UnitiServe as renderer ?

quote:

Originally posted by Jan-Erik Nordoen:
The front end of my system is the UnitiServe connected to the nDAC. I have just added a NAS to my network (La Cie Network Space Max 2TB) to back up the WAV files on the UnitiServe. After enabling the NAS as a network share from the UnitiServe control menu I can now stream music from the NAS to the UnitiServe. So the Serve is now acting as renderer / player (or would that be a client?). Which got me to thinking : why couldn't it also receive streamed internet radio ? (for example by installing software such as Twonky Beam on the NAS or a PC).

I had been considering the UnitiQute, but it would seem that the streaming functions of the UnitiServe are adequate for my needs.

Has anyone else gone this route? Or have I got it all backwards?

Thanks,

Jan

Jan

The UnitiServe is a UPnP Server with a local playback feature.

It is not a UPnP renderer/client technically speaking (or so I understood from David Dever, who'll probably chime in here).

I would also love to see some internet radio added, because that would be sufficient for me besides the capabilities of the UnitiServe.

I don't have any needs for 'true' UPnP clients because I'm never going to use the UPnP-protocol anyway. CIFS/SMB network connection between UnitiServe and NAS and local playback from UnitiServe is sufficient for me.

But as I understand (again from D.D.) Naim wants to keep a strict separation between Server devices and Client devices and they consider iRadio playback to be client functionality, so I wouldn't wait for it.

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aleg

quote:

Originally posted by Aleg: But as I understand (again from D.D.) Naim wants to keep a strict separation between Server devices and Client devices and they consider iRadio playback to be client functionality, so I wouldn't wait for it.

Thanks Aleg. I understand Naim's position and and don't expect them to add iRadio to the Serve. My question pertains to exploiting the local playback feature of the Serve, by adding iRadio functionality to the NAS or PC, which the Serve can stream from.

Jan

quote:

Originally posted by Jan-Erik Nordoen:

quote:

Originally posted by Aleg: But as I understand (again from D.D.) Naim wants to keep a strict separation between Server devices and Client devices and they consider iRadio playback to be client functionality, so I wouldn't wait for it.

Thanks Aleg. I understand Naim's position and and don't expect them to add iRadio to the Serve. My question pertains to exploiting the local playback feature of the Serve, by adding iRadio functionality to the NAS or PC, which the Serve can stream from.

Jan

Hi Jan

I understand that, but the UnitiServe doesn't 'read streams', it reads data from internal drives or, by means of CIFS/SMB network protocol, from a NAS and 'creates streams'.

So UnitiServe is a stream 'creator' not a stream 'reader' and you are suggesting that is 'reads' a stream from a UPnP-Server on a NAS/PC. I believe that idea is contrary to the concept of Naim's server and client separation and doesn't fall within their idea of 'local playback' which only reads and playback local or external stored data.

-
aleg

Jan Erik,

A couple of months ago, we had another thread about the "perfect Uniti". Someone wanted to have the ability to rip a CD (not just play CD) in the NaimUniti.

You are actually coming from a different perspective: adding Internet streaming feature to the UnitiServe.

It seems very reasonable to me.

Actually when you think about it: for someone who currently uses a computer connected to a traditional hi-fi system, Naim does not offer a corresponding integrated solution.

- UnitiQute does not have CD playing and ripping
- NaimUniti does not have ripping
- UnitiServe and HDX do not have internet radio

So if you are a PC/Mac user today and you want to replace your computer with a Naim solution, you must acquire 2 elements (3 if you include a separate controller) to get the same functionality.

yes the thing with the net radio is realy irritating
.i totally agree. you need to buy at least 2 or even 3 naim boxes. in the end you buying nothing from naim. why can´t the serve have internet radio as well ?

A few years ago most of us would have killed for kit like this and now we are moaning about Internet radio?

Tog

There's always Sonos for a cheap addition with good functionability. Look here for another solution. https://forums.naimaudio.com/ev...417/m/8862910637/p/1

quote:

yes the thing with the net radio is realy irritating

really?

What is the draw of low bit rate internet radio?

-p

quote:

What is the draw of low bit rate internet radio?

Discovering new music.

quote:

Originally posted by js:
There's always Sonos for a cheap addition with good functionability. Look here for another solution. https://forums.naimaudio.com/ev...417/m/8862910637/p/1

Thanks JS for the link ; great stuff!. I installed Songbook for Naim and, after one email exchange with the developer, it now streams internet radio from the UnitiServe. Getting to stations is painfully slow, but it works.

Jan

At £29 it better!


Tog

quote:

Originally posted by js:
There's always Sonos for a cheap addition with good functionability. Look here for another solution. https://forums.naimaudio.com/ev...417/m/8862910637/p/1

Very wise advice BTW. There are beautifully developed i-Radio solutions with very comfortable and stable software (like for example Sonos and Logitech SB Touch) which can be easily hooked up on the Naim preamp -- say on the "tuner" button. They are cheap. Why wait?

quote:

Originally posted by AMA: There are beautifully developed i-Radio solutions with very comfortable and stable software (like for example Sonos and Logitech SB Touch) which can be easily hooked up on the Naim preamp -- say on the "tuner" button. They are cheap. Why wait?

Well, for me the point of the exercise was to try to exploit the iRadio functionality of the UnitiServe software without adding another device. But the slow loading time is a real PITA. Any other SongBook users out there who have managed to get around this ??

The SB Touch is looking better and better...

Jan

On a separate note, when streaming music files from the NAS to the UnitiServe (same files, ripped by the Serve and copied to the NAS), they don't sound as involving as when played back directly from the UnitiServe. Highs seem rolled off, and there is less propulsion to the music.

This is the reverse of my findings when I was evaluating the UnitiQute and UnitiServe together. Playback from the Serve to the Qute via network sounded more natural than playback through the S/PDIF output, IMHO.

My network hasn't changed since then.

It's worrying that there is a performance hit when the UnitiServe plays back CD files from a music share, and I assume that hi-res files will also be similarly affected.

Anyone else noticed this ?

Jan

As to the original post - UnitiServe as renderer - don't would be my advice. It's a bit like converting your car into a lawnmower - possible but futile.

Tog

quote:

Originally posted by Tog:
As to the original post - UnitiServe as renderer - don't would be my advice. It's a bit like converting your car into a lawnmower - possible but futile.

Tog

Just to be clear, are you suggesting that the local playback function of the UnitiServe (which I take as the rendering function) is less than optimal ??

Jan

I'm sure it sounds lovely old chap but that doesn't necessarily make it a particularly elegant approach.

Tog

quote:

Originally posted by Tog:
I'm sure it sounds lovely old chap but that doesn't necessarily make it a particularly elegant approach.

Tog

I think it the best and most elgant connection.
Better than all this UPnP stuff a lot of people seem to have trouble with getting it work properly.

-
aleg

It is perfect if you want to attach a £2000 1 TB hard drive that was designed as an Ethernet streamer for UPnP.

Tog