Pandora, MOG and Spotify… Wakeup Naim!

+1 I'm struggling to decide between a ND5xs and the NDAC + mac mini, etc. though I already have too many boxes.

the main thing holding me back from getting the ND5 is exactly this. I use MOG as my new "radio"

Agreed this would be nice.  In the interim, I am running Spotify on my iPad, and streaming via AirPlay to an Airport Express which, in turn, is connected to my DAC using an OptiChord. This has worked reasonably well for me.  Once every couple of weeks, it will hang or just not play.  But an iPad reboot has resolved the problem every time.

Also, 320kbps is not the world's greatest sound quality, but IMO, it is more than adequate for exploring new music, and deciding which CD's, downloads and/or records to buy.

Hook

Sonos / nDAC, no such issues here.

A few days ago I compared my Dr. Gert Volk modified Sonos ZP90/Naim DC1 RCA straight into the SN digital in vs. same into nDAC/555PS and tbh, I wouldn't spend the extra money, if faced with that choice now, it was that good. At least AIFF files were. Where the nDAC combo was clearly ahead was with 320kbp files or lower. But then that was to be expected...

Hi Jasonf – I’m not suggesting that Naim is deliberately preventing the user from accessing Pandora, MOG, and Spotify but rather, that Naim hasn’t yet offered this feature in their products.   Why?  I have no idea, but merely speculated that perhaps Naim is so focused on sound quality they would rather not expand lower quality features.   Maybe it’s a question of priorities or development cost, but I will not buy a Naim network player until they include this feature.

You are correct that the Naim network players do offer access to “lower quality” internet radio stations.   Perhaps that’s enough in their view, but I would disagree.  Listening to a bunch of random songs, whether over the airwaves or Internet, is not the same as have total control over the music one listens to and having literally millions of tracks to choose from. 

I'm at a loss to understand the lack of access too.

My Uniti (1st generation) quite easily accesses Qobuz and Sony Musicunlimited. You simply select  'Advanced search' then 'PC Sound Capture' then whichever connection method you want (digital out for wired or speaker for wireless) and bingo. Spotify et al work the same way so should be available or, as per latest TVs, has Linn actually built a Spotify app into its streamers?

Andy

I'm sure the integration isn't trivial and its a lot of separate services to keep up with. What if one of the services goes out of business? Then, you need to remove from all your devices. 

But, in my mind, this is all related to what several posts have addressed:

> Lack of nimble updates

> Lack of more open software

> Airplay!

Its just how today's world of "computers" works. Naim is in that world now, whether they like it or not, and I think they need to address how to have a more open architecture to accommodate the endless and unknown set of Apps that will crop up.

I actually think Airplay would satisfy me 100% in this regard. Let Apple (and the various services) deal with all the software and uncertainty. Airplay is like having another form of connection - spdif, etc. But, it would open up a whole world of flexibility for Naim products. It is low quality, but a lot of fun and where the market is heading. I can't believe the UntiLite will be a success without it.

look at the B&W series that launched this week. They are taking a huge bet on Airplay. But, heck, apple jus sold 5 MILLION iphone 5s in 2 weeks.  I think its fair to say that iOS will be around for awhile.

I recently got a UQ to use as a source for streaming and iradio but have kept my sonos purely for spotify. Would be fantastic to have spotify included in a future software upgrade. 

I see a few have mod'd the sonos, does this really improve the quality?

hahahaha. a REAL upnp server running on a PC. Use any player or DAC you want.  thats all i have to say.

Obviously need to be a bit more direct.

You CAN access Spotify on a Uniti, just some people don't know how to do it.

I used Spotify with my Naim DAC using a cheap <£10 Ipod charging dock with usb out connected to the DAC. No good with NDS however. 

Gerry

I don't think you've actually said anything, not that I can make sense of anyway. 

Originally Posted by AndyPat:

       

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Obviously need to be a bit more direct.

You CAN access Spotify on a Uniti, just some people don't know how to do it.

Hi Andy Pat, thanks for that clarity.....that's good news!

Ok then could you please give some more details on how to do it??

Hi Thorben -

There are a few ways of sending Spotify (or other) applications output to a Naim network player.  My favorite method involves two pieces of software:  1) Asset UPnP server, and 2) Wyse PocketCloud (or any other iPad-based remote desktop control app).

Step 1: Install Asset and Spotify on a PC

Step 2: Make sure the PC and your Naim network player are on the same network

Step 3: Use nStream to select Asset / Advanced Search / PC sound capture [WASAPI]

Step 4: Log into PC using PocketCloud, and control Spotify (or other apps)

In this way, it is pretty easy using nStream to go back and forth between playing your stored FLAC (or other format) music files, Internet radio stations, and music apps running on your PC. If your network is working well, you should see very near instantaneous response from PocketCloud.

Running apps on an iPad, and using Airplay to send output to an Airport Express (which is, in turn, is hooked up to your network player's digital input via Toslink) is another option.

Good luck.

Hook

Thanks Hook! Now I got it!

Maybe I will give it a try. At the moment I´m using my iPad as a spotify source which is directly connected to the USB input at the front of the Uniti...

I do have a Airport Express laying around somewhere but there might be to many Wifi handovers which could interfere with sound quality (Router-> iPad -> AE -> Uniti via Toslink).... 

There is a solution to all our problems, both Lo-Fi and Hi-Fi and it is called AirPlay, yep thats how it's done, i am not spending another dime on Naim until they show some effort!

upnp-server, not in a million years..

Just get built in AirPlay so i can stream my whole iTunes library directly from my pc to the Naim product, no middle man..

As a bonus my friends can enjoy Spotify directly from my iPad when they want to listen to any crap-music ;D

Naim is left in the dust as the other have already taken off..