wipe over each cd clean before rip to rduce errors .  you can set db to no compression in menu

It could simply be read errors from the CDs, just as can cause the error-correction algorithm of a CD Player to interpolate and fill in when playing, or sometimes skip if it is a significant error. I assume you have, but if not then check that CDs are spotlessly clean before ripping.

The setup menu of dBPoweramp under CD Ripper Options has some choices, icluding three ripping methods, the simplest, which I think is the default, just reads quickly with no error recovery, and two levels higher -the highest one can be very slow, but has maximum error recovery.if you haven’t tried the others then that could be worth doing -  when I ripped my collection I found it best to leave on the middle option, though occasionally a troublesome disk needed the higher. 

As ChrisSU said, “Accurate Rip” if enabled will check online databases populated with data from many other people’s rips, and tell you is yours is the same - if not, then it suggests there is something wrong with your rip (assuming it is definitely the same CD version, which is worth checking as sometimes there can be apparently identical ones but, for example, released by different labels, and so mastering might be different). That assumes the CD is in the database, as it may not be if you have something uncommon.

if all else fails, identify where the problem is (time position), and get a copy of Audacity (was free when I got my copy years ago): with that you can load the file and go to the spot (you can play it through the computer’s speakers to find exactly) and see the waveform, and from that see if there is any obvious anomaly (e.g. a sudden blank bit), when you can attempt to fix or disguise it. If it comes to this I can offer some ideas. (However, if the ‘skip’ is a jump missing out a bit of the track it may be particularly hard or impossible to disguise.)

audio1946 posted:

wipe over each cd clean before rip to rduce errors .  you can set db to no compression in menu

Yes, thank you for reminding me. I do keep all my CDs in pristine condition but even so. I have db on secure mode?

Innocent Bystander posted:

It could simply be read errors from the CDs, just as can cause the error-correction algorithm of a CD Player to interpolate and fill in when playing, or sometimes skip if it is a significant error. I assume you have, but if not then check that CDs are spotlessly clean before ripping.

The setup menu of dBPoweramp under CD Ripper Options has some choices, icluding three ripping methods, the simplest, which I think is the default, just reads quickly with no error recovery, and two levels higher -the highest one can be very slow, but has maximum error recovery.if you haven’t tried the others then that could be worth doing -  when I ripped my collection I found it best to leave on the middle option, though occasionally a troublesome disk needed the higher. 

As ChrisSU said, “Accurate Rip” if enabled will check online databases populated with data from many other people’s rips, and tell you is yours is the same - if not, then it suggests there is something wrong with your rip (assuming it is definitely the same CD version, which is worth checking as sometimes there can be apparently identical ones but, for example, released by different labels, and so mastering might be different). That assumes the CD is in the database, as it may not be if you have something uncommon.

if all else fails, identify where the problem is (time position), and get a copy of Audacity (was free when I got my copy years ago): with that you can load the file and go to the spot (you can play it through the computer’s speakers to find exactly) and see the waveform, and from that see if there is any obvious anomaly (e.g. a sudden blank bit), when you can attempt to fix or disguise it. If it comes to this I can offer some ideas. (However, if the ‘skip’ is a jump missing out a bit of the track it may be particularly hard or impossible to disguise.)

Thank you IB

ChrisSU posted:

Steve, as I understand it, you have not yet purchased a NAS, and are storing rips on your PC? Presumably you are playing via some sort of playback software on the PC, such as iTunes, VLC or similar?

Hi Chris,

I'm not sure where it came from but my laptop is playing back the music via 'Groove music'?

Is this what you mean?

Simon-in-Suffolk posted:

Stephen Tate posted:

Hi all,

I have noticed when playing back some of my rips that there can be the odd - packet error? - like if a CD player has been slightly jolted. Is it possible that because i'm surfing the internet at the same time It is having a negative effect on the odd rip? 

Should I leave the laptop well alone(close all apps & windows) while it's ripping?

I don't know what is causing it but i'm only guessing this maybe the case...?

Thank you for any further advice/guidance

Steve

Surfing the internet will have in a correctly setup home network have no effect on UPnP playback. If you are streaming via Wifi, and you have a low performance basic consumer Wifi setup, then if someone is say watching a YouTube or similar on the same Wifi SSID, you may see some buffering.

With UPnP there is no real thing as occasional packet loss blips, as a reliable transport protocol, TCP, is used.... if there is a loss of data then the data is resent.. the affects are increased latency ... not really a problem with UPnP, or if more extreme a stop, pause then restart, or if really bad, the socket is cleared and playback will stop and have to be restarted manually. However the data rates we use for  audio are really trivial for a typical wired home consumer network, even at 192/24.

My guess it that if it’s not the low grade Wifi as described above, then I’d look at your NAS, media server.

if the issue occurs when ripping itself, and you are browsing on the ripping computer, then it’s most likely a driver/performance issue on your ripping computer... best leave it well alone when ripping, and get your ripping software to validate rips... you might want to look at an alternate ripping solution.

Thanks Simon.

I'm not sure if I understand much of what you say here. I'm not very Wi-Fi, computer or network literate, sorry.

I'm sure it will all make sense in due course once I have the NAS up and running.

I'm just using a 40bps down load PlusNet supplied internet package, i'm not sure if it's good enough but I don't have any issues with it thus far, maybe I will in the near future, who knows?

Thanks

Are you glitches written into the rips, or occur randomly on playback... if it’s the former then focus on the ripper. It’s the latter I would look at your media server in your NAS or wherever.

Simon-in-Suffolk posted:

Are you glitches written into the rips, or occur randomly on playback... if it’s the former then focus on the ripper. It’s the latter I would look at your media server in your NAS or wherever.

Yes, my response assumed it was at the same point in the music each play, if not then clearly not the rip.

Stephen Tate posted:

ChrisSU posted:

Steve, as I understand it, you have not yet purchased a NAS, and are storing rips on your PC? Presumably you are playing via some sort of playback software on the PC, such as iTunes, VLC or similar?

Hi Chris,

I'm not sure where it came from but my laptop is playing back the music via 'Groove music'?

Is this what you mean?

I don't know how good or bad Groove music is, but you could always try another player on your PC to eliminate it as the culprit. More importantly, though, if you can establish that the rips are bit perfect, which they certainly should be if DBpoweramp is working properly, then you should be fine when you come to play them on a NAS/server/streamer setup.

DBpoweramp does need an internet connection while ripping, both for checking that the rip is accurate, and for loading metadata (album artwork, genre, etc.) but it doesn't need a very fast connection for this - your 40mb connection is more than enough. (I assume you meant 40 megabits, not 40 bits, or else you might have a problem!!?)

ChrisSU posted:

Stephen Tate posted:

ChrisSU posted:

Steve, as I understand it, you have not yet purchased a NAS, and are storing rips on your PC? Presumably you are playing via some sort of playback software on the PC, such as iTunes, VLC or similar?

Hi Chris,

I'm not sure where it came from but my laptop is playing back the music via 'Groove music'?

Is this what you mean?

I don't know how good or bad Groove music is, but you could always try another player on your PC to eliminate it as the culprit. More importantly, though, if you can establish that the rips are bit perfect, which they certainly should be if DBpoweramp is working properly, then you should be fine when you come to play them on a NAS/server/streamer setup.

DBpoweramp does need an internet connection while ripping, both for checking that the rip is accurate, and for loading metadata (album artwork, genre, etc.) but it doesn't need a very fast connection for this - your 40mb connection is more than enough. (I assume you meant 40 megabits, not 40 bits, or else you might have a problem!!?)

Ok Chris, thank you very much for your reply.

I was using Windows Media Player to begin with but for some reason uninstalled it some time ago, I think maybe 'the laptop grabbed Groove Music from the internet automatically and I probably just installed it because I had to at the time for something or other, I can't remember. 

Yes, I did mean 40 megabits - I did a speed test and it averages about 37/38 megabits.

Ok, Synology installed and all music files downloaded. It took ten and half hours but got there in the end. Unbelievable how easy and intuitive the software is. Only issue was Naim app would only show individual tracks artwork but not albums. I decided to download and use Synology's DS Audio own app instead and presto. All there and much easier to navigate than Naim's. I hope Stephen's journey is as pain free as mine.  Thanks once again to  everyone for  the great advice.

Now, lets listen to some music.

Told you so!    

Tony2011 posted:

Ok, Synology installed and all music files downloaded. It took ten and half hours but got there in the end. Unbelievable how easy and intuitive the software is. Only issue was Naim app would only show individual tracks artwork but not albums. I decided to download and use Synology's DS Audio own app instead and presto. All there and much easier to navigate than Naim's. I hope Stephen's journey is as pain free as mine.  Thanks once again to  everyone for  the great advice.

Now, lets listen to some music.

 

This is great news Tony, all has worked out for you pain free and you're now enjoying your music, excellent stuff

I'm now just waiting for the financial side of things to sort themselves any minute now, then I hope to be on a similar journey as yourself. I'm probably going to purchase the NAS anyway, while finances are pending, in the meantime, i'm still getting used to all this ripping malarkey 

ChrisR_EPL posted:

 

It's too easy to over-complicate this. For streaming you need a source to provide you with digital music, and something to convert that digital source to something your amp can shovel out through the speakers.

Source can be streamed from the net like your qobuz service, or Spotify or Tidal. Or others presumably. Tidal & Spotify integrate into Naim streamers so are a good choice for simplicity. 

Or your source is your own music stored somewhere on your home network, and made available by the media streaming software installed on whatever device holds your music. That can be a Mac, PC or a NAS drive. A NAS drive is a hard disc with a basic operating system that can run the media s/w. Seagate provide their own s/w, so do WD, Plex [and others] is an independent server s/w package that can be installed on most NAS drives or PCs / laptops. You need the s/w to serve up the source to your chosen streamer.

Which leads to the streamer. This converts the source data stream either from Tidal, qobuz etc or from your NAS into an input into your amp. An ND5XS is a good choice, but is more than your budget. A Cambridge Stream Magic falls within your budget but isn't as nice. The streamer needs to connect via ethernet cable to the same network that the NAS is on, and if you use Tidal etc it obvs needs an internet connection on that same network.

You don't need to worry about network protocols or all the other things. Plug you NAS drive into your router and it'll be available via your PC or Mac. It makes life easier if you map a drive letter to it, but you don't have to. You can always access it via its IP address e.g. \\192.168.1.1\Public\MusicLibrary, and the streamer won't need to be told where it is - the server s/w communicates its location without intervention on your part.

Rip your CDs with DBPowerAmp - it's recommended for a reason, and is easy to use. Before ripping each CD check the metadata to eyeball all the track names and artist data that it'll include with each file. Too many track names include unnecessary info like [12" bonus mix on Deluxe version]. Fine if you want that info but I never do and always delete it before ripping.

You might find it quicker to do a larger collection by ripping to a local folder (C: drive) instead of direct to a NAS drive; adding a minute or so onto each of 700 CDs is a lot of additional time. I find it quicker to rip locally and check the metadata using the excellent free MP3Tag editor then copy to the NAS drive, all whilst the next CD is ripping. Once it's on there your media s/w should react to the new folders being added, or you can force it to rebuild the library at will. The library is what it ultimately presents to your streamer and app (see next) to allow you to choose what to listen to.

Finally you'll need the Naim app on your phone, tablet or iPad. This finds your media server and lets you drill down through your music or Tidal etc to play whatever takes your fancy, with an easy prod & play interface. Other than an initial prod to confirm that the streamer it sees is the one you'll be using, it's hassle free to set it up.

Plusnet are as good as any as an ISP. I'd be hard pushed to be convinced that the choice of ISP has any bearing on sq.

Streaming is all quite simple, it's a simple case of joining together a few well established technologies to present the end user with a simple means of accessing digital music. Once you've got it up & running you can start to tweak it, but doing the easy bit first - getting it up & running - is the first thing to do, then worry about improving it.

You probably won't use your CD player once it's on a NAS drive. Mine is a sadly unused piece of kit these days, forlornly sitting on its shelf in the rack but untouched most of the time.

Thank you very much for your reply here Chris. I am going back through this thread again and making sure I fully understand all this fantastic help/information that all you guys have provided me with.

I've decided i'm going the Naim streamer & NAS route. I just need to weigh things up in my own head and make sure i'm making the right decision ( for myself) because it will be my biggest financial outlay on a source component in my music system I have ever made thus far.

Stephen, the offer still stands if you want to come round to see it all working. 

Thank you HH, that is most kind of you. 

Hi folks again,

after reading through certain threads about digital audio, I must admit i'm starting to get quite confused indeed and may opt looking for a vinyl solution instead...

Can I pick some of you guys brains if I may...?

Will a Naim ND XS 2 streaming unit make for good money well spent for a top quality sound in my system,  just as a good CD player would?

I keep reading that a low cost NAS is good enough and that this can just be operated by a laptop or an I pad, if so, why are Naim releasing these expensive units if it can be done at a much cheaper level?

I am finding all this tech stuff rather contradictive if I must say so myself. I need answers. I am very soon about to have 2K burning a hole in my pocket and the thought of getting a Rega deck and phono stage is starting to make my senses tingle. Trouble is, I do want to move forward, become more modern and explore this 'so called' digital revolution at the same time. It just seems all a bit patchy? 

Will it be worth it in me investing in a NaimND5 XS 2?

Most of my music is on CD but I may be pushed into hunting vinyl all over again if I can't find a way through the confusion.

Perhaps it is time that I now pay my dealer a visit. 

thank you for your time.

As ever Stephen; the guidance of a good dealer is what you need. I'm with you and Slartibartfast in that the streaming malarkey continues to scare the willies out of me. Reading the forum; there would appear to be many happy streaming converts and some frustrated ones. If it works for the individual - great.

Just be aware of the power of peer/market/commercial pressure that 'new tech' is better. It ain't necessarily so. I remain 100% happy selecting and playing physical media in the form of CD and vinyl, and enjoying reliable and fabulous sound quality. I love the simplicity of dropping a stylus in a groove or pressing the 'Play' button. I also enjoy viewing and handling my music collection, and have no desire to see it virtually on an iPad.

Chacun à son goût.

Good luck.

John.

Mind you, the CD5si is really kicking some butt today!  I don't know what's going on but it sounding better than usual, all I did was give the Hi-Line a quick wiggle and re- centre it, and BOOM!

Hi Stephen - before you go further, keep that 2k in your pocket for now and get an audition of the ND5XS2 at home when it comes out and see what you think.

You'll get a chance to determine how good it sounds compared to the DAC and CD player in your present system and decide if streaming is for you.

James

Stephen Tate posted:

Hi folks again,

after reading through certain threads about digital audio, I must admit i'm starting to get quite confused indeed and may opt looking for a vinyl solution instead...

Can I pick some of you guys brains if I may...?

Will a Naim ND XS 2 streaming unit make for good money well spent for top quality sound in my system just as a good CD player would?

I keep reading that a low cost NAS is good enough and that this can just be operated by a laptop or an I pad, if so, why are Naim releasing these expensive units if it can be done at a much cheaper level?

I am finding all this tech stuff rather contradictive if I must say so myself. I need answers. I am very soon about to have 2K burning a hole in my pocket and the thought of getting a Rega deck and phono stage is starting to make my senses tingle. Trouble is, I do want to move forward, become more modern and explore this 'so called' digital revolution at the same time. It just seems all a bit patchy? 

Will it be worth it in me investing in a NaimND5 XS 2?

Most of my music is on CD but I may be pushed into hunting vinyl all over again I can't find a way through the confusion.

thank you for your time.

 

 

I think you need to be wary considering what is “top” quality:

As indicated before, ND5XS is Naim’s entry level streamer, and they go up from there. “Top quality” in absolute terms clearly it isn’t, but higher quality than a lot of other stuff out there it is. Your CD player wasn’t the “top” one - but similarly may have been far better than many. On vinyl you can easily spend well into five figure sums trying to achieve top quality, in fact I gather it is not uncommon to exceed the cost of Naim’s current most expensive streamer 

is a bottom of the range Merc better than a top of the range Ford? Or is a Ferrari better quality than a Bentley? Etc.

Unless you’re very well heeled there is always something better, or at least more expensive, so you pick your budget, and seek the best you can for it, within whatever constraints of ease of setup, ease of use, domestic acceptance etc that you may have, listen to the choices to which that may narrow things down, pick what you like and enjoy. (That said, I bought my ND5XS unheard.)

ND5XS is a very respectable player, and easy to use.  It certainly may sound at least as good as your old CD player - very possibly better.  Is it possible to get better sound quality for the same money? IMO yes - but not necessarily as a simple box that is easy to set up and use, so not for everyone, and maybe difficult for the novice to get to grips with - though people on here and elsewhere likely will freely offer guidance. Is it possible to spend more and get even better sound quality? Definitely yes.

As for vinyl, of course you must make up your own mind - it is a current fad, but I would suggest comparing what you get at the same price point before considering it. I know there are others on the forum who believe vinyl is the be-all and end-all of sound quality, but it is a flawed medium with many sound quality compromises, more, I believe, than good digital, and these days good digital is more affordable than good vinyl, in my view.

FWIW I am lucky enough to have a decent spec LP12 based vinyl player and a Uniti Nova. If I had to choose between them the LP12 would be out of the door in a heartbeat.

If you want to listen to a limited selection of music and obsess over nuances of sound then vinyl only would be viable but i prefer to stretch myself and enjoy trying new music - some of which evolves into old favourites. I love my vinyl but it's a luxury not a necessity, unlike streaming.

Setting up streaming is a piece of piss but if you can't get your head around it then get your dealer to set it up in your home. If you are buying new, you pay them to do it for you with their generous margin.

Very nicely stated !

Stephen Tate posted:

Perhaps it is time that I now pay my dealer a visit 

You’ll need to wait for a bit, as the new streamers aren’t available yet. A dealer demo is certainly a good move, though. I would start by asking for a demo of an ND5 against your CD player to assess its sound quality. You should also be able to have a play with it in an iPad to see how you like controlling and browsing music on it. 

Regarding the NAS issue, a Core would blow your entire £2k budget in one go. I don’t see how you could justify that expense against a £250 NAS which will still do the job well.