UnitiServe-SSD Vs HDX-SSD

Posted by: SC on 06 May 2010

OK, well I may as well kick this off...!

Firstly, CONGRATULATIONS Naim on the 2 new products! Cool From description, they appear fantastic in many ways, and I have a feeling the 'Serve is going to be a real hit.....

So, with the SSD aspect and now ALAC support (for Serve anyway, not sure about HDX ?) I finally have 2 DA products in front of me that I'm seriously tempted by....

So, how to choose ??

The 'Serve is £2250 against the HDX-SSD £4595, which obviously is a large difference....The Serve will need the £2k nDAC, where as the HDX strictly speaking will not (although of course many argue it's really a prerequisite)....You loose the touchscreen (which personally I like) and of course the analogue stage with the 'Serve....

Anything else ??

Steve.
Posted on: 06 May 2010 by SC
I'm reading there's a new - Naim written - UPnP piece of software to go along with the new UnitiServes.......

I'm presuming this will work with a HDX based system ? And bring ALAC support to the HDX..??
Posted on: 06 May 2010 by james n
Where ? - or does the Naim website now carry up to date news items Eek

Ah so it does - very neat



Good on Naim though - this is the product a lot of people want Cool

although a touch familiar Razz

Posted on: 06 May 2010 by SC
Unbelievable, the website does !!! (though that's not where I got the info first thing)...

Main website going a bit slow though, to say the least....

James - I posted some of the bulleted features of the UnitiServe on the High End Munich thread in the HiFi room, before I noticed the Naim website was actually up to date...


So, which one....??!
Posted on: 06 May 2010 by Eloise
So ... the UnitiServe is a cut down Naim HDX?

Or is it a version of the UnitiQute omitting the all but the streamer and incorportating the Ripper?

Does it use UPnP to access "remote" files, or just SMB?

Help ... I'm confused.
Posted on: 06 May 2010 by SC
Eloise - It's more of a cut down HDX I think...

Naim now have their own UPnP software, I'm reading...
Posted on: 06 May 2010 by james n
server

Hang on its got a 12v power brick. If popular folklore is to be believed then that'll kill the system its plugged in next to... although it does allow the Uniticap and Unitiline upgrades to be introduced.... Big Grin
Posted on: 06 May 2010 by SC
Has it..? Weird choice....?

Front case logo acts as eject & shut down button... Cool
Posted on: 06 May 2010 by Adam Meredith
quote:
Originally posted by SC:
Unbelievable, the website does !!! (though that's not where I got the info first thing)...



Where was that?
Posted on: 06 May 2010 by SC
Isn't that against forum rules, Boss ?!
Posted on: 06 May 2010 by Roy T
quote:
Originally posted by SC:
Isn't that against forum rules, Boss ?!

S!p"e£l$l%i^t&o*u(t)d-o_n=""t+m{k[a}l]:i;n@k

Don't tell him Pike!
Posted on: 06 May 2010 by Adam Meredith
I think, in contrast to his usual Tourrete's, that his uncharacteristic reticence speaks volumes.
Posted on: 06 May 2010 by SC
It's not exactly hard, it's all over the net...! Flippin heck....29 mins....'Speaks volumes' of what exactly ?

Take your pick; Audioplus, WHFI, etc etc.... Roll Eyes
Posted on: 06 May 2010 by goldfinch
quote:
Originally posted by james n:
server

Hang on its got a 12v power brick.


Presumably you can find inside it an itx motherboard with its own power supply regulation, hard disk and cd-rom drive take suppy directly from the motherboard so you just need a 12v power brick, just like with a laptop.

With an analogue output we may have seen a power supply upgrade socket.

But even without analogue output I find curious that Naim just uses an standard power brik. In computer audio many tweaks consist on providing better current to the motherboard and other components inside the box (CMP2 project does it). Maybe Naim is using its own power regulation inside or maybe this is just not necessary for ripping/playing tracks?
Posted on: 06 May 2010 by Eloise
quote:
Originally posted by SC:
Eloise - It's more of a cut down HDX I think...

Naim now have their own UPnP software, I'm reading...


You're right - I reread the website and definately says Based on the HDX!

I guess it has to have external PSU as the box is too small otherwise - but would a bigger box with internal PSU have been better? Or maybe will be a version of the NAPSC2 to power it later.

Eloise
Posted on: 06 May 2010 by SC
Doesn't appear to have any external power supply sockets on the rear....though there are a couple of blanked areas on the current pic, perhaps for future..?
Posted on: 06 May 2010 by james n
I was joking... just amused to see a power brick after all the worries about having a computer plugged in next to the hi-fi. I doubt a NAPSC would be able to deliver enough current for one of the little ITX boards hence an effecient switching brick.

James
Posted on: 06 May 2010 by Aleg
quote:
Originally posted by Eloise:
quote:
Originally posted by SC:
Eloise - It's more of a cut down HDX I think...

Naim now have their own UPnP software, I'm reading...


You're right - I reread the website and definately says Based on the HDX!

I guess it has to have external PSU as the box is too small otherwise - but would a bigger box with internal PSU have been better? Or maybe will be a version of the NAPSC2 to power it later.

Eloise


The upgrade options state that PSU upgrade with Flatcap XS is possible for UnitiServe (although the brochure only talks about adding a DAC).

Also it says:
quote:
Network Shares: Scan and play from music stored on a network share


In HDX-speak this means SMB-connected network shares.

Looks very promising I must say !!

-
aleg
Posted on: 06 May 2010 by paremus
Mmmm

Of course - depends on the price. BUT - if the performance is such that it can see off a properly setup Mac Mini with an INT202 Firewire interface - then I'm interested.

Another thing to add to my increasing "to demo" list.
Posted on: 06 May 2010 by John Bailey
Both products look great additions to the range. I’m definitely going to order one of them to partner my Supernait.
 
At first I thought I would go the UnitiServe route but once a trade in allowance (of my CDX2) is taken into account the HDX might well be the better bet (assuming that I would need the nDAC partnered with the UnitiServe) to outperform the bare HDX (I doubt the dac in the Supernait is as good as that in the HDX).
 
In both cases I would go for the SSD variant.
 
Posted on: 06 May 2010 by SC
£2250 (Serve-SSD) Vs £4595 (HDX-SSD)

Good question Allen - the blurb is saying it's the same ripping engine, but whether that translates as the SAME rip and output - especially as the HDX now has a new PCI audio card - I don't know.....?

That's a part of what I'm asking in my OP - what is there between 'Serve and HDX ?

Steve.
Posted on: 06 May 2010 by Aleg
quote:
Originally posted by SC:
£2250 (Serve-SSD) Vs £4595 (HDX-SSD)

...
That's a part of what I'm asking in my OP - what is there between 'Serve and HDX ?

Steve.


HDX: DAC included, PSU upgrade option, touch screen, probably somewhat superior components like the new PCI audio card although that's mainly for analogue, better CD mechanism, better casing and construction?

-
aleg
Posted on: 06 May 2010 by james n
Nah - keep guessing. We could come up with a whole new product in a couple of hours... Big Grin
Posted on: 06 May 2010 by SC
John - I follow your logic and I too 'want' to favour the HDX, especially as I prefer the case size/style....But, from all accounts, the nDAC (added to just about anything, let alone something from Naim themselves) is going to outperform the 'bare' onboard HDX DAC....??

nDAC added to the HDX and we're into £6.5k territory....

(As an aside re your Supernait - they(HDX & SN) have the same DAC, though according to a post from Frank Abela recently, some may prefer the SN DAC....??)
Posted on: 06 May 2010 by SC
Aleg, yep they are most of the points I could think of:

DAC included - Will be superfluous (and bettered ?) if using the external nDAC.

PSU upgrade - Again, if using external nDAC, a redundant feature.

Touch screen - This I like on the HDX, though arguably a very minor feature if using Remote App etc...

PCI audio card - This 'could' be a big factor, if the HDX sounds different/better, even with dig out ??

CD mech - Hmmm...Surely an important factor ?

Case - personally, I like the full HDX case & screen. I do really like the 1/2 width 'Serve as a standalone product, but if you then consider a partnered nDAC (5 series case) and then NAC & NAP (Reference cases) it's all getting a bit messy....?

Steve.
Posted on: 06 May 2010 by Aleg
quote:
Originally posted by SC:
Aleg, yep they are most of the points I could think of:

DAC included - Will be superfluous (and bettered ?) if using the external nDAC.

PSU upgrade - Again, if using external nDAC, a redundant feature.

Touch screen - This I like on the HDX, though arguably a very minor feature if using Remote App etc...

PCI audio card - This 'could' be a big factor, if the HDX sounds different/better, even with dig out ??

CD mech - Hmmm...Surely an important factor ?

Case - personally, I like the full HDX case & screen. I do really like the 1/2 width 'Serve as a standalone product, but if you then consider a partnered nDAC (5 series case) and then NAC & NAP (Reference cases) it's all getting a bit messy....?

Steve.


I agree Steve though for me personaly mixed case sizes doesn't bother me too much. I already have a HiCap in the setup.

One other thing I noticed which could be significant is the increased RAM size of the new HDX.

It would possibly make it a bit more like a memory player.

I haven't seen memory specs from either HDX or UnitiServe though.

-
aleg