Naim streamer...on radar?

Will the new streamer be the Unitiserve minus the cd slot and harddrive? Will this be the pure ethernet to S/PDIF converter many people were asking about a few months ago (much to the frustration of some of the members here)? If so, this would again be consistent with Naim logic that the DAC must be separate from the "computer" (no matter how slimmed down that computer is). This is obviously different from Resolution Audio's view on the technology.

As it stands for me, it seems the current Unitiserve SSD (they should just ditch the non-SSD product) seems likely not for me as I need a computer for the genesis of this music to start with. It appears I can do better than this by connecting an ethernet or wireless MAC Mini w/SSD to Weiss Int202/Hiface/etc. for the S/PDIF conversion...and control via Ipod Touch or my Ipad. More flexibility at the user end and no need for Naim apps, software, etc.

Why do Naim or any others in hifi want to be in the computer business anyways? Is there some new advancement coming in the way of ethernet to DAC conversion or is it already here? It seems Naim is the only one that believes the computer (mac, pc, streamer, what have you) must be decoupled. I wonder why.

Any thoughts? There are many paths to take and I seem to jump from one path to the next depending on the day. lol.

quote:

wonder if Naim have boxed themselves into a corner having developed their own ripping methods. A dedicated streamer may be viewed as going against their strategy to control the rips, maybe they are just bowing to the wants of many here.

I think Naim have to recognise that there is a lot of open ripping software now that they would be hard pressed to improve on whatever proprietary method they employ.

Linn divorced themselves from the ripping, storage and network configuration aspect right off the bat. They have white papers in which they cite example configurations, and software/hardware that works well and train their dealers to advise and help with the network aspects as part of the install process. They don't recommend a specific ripping format or software, but seem to have voted for FLAC themselves since their HiRes music downloads are all FLACs.

regards
Geoff

I think FLAC due to being a universal lossless format and smaller download file size, especially for 192k. Same as HD tracks and other suppliers.

They never said you couldn't get a good result from a PC. Just to protect you DAC investment by being careful with setup and noise. I agree with them but have been using a PC for specific uses for quite some time. The guy that had a big influence on the SB touch uses a linear PS, an ethernet decoupler and a tos connection to his DAC for these exact same reasons. This not new think or Naim speak but known issues to be aware of.

quote:

Originally posted by js:
The guy that had a big influence on the SB touch uses a linear PS, an ethernet decoupler and a tos connection to his DAC for these exact same reasons. This not new think or Naim speak but known issues to be aware of.

.. But Sean Adams, the guy that designed the Transporter - surely a better product than the Touch - designed it to connected directly to the network via ethernet and wireless, and has said on the Logitech forum that as far as s/pdif and jitter is concerned coax is always better than tos unless there are grounding issues ..

Right, and he gave the TS a linear supply and a SPdif output decoupling transformer that computers and the touch don't have to make sure coax would be optimized. I agree with his assessment and that coax should be much better than tos unless there's another issue related to ground or RF noise.

Now that the Uniti range has settled, I reckon an addition in de 'Super integrated level'.
Like the Supernait, but with network input and selection screen (Naims answer to the Linns DS-I)

At least it would be a logical step up the ladder, when the bottom treads would look like:
traditional/separates: i, XS, ..
digital/integration: Uniti, 'Super', ..

quote:

Originally posted by AllenB:
Not strictly true seeing as the HDX and Serve have a Mini ITX computer

I got that from the DAC white paper. Yes, not exactly in line with the HDX concept. Key explanation for me as Naim decided to design a S/PDIF dac unlike everyone else.

How about, let me say,
- a simple network interface (a streamer if you wish) with an internal DAC and analog output but no PS, no display, iPhone or http based remote only?
- To be powered from the Aux output of the amps. Like a Stageline and in the Stageline box, just to make the chassis cheaper.

As much as a simple phono like the Stageline is important for the existing user base, a similarly positioned (priced?)networked DAC could be very interesting for existing Nait XS or Supernait users. I know Supernait has digital inputs too, but I do not think a simple box like this would require an SPDIF output, but if it would have one, it could be used for the Naim DAC as well (with the help of a NAPSC), to provide a simple but effective network connection for the nDAC.
If the price would just a bit higher than the Stageline, around 400-450 Euro, it could be a big hit. Or not, who knows.

If naim could produce a networked DAC that sold for 400 euro, why wouldn't they just put the networking bit inside (possibly a variant of) the current DAC?

They can make anything.

It is all about how good it makes music and if they can make a decent profit. Thats about it.

Variant of the current DAC? Why not? If they leave the current one as it is

As a potential customer base, the Nait Xs and Supernait users are probably much bigger then the potential users for of a networked nDAC... I am just thinking loud.

quote:

Originally posted by pcstockton:
They can make anything.

It is all about how good it makes music and if they can make a decent profit. Thats about it.

argeed

my guess that the majority of qute will be customers not use the power amplifier but just digital output. a streamer with a line output/digital should not cost £1400. .. will naim produce a stripped down qute ,i cant see it.i was prepared to purchase the qute if it had been put on the market early,now ive decided not to now.
£400 to 500 seems to be the region that streamers are being offered.

quote:

£400 to 500 seems to be the region that streamers are being offered

From who? Who out there makes a streamer as everyone wants. BTW, I wouldnt call the DS player streamers. They are networked media players.

A streamer doesn't have a DAC, just as a transport doesn't.

So who makes a streamer?

-Patrick

I am guess there is confusion on exactly what a streamer is.

Linn reefer to DS's as streamers as so Logitech and WD call their TV live thing a media player.

imho a streamer is something thing that pulls audio/video/pictures off the network and comes in various types such as:

Audio Streamer = sonos/ds/Logitech
Audio Ripper & Streamer = Olive/HDX/Uniserve (transport only)
AFASIK an audio streamer, transport only does not exist - though there are so many products about I may be wrong - pcstockon, I think this is what you are referring to.
Networked media players generally related to all purpose audio/video/photo streamers such as a popcorn hour and WD live TV

But I guess we can all translate these anyway we want.

My thoughts are

It will work with the current dac
Probably come in a half width case
Won't include any preamp facilities
Probably get announced in September
Previewed in October
With us sometime late next year!

adymcd,

That already exists. It is called the UnitiServe.

I think people want one of the following three.

Qute - without amps/pre
Serve - with internal DAC
Naim DAC - with ethernet input

-Patrick