1 month owner of SuperUniti... Not really happy

Posted by: revmis on 06 September 2012

Hi all,

 

I have been the owner of SuperUniti for a month now. Just upgraded the firm ware to

SU: 3.16.00 western europe+N-stream 3.1.

Speaker is Proac D18 with Naca5.

Control with Ipad 2+N-stream and Ipeng to compare

 

My previous system to compare: Nait XS+Proac D1+Squeezebox Touch (SQT)with soundcheck mod)+ Music Fidelity DAC M1+ Ipad 2 running Ipeng

 

Within the 1st month of ownership, I cannot comment on the sound quality right now as it seems quite good, and I hope it will open up furthermore. But I encounter so many hiccups with my SU, that I would like to share here and hopefully that someone will tell me what I have done wrong, or something is not right with my system. This is a long post and I am not native English speaker so pardon my writings

 

1/ From the day 1 until now: I cannot connect to wired. Have tried 3 cables,switch the outlet,  SU factory reset,router reset, fix IP address. Cables fine,router fine,because I try all cables with 2 laptops, Ps3, Dune D1 they can connect and surf. My Buffalo wireless N router had been rock solid for 3yrs, no problem whatsoever with all the gadgets I have: 2 laptops, 1 netbook, 2 ipads, 1 blackberry, 1 nook, ps3 . Very strange. I can say SU is picky, and if I have to buy a new wireless router just for the SU ... not really happy. So I give up on the wired, use wireless for now.

 

2/Firmware update: SU came with 3.13 so I try to update and oh my god this is horrible. After the 1st stage update, at 2nd stage updating the DSP DAC,the laptop could not find SU. I tried switching the cable,check the IP it just could not connect like 5 times. And this is strange: when I got into setting -system status to check IP,I swore to god I saw it said"WIRED" the first and only time ever. Then somehow after changing cables, re-enter IP, turn on and off,  it could connect and ran finish the update. Magic!! After update, SU back to wireless, cannot connect to Wired ever since, with either DHCP on or off. What the heck??I consider myself fairly knowledgeable in IT and computer stuff, not completely idiot, so i don't know why

 

3/ IRadio: I suspect because it is wireless, not wired, then IRadio drops like crazy every 10 seconds, even Radio Paradise 128kb (forget the higher bit rate). What strange is that my SBT(wired)+ DAC M1 run just fine. And if I connect by coaxial from SBT to SU digital 2, then SBT never drops to feed SU Radio, nice and smooth all day long. And in fact that was how I used for SU breakin, together with cycling track from USB stick. My favorite channel: SkyFM, Radio paradise, BBC1 and 3, Linn station, .. not hi-def, only normal bitrate. Internet speed is quite good,as I can reach to 700KB/s or better, so why it drops?

 

4/ FM Radio: how come it cannot pick up any channel? should I install antenna for it? For comparison, my Pioneer VSX-21TXH and my bed radio clock in the same room with the SU can pick up quite a handful channels?

 

5/USB stick and USB drive playback: never show any album with art work. I have some albums in wave+cue. On my SBT is fine, but on SU, cannot read?

 

6/ uPnP: I do not have a NAS at the moment. So I run windows media 12 as streaming server from my laptop. Laptop also run Squeezebox Server to feed SBT.

This time I got error "Server not respond". Fix that by choose compatible uPnP . but using compatible uPnp disable the play queue I believe, and also disable the squeezebox server (cannot find if in compatible mode)

Then, the inconvenience with play tracks still remains: no album art, cannot select single track from CUE, cannot fast forward or reverse.

 

I have some album in single WAV file with Cue sheet. On the SBT+Ipeng, I can click on the cue and select single track to play or fast forward/reverse/select mutiple tracks...etc. On SU, show only the single wav file, no way to know which track is playing.

I also have some APE files, which can be read instantly on SBT+Ipeng, but no luck with SU

 

So right now I stream by windows media server in compatible uPnP mode but open Ipeng to see tracks, album art. Ah "funnily"painful !

 

7/User interface: I dare say N-stream is miles behind SBT+IPeng. Album art+playlist manage better+ shuffle better+radio is better+file compatible is better. Stable and rock solid for 1 year. On my Ipad 2, if I browse the web then come back to N-stream, always annoy to see "connecting" with the clock cycle then about 2 seconds N-stream appears. IPeng never does this. Anyone has been using IPeng with SBT, can you agree with me on this 7?

 

8/Remote: not backlit. While the remote is nice and sturdy, how come a "near-6K-USD-purchase" come with this?my cheaper Pioneer at least has backlit on the volume key. It is not big deal 'cause after a while i can remember where to click, but inconvenient nevertheless

 

I am an easy guy but after spending much on a set like this , I must say I am not totally happy. Should I return and change to another one?Local dealer is not very helpful as I can sense they know nothing better than me about the SU. In fact when I ask if they have SU in stock,their only answer is Supernait . I read the this Naim forum frequently and I can say that I know about the Naim system better than them, thanks to a very helpful Naim forum

 

Am I assuming correctly that a NAS or dedicated Vortexbox can solve the problem 5-6-7, and switching to another gigabit router can fix problem 1 and 3? I can live with a few hiccups here as soon as the sound is excellent and I think it will be, but of course not happy

 

Sorry for a very long post and thank you for everybody to read this

Posted on: 06 September 2012 by osprey

Sorry to hear about your problems. I have to say that streaming is still a little bit hard for me also (thus using NU mostly as an amp and FM/iRadio) due to same kind of difficulties. Concerning your point 4. however I think the answer is that you need an antenna. The SU manual says:

 

2.3 FM/DAB Aerial Connection

 

The SuperUniti FM/DAB module will only be able to provide high quality FM and DAB radio if a strong, interference-free radio signal is available. The SuperUniti rear panel FM/DAB Aerial socket must be connected, via 75 Ohm low-loss coaxial cable, to a suitable aerial. The aerial should be mounted clear of large obstructions and as high as possible; ideally on a roof.

 

Note:

 

Your local retailer should be able to offer advice on a suitable aerial and aerial installer.

 

Posted on: 06 September 2012 by buraku

Very frustrating situation. Maybe i can help you with your wired connection problem. It sounds like your router or wireless access point is blocking the traffic between wired and wireless networks. Check your router's settings and find multicasting property you'll see a checked little box called "block multicasting", just unchecked it. This should solve your problem.

Posted on: 06 September 2012 by revmis

 

Thank you for your reply.

@osprey: I understand your point. Trying to think about the antenna, but wonder how my alarm clock and my receiver both can pick up a few channels, why the SU cannot? SU FM antenna very weak?

 

@buraku: the closet setting I can find is as per the attached picture. Multicast control-snooping.. I do not what this is anyway

 

 

However, enable or disable, turn on/off, factory reset still can not solve,still on wireless. Thanks anyway

Posted on: 06 September 2012 by Goon525

Or maybe there isn't an integral FM antenna since you are expected to attach one!

Posted on: 06 September 2012 by Jon Myles

On point 4.

You do really need an aerial.

To their credit, Naim are quite clear on this.

Posted on: 06 September 2012 by engjoo
You should contact Naim for help if you have not done so. Just wondering, which model is your router?
Posted on: 06 September 2012 by Claus-Thoegersen

Contact naim support using the support email it is listed as one of the permanent topics. Then Phil  can  look into your system setup remotely, and hopefully solve some of the network issues.

 

Maybe your router is not giving  an ip address to the wired network card, but these are some of the problems support can identify for you.

 

Claus

 

Posted on: 06 September 2012 by revmis
Originally Posted by engjoo:
You should contact Naim for help if you have not done so. Just wondering, which model is your router?

my router is Buffalo Whr-g300n

Posted on: 06 September 2012 by revmis

Yes, I already emailed to Naim Support. Hopefully Phil can advise

Posted on: 06 September 2012 by kmchow98

Hi Revmis,

 

If your ethernet and Wifi works for every other component except the SU. I would tend to believe that something is not quite right with your SU. There shouldn't be so much stuff to configure to get ethernet to work.

 

I use the touch with squeezepad. The user experience and flexibility is very good. For Naim to catch up, it would probably take years.

 

BTW. I use the SN+nDAC+Touch. It is not as simple as the SU all in one, but I get good experience and enjoyment from it.

Posted on: 06 September 2012 by DrMark

kmchow - have you ever A/B tested the SN DAC vs the nDAC?  If so - curious as to the differences you heard.

Posted on: 06 September 2012 by revmis
Originally Posted by kmchow98:

Hi Revmis,

 

If your ethernet and Wifi works for every other component except the SU. I would tend to believe that something is not quite right with your SU. There shouldn't be so much stuff to configure to get ethernet to work.

 

I use the touch with squeezepad. The user experience and flexibility is very good. For Naim to catch up, it would probably take years.

 

BTW. I use the SN+nDAC+Touch. It is not as simple as the SU all in one, but I get good experience and enjoyment from it.

I also think the Ethernet port of SU is the problem.

 

About the SN, I consider that route as well. But hesitate because it has been released for quite some time, and I just suspect something new is coming soon.

 

Yes, squeezepad and Ipeng are really really good in terms of user interactive and interface

Posted on: 06 September 2012 by James L
Originally Posted by DrMark:

kmchow - have you ever A/B tested the SN DAC vs the nDAC?  If so - curious as to the differences you heard.

Sorry to hi-jack...but I did the demo once.

 

The SN DAC is a decent performer but no real magic there unlike the nDAC.

 

Bit like going from a Fiat Punto HGT to a Maserati Quattroporte. 

Posted on: 06 September 2012 by kmchow98

Hi James,

 

In fact I did.

My nDAC went bonkers and went back to my dealer for a week.

So I had to use the SN DAC.

 

Compared to the nDAC, it doesn't have the soundstage nDAC provide. Bass and treble were slightly inferior.

If you've never listened to the nDAC, i guess you would be fine with the SN DAC. But once you did a comparison, it will be hard to go back to the SN DAC.

 

FYI. Both my SN and nDAC has additional power supplies connected.

Posted on: 07 September 2012 by Pev

Clearly the OP has a dealer that should be ditched! About time Naim took some action on this - what he has gone through is inexcusable. Even if they are technically incompetent they should at least give him basic advice and support about his issues. I thought my local dealers were below par....

Posted on: 07 September 2012 by revmis
Originally Posted by osprey:

Sorry to hear about your problems. I have to say that streaming is still a little bit hard for me also (thus using NU mostly as an amp and FM/iRadio) due to same kind of difficulties. Concerning your point 4. however I think the answer is that you need an antenna. The SU manual says:

 

2.3 FM/DAB Aerial Connection

 

The SuperUniti FM/DAB module will only be able to provide high quality FM and DAB radio if a strong, interference-free radio signal is available. The SuperUniti rear panel FM/DAB Aerial socket must be connected, via 75 Ohm low-loss coaxial cable, to a suitable aerial. The aerial should be mounted clear of large obstructions and as high as possible; ideally on a roof.

 

Note:

 

Your local retailer should be able to offer advice on a suitable aerial and aerial installer.

 

@osprey: to be honest, with the exception of the "hiccups" I am having now with my SU, personally I do no think streaming is difficult at all. You can experience with the Squeezebox family, either the Touch, SB3. Super easy!

 I hope I do not violate any rule here

Posted on: 07 September 2012 by revmis
Originally Posted by Pev:

Clearly the OP has a dealer that should be ditched! About time Naim took some action on this - what he has gone through is inexcusable. Even if they are technically incompetent they should at least give him basic advice and support about his issues. I thought my local dealers were below par....

@Pev: in fact, my dealer is nice and offer good price. To be more frankly, I did not ask them for help. Because I sense that if when I ask for SU, they reply Supernait then, on this SU topic they would not be helpful.

And I agree with your point on this thread "New to Streaming - NAS help please"

Posted on: 10 September 2012 by revmis

Still have not received feedback from Phil or Steve 

 

Be patient!

Posted on: 10 September 2012 by Phil Harris

Hi Thanh,

 

I apologise if it appears that we have not responded to your request however the first I have seen of it was when I was passed your email at 16:42 and have just been reading your thread since then. It appears that your email to us didn't reach us until 11:54 this morning.

 

I shall endeavour to reply to your email by close of business today.

 

Best

 

Phil 

Posted on: 10 September 2012 by revmis

Thanks Phil

I believe that the biggest problem is point 1: Ethernet.

Upnp and N-stream interface I am not the one who have the problem. Various threads in here show that.

 

I am happy if you can help me to fix point 1 and I can wait for the next update of Upnp and N-stream, for better user interface.

 

Posted on: 02 October 2012 by revmis

Hi all,

 

To update the situation with my SU. SU is almost 2 months now.

 

I add a Cisco small business gigabit switch to the network and now SU can connect through wired. What I can say is the SU not fully compatible with my Buffalo router.

 

Radio paradise is fine with 192kb bit rate, not 320kb, maybe my internet speed is not that good

 

For sever, I set up the HP Microserver running Freenas 8.2 with MiniDNLA as the UPnp, and it still has some problem with playlist/cover art. Probably from the wav files or the Upnp software itself, I'll look into that. But at least it is stable now, SU connects immediately and I can browse music foldera quite fast with the remote control. I do not need to turn on Upnp compatible.

 

Still annoy by the 2-3 seconds "greeting" by N-stream whenever i switch back and forth from Safari to N-stream

Still wish to have the backlit remote. Naim, please think about that. Not everybody wants to fiddle with heavy Ipad for simple volume adjust  or changing the source

Still think that Naim has lots of work to do to improve user experience on N-stream, especially on browsing, playlist management and file compatibility. Ipeng is much more convenient.

 

Thank you

Posted on: 02 October 2012 by Russ

revmis: I am glad you have solved your most pressing issues.  Mine is a week old and I have had no problems with 320 iradio--pretty good ISP I guess.  I have not been brave enough to try streaming yet, but that will come.  Have you noticed any change in the sound quality in two months? 

 

Best regards,

 

Russ

Posted on: 03 October 2012 by revmis
Originally Posted by Russ:

revmis: I am glad you have solved your most pressing issues.  Mine is a week old and I have had no problems with 320 iradio--pretty good ISP I guess.  I have not been brave enough to try streaming yet, but that will come.  Have you noticed any change in the sound quality in two months? 

 

Best regards,

 

Russ

Hi Russ,

 

A few years ago I had an instructor, his name is Russ Gassaway from Chicago

 

Regard the sound quality, I can say it is a very good listening experience.

Point is, i do not know if that's coming from the speaker or the SU.

My speaker is Proac D18, and according to a few folks Proac tends to have long break-in period as well.

Compare to the 1st month of ownership, I believe the system is opening up. Female vocalist sound very sweet, not harsh as before. I am having quite a handful moments of "spine tingling" . You know this feeling, right? sometime I just nod and smile and chuckle

 

Regards,

 

Posted on: 03 October 2012 by naimUnT

revmis, sorry to hear about your hiccups but am glad things are being resolved. 

 

Yes, the SU is Naim's flagship integrated amp streamer. Mine took up to 6 months to really open up so be patient and enjoy the music!

Posted on: 03 October 2012 by Martin Sixsmith

Hello Revmis

 

I am pleased that the worst of your problems appear to be resolved.

 

However, I would agree with your earlier comment that the SU is very picky about routers. I have a Uniti, purchased at the beginning of 2010. The only real problem I have ever had is compatibility with routers. Here in the UK I have had Netgear routers ( via Sky), Thompson routers ( via O2 ) and the ( infamous) BT Home Hub 3. All worked fine with my Sony Blu Ray player, Panasonic TV ( both wired) as well as iPhones, iPads, iMac (all wireless). The only problem was with the Uniti ( wired connection); in particular a failure to connect to iRadio " no Network Connection" or sudden dropouts when listening to iRadio.

The BT Home Hub 3 was the worst offender despite having a fibre optic connection with 45 Mbs download speed. 

In the end, I purchased an Apple AirPort Extreme ( expensive but worth every penny ) and have been problem free ever since.

 

it still does not explain why other equipment, which you can buy for peanuts in the supermarket, worked perfectly with the routers supplied by the various ISP's and the Naim did not.

 

One other complaint is the upgrade process which has been voiced many times on this Forum. Naim really needs to wake up and smell the coffee on this issue - I simply haven't bothered to upgrade since I have a Mac and cannot contemplate the thought of dismantling the Uniti to take it 30km to my local dealer.

 

Otherwise, a super product which has really transformed my listening experience.