Naim streamer...on radar?

Isn't everyone on here waiting for this?

good point....some dealers telling me they are already there with uniti, qute etc..but it is always a full blown amp+stream+x set....i don't need...

Yes, all most of us need is a single purpose, high quality streamer.

I couldn't be bothered to wait. I have just acquired amn Akurate DS and am delighted with it. Most importantly it seems not to impact the sound and prat Naim is famous for.

Geoff

quote:

whether naim will ever build a klimax ds like system in near future?

YES!!! but it is two boxes and offers more inputs than a single ethernet. And unfortunately (i suppose), there is an external PSU upgrade available (just like ALL upper end Naim products).

this year? and why two boxes?

quote:

YES!!! but it is two boxes and offers more inputs than a single ethernet. And unfortunately (i suppose), there is an external PSU upgrade available (just like ALL upper end Naim products).

Ah well ...I can put up with the connection method that has been used most effectively for the longest time to move data along wires and believe me is not going to go away it is so pervasive, and has enough bandwidth to stream HD video already. What other connections do I need.

I have plenty of experience of the Naim PS upgrades which are necessary to get the best from Naim kit. However this technique of seperate Power Supply upgrades has been overtaken by modern Power Supply design . Why should you fork out for a PS upgrade in a 2nd box if you can have the same performance from a very well designed internal PS ( I know I have compared) in the one box.

Geoff

quote:

Originally posted by Geoff P:

quote:

YES!!! but it is two boxes and offers more inputs than a single ethernet. And unfortunately (i suppose), there is an external PSU upgrade available (just like ALL upper end Naim products).

Ah well ...I can put up with the connection method that has been used most effectively for the longest time to move data along wires and believe me is not going to go away it is so pervasive, and has enough bandwidth to stream HD video already. What other connections do I need.

I have plenty of experience of the Naim PS upgrades which are necessary to get the best from Naim kit. However this technique of seperate Power Supply upgrades has been overtaken by modern Power Supply design . Why should you fork out for a PS upgrade in a 2nd box if you can have the same performance from a very well designed internal PS ( I know I have compared) in the one box.

Geoff

Lets assume that they are going to bring it out, all I can say is that if this is a two box solution that is power supply upgradeable that will become a three box solution.

At that point I will probably end up looking at other manufacturers as this along with the five boxes I already have will become an issue for the wife and also space.

Why cant we just have a 252 level streamer in one box with a PS upgrade option?

Do Naim monitor these posts?

One has to suppose, by their inertia on the streamer front, that they don't.

good point geoff and adymcd. less boxes is more

did you ever heard the klimax pre and power amps with the new updated power supplies ?

quote:

Originally posted by kifco:
Isn't everyone on here waiting for this?

No - not me

quote:

One has to suppose, by their inertia on the streamer front, that they don't.

They do, but you can't expect them to just make something because somebody posted about it, besides they are still working on the new Cassette Deck I was after.

I have no need for a streamer and if I did then surely the HDX-SD is just that ... plus the UnitiServe is coming ... not having Ethernet and IP software in the nDAC was a great move and made the DAC nigh on perfect - I wouldn't have bought it if it had Ethernet on it.

However, I'm sure if Naim find sufficient demand they'll make what you want

Bit late to the thread for a frivolous answer but... I wouldn't put a streamer on my radar, the interference will be terrible.

Now serious answer... Do people really think a streamer (using UPnP or whatever) is really on Naim's roadmap? Am I the only one who thinks that they have indicated by their products so far that high end audio file playback is best done by a locally managed system (remote storage via filesharing only) ala HDX / UnitiServe. I would think Naim are considering or f these two devices IS as close to the "standalone streamer" as fits their thinking.

Possibly add a version of UnitiQute without built in pre/power amps as analogue source to 5i and XS series. And a HDX combined with DAC at higher end. I really can't see a Klimax DS equivilent though.

Eloise

i think market will show it...there is a hugh demand for high quality streamer, yes- with upnp support, please don't tell me upnp doesn't work or whatever....
my linn works like a rolex for months now.
.....naim has build such great components over all those years, it would be a shame if they didn't have an answer to the streaming question!
it is a little bit fuzzy for me....the smaller ones supporting upnp clients (i did the setup for a friend with nas and uniti upnp: took me 10min :-)) hdx doesn't...

btw: my dealer told me that he starts thinking of selling linn (!) because he got so many customers asking for streaming solutions!

Elosie I do see what you mean. Individual manufacturer's make decisions based on a philosophy and once on the path chosen are unlikely to take a side turning.

In some ways the Linn approach is 'Hair shirt' for the user. They don't get involved in the process of ripping and network hardware and its configuration beyond giving some documentary guidance and assuming their trained dealer will help. They recommend media server and control point software then leave that up to the user to decide aswell. Basically all they deliver is a box with a network socket on it, the rest assumes basic network knowledge, more advanced advice from the Dealer, and the assumption that if you are at all serious about distributed audio you will establish a NAS on your own initiative

This works if you already know how to do it, or are prepared to learn, and then spend what is necessary to set up a good quality network for audio streaming ( something which most end up doing anyway ).

Naim on the other hand seem to have intially adopted a network in a box solution to all intents and purposes and has more recently moved towards solutions specifically for use with NAS, but has maintained a more flexible approach to this minefield than Linn.

Setting aside any discussion about relative audio quality, I recognise the Naim range has a lot going for it, particularly for newcomesrs who have no existing hifi and want to get into it. The Linn approach aims more at those who want to transit from CD replay to digital file streaming in the context of a fully establshed HiFi system.

Geoff

quote:

there is a hugh demand for high quality streamer, yes- with upnp support

in that case Naim will make one - UPnP is very poor though, but then so is IP - the HDX will act as a streamer, so why not use that ... the newest one, HDX-SD, doesn't have hard disks ... not out yet.

Never heard a Klimax DS, but didn't think much of the Akurate DS in a Naim system.

Mac/hiFace/Naim DAC is not a bad system ... and no network required except for GraceNote access, but you can switch that off when playing music.

I have been looking around at other solutions for the last few months now and one that I would like to audition is the Meridian Soolos system.

I think I will also try the Linn DS as I heard a Majik DSi at Christmas and was really surprised how good it was for a £2.5k one box solution

I had a Klimax DS at home at the start of the year and I was very impressed with the music that it produced. A bit smoother than the Naim sound but highly detailed. The price tag is a challenge though.

quote:

one that I would like to audition is the Meridian Soolos system.

now that looks to be the user interface .... absolutely superb front-end and I do wonder how it'd sound with a Naim DAC ... is it better than a Mac?

quote:

Originally posted by Graham Russell:
I had a Klimax DS at home at the start of the year and I was very impressed with the music that it produced. A bit smoother than the Naim sound but highly detailed. The price tag is a challenge though.

Yes expensive- but still less costly than the comparable Naim top end solution of HDX/nDAC/555PS. And in my book it also sounds better.

doesn't the unitiserve do this?

quote:

Originally posted by Geoff P:
I have plenty of experience of the Naim PS upgrades which are necessary to get the best from Naim kit. However this technique of seperate Power Supply upgrades has been overtaken by modern Power Supply design . Why should you fork out for a PS upgrade in a 2nd box if you can have the same performance from a very well designed internal PS ( I know I have compared) in the one box.

Geoff

Geoff

I agree wholeheartedly! I still vividly remember my demo of the Linn Klimax DS with their top of line Klimax preamplifier-which cost (at the time) slightly more than 1/3 the price of a 552. The demo was through a pair of Linn active speakers with amps built into the speakers. I still remember my comment to the dealer about the beauty of two simple boxes instead of a dozen!

The new Dynamik PS has certainly changed things.

My dealer has said that the new Klimax preamplifier with built in Dynamik PS is a force to be reckoned with- at less than half the price of a 552. Your Akurate DS with built in Dynamik PS is supposed to be on par with the original Klimax- and in my view easily on par with current Naim digital file playback offerings.

The only thing which I place above the Klimax DS is my 555- but I purchased it second hand. If I had to purchase it new than I would have opted for the Klimax- and saved a boatload of money in the process.

Gregg

Gregg

I must admit I was doubtfull about the claims made for the Dynamik PS until I got to grips with the Akurate. It is also nice that older Linn kit can be upgraded with the Dynamik PS which seems to be a great philiosophy IMO.


regards
Geoff

Is Naim shifting towards other markets, or can't they make up there mind??

I'm surprised Naim keeps coming up with 'toys for boys' streaming products. I hope these will be categorized in the My first streaming series..

While the streaming architecture is changing fast, perhaps it's a good approach not betting everything on one card, for now.

quote:

Originally posted by T38.45:
this year? and why two boxes?

VERY soon, as soon as the UnitiServe ships. why 2 boxes? They like to keep the DAC separate from the computer bits.

Unlike the DS players you have the option of adding the PSU or not. With Linn you get it whether you want it or not.

quote:

Originally posted by T38.45:
this year? and why two boxes?

Yes UnitiServe + Naim DAC (and 2 choices for optional PSU upgrades in XPS and 555ps).

Serve + Dac = Majik
Serve + DAC + XPS = Akurate
Serve + DAC + 555PS = Klimax

Unfortunately for those wanting fewer options, Naim has 2 analog interconnect options and 2 mains cable options.

There really isn't a big difference other than box count and connectivity options.

Pick the one that fits your budget and gives you the chills.

-Patrick