UnitiServe

To aggregate music sources and present them to a Naim player such as the forth coming NDS, it also makes perfect rips of CDs with Naim friendly storage of metadata. It is well built and comes with Naim support. 

I haven't got one and it doesn't have the flexibility that would make it attractive to me, but I can understand why those who bought it like it. 

One thing with the US is you know it'll work as UPnP server for the Uniti/UQ/SU/NDS/NDX and you can use the nServe app to manage it. This is fully supported by Naim dealers. 

Thanks Guido,

In my opinion it's not enough to press me to buy (I've bought a SuperUniti, indeed). May be ... I would like to hear the opinion of an US's owner.

I'm an owner, and I use it to rip cd's, store the music on its internal hdd, and to play the music.  I connect the digital output of the UnitiServe, via a DC-1 cable, to my Naim DAC.  I control playback using the nServe app on my iPhone and iPad.  When the online database doesn't get the album art or tags quite right, I edit using the Naim Desktop Client.

I find it to be a very simple, fool-proof and 100% reliable solution for each of these functions.  And it sounds wonderful to me.

Thanks Bart,

after that, I think I have to ask my Naim dealer a trial run ... good play!

Nice work Bart!  When the stress and hassles of the legal profession lose their appeal, may I suggest a career in audio sales?   Or better yet, your own Naim franchise!  

Hook

I'd hate to be a one-tune fan-person, but as I use it I think that the UnitiServe provides pretty good value within the Naim lineup.  To be fair, if it's not to be used as a player, I think that most of the value flies out the window so long as the consumer is comfortable with using a home computer to rip cd's and to set up a NAS, or Mac Mini, Vortexbox, etc.

The other plus to me for the UnitiServe was that its another Naim-black box on the rack.  I did not want "a computer" on my audio rack or in my livingroom next to the rack (although a discreet Mac Mini would have been ok).  I like the look of all black boxes -- what can I say?!?

I agree, I feed the unitiServe SSD into my 555/nDac combination, and sound quality is exceptional. In my case I found it clearly superior to my CDS3. Enjoying it at this very moment with my latest addition's - a pair of Ovator S600's.

Gerry 

Would the unitiserve + naim xs + naim dac outperform a synology nas + supernait + naim dac?

I don't know what to choose, because of the money spend on the unitiserve, I am only able to buy the Naim XS, but if I choose not to buy the unitiserve I could stretch to the supernait.

speakers are audiovector s3 signature.

I am about to home demo the UnitiServe SSD to rip to my QNAP NAS and feed the NDAC. This was the recommended route from the USA distributor in consultation with Naim with use my Supernait rather than going the ND5XS or SuperUniti route The US is quite capable with Internet radio to boot. Check out the online manual, it's loaded with all kinds of goodies.

I stand by my earlier post, that the UnitiServe provides best value when you're going to use it also as a player.  In your second choice you are not, and so as I wrote earlier if you are comfortable setting up the NAS and ripping cd's to it, you might pass on the uServe.  But of course with the SuperNait and an nDAC, the dac in the Supernait is superfluous and "wasted hardware" so to speak.

Originally Posted by mackb3:

This does point out something else that Poldo will not have with a NAS as a source -- internet radio.  Naim implements that nicely via the nServe app.

Bart, 

The Supernait DAC is only wasted after the NDAC upgrade....or maybe not. I've been trying out new cables from the SONOS switching between the SN DAC and NDAC and last weekend thoroughly enjoying Radio Paradise and thinking how damn good it was and how much better via a Naim streamer source it could be, but Oooops...this was the SN DAC I was enjoying, so cheers to Naim for a great product.

Yes but the poster I replied to was proposing such a system -- SuperNait and an nDAC.

He definitely should listen to the SuperNait, then add in the nDAC, and decide if the difference is cost-justified for him.

Well I have bought the Naim Unitiserve.

I already owned the Exposure 3010s2 amp, exposure 2010s2 dac and Audiovector S3 signature speakers. 

The serve is delivered in a couple of days.

It will be connected via BNC to the Exposure dac, I think I will buy the Chord Indigo digital BNC, but I also liked the cheaper Chord Signature BNC and prefer that one above the Naim DC1.

If I swap Exposure for Naim in the future, what would be a good choice together with the unitiserve and audiovector speakers?

> If I swap Exposure for Naim in the future, what would be a good choice 

SuperUniti could replace your amp and DAC, you'd need to audition to hear if was better than what you have. Exposure kit used to made in the UK and was very good, not sure if it still is, but you'd be the best judge of that if you can get to listen to the SU. 

Yes the superuniti would be great.

But the uniti has a streamer function so does it connect without BNC cable to the unitiserve?

unitiserve --> ethernet --> router

speakers --> superuniti --> ethernet --> router

Can I stille use the n_serve app in this set up?

ps: sorry for my bad english