HDX

frotter16 posted:

Several of us have had the opportunity to directly compare HDX, Uniti Serve, NS01 (ripper/server) and Core with the same files, same CD's ripped, all into a 500 system which used a dual 555 PS NDS as it's front end into the 552.  Without fail, each person whom listened to the line up of Naim servers recognized the superior sound quality, layers of detail, resolution and PRaT out of the Core vs the previous generations of 'ripped' media solutions.  Pro Musica in Chicago, whom may be the only dealer demo'ing the Statement Pre, serves the Statement with a Core.  HDX and NS01 have convenience which may make other options challenging.  In addition, with multiple auditions, the variables effecting switches and their power supplies can be avoided by the highly superior direct connection of a DC1 to the NDS or other streamer.  By all means, listen for one's self, but this has been the experience of those of us whom have owned the entire line up over past years of post 555 CD player options.

i see on your profile that you are still using the unitserve....

Really if you own all of your ripped CD's which of course you should backing them up isn't essential but only a matter of convenience.  I believe that the OP wants a CD Ripping/Serving device with a built in dac so the Core connected to an NDS with dual 555ps isn't really an option and priced at about £12k compared to about £2k for a used HDX if it does sound better then it is entitled to sound better.

French Rooster posted:

Hungryhalibut posted:

I explained why in my post. 

not clear for me, sorry. But not a problem too....I just know that some members here are not using nas and have back ups on usb hard drive.  For myself i have my downloads back up on my pc and keep my 400cds if i have to rip them again.

In my view, Naim had it about right with the Unitiserve/HDX backup. It needs to be done on a NAS, is fully automated, and unlike a manual USB backup, will do a full restore to a replacement drive. The advantage of having it on a NAS is that you can put a Server (Asset or Minim) on it, so if your US dies, you can simply continue to play your music direct from the backup without having to wait for the repair. 

French Rooster posted:

frotter16 posted:

Several of us have had the opportunity to directly compare HDX, Uniti Serve, NS01 (ripper/server) and Core with the same files, same CD's ripped, all into a 500 system which used a dual 555 PS NDS as it's front end into the 552.  Without fail, each person whom listened to the line up of Naim servers recognized the superior sound quality, layers of detail, resolution and PRaT out of the Core vs the previous generations of 'ripped' media solutions.  Pro Musica in Chicago, whom may be the only dealer demo'ing the Statement Pre, serves the Statement with a Core.  HDX and NS01 have convenience which may make other options challenging.  In addition, with multiple auditions, the variables effecting switches and their power supplies can be avoided by the highly superior direct connection of a DC1 to the NDS or other streamer.  By all means, listen for one's self, but this has been the experience of those of us whom have owned the entire line up over past years of post 555 CD player options.

i see on your profile that you are still using the unitserve....

i see by your reply that you're a profile checker

frotter16 posted:

French Rooster posted:

frotter16 posted:

Several of us have had the opportunity to directly compare HDX, Uniti Serve, NS01 (ripper/server) and Core with the same files, same CD's ripped, all into a 500 system which used a dual 555 PS NDS as it's front end into the 552.  Without fail, each person whom listened to the line up of Naim servers recognized the superior sound quality, layers of detail, resolution and PRaT out of the Core vs the previous generations of 'ripped' media solutions.  Pro Musica in Chicago, whom may be the only dealer demo'ing the Statement Pre, serves the Statement with a Core.  HDX and NS01 have convenience which may make other options challenging.  In addition, with multiple auditions, the variables effecting switches and their power supplies can be avoided by the highly superior direct connection of a DC1 to the NDS or other streamer.  By all means, listen for one's self, but this has been the experience of those of us whom have owned the entire line up over past years of post 555 CD player options.

i see on your profile that you are still using the unitserve....

i see by your reply that you're a profile checker

And I see by your profile that you've updated it!

frotter16 posted:

French Rooster posted:

frotter16 posted:

Several of us have had the opportunity to directly compare HDX, Uniti Serve, NS01 (ripper/server) and Core with the same files, same CD's ripped, all into a 500 system which used a dual 555 PS NDS as it's front end into the 552.  Without fail, each person whom listened to the line up of Naim servers recognized the superior sound quality, layers of detail, resolution and PRaT out of the Core vs the previous generations of 'ripped' media solutions.  Pro Musica in Chicago, whom may be the only dealer demo'ing the Statement Pre, serves the Statement with a Core.  HDX and NS01 have convenience which may make other options challenging.  In addition, with multiple auditions, the variables effecting switches and their power supplies can be avoided by the highly superior direct connection of a DC1 to the NDS or other streamer.  By all means, listen for one's self, but this has been the experience of those of us whom have owned the entire line up over past years of post 555 CD player options.

i see on your profile that you are still using the unitserve....

i see by your reply that you're a profile checker

just curious, because you have a wonderful system and finds  the uniticore much better, but still uses the serve....

updated, ok......

Hungryhalibut posted:

Max, one thing to be aware of with the HDX is that, in order to get a backup that can be restored to the HDX should the HDX fail, you will need a Nas. You can copy the files in the HDX MQ folder to a USB drive, but it won’t be restorable. Even if you have copies of the CDs, ripping them is a long job, so you will want a computer backup. And, of course, you need to keep copies of the downloads somewhere. Once you have a backup to Nas programmed, it won’t include the downloads, as they are stored in a different folder on the HDX, and must be backed up separately. 

The point I’m making is that it would be an error to think that an HDX is a one box do it all solution. It’s a great way to rip and store albums. But you still need a Nas for backup. And you need a hard wired Ethernet connection to the HDX to enable it to gather metadata while ripping, and to enable the Naim app to control it. 

 

Nigel,

thanks for the very clear and accurate explanation. I can understand both the necessity to have all you suggest ready and working, and also the itch to simply – and at a risk – rely on the sole HDX, finger crossing.

I must say that in spite of the fact that I am not a complete fool (I can setup a home net-based system) and that I would have an Ethernet socket at comfortable distance from the HDX, your post has somehow, and certainly unintentionally, managed to drain most of my drive to try the HD replay experiment a bit...

As far as I am concerned, for now I go back to my freshly rebuilt CDX2 and leave the thread to those who are interested in something to say.

Max

P.s. But I'll reply to Bob the Builder about why I like the SN1.

Funny how people cuss an old item, yet when it’s new they can’t stop raving about it!!  I’m fortunate to have the HDX fully optimised (nDAC + 555PS DR + Chord Indigo Plus + Chord Indigo Digital) and through a 552 DR + 500.  It never seems lacking.  Ever.

I relate to the metadata issues, but is that not like tidying up your record collection on the shelf, PLUS and here’s a biggie, a lot of AUTOMATIC metadata can be disagreed with.  For instance, Pink Floyd is Progressive Rock, not Pop-Rock (some albums come out that way).    Another one... in the Classical genre, the automatic metadata puts Elton John there amongst Brahms, Vivaldi, Mozart. So there is still a need to edit metadata.

That’s a nice system....full stop!

Max_B posted:

Hungryhalibut posted:

 

Max

P.s. But I'll reply to Bob the Builder about why I like the SN1.

 

Thanks Max,

I have a feeling that the SN1 may well be that rarest of breeds a Naim bargain.