n-Stream Album Details worthless for Classical

Hi Dungassin -

Does turning on UPnP Compatibility in nStream have any effect?

Hook 

Other than to make everything slower, no.  Actually I should say that the track now playing has added the info as to which server is running, but I already know that and certainly don't need to be reminded!  Just going back in now to turn that mode back off.

Well, at least by trying Compatibility Mode, you have confirmed what TJ said:   nStream isn't doing anything to prevent you from seeing the tag info that Asset is presenting.

I used to think that was always the case with nStream, but learned recently there are exceptions.  For example, nStream reorders the Artist list alphabetically, even if your UPnP server presents it in a different order ("The Beatles" under "B").  Unfortunately, this now only works in Compatibility Mode.

Good luck figuring out why your composer and year tag info isn't making it to nStream.

Hook

Some of us are still waiting for an Android app 

Why not switch to an iPad? They are excellent .... 

IPads are are twice as costly as an Android equivalent, don't have USB or HDMI ports and don't allow you to use SD cards to expand your storage; so yes please - get on with the Android version!

RaceTripper, if it makes you feel better, I was in the same boat and I've already made my decision. 

I got so frustrated with the shaky n-stream and upnp integration with my MAC that sold my ND5XS.  I got the ND5XS to simplify and improve my digital playback (critical listening is on my maxed-out LP12).  I wanted to stream my ALAC iTunes library of about 3-400 CDs, enjoy internet radio, better DAC for movies (through my Arcam DVD and Apple TV) and control input/volum through the iPad. 

While the sound quality was superb, my usual listening routine involved grabbing the iPad (n-stream doesn't recognize the ND5XS), rebooting the ND5XS (n-stream sometimes recognizes the ND5XS), rebooting the ND5XS again, switching to internet radio (signal drops every few seconds), lowering the volume (n-stream doesn't recognize the ND5XS), rebooting the iPad, rebooting the ND5XS, repeat... At some point this simply seemed silly to me and really not what I intended and I've tried several upnp servers for my MAC. 

Needless to say--and I'm pretty computer savvy so I can solve most simple computer/network issues myself-- I didn't have artwork, the albums were a mess, and the entire experience was very frustrating.  Switching back to the Apple Remote app through the Apple TV --> pure joy (again, I don't have that many classical albums on iTunes so I didn't mind your issues that much).

So I ended up selling the ND5XS.  Instead, I'm now debating between getting:  (1) a Mac Mini and a Naim DAC (my dealer says no, although I do feel this is the way to go for me --> great video quality, good sound quality, and I'm pretty sure at some point Apple will start selling albums on ALAC instead of 256k MPs); or (2) an Arcam rLink so I can use the Apple TV is my main digital source until until all things streaming settle down. 

I recognize that getting a UnitiServe + NDS + PS will probably resolve my issues but I have too much money tied up to the system as it is and I can't justify spending so much on a digital.

B

Wow....I could have written this post exactly! Same for me. Reboot this, restart that, hope things work. It's is so much easier spinning vinyl. Even the turntable setup has been far less time consuming than getting the ND5 to work.

In my office system I have a Squeezebox Touch and an Arcam rLink. Every once in a while, the SBT crashes and reboots itself, but that is rare. Otherwise, it works beautifully. The interface and remote software has none of the problems I have with the ND5, UPnP and remote. The Logitech Media Server has been entirely a set it , start it, and forget it affair.

I am also thinking about selling my ND5, and replacing it with another SBT and rLink. With the left over cash, I may upgrade my NAC202 to a secondhand NAC282.

Pretty sad that a $500 Logitech/Arcam solution works so much better than my $3500 Naim streamer.

I love my SBT. A Naim may sound better, but usabilty is SO good with the SBT. And as for classical music: I have an add-on called 'Custom Browse' for the LMS, which makes EVERYTHING possible. Just great.

It is non the less quite a drag to be on top of one's tags. Every time something new comes in it needs to be properly tagged in a consistent manner. I go through this hassle and am rewarded with the literal 'music at the tip of my finger'.

Same here. Whenever I get new classical music, I go through the steps of correcting all the broken tags. The mistypings, the incorrect info, the bad organization, ad nauseum.

I will grab the "Custom Browse" add-on for my LMS. Thanks for the tip.

Since digital is a small part of my listening and even less for critical listening, the ND5 is overkill for me anyway.

The ND5 was a complete overkill for me.  I'll probably get the rLink next week and call it a day, at least for now.

With an AppleTV? FWIW: I have higher quality audio (24/88, 24/96, 24/192) and iTunes/AppleTV won't handle it.

In my case, I also don't won't to use iTunes for streaming.

SBT into DAC/XPS2 is great. I now have an SBT in the bedroom as well. Yes, one will reboot itself on the rare occasion but nothing else has gone wrong with either of them. They work perfectly and the Logitech streaming software was so easy to setup and install...of course, once only!

Tripper,

Keep an eye out for JRiver Media Center for MacOS.  Is the answer to all of your ills.  The database searching and tagging is second to none.  It is by far the most powerful media program out there.... and not only for audio.

Cheers,

Patrick

Thanks, Patrick. I will keep an eye out for it.

Question to Naim: 

Have you ever thought to build a NAIM SERVER APP?

An application that can be installed on a server and works like a media center, without having a NAIM SERVER

I'm thinking about JRiver or Sonata: amazing media center!

This could be really useful for all of us that have NDX or NDS but doesn't need a NAIM SERVER.

This will be the cherry on the cake for all the NAIM enthusiast!

Please advise

F

You mean 'package the Windows XP software that runs on the HDX/US and sell it' ?

Babies and bathwater come to mind, let alone the outcry from all those Mac enthusiasts. And if folks complain about the challenges of doing software upgrades to streamers, imagine the things that could go wrong installing software on some variously configured PCs... not the kind of nightmare any sane marketing manager is going to entertain. 

OK, so Microsoft do it quite often, but they're bigger than Naim.

I was thinking of the NAIM DESKTOP CLIENT ( the app for the Naim Server that already exists) that can recognize a SERVER MEDIA FOLDER without having the NAIM SERVER 

For sure I'm not a PC / MAC programmer but I don't think I'm crazy.

Am I wrong?

Orfeo, I wasn't meaning to poo-poo the idea, but just give my thoughts on the commercial viability.

No prob

TJ, NAIM 

do you have any POV?