ND5xs/n-Stream issues

I blame WMP.

Try Asset for upnp server

Dear Alco,

Sorry to hear what you are writing. I knew you would get the ND5XS somewhe this week and was hoping for one of your thorough reviews on the SQ.

i have my ND5XS for a year now working wired with Assett. I can definately recommend Assett, just start with the free version.

in my profile is my email address. If I can help you with anything, just drop me a note with you phone nr, and I give you a call today to help out.

I speak the same native language like you.

iver

Thanks for your suggestions Aleg and Iver,

I just Googled Asset.  It seems I can only try Asset free for 30 days.

(don't want/can't buy anyting I'd have to pay for by Credit-card/pay-pal,etc) 

Btw,...SQ is reasonable, but I'm fully confident that'll improve over a few weeks time. (currently my SB Touch still sounds better)

Alco

Alco,

would it be an idea to download and use Assett just for this month to at least test and burn in the ND5XS. In the meantime the is time to sort out WMP and check the issues there.

also please doublecheck the Dbpoweramp website. I have used Assett free for almost a year. I still think there is a free version. Only recently I purchased the full version which comes with playlist and some stuff, but the free version basically suites everything you need.

iver

Ok, I'll try that for now Iver, thanks!

Sorry, but after downloading/installing Asset I quickly decided to remove it!

I probably downloaded it from a wrong site or something.

As a free 'gift' I also got a nasty toolbar to go with it.

Tried to 'turn back time' in system recovery (systeem herstel), but too late...
 

I'll try my luck later tonight. Have to go now...

Cheers,

Alco

Hi Alco -

Your finances are your own business, but...

Paypal does not require a credit card.  It is a form of electronic funds transfer that works like a debit card.  The money goes directly from your bank account to an online retailer.  Illustrate for example, the company that sells Asset, accepts payment via Paypal.

+1 to what Iver recommends -- he knows what he is talking about.  Asset is rock-solid, as you can prove to yourself during a trial period before purchasing.

Quick edit - just saw your last post - you should only download from dbpoweramp dot com, and not a 3rd-party web site.

ATB.

Hook

PS - Remember that at its core, nStream is merely displaying whatever your UPnP server is providing.  In the same way a CD player doesn't do very well with a scratched disc, a network player doesn't do well with incorrect or incomplete data.  Pair nStream with a good UPnP server, and you will be very happy with the results.

PPS - Short answers to some of your questions...

1. n-Stream doesn't show cover-art.

==> That's a UPnP server issue -- cover art is either embedded within a music file, or comes from a seperate file called folder.jpg with the album folder.

2. n-Stream doesn't show all artists. (when browsing 'artist', from A-Z)

==> Sounds like your UPnP server is in the process of building its database, and hasn't completed?  Like Iver says, WMP is not reliable.

3. n-Stream doesn't show all albums from a certain artist/band.

===> Same answer as 2

4. When switchin from UPNP to I-radio, it immediately starts to play a station.

===> When you turn on a radio, don't you expect it to play music from your last selected station? What's the problem?

5. Sometimes the ND5xs doesn't connect to a USB-stick.

===> Some USB sticks are crap.  Find a brand that works, and buy more of those.

6. Sometimes the app works slow or even freezes.

===> Sounds like a network issue.  Note that nStream will work slightly slower if UPnP compatibility mode is enabled.  Unless you are forced to do so, leave this option unchecked.  Not trying to be mean here, but my network is fast and reliable...and so nStream (and any other app that I use that depends on a solid network infrastructure) is fast and reliable.  Do you have a good wireless router?  Do you have a switch connected to your router?  Is your network player and your NAS connected to that same switch?  The only wireless component should be your iPad.

PPS - I hope you take Iver's kind offer of assistance -- good luck!

Hey hello Hook,

great write up !

am I correct that the basic version of Assett can still be used without trial period ? As said, I only recently purchased the full version (indeed Paypal, secure and safe) of Assett. I was looking for more functionality with PlayLists and got that with the full version.

cheers,

Iver

Hi Iver -

Yep.  If you go under products/asset and hit "learn more", there's a download section for the various Windows trial versions.  The beta Mac version is not there -- it's out on the forum under Asset for Mac.

Good luck with Alco!

Hook

Ouch Alco, this is not a great start! I hope you got rid of that toolbar, those are annoying. Did you try uninstalling from Add/remove? You can also try Spybot, Malaware etc. as well.

I love my SBT/DAC/XPS2 streaming front-end. May I ask why you changed? Someone mentioned you can use the Logitech software to serve the Naim streamers, did you try that?

Arun

Alco,

just install Foobar, it's free and add your music folder(s) in Foobar. Then instal upnp for Foobar and there you go. That way I used ND5XS when I demoed it at home and it worked flawlessly that way without any problem you mentioned.

good luck,

Oz

@Iver & Hook,

Thanks VERY much!  I reïnstalled the trial version of Asset and...it works!

All the artists joined the party again, with all the albums I had and with cover-art!

At first it was still a bit slow, but thanks to your suggestion Hook (leave UPnP compatibility mode enabled) it now works lightning fast.

I'm still a little suspicious/unsure about that Pay-pal stuff, but will probably check it out later. First I wanna enjoy the fact that it's now working.

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@Arun:

The Toolbar is gone.

I also still like my SBT, and (for now) slightly prefer the Ipeng app, over n-Stream.

I haven't tried to use the Logitech software to serve the ND5xs. Might check that out later. Thanks! 

I must confess that the only reason for changing to the ND5xs is the synergy between Naim source and amp components, both visually and sonically. (and I like the option to play music from USB-sticks)

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@Lightkeeper:

Thank you, I might try Foobar when my Asset trial period expires. 

I haven't tried to use the Logitech software, so that's another optrion to try. 

All in all,... it looks like this weekend ends better than it started! 

Thank you very much guys for your help! Really appreciate it.

Cheers,

Alco

Hey Alco,

good news ! Happy for you. 

Interested to read your thoughts on the ND5XS an its SQ. Maybe after a week or two, you could gaveussome of your insights ?

cheers mate,

Iver

I'm glad to give some report about its sound-quality, Iver.

At this moment sq is reasonable. It's good, but my bare SBT sounds better!

(the ND5xs sounds a bit restrained, lacking a bit of attack and transparency)

I'm quite confident that'll dissapear within the next few weeks or so.

regards,

Alco

Hi Alco,

I almost thought you would never step into the Naim streamers! Have fun with your ND5X!

Regards,

Michel

Alco,

you can also play from a USB stick using your SBT. It is one of its major features.

I am also a very happy SBT listener. iPeng and all its functionallities still beats them all.

Why don't you use your Logitech Media Server with UPnP enabled as a server for your NDX?

quote:

you can also play from a USB stick using your SBT. It is one of its major features.

Only in theory Pinkhamster. Imho it's one of its major flaws!
I've used several USB-sticks with my SBT and none of 'em worked.  
(also it's quite unpractical as the USB-input is on the back of the unit)

quote:

Why don't you use your Logitech Media Server with UPnP enabled as a server for your ND5Xs?

If that's possible, I'd love to do that PH, but...I don't know how to. 

Thanks Michel and Fred40.  (I can live with 2 weeks)

Btw, I just noticed 2 things about using Asset. (1 good, 1 minor)

1. The volume level seems to be lower, compared to using WMP as a server. (good)

2. When I select a track from an album I get a pop-pup menu, with the following options:

'Play this track'

'Play from this track on'

'Next in waiting line' 

'end of waiting line'

'put in new playlist'

'ignore' 

(note: I get the above menu displayed in Dutch. Tried to translate as good as possible)

I just like the track to play, when I hit it, not select 'play this track' from a menu.
(I don't/will never use the play-list options) 

Hi Alco,

concerning 2.), this is standard nStream functionality. Just hit "play this track" and it starts playing.

LMS indeed works as a UpnP provider. If youvhave your audio files on a NAS, you can go to the admin console of the NAS and start the LMS services. If it runs on your laptop, just go to LMS in your start up. There should be some admin module, where you can start the service. Via nStream you will see the ND5XS automatically detects all UpnP providers from which you can simply select the one yo prefer.

Good luck,

iver

Hmm....good things never come easy it seems.

A new issue introduced himself...

As soon as I select a track to play, I now get the message 'Waiting line full - 0 tracks added'.  Can't play anything after that...

Iver.... that sounds very interesting!  I just sent you an email.

(have to hit my bed now... tomorrow it's early day again and a long working week ahead)

Thanx y'all, for giving this nagging old fart some hope again.  

Good night,

Alco

Just wanted to let y'all know that everything seems to work fine now!

Iver was kind enough to give me a call, and guide me through the process step by step. I'm very grateful for his help and patience! 

This afternoon I installed LMS and the ND5xs immediately recognized it as a UPNP server.

(uninstalled my previous Squeezebox-Server software first, but LMS has the same lay-out)

It can be my imagination, but I even get the idea that the ND5xs is already sounding a little better than 2 days ago. (I'm using I-radio on low volume to run in the ND5xs every night and (work)day.

During the first hours the sound was slow, shut-in, lacking transparency and sparkle.

(my bare SBT sounded better already!) Now it sounds at least on a par with the SBT and in some cases better.... Can't wait to hear what it'll sound like in a few weeks time! 

So,...it looks iike my horror start with the ND5xs got a happy ending. 

Cheers,

Alco

@Iver, well done! It's fantastic for you to help a fellow streamer in this way. always read your posts with interest.

@Alco, the UPnP server plus network I think are the 2 most important things for the naim streamer. Oh, and the ripping format/quality of course. Once this is sorted there is no looking back. The nd5 only gets better with use. It's a wonderful machine. Mine has been on for the last 3-4 days and it just produces beautiful music. Enjoy.

ATB, Anton

Hey guys,

good we sorted things out, And LMS is working now. Alco feels comfortable with LMS and that is perfectly fine.

However talking to Alco, I agreed with him that a little "quick guide how to use nStream" might be usefull. I have been using the app for over a year now and everything seems so obvious now, that it is difficult to explain to somebody just start using the app. However I am convinced that after 2 weeks playing around, nStream will have no secrets left !

iver

Thanks Anton,

Btw, I did just notice 1 little flaw...  when using LMS as UPNP server, and playing some albums on a USB-stick, it now doesn't show cover-art anymore and with each track the artist/band is displayed before the tracktitle. 

(so, like...'3-Nils Lofgren-Some must dream', instead of just '3-Some must dream')

Not a major problem though...

regards,

Alco