n-Stream update long overdue

Murkku,

why cursed?  I've been using n-stream for a while now and haven't had a single problem with it.  A few extra features would be nice but it works well at the moment and does what I want.  It will be interesting to see what changes come with the next update.

The n-Serve update was to prepare for iRadio on the HDX etc rather than a major revision.

Richard

The Web Radio feature on NStream is poor. It can get itself in a loop so you can't back track to the library of radio stations, especially if the connection fails. The web radio graphics/art fail to display, Also storing some of the stations such as the BBC hidef stations in favourites often results on that station failing to connect if accessed via favourites.

There is still no play list - which would be a new feature admittedly, and skip forward which is probably an NDX issue. On long tracks and with classicial music this problem is poor, and in the end one has to manually split large wav files up into part 1, part2, part 3 and forward manually. A lot of effort, and hardly user friendly.

SQ; class leader;  Usability; development needed

Simon

Richard,

I feel being cursed for having to use the combination of two buggy/handicapped softwares, NDX firmware and n-Stream. It's even more frustrating as I totally agree with Simon, the SQ is unparalleld. But there's really no excuse for making the customers wait for such simple bugfixes and feature additions. Even a roadmap of sorts would be nice. I don't think keeping us in the dark is helping Naim's products.

(some of these problems are caused by NDX and others by n-Stream, it's not always clear which is the root cause)

n-Stream shorcomings
- System Automation is incomplete. Record input selection, muting and mono function
- Track seeking + elapsed/total time should've been there from day one
- It's still slow and feels far from polished. For example, Kinsky as a NDX control point is much faster so it's not the hardware.
- Visually n-Stream is fugly compared to n-Serve. Especially the white backgrounds on iPhone app (+ they drain battery)
- Many seem to want playlist support. I couldn't care less, but it is de facto for digital playback

NDX bugs
- Some files randomly fail playback. Please sanitize the metadata and don't just die when encountering unknowns
- 24/192kHz streaming support is expected from a network player of this calibre
- Font size of the front panel is too small for many setups. How about some Settings options?
- AirPlay support? I guess it's safe to say there are many (potential) customers with AirPlay capable devices...

Most of these could be provided as options in setup screen(s), they don't have to be forced changes for all. And I'm not expecting a one huge update round that would fix all of the above (and other) issues, but some sort of progress on these matters is required.
Naim can't just silently ignore their software problems, or can it?

Cheers,
M

Simon,

I'll have to play a bit more with the web radio function on the NDX.  I've only used it a bit so far.

Otherwise, fair points on the added functionality, but my point was that it works (at least streaming) and seems very stable, which I reckon is better than giving you a huge feature set but not working very well. 

M, ditto above.  I'm not sure what you mean re. elapsed time.  Each track has elapsed time available (along with format, sample rate, bit rate and buffer %) in the n-stream app - it's hidden until you brush down on the cover art.  Or are you looking for added functionality here too?  Possibly time remaining?  I guess that should be possible.

Anyway, I have no insight on the current software development but I'm sure that most of these are probably on the "wants" list.

M, which files randomly fail?  Haven't had this issue at all yet, even with a wide variety of files (HDX rips, DBpoweramp WAVs, Hi-res FLAC, itunes ALAC, MP3s, AACs) but I guess my experience is in no way exhaustive on file types.

I reckon a 24/192 update is in the pipeline, from what I've gleened - haven't heard any firm details yet though.

Richard,

Yeah, track's elapsed time is there but total/remaining time isn't shown anywhere. Also, long file-/song names get cut off as only some parts of the UI support scrolling. FLAC files support a great deal of metadata, but sadly n-Stream/NDX hides or crashes on it.

Files failing to play have been discussed in other threads, most recent for me:

https://forums.naimaudio.com/di...6878606669877/page/2

And yes, small bugfixes and/or feature additions would be preferred by everyone. At least they would indicate some progress is being made. Small updates are also less prone for new bugs.

But months go by and nothing happens...

I have to agree with the "cursed"

I've gone wired home network as every query I had (on the forum) was blamed on the fact the stream to the UniQute was wireless.

Now I'm waiting for my QNAP NAS to arrive but in the meantime using Win 7 media player as the streamer. Still the same problems with access to the music (in folders) with the n-stream that I've had all along. Mainly e-lyric can access them wirelessly and the Uniqute front display can access them but the n-stream clocks in, then goes to a connecting screen and then back to library screen.

I like your style of moderation and your love of Naim comes through as natural rather than commercial, however you really do no one any favours by not acknowledging that the n-stream isn't even fully capable of managing it's limited menu of options.

.....mind you it could be a cunning plan to get me to buy an UnitiServe!

SJB

Again, yesterday evening nStream got itself in a pickle with web radio after it tried to connect to BBC 3 Hidef Trial, it coulnt navigate back to the library after the connection startup failed.. As the library button only seems to appear after the connection is established. Hitting the stop button in the top right on iPad doesn't abandon the connection. Also the codec/bandwidth seems to error on high bandwifth stations from Radio Paradise and the BBC and seems to show WMA 57kbps which is clearly wrong.
Simon

"Also the codec/bandwidth seems to error on high bandwifth stations from Radio Paradise and the BBC and seems to show WMA 57kbps which is clearly wrong.
Simon"

Mmmmmm. Would that be n-Stream or the information it is getting from the station?

In fairness to Naim, I've found the n-Stream to be an excellent remote app on the iPhone and iPad.

But, at the end of the day, it is software and that means trying to interact with various other software.

It gets very difficult unless it is a closed system.

I'd say take it for what it is.

Fully agree on the statement here - at least bugfix release is absolutely necessary. However, I thing this n-stream update should go hand in hand with the streamer fw update, which at least for UQ is also long overdue (I mean it is the "oldest" streamer from the "new generation"). So please just do it I think we've been waiting for very long time already.

SJB,

fair enough, I'm only going by my own experiences so far.  I'm probably guilty of not using the NDX/n-stream enough.  I mostly listen to the radio via one my old FM tuners during the day, with brief excursions into the NDX to stream the odd album that takes my fancy.  In the evenings it's almost always vinyl or tape unless there's something good on R3.

However, just because you don't hear anything from Naim doesn't mean that nothing is happening. I know that their software engineers are always incredibly busy working on multiple projects.  I'd be very surprised if this is "it" for the n-Stream app.  Indeed, I reckon this is just for starters...

OK, I see that Naim have just announced that the NDX will be updated to 24/192 streaming sometime in October.  The ND5XS looks interesting too.  Kind of like the CD5XS is to the CDX2, the ND5XS is to the NDX.

Great news!

From What Hi-Fi?

"...and the company is rolling out an upgrade program for existing Uniti products and the NDX, enabling 192/24 on those products, and bringing the promise of AirPlay capability early in 2012."

(http://www.whathifi.com/news/m...reaming-player-range)

Now that's what I love to hear!

The bugfixes and feature requests are still needed, but at least we now have some confirmation of progress being made, cheers!

Question some of you might be able to help me with: 

When changing from UPnP to iRadio for example (with n-Strean), the input selector on the SN also changes (from "cd" where the NDX is) to tuner. 

It means that changing source means that I have to get up from the sofa (not good if you are real lazy), to change the input back to "cd".

Is it possible to avoid this?

//jonas

Hi Jonas -

Take a look at section 4.9 of the NDX manual.  Under "NDX Connection", is your "Input Used" set to "Tuner"?   If yes, change that to "CD".

HTH.   Good luck.

Hook

That's great, but what about my UnitiQute - I don't want to sell it after only one year and go for the XS version. It serves me very well and because it is connected to nDAC I don't believe I'll get major improvement in the SQ from this upgrade. I'm feeling here some kind of discrimination of the non-NDX customers :-(

The new ND5XS looks interesting as an alternative to the SuperUniti - especially when you subtract the £250 upgrade board needed for my Uniti.

To answer the OP Naim have also announced that nstream will be updated soon with enhanced features with airplay update to firmware (provided you have the new n wifi and streamer board) in the Spring.

Interesting times.

Tog

The n-Stream app is very poor compared to the competition - stable it may be, but as for the user experience it's really lacking. The NDX sounds great, but it's back to the stone age with the control app. If only Naim would open this up to the developers then they'd get some control apps which match the high standard set by the hardware.

James 

The n-Stream app is very poor compared to the competition - stable it may be, but as for the user experience it's really lacking. The NDX sounds great, but it's back to the stone age with the control app. If only Naim would open this up to the developers then they'd get some control apps which match the high standard set by the hardware.

James,

I totally agree!

As you may know from previous posts I now have the Unitiserve ssd and ndx and have found the software a pain in the backside. The sound quality is excellent but unless it is playing files the Unitiserve has ripped it is difficult to find other WAV and HIRES music on my NAS. It did find previously ripped FLAC files but not the HIRES ones I recently got from HD tracks.

One poster stated that DB Poweramp wav tags were "flakey" but my Sonos used to read them all with no problerms whatsoever. I have tried to set up shared folders and whilst these folders appear on the Unitiserve and NDX they show up as "empty" despite me knowing they have music in them.

It works better if I have twonkymedia operating, but I thought the Naim would just find the music on my NAS.

I would really expect, given the costs, for the user interface from Naim (or at least the instructions as to how to set up sharing and folder access) to be much better. I  have invested heavily in my Naim kit and love the sound but I am not a network engineer and nor should I be.

If Sonos can do it then so should Naim!  If anyone understands QNAP NAS drives, NDX and Unitiserve sharing I would like to speak to them.

Perhaps, it's about time Naim set up a technical support line that we can call rather than having to use guess work?

I understand that an NDX update will be available at the end of the year or maybe as late as Jan 2012. Apart from anything else I understand it  will enable playlists to be created on the NDX. That will be useful -- if only I can find the music to stick in a playlist.

It could well be my ignorance but I would like to think it would be easier to get clear instructions and/or, if needed, support from Naim.

I would be interested to know from Richard Dane (who says he hasn't had a single problem with the software) whether he feels there is sufficient support on the software issues for thickos like me.