Unitiserve or Unitiserve SSD for ripping and use as a server ony

CDI, hello.  If you intend the UnitiServe to store the ripped music, then you need to get a hard drive version.  As Naim say, "A variant of the UnitiServe - the UnitiServe-SSD has no internal hard-disk storage and is intended for use in network systems where ripped data is stored exclusively on NAS drives."

If you intend to store the ripped music on an external NAS drive, then there would be no need for the hard drive version and I'd recommend the SSD version.

I hope that this helps!

Thanks,

I understand that - the SSD costs more so I was interested to know if there are any sonic benefits with the SSD version for just ripping to an NAS?

I have an NDS to fund so could do with spending the least - even if I have the hard disc version and don't use the hard drive

The CD replay functionality doesn't work via UPNP so you may have to forget this, unless the UServe is close enough to the hifi to connect via SPDIF. However, you won't really need it as it only takes five minutes to rip disc.

I don't know if the SSD version sounds better via UPNP.

Keith

Thanks Keith, the US will be next to my 252PS so will be using SPDIF

CDI - I suspect there is no sonic benefit but I opted for the SSD as my US resides in my lounge and I wanted silent operation. I also store all my music on a NAS as I prefer the recovery options compared to the internal storage on the other version of the US.

You pay more as SSD drives are a little more pricey than HDDs

Whilst there has been some discussion about whether the SSD or HD model "sounds better," I'm pretty sure that's all been in the context of using the uServe as a player (which is what I do, connecting it directly to my nDAC via a DC1 bnc cable).

As merely a ripper, I'm quite certain that each version produces the same "bit-perfect" rip and thus the ripped files sound the same once stored on the NAS and later played back.  I recall no discussion that the rips are any different.  I'm rather certain that they are identical, so long as the units are functioning properly.

This would be an advantage.  Sometimes I hear a LITTLE hdd noise from my uServe, which is easily drowned out by the music mind you   The uServe can be totally silent, or the hdd can "gurgle" a little right after a rip has been completed.  It's not as if the hdd makes noise all the time, or always during playback.  It almost seems random as to when the hdd is going to be doing something . . .

Martin Colloms of HiFi Critic compared the two versions and preferred the HDD UnitiServe, for it's "better flow and more upbeat" sound.

More here :

https://forums.naimaudio.com/di...30#15504822856623730

A comparison by Pure HiFi came to the opposite conclusion, finding the SSD version "more open and articulated with better levels of detail on offer".

More here :

https://forums.naimaudio.com/di...nt/14378503082970046

I have the HDD version and prefer hard-disk playback to playback of the same files stored on a NAS, which I presume would simulate playback on the SSD version. To my ears, playback form the NAS introduces a slight haze or glare to the presentation. This is also what Martin C found in his listening tests.

But as always, you really have to listen for yourself.

Jan

Funny, I spoke to our local importer about this one day and the chap there told me that they preferred the HDD version (same for the HDX).

Back to square 1?

As I am only using for ripping and occasional cd playback there is nothing in it I guess apart from going hdd paying less and getting a bit more storage space on top of the 4 tb assetnas. NAS