HDX vs NS01

I too am going the NaimNet route and am building it up bit by bit.

I started with an HDX + DAC + Nait XS with the DAC powered by an XPS.  I've got some of the other NaimNet kit as well but there's a delay while I complete the structured cabling.  Meanwhile what I've got works perfectly and sounds great.

My dealer at the time explained to me that the HDX was a later and better version of the NS01, and very much steered me in that direction.  The HDX has a touch screen and I don't think the NS01 has this.  More importantly, the HDX comes in an SSD version (which I have) whereas I believe the NS01 has internal hard drives which (I'm told) can cause operating noise. 

As I recall the NS01 was a good deal cheaper but I followed my dealer's advice and closed my eyes to the consequences.  I certainly haven't been disappointed but cannot say whether I'd have been disappointed with the NS01.

Thanks "endlessneesism" for you insight.

Can you tell me if you have been able to stream internet radio from your HDX across the network rather than using the local outputs?

Thanks

So far I'm only using the HDX locally but I would be most surprised if you could not stream radio across the network, just like any other music source.  Nor do I think there is any difference between the HDX and NS01 in this respect.  The best thing is probably to talk to your Naim dealer - I have not been disappointed with anything mine has recommended to me.

Thanks again

I will audition the HDX, I have already heard good things

I've posted some observations on the move from CDS3 to HDX nDac/555PS.....all very positive.

Mine is the 1gb hard disk version and totally silent in operation.  G

Would strongly suggest HDX SSD over HDX. I could clearly hear the hard disk noise from my original installation of the HDX. I changed to the SSD version + Synology NAS and it is much better (apart from two NAS hard disks failing after three months!).

I do not think the ns01 comes in a ssd version, and from my experience with the origianl 400 gb hdx, and now running the 1 tb ns01, the noice issues are wildly overstated. Put on a fraim both units are quiet in operation, I only here what I believe to be a spinn up of a disk maybe every  30 minutes and often I do not notice it. My Readynas duo v2 generates more noice, probably because it is on the floor, and if I lift it a few centimeters up the noice I can hear disappears.

You can not stream internet radio over upnp, but you should ask Naim if it is possible if you are going to use hardwired Naimnet, but you will also have to find out wich units supports naimnet unlike upnp that is supported on other units than Naim gear I believe hat Naimnet maybe only runs on Naim gear, but you have to ask about that.

There are no upgrade options on the ns01, with the exception of the NDAC, but the ndac can be upgraded with a power supply. If you want to upgrade the server with a power supply also you should look at ns02 or ns03 I am pretty sure one or both models works with external power supplies.

For the price of the hdx you can get a ns01 plus the ndac, and this should give better sound quality but I have not been able to make this comparison.

Claus

One more thing to consider, the Userve plus Ndac is even cheaper. The Userve has only one internal disk, but it may come in an ssd version. From reading the forum there has been more people reporting problems with the Userve, but it can be because there are more units sold of the Userve. The ns0X and hdx are very much alike, but the Userve is using different hardware.

Claus

Internet Radio is available as a source under NaimNet when using our servers...

Cheers

Phil

Thanks for the input everyone.

Phil (tech support), are you saying then that I can buy an HDX and use this as a source under Naimnet for internet radio, or do I require an NS0? instead?

Thanks in advance

Mark

I would strongly suggest going with an NS01 for NaimNet but any of the servers will work as a NaimNet server.

Phil

I'd be interested to know your reasons for this recommendation.  A year-or-so ago I was asking the same kinds of questions as mcr and my dealer (Grahams of London N1) strongly recommended HDX SSD for my NaimNet system.  It has been a great solution and seems to do everything I want so I'm wondering what I'm missing? 

I suggest the NS0x servers in a NaimNet environment as they have a second drive installed so they do their own backup - fit and forget.

Cheers

Phil

Phil, to summarise what I think you are saying...

Practically the NS01 is a better Music Server because of its backup capability. However, how does the NS01 hold up against the HDX sonically, as I will be initially using this as my local listening source as well for hard disk stored music? I note that I can add an extra power supply to the HDX and not the NS01 is this true?

Thanks in advance

Mark

I would question the value of this backup capability.  The backup is to a separate disk but in the same box, meaning that if the box fails or gets nicked your backup as well as your original may be gone.  Better I'd have thought to keep your music elsewhere and arrange your own automatic backup.  And don't forget that 1 TB seems like a lot of storage capacity but it's finite and one day you'll need more and have to add a NAS in any event.  

I am running an HDX SSD with a DAC powered by an XPS and the sound is great.  The DAC and the XPS make a big difference, so if you can't use these with an NS0x that would definitely be a reason for going with the HDX instead.  Nb the XPS only powers the analogue side of the equation, so if you attach a DAC to the HDX you attach the XPS to the DAC.

I store my music (both CDs ripped through the HDX and files, such as converted vinyl, obtained by other means) and the HDX plays it all seamlessly, plus internet radio.  My multi-disk NAS operates on RAID 5, which gives me protection against disk failure, and I backup to a second NAS which also operates RAID 5.

Phil may have in mind a certain kind of customer who just wants a fit and forget solution - lots of kit inside a cupboard somewhere but all he has to do is toggle his controller, or call a technician if it won't do what he wants.  If you've got a big music collection and/or if you're interested and willing to be a little bit hands-on, you can do better by taking some more control, organising your music library the way you want it, etc.   

Please feel free to use whichever server fits your bill appropriately ... The NS0x servers were designed to be used for NaimNet and the HDX and UnitiServe were developed from those.

Cheers

Phil 

Thanks.  Very clear and helpful.

Hi Mark - I just spotted this thread but thought I should give you my ha'penny worth from experience.  I love Naim audio systems, but the Naimnet solution just does not work.  If you are talking about their streaming equipment, then I cannot comment,  But we have the intergrated solution with a dozen or so room amps and it constantly falls over, fails to deliver and gets caught in those computer tantrums which cause everything to freeze for extended period.  I would seriously suggest, if you are determined to go down this route, that you check out who will actually  be installing the system and that you can see evidence that they have done so successfully.  I have recieved many words of promise but, after a few years, still do not have a system that functions even to basic specs.

Jon,

Can you please email me directly - phil.harris@naimnet.com - and let me know who your installer is - NaimNet should be rock solid and we have many trouble free installs running under NetStreams, Crestron, AMX and Control 4 control.

Phil

hi Phil - I have e-mailed you.  Whether I am the unlucky exception to the rule..... But have been working with my dealer and installer for a few years and they do not seem to have got it working properly.....

Thanks - from what I understand you're in New Zealand so I'll be in touch with the New Zealand distributor and through him the dealer and hopefully installer to find out what the issues are - if a system is properly installed (using the correct IGMP capable switches) then the system  SHOULD be rock solid ... we have lots of systems out there, some very sizeable with upwards of 25 zones, and no  NaimNet specific issues so your dealer / installer should be able to get you reliable.

Cheers

Phil

You can do both, AND stream to UPnP clients as well.

• When you use the digital (or local analogue, on HDX / NS0x) output(s), the file decoding is performed on the server itself.
• When you are using NaimNet room amps, the file decoding is performed on the StreamNet DSP card inside the NNP0x room amplifier, creating a stream that can be output locally and/or proxied to other NaimNet rooms.
• When you are using a UPnP network player, the file decoding is performed on the streaming module and output locally.

Newer servers with the 1GB RAM upgrade and recent software do a much better job than the older units from, say, six years ago (yes, it's been that long!).