Dipping toes into the NAS (world) with no clue and getting rid of the CD player
Posted by: Stephen Tate on 25 April 2018
Hi folks,
please forgive me for my lack of knowledge, I don't frequent here much because I don't really understand the computer world that much to be completely honest. I do find it daunting.
At the moment, as far as this streaming malarkey goes, I just subscribe to qobuz via my PC laptop via a Jitterbug and into a USB DAC. I'm toying with the idea (in my day dream world probably) to buy a Network Attached Storage device to replace my CD player.
I need advice as I'm not computer literate by any stretch of the imagination and I can't quite afford a Naim solution at this moment in time, I wish I could have a Naim but I can't, other pressing priorities are dictating right now.
I have looked at a Qnap device on Amazon, do I just get one, plug it in and then go from there? as I say, i'm out of my depth here with any confidence or knowledge. I will have around £1000 to play with to replace my CD5si into Nait 5si with Neat motive SX2 speakers . Are there other options to look at that are better? I've only picked bits here and there from other threads, put two & two together and probably come up aready with five.
Top sound quality with what I've got is what i'm after. I just use a basic PlusNet servive provider via a landline, no switch or anything like that. I only have a smart TV connected via a Ethernet cable and that's about it.
Qobuz is streamed wirelessly and runs faultlessly via my laptop but...
Thankyou kindly advance guys for any guidance and info that maybe offered.
Posted on: 07 July 2018 by Innocent Bystander
In the interests of your sanity if nothing olse, get off the computer and back to decorating, and forget it all until your dealer calls you!!!!
Posted on: 07 July 2018 by Stephen Tate
IB,
My sanity is fine. The SuperUniti sounds like a good deal to me but I have never heard one. Have you heard one?
Posted on: 07 July 2018 by hungryhalibut
For a similar price you could get a 272 and swap your Nait for a 200. The 272/200 will walk all over a SuperUniti, which I know because I owned one for two years. You have already rejected the ND5XS and 272 because they use the old platform. The SU uses it too, so why consider it?
Posted on: 07 July 2018 by Stephen Tate
Ok, thanks HH. I forgot you used to run a SuperUniti and if the 272 with a 200 walks all over it then this confirms to me that separates at either level is potentially better as well as taking into consideration the newer platform.
Just thought it was a good deal that's all but on never having heard one, what do I know?
Cheers (back to the decorating)
Posted on: 07 July 2018 by French Rooster
next week : cd5xs and rega p6.?
in 2 weeks: uniti star?
in 3 weeks: second hand nd5xs again ?
in 4 weeks : i should wait for the nd5xs2
in 5 weeks: chord hugo on my laptop ?
Posted on: 07 July 2018 by Stephen Tate
Oh come on guys, one is bound to look around and spot other things on route. As it happens, i'm not one for changing my gear that often but I am one for considering ALL avenues before making the actual leap.
It's quite a weird situation really because most of the products on Naim's streaming page (old and new) one cannot actually go out at this time and purchase them from a dealer. Most are discontinued or not even out yet.
Thanks
Posted on: 07 July 2018 by Suzy Wong
I was thinking that if you need to run cables through walls, drill holes, put in trunking or whatever, then doing it before the decorating might be best!
When we moved into our current residence, in 1996, it needed total redecoration.
My wife (IT director) said, “we should put network cable in every room as we decorate”.
I (chartered elect eng) said, “nah, home networking will never catch on.”
She’s never let me forget it!
Posted on: 07 July 2018 by Guinnless
You can go out and buy a current ND5XS. It's not broken cos a new one is coming out. ☺ And once the XS2 has been released the old model still won't be broken. ????
Posted on: 07 July 2018 by Stephen Tate
You can go out and buy a current ND5XS. It's not broken cos a new one is coming out. ☺ And once the XS2 has been released the old model still won't be broken. ????
Ok fair point, but I cannot walk into my dealer right now and listen to either. If I purchase the ND5 XS to order I will still be buying it blind which is probably why I started to consider the SuperUniti at the same money. Nothing more than just a thought and a query...with which HH kindly gave me the answer to.
Posted on: 07 July 2018 by Guinnless
Is there no dealer with an ND5 on demo within a reasonable distance?
Posted on: 07 July 2018 by ChrisSU
I have spotted a SuperUniti (2014) for 2K on a good dealer's website, I hadn't even considered one of those, not in the slightest. What do reckon guys; still hold out for the ND5 XS 2? For me, it would be a blind purchase as dealer is not local.
I reckon you would get a good Superuniti for more like £1600 if you shop around, and if that is the limit of your budget, it’s a good option to consider. Compared to the other options you’ve been looking at, I would say forget it. I enjoyed mine, but separates will be better performers.
Posted on: 07 July 2018 by Stephen Tate
Is there no dealer with an ND5 on demo within a reasonable distance?
No there isn't. I am prepared to wait for the ND5 XS 2, it's not a problem but seeing as I saw a SuperUniti in superb condition at around the same money I thought that maybe this would be a better 'all round' proposition for the money but I think HH pretty much summed that one up for me.
Back to plan 'A' 
Posted on: 07 July 2018 by Stephen Tate
I have spotted a SuperUniti (2014) for 2K on a good dealer's website, I hadn't even considered one of those, not in the slightest. What do reckon guys; still hold out for the ND5 XS 2? For me, it would be a blind purchase as dealer is not local.
I reckon you would get a good Superuniti for more like £1600 if you shop around, and if that is the limit of your budget, it’s a good option to consider. Compared to the other options you’ve been looking at, I would say forget it. I enjoyed mine, but separates will be better performers.
Thanks Chris. My budget is 2 to 2.5K max!
Posted on: 07 July 2018 by Stephen Tate
And next year purchase a brand new NAIT XS2. I know this is only speculating at the moment but I think a ND5 XS 2 with a NAIT XS2 and Neat Motive SX2 speakers will be a very well balanced and enjoyable up to date swinging little system.
Posted on: 07 July 2018 by Mike Sullivan
This is an interesting discussion. I currently rip to a Mac and play through a Cute2. I’m moving the Cute2 to a media room and upgrading the lounge system to a Nova and Core. Now I am wondering about the Core, will it improve sound quality much? My approach was to get the best source going forward.
Posted on: 07 July 2018 by Stephen Tate
Hi there mike,
I have and may still consider a Core too. Indeed others here have decided on it and they have nothing but positive views on it which has made me tempted. I have decided to take the NAS route instead, i have no idea on whether I have made the right choice or not, the thing is off more than it is on because I don't have a streamer for it yet but am awaiting for Naim's new ND5 XS 2 to hit the streets. The NAS (to me) seems like a Swiss Army knife or a Kenwood Chef for making bread where it has lots of attachments but you only ever use one of them for your intended use so most of it (to me) seems utterly wasted. The Core on the other hand is a dedicated machine for music only so i can only guess that it is miles better in what it's designed to do, make music without all the attachments.
Posted on: 07 July 2018 by Stephen Tate
I'm hoping that when I get the streamer all will be well but I have a funny feeling that it won't be and that I should of gone for a Core to begin with. I hope i'm wrong.
Posted on: 07 July 2018 by Mike Sullivan
I'm hoping that when I get the streamer all will be well but I have a funny feeling that it won't be and that I should of gone for a Core to begin with. I hope i'm wrong.
I’m sure you will find it all very good. The sound quality I get through iTunes rips to the Cute is very good. My CD player died, so I decided to go with the Core as a dedicated stand alone solution. There was a small difference in sound quality between streaming and using the CD direct, so I always had it in mind to go to naim ripper/player option and my dealer assured me a Core will give better source quality than iTunes and upnp. Once I had decided to upgrade to the Nova, it seemed the right time to upgrade the source too.
Posted on: 07 July 2018 by nigelb
Stephen, repeat after me…'Stick to Plan A'….'Stick to Plan A'…..'Stick to Plan A'. If you don't, you will drive yourself mad!
Posted on: 07 July 2018 by Stephen Tate
Indeed Nigel. I'm not a million miles away from looking like your avatar since I boarded this ship.
Posted on: 07 July 2018 by Mike Sullivan
Stephen, repeat after me…'Stick to Plan A'….'Stick to Plan A'…..'Stick to Plan A'. If you don't, you will drive yourself mad!
There is certainly merit in sticking to a decision once made, then sitting back and enjoying the music ???? ????
Posted on: 07 July 2018 by Frank Yang
Stephen, repeat after me…'Stick to Plan A'….'Stick to Plan A'…..'Stick to Plan A'. If you don't, you will drive yourself mad!
Are you a teacher?
Posted on: 07 July 2018 by nigelb
Stephen, repeat after me…'Stick to Plan A'….'Stick to Plan A'…..'Stick to Plan A'. If you don't, you will drive yourself mad!
Are you a teacher?
100 lines for you Frank for being cheeky.
Posted on: 08 July 2018 by Stephen Tate
Stephen, repeat after me…'Stick to Plan A'….'Stick to Plan A'…..'Stick to Plan A'. If you don't, you will drive yourself mad!
There is certainly merit in sticking to a decision once made, then sitting back and enjoying the music ???? ????
Thank you Mike, I sure cannot wait for that moment to arrive. Everyone here have been so helpful, I could wish to be in a better place.
Posted on: 08 July 2018 by Stephen Tate
Stephen, repeat after me…'Stick to Plan A'….'Stick to Plan A'…..'Stick to Plan A'. If you don't, you will drive yourself mad!
There is certainly merit in sticking to a decision once made, then sitting back and enjoying the music ???? ????
Thank you Mike, I sure cannot wait for that moment to arrive. Everyone here have been so helpful, I could wish to be in a better place.
*i could not wish to be in a better place*
Sorry folks - my eyes really are going! 
