a tight budget and you are getting to grips with the QNAP which will do all the Core can (except ripping which you seem to have mastered). IMHO serving music from my QNAP sounds as good if not a little better than serving from my UnitiServe (the predecessor to the Core).

The Core is condiserably more expensive than a NAS, even including the cost of hard drives, which you already own, so it seems a waste to get the Core, essentially just to have a second storage point. My recommendation is to keep the QNAP use a USB memory stick or separate disk drive for back up. The QNAP has a very slick way of easily backing up to a USB stick. If you have the cash for a Core burning a hole in your pocket, add it to the money for the ND5XS2 and you could get the NDX2. No, scratch that, you already have way too many options going around in your head. Stick to plan A and wait for the ND5XS2!

There, sorted.

Yep, i'm sticking with plan A Nigel, thanks for your reassurance. It's easy to become side tracked with these things but I now have a QNAP and I will just get on with the task with filling it with as much music as I can until the big day, the arrival of the ND5 XS 2 network player.

Stephen Tate posted:

Yep, i'm sticking with plan A Nigel, thanks for your reassurance. It's easy to become side tracked with these things but I now have a QNAP and I will just get on with the task with filling it with as much music as I can until the big day, the arrival of the ND5 XS 2 network player.

Nothing wrong with being side tracked! After all, do you have a plan B just in case you listen to that eagerly awaited ND5XS2 and just think, hmmmmm, that didn't exactly blow my socks off!

ChrisSU posted:

Stephen Tate posted:

Yep, i'm sticking with plan A Nigel, thanks for your reassurance. It's easy to become side tracked with these things but I now have a QNAP and I will just get on with the task with filling it with as much music as I can until the big day, the arrival of the ND5 XS 2 network player.

Nothing wrong with being side tracked! After all, do you have a plan B just in case you listen to that eagerly awaited ND5XS2 and just think, hmmmmm, that didn't exactly blow my socks off!

Noooooo…..don't listen to them Stephen.

Well, to be fair, Chris does make some very valid points indeed and I do respect his alternative and sometimes provocative opinions. Indeed, if the Naim does not produce to the way I like it then I reckon I will try other options, whether the separate DAC route and what not but also a revisit to vinyl being one of them! 

Fingers firmly crossed.

Stephen Tate posted:

Well, to be fair, Chris does make some very valid points indeed and I do respect his alternative and sometimes provocative opinions. Indeed, if the Naim does not produce to the way I like it then I reckon I will try other options, whether the separate DAC route and what not but also a revisit to vinyl being one of them! 

Fingers firmly crossed.

Quite! I've been very happy with my NDX, as I was with the Superuniti I had before that, but the forum always brings up a load of recommendations to 'buy what I've got, cos I think it's great' which are not necessarily that helpful, other than as a potential shortlist of products for you to listen to. As it happens, I listened to the old ND5XS and was a little underwhelmed by it, which is why I went for a Superuniti initially until I could afford to get the NDX based system I now have. That is also part of the reason why I suggested that, for your stated budget, I thought you might get a better sound quality uplift with a DAC upgrade which would fit quite easily into your existing system. 

Still, lets hope the ND5XS2 does the business, just don't let forum wisdom (about a product that nobody yet owns) override what your ears tell you! 

I guess I should have ended my last post with a winky face.

Lighten up chaps, its only HiFi. 

nigelb posted:

I guess I should have ended my last post with a winky face.

Lighten up chaps, its only HiFi. 

I keep searching for a suitable smiley for these situations, but I just can't find one that's a match for your avatar 

Another option for the wodge of cash burning its way out of your pocket is a decent road bike. You'll have a world of options that open up to you; disc or rim brakes, carbon, steel or titanium frame, wheels in more styles than you can imagine, and of course the old Campag / Shimano debate, now widened out with the option of SRAM and the choice of electronic or mechanical gears. Or the new fad for no front mech but a wider range on the back.

If you fancy prevaricating for a long long while you could do a lot worse than buy a nice bike and then start the upgrade process. Prices go from bottom of the market for tat to many thousands for the nice stuff. Just like hifi. Only it gets us out in the fresh air for the same outlay. Bin the NAS, flog the QNAS on Ebay and get out into the wider world. Huge fun guaranteed. 

ChrisR_EPL posted:

Another option for the wodge of cash burning its way out of your pocket is a decent road bike. You'll have a world of options that open up to you; disc or rim brakes, carbon, steel or titanium frame, wheels in more styles than you can imagine, and of course the old Campag / Shimano debate, now widened out with the option of SRAM and the choice of electronic or mechanical gears. Or the new fad for no front mech but a wider range on the back.

If you fancy prevaricating for a long long while you could do a lot worse than buy a nice bike and then start the upgrade process. Prices go from bottom of the market for tat to many thousands for the nice stuff. Just like hifi. Only it gets us out in the fresh air for the same outlay. Bin the NAS, flog the QNAS on Ebay and get out into the wider world. Huge fun guaranteed. 

On yer bike, mate, if I want more fun than I get from my HiFi, I'll spend the money on wine!

Hi all,

I have spotted from a well known dealer's online site a ex-dem CD5 XS (2017) for £1,850.

Shall I go for it or shall i continue to wait for the ND5 XS 2?

What would you guys do?

I am interested in your thoughts.

Another dealer near Ipswich has a CDx2-2 for the same price, 2013 model, I would take the latter if I wanted a CD player. But now your NAS is set up, I would still wait.

Stephen, having moved from CD replay to Streaming several years ago I would advise you to wait you have done most of the donkey work with the NAS set up so the hard work is done.

Just wait for the Naim streamer it is a pity you could not borrow one from your dealer to see how a streamer would fit into your system and experience the ease of use etc.

Stephen Tate posted:

Hi all,

I have spotted from a well known dealer's online site a ex-dem CD5 XS (2017) for £1,850.

Shall I go for it or shall i continue to wait for the ND5 XS 2?

What would you guys do?

I am interested in your thoughts.

Stephen - i think once you have managed the learning curve, the ND5XS2 gives you more options to enjoy your music. You can still alter get that CD5XS if you want to. As you have probably heard me say before (in my opinion) the best systems are not reliant on a single source - as each source introduces its own character that can enhance specific genres and recording styles or even moods you are in.

After all its why our NACs have those different input settings... one source just doesn't offer your musical according replay enjoyment full justice. However if you are building your system I suggest starting with the largest common denominator.

Stephen,

I agree with the above comments. 

Once you have your streamer in place and begin to reap the rewards of the ripping work you have already begun, I am sure that you will be amazed by the many benefits that a streaming solution brings to your everyday enjoyment of music.

A CD5 XS may well sound as good as a legacy ND5 XS (I don't know because I have never heard the CD5 XS), but sound quality alone is only part of the overall music listening experience. Ease of use and almost instant access from your comfort of your sofa to any album or track in your music collection, not to mention any of the plethora of Internet Radio stations also plays a huge part in respect of the whole music listening experience.

I would also hazard a guess (but it is a guess) that the new ND5 XS2 will sound better than either the ND5 XS or the CD5 XS.

Be patient! You'll be glad you were in the long run.  

Stephen Tate posted:

Hi all,

I have spotted from a well known dealer's online site a ex-dem CD5 XS (2017) for £1,850.

Shall I go for it or shall i continue to wait for the ND5 XS 2?

What would you guys do?

I am interested in your thoughts.

is there other dealers where you live who sell naim gear?   it would be a strong idea to borrow a streamer for a couple of days.  You could see how funny it is.   

French Rooster posted:

Stephen Tate posted:

Hi all,

I have spotted from a well known dealer's online site a ex-dem CD5 XS (2017) for £1,850.

Shall I go for it or shall i continue to wait for the ND5 XS 2?

What would you guys do?

I am interested in your thoughts.

is there other dealers where you live who sell naim gear?   it would be a strong idea to borrow a streamer for a couple of days.  You could see how funny it is.   

Yes, my NDS is hysterical.

And I am sure the ND5 XS2 will be very amusing, so be patient Stephen.