HDX Questions

Posted by: djs1784 on 09 January 2009

I am looking at HDX and have these questions.

Can HDX rip to attached storage or NAS ?

Can other computers see the HDX internal drive and the WAV files on HDX hardrive ?

Can HDX share the files I rip on HDX on my network so I can import them to other applications?

Is there any additional encoding or wrapper that would make it impossible to play the sound files ripped by HDX on other devices?

Can I import HDX ripped files into other applications? Are they portable and can I get the music into Itunes and my iphone, create playlist driving CD's, and so on?

What is the power supply model for HDX?
Posted on: 10 January 2009 by John R.
Regarding ripping to NAS there will be a new software update real soon.

You can use a XPS 2 or even a PS 555 to power the HDX, but the HDX will make great music without them, too.
Posted on: 12 January 2009 by Alan A
There is a major new software release due for the HDX in the Spring (hope that is not too commital) (and NSxx NaimNet Servers) which will allow ripping to NAS by way of either overflow from the internal storage or as a specific storage destination.

At this stage other computers and players will be able to see the music files for sharing - subject to throughput bottlenecks within the NAS devices themselves. .wav metadata file format will be disclosed in application notes at the time.

We do not provide for directly transferring music to a specified external device as generally these have their own assosciated programmes (e.g. iTunes) which they expect you to use to generate playlists and push music into the portable device. So you imnport the music from the HDX into that application.

HDX will also at that stage generate mp3 files in the background from ripped .wav files, which will be available to import into other apps for portable devices as well. These have a standard ID3 tags and artwork for easy import into other apps.
Posted on: 12 January 2009 by gary1 (US)
Alan,

1. Are you saying that the release of the software has been postponed until spring instead of this month?
Posted on: 13 January 2009 by Alan A
We are really trying for Feb right now. We may be OK, but March is much more realistic given that we also want to be able to make recommendations as to suitable NAS candidates as well - all NAS are not created equal.
Posted on: 13 January 2009 by David Dever
djs1784, I believe these questions were also already answered in depth (at least as much as an iPhone permits en route from a trade show) by way of e-mail to your local retailer (Music by Design).
Posted on: 13 January 2009 by Roy Donaldson
quote:
Originally posted by Alan A:
There is a major new software release due for the HDX in the Spring (hope that is not too commital) (and NSxx NaimNet Servers) which will allow ripping to NAS by way of either overflow from the internal storage or as a specific storage destination.


Will this be about the same timeframe that we will see a Naim streamer without any HDD's in it as well ?

Roy.
Posted on: 14 January 2009 by Keith L
quote:
Originally posted by munch:
tHE nAIM sNEAKY Streamer.
Has got to be worth a look at.
The HDX without hard drives.
Now that is a black box worth looking at next month Winker


I was told it is called the Naim Unity.
Posted on: 14 January 2009 by james n
quote:
The HDX without hard drives.
Now that is a black box worth looking at next month


Is this fact or speculation ?
Posted on: 16 January 2009 by John R.
@ Alan A:

I would prefer to wait til march for the software update and then have a bug free one instead of one released too early. Will the new software improve the sound quality of the HDX? I am very happy with the sound quality of my HDX, but I heard that the Linn DS products sounded better after software updates.

Automatic HDCD decoding would be nice for the HDX. Right now I have to rip my HDCDs using my PC (EAC or dB poweramp for ripping and Plextor Premium 2 drive) and than convert the 16 bit WAV files with dB poweramp to 20 bit WAV files (actually 24 bit but only 20 bit are used)and than I have to store them on a USB memory stick in order to play them on the HDX. An automatic HDCD decoding with the HDX would make things a lot easier!

I like the idea that Naim will come up with NAS suggestions along with the new software update as far as I know.
Posted on: 17 January 2009 by pcstockton
quote:
Originally posted by John R.:

Automatic HDCD decoding would be nice for the HDX. Right now I have to rip my HDCDs using my PC (EAC or dB poweramp for ripping and Plextor Premium 2 drive) and than convert the 16 bit WAV files with dB poweramp to 20 bit WAV files (actually 24 bit but only 20 bit are used)and


maybe I am missing something but... why convert the 16bit?

Also, i was under the impression EAC couldn't rip HDCDs or DVD-A. Am I wrong on this?
Posted on: 18 January 2009 by John R.
EAC can only rip CDs and no DVDs.

A HDCD is a "normal" 16 bit CD and can be played on every normal CD player. But there is a "hidden" code within the 16 bit data that can be decoded by a HDCD capable digital filter/DSP and this creates a 20 bit signal. The sampling frequency of the CD which is 44,1 kHz remains untouched.

Any bit perfect rip of a HDCD includes this HDCD code within the 16 bit, but non HDCD player will simply no "see" the HDCD code.

If you create a bit perfect rip of a HDCD with your PC/MAC you can use the program dBpoweramp Music Converter and decode your 16 bit/44,1 kHz WAV file and you get a 24 bit/44,1 kHz WAV file. Because HDCD only has got 20 bit your 24 bit WAV file is actually using only 20 bit. You can than play this WAV file with a HDX and get the full 20 bit resolution of a HDCD. This is why I convert my HDCDs.