Naim Network Streaming Advice + CD Ripping

quote:

Originally posted by realhifi:
...
When you see this you begin to understand both Sooloos and Naim's expense and start thinking that it might not be all that pricey after all.

It also shows how little can be done to adjust the workings of the Naim environment and how much is possible with the concept of computer-based audio.

Some people can handle it, some people can't.

-
aleg

If you really want tp tweak - there is a whole universe of possibilities beyond Naim's approach as well.

Tog

realhifi - I'm not sure what you mean by a 'second to none relational database' inside Sooloos. Can you write queries on it in SQL? Or any query language? Can you point me to an E-R diagram? In what way is a Sooloos rip demonstrably better than a dBPoweramp rip?

I think what he means is that Meridian have a software package where the database has been optimised for speed - I assume that the database is some form of mySQL derivative. The data model is not likely to be that complex but the queries can be written so that they execute very quickly.

Considering the prices they charge I would expect their front end to be slick. As for the back end - their ripping process is likely to be similar to most others including Naim.

Tog

All, thanks for the posts, these are really helping. Aleg, I completed the full set-up and your screens did help a lot. I am now confident that I am ripping my CD's very well and have pin-pointed the issue.

I have now tried ripping using Windows MP to local PC drive and CD ripper to Asset Upnp (all dbpoweramp products) and when I stream from my pc all ID tags are fully recognised and navigation is a dream. Its only when I stream directly to my ReadyNAS I lose the data. Although this gives me some hope I still feel that I am some distance away in cracking this as I only want the NAS powered and not my pc.

Has anyone else come across this issue and is there anyway the NAS can be configured or can Asset Upnp be downlaoded to the NAS? I have also posted a note on the dBpower amp forum asking the same. What ever comes back I will share with all. Thanks Andrew

For what it's worth I have ripped my cds simultaneously to 3 formats (WAV,FLAC and AAC) using dbpoweramp and its multi encoder tool. The latter is an add on.

It tags the wav files and I stream these using a Sonos system via my nDac to my hifi.

I chose to stick to WAV as I think this is the original file on the cd. I could stream the FLAC files if I wanted but everything works fine with WAV.

At least I have all the bases covered and I also have a back up on another external hard disk.

In my view dbpoweramp is great.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS.

It's been shown on this forum that a dBpoweramp rip of a a Naim cd gets exactly the same result as downloading it from the Naim store. The checksums are identical.

If you have the competence and inclination to use such a product, it saves you hundreds, if not thousands of pounds, which you can then spend with your local friendly (albeit possibly technically challenged) Naim dealer on Naim boxes to do other nice things.

As to the 'second to none' relational database inside Sooloos .. Coddswallop! (geddit anyone?!)

quote:

Has anyone else come across this issue and is there anyway the NAS can be configured or can Asset Upnp be downlaoded to the NAS?

Hi Andrew

I run the ReadyNAS-NVX and as far as I am aware it is not possible to install Asset on the NAS sadly, as this would I think sort a lot of peoples issues.
I like many here use dbpoweramp for all ripping, this is to flac normally but have a few rips to wav. Can't say that I have noticed any loss of tags when streaming to the Qute, my issue is that the server will suddenly stop sending the odd album info to the Qute and therefore these cannot be played.
I use dbpoweramp with all default settings; I have run through the set-up procedure to ensure bit perfect rips as I think you now have.

Peter

Hi Peter,

Thanks for the post. I am currently re-defining new levels of patience trying to make progress with this set-up so your post was most welcome. My ReadyNAS is not really reading the ripped WAV format well at allon the Qute. The screen when playing a track has a line ofinformation at the top which I set as track number and a bottom line which is eactly the same (not sure what thats about). What I do know is the dBpoweramp products are fantastic. Soon as I use Asset Upnp everyting works - only issue its less stable on my laptop than my NAS.

Out of interest how did you set up your ReadyNAS Upnp? This may help me.

Andrew

Andrew........Firstly can I ask which ReadyNAS you have? As you may know there are two versions of the software that run on these devices. I do not know the exact differences between them but believe they are as similar in use as they can make them.
My NVX runs the x86 version software, the Duo & Nv+ run the Sparc version.

On mine I have switched on the Upnp/DLNA server, set the 'media' folder as the folder for the server to use and switched OFF the 'Auto rescan media folder' option. The Auto rescan scans several times an hour, can't remember exactly how often, but is excessive in my view.

When I rip new music to the NAS, I click the 'rescan now' button to have the server 'see' the new files.

It may help you to know that I have in an effort to get two albums in particular to be sent to the Qute, ripped them in BOTH flac and wav and dropped all the files into the same folder. On doing this one album immediately became visible and the flac files could then be played, the wav files have never been visible; it made no difference to the second album.

I have no explanation as to why this happens.

Hope this may be of some use.
Peter

Hi Peter,

I have the ReadyNAS Duo. This afternoon has been challenging to get things working. I found that the main problems came from my firewall (which I had a already configured). As for the Upnp/DLNA server, I have switched to the 'Music' file within the 'Media' folder. I started to get files being sent outside of their artist folders (at this point I was on an all time low). However,after a quick recan all works well. I still do not have improved navigation in the Qute but at least its stable. Its just a shame that Asset Upnp is not part of the ReadyNAS because this makes things so easy - its a very impressive piece of software.

Have a good Xmas.

Andrew

Hi Andrew

It can be quite frustrating but worth sticking with it. My NAS absolutely refuses to allow me to set the music folder but insists on displaying the media folder; irritating but I can live with it. A rescan is always a good place to start but in my experience won't always work.
We are running different OS software so guess there are differences, I agree Asset would be a big improvement if only it were possible.
When you say that you do not have improved navigation in the Qute, I am not sure what you are hoping for; would be interested to know.
Also, would be interested to learn if you find any album that refuses to play or stops displaying the tracks after having previously played.

Enjoy the Christmas break
Peter

Hi Peter, Thanks for post. I have tried again with the ReadyNAS Duo and even got support from Netgear only to find I cannot improve the situation (very, very frustrating). What I have done today is turn 'off' Upnp from ReadyNAS and used Asset Upnp software on my pc and this is now fully working i.e. album/artist id tags as well as album art on iTouch - what a difference!! Did a bit further research and found that you can buy a NAS drive with Asset Upnp so now thinking of returning ReadyNAS Duo and ordering the 'AssetRip'. Now that I can see what Asset Upnp is capable of and how stable the software is this is my prefered op[tion.

Best regards

Andrew

Hello Andrew……Glad to hear you have found a solution that will work for you. I am beginning to lean towards the U/Serve at the moment and hope to travel to visit one of the bigger dealers to understand options better later in the week; weather permitting.
I had forgotten about the ‘AssetRip’ so will bear that in mind also, thanks for that.

If you do go for an ‘AssetRip’ we would I am sure appreciate a post on how you find it performs.

Best wishes for the New Year.
Peter

Hello Peter, Have now ordered the AssetNAS (sorry got it wrong in previous post)and its due to be here on 30th Dec so will keep you up-dated. The U/Serve looks a great product (have heard some rips from it) but I just cannot justify that spend at the moment, especially since I have just had a large outlay for my system. Good luck. Andrew

quote:

AssetNAS

I have a UnitiServe and love it. I'm sure you will also love your AssetNAS (RIPNAS) as they appear to be like functionality. You'll wonder why you didn't buy it sooner as now everything is so easy! Both units are expensive but I feel worth every penny. No more messing around with files, naming, setups, etc, etc. More time to enjoy the music. Please provide a review of your RIPNAS after you've had time getting used to it.

Hi Develyn, appreciate your comments and am starting to think that way myself. I have ordered an AssetNAS which is a NAS unit (for Windows Home Media Servers) with pre-loaded Asset UPnP software. I should recieve it on 30th and will post a review as soon as I have it up and running. Thanks Andrew

Hi Andrew........That looks a very interesting box. If it works as well as it does on a PC, and I can't see that it won't, should be as good as it gets. Will work well with Asset Control should you wish to use it; although this is still in beta at the moment. Will look forward to reading your impressions once you have had a good listen.
Regards
Peter

Hi Peter (and happy new year!)...For me a great start to the new year as I have resolved all my streaming issues. After much deliberating over the AssetNAS I ended up with a HP X510 Data Vault (Windows Home Server). I purchased Asset UPnP (installed as an add-on in the X510)and a separate USB DVD/RW optical drive. I am ripping in WAV format using dBpoweramp CD Ripper....and everything works!! Also, the HP server is very stable - I have been running it continuously for hours when doing the ripping and all functions work on my iTouch as well. Just want to say thanks for all posts and help. Best regards Andrew

That’s good news Andrew. I have looked at that box in the past but have not known of anyone trying Asset on one. We are going to try the Serve, but if that does not work for us we will have to think again about a WHS box.

Hope it continues to work out for you.

Best wishes for the New Year.
Peter

Am going down the serve route but not dreadfully happy with the prospect of having to use a Windows netbook to access the Desktop Client.

My Vortexbox can be completely configured from my ipad.

Tog

quote:

Originally posted by Tog:
Am going down the serve route but not dreadfully happy with the prospect of having to use a Windows netbook to access the Desktop Client.

Tog

Why I'd not currently consider a 'Serve. The Mac Mini/iPad/iPhone/Remote App world is just so sweet.

My quandary is that a properly configured UPnP stream has a lot to recommend it in terms of simplicity. The attraction of the Unitiserve is its integration with other naim kit and it's ability to aggregate music from across the network whatever the codec.

Apple's DAAP approach is slick and I do love
Remote but having used N-stream for three months I'm starting to appreciate it's ability to control more than the UPnP renderer on my Uniti. It will get better, particularly when the iPad app is released. In this respect I have certainly changed my mind - which is good.

I'm not totally convinced by both the Serve's lack of DAAP connectivity and by the need to access tagging, cover art etc via a Windows only bit of Naimnet software. This might be a deal breaker - I need to think. My Vortexbox server needs only an occasional command line tweak and almost everything else can be done via iPad or any machine with a browser. Bliss gives me control over cover art and Tag allows me to organise metadata for flac. Can I live with flac /alac rather than aiff ? - probably...

Does anyone hear a difference between flac and wav ?

Can I live without my Macs streaming from my server directly? - not sure.. Plex might be able to read from the UnitiServe.


Tog

If you buy a UnitiServe you'll need a NAS to back it up. But once you've got a NAS you could run a UPnP server and ripping softare on it. Say Asset UPnP, which will allow you to transcode on the fly and resolve your flac vs wav worries, and RIPNAS from the same people for verified secure ripping. So then what does the UnitiServe do?!

quote:

Originally posted by likesmusic:
So then what does the UnitiServe do?!

It creates a fully relational database at track level of all the detailed metadata it has obtained so that all genres of music are correctly catalogued for easy retrieval. This is important if you have a wide collection that extends beyond pop but also into classical and jazz.

I don't think any home-brew system can do this, certainly not conveniently. This, I have come to realise despite my otherwise great satisfaction with dbpoweramp/Sonos.