Multiroom music, best solution.

Posted by: Brando on 08 June 2013

Hello,

 

I am renovating my apartment and would like to know what would be the best possible way to install multiroom music in the whole apartment?

 

I have read that Naim will introduce that feature in all of their streamers/servers with their new software update. Here is the link:

 

http://www.whathifi.com/news/n...s-naim-radio-station

 

I have HDX and NAIT XS. Will it be possible to get the signal from HDX to another amp or A/V receiver (Pioneer or Yamaha) which can power speakers which will be installed on the ceiling (Klipsch or some other brand). That system is not for audiphile purposes, just to have some music all across the apartment. One room will be dedicated for enjoying the true audio quality with state of the art system by NAIM ;-)

 

Or is there some other better solution?

 

I am new to this multiroom installment so thanks for all of your suggestions!

 

Vlada

Posted on: 08 June 2013 by Bart

Vlada do you want to (A) play the same music at the same time in multiple rooms?  Or (B) just want to be able to play music in more than one room at once.

 

If it's just (B), any UPnP server will do that I'm quite sure.  If it's (B) then yes the next release of the Naim server software will support it.  I am not sure if other servers support it already however.

Posted on: 08 June 2013 by Maxi Me
Sonos I'm pretty sure it will pull the files from your HDX. NaimNet is the obvious, if more expensive, option.
Posted on: 08 June 2013 by NickSeattle

Given that you have the HDX, I would consider adding UnitiQutes or NNP02 units via Ethernet wire, (or wireless, if you must) for "the best possible" results.  I could not get stock-Sonos to sound good enough to want to use it.  I am not a Naim-purist, but Naim does deliver, at a price.

 

Another, perhaps better, lower-tech, high-quality alternative I would consider is to use the Tape Out on your Nait into Aux In on a remote integrated amp or receiver.  If you use a pair of RG6 cables for a long run, there is remarkably little signal loss, and timing differences between zones are eliminated.  

 

I have implemented the RG6 solution to hear my Naim system through my remote B&O system, which sounds better than ever with the Naim system's sources.  With this approach, you get analog sonic benefits from the source components, in my case a Rega Planar3, Naim DAC/555DR and CD555, that would be bypassed in a digital Ethernet solution (if the analog source could be used at all).  I realize ultimate sound quality is not always the top priority in every zone, but why throw away quality if you don't have too?

 

Nick

Posted on: 08 June 2013 by osprey
It seems that the new Naim multiroom solution does not support hi-res replay in all the zones at the same time though. From the Qute specs: "Master: Will stream native quality WAV, FLAC and AIFF (up to 24bit/48kHz), ALAC (up to 16bit/44.1kHz), AAC and MP4 (up to 16bit/48kHz) files only Client: Will play 320kbps MP3 quality only".
Posted on: 08 June 2013 by garyi

So what?

 

Who really needs multiroom party mode in hi res?

 

I really think the whole hi-res thing is a red herring, nothing of interest is being recorded in it and the old stuff is done and done again. Who cares?

Posted on: 08 June 2013 by osprey
Ok, I used the term hi-res a bit loosely. It's actually not even CD quality. But you are right perhaps not the most important thing in the world, only something which I noticed when browsing the Naim site. Someone might be interested.
Posted on: 09 June 2013 by Wazza69

Can NaimNet stream CD or HiRes to all rooms?

 

Thanks

Posted on: 09 June 2013 by osprey
Originally Posted by Wazza69:

Can NaimNet stream CD or HiRes to all rooms?

 

Thanks

 

Again no personal experience but the FAQ at NaimNet web site states:

 

What file formats can I play on my NaimNet system?

We use full bitrate WAV files (44.1kHz, 16bit) when a CD is ripped to our servers and the servers themselves can support sample rates up to 96kHz and sample depths of up to 24bit.

 

Currently we can play back non-DRM'd WAV, MP3, WMA , FLAC and AAC files on the servers.

 

In a Multiroom NaimNet environment only the playback of non-DRM'd MP3 and WAV files is supported on room amplifiers.

Posted on: 09 June 2013 by Phil Harris
Originally Posted by osprey:
Originally Posted by Wazza69:

Can NaimNet stream CD or HiRes to all rooms?

 

Thanks

 

Again no personal experience but the FAQ at NaimNet web site states:

 

What file formats can I play on my NaimNet system?

We use full bitrate WAV files (44.1kHz, 16bit) when a CD is ripped to our servers and the servers themselves can support sample rates up to 96kHz and sample depths of up to 24bit.

 

Currently we can play back non-DRM'd WAV, MP3, WMA , FLAC and AAC files on the servers.

 

In a Multiroom NaimNet environment only the playback of non-DRM'd MP3 and WAV files is supported on room amplifiers.


The StreamNet protocols allow audio data to be streamed as either MP3 compressed or as lossless "WAV" formats ... for file formats other than WAV or MP3 they are uncompressed on the servers and distributed as an uncompressed WAV data stream.

 

If multiple NaimNet zones are playing the same "stream" then all zones will be playing exactly the same source data and so will all be playing at exactly the same quality.

 

Cheers

 

Phil

Posted on: 09 June 2013 by Claus-Thoegersen

As I red the press material the party mode is only for the streamers, so not availabel on hdx/ns/Userve. Sonos is probably a good plan, but remember that the HDX also is a upnp server, so you can stream to any upnp enabled system. If you do not need seperate systems Apple Ipods with docks running Plugplayer is one of the cheaper solutions. I am almost sure Plugplayer can stream in 24 bit and 16 bit is no problem. Only problem here is that hdx local audio and Plugplayer upnp output is not in sync. 

Posted on: 10 June 2013 by Wazza69
So Naim has NaimNet, Uniti Party mode and the N-Serve products for multi room. Pretty confusing, Naim should clarify the capabilities and adv/disadvantage of each in a table.
Posted on: 10 June 2013 by osprey
NaimNet is clearly a custom made turn key solution for fairly large installations (can be seen as a part of building technology or automation). The recently released party mode feature of the streamers is not really an alternative for that.
Posted on: 10 June 2013 by scillyisles

The obvious and most effective solution is Sonos. I have a similar setup with HDX,NDX,NDAC etc etc in my library for main listening which is connected to a 10 zone Sonos system which allows me to listen in any or all of the 10 zones. The system is also interlinked to two B+O systems in a couple of rooms and to an Audiolab system in another room. I even have a Sonos system in the garage which connects into an old Arcam system. It all works great, installation of the Sonos kit is very easy and you can easily support celing/wall speakers with Sonos.

 

Posted on: 11 June 2013 by JeremyB

Long naca5 runs make the best multi room.

Posted on: 04 July 2013 by Ian P

I have a SU in my listening room now, and am mulling over adding something Naimee in the lounge for streaming.

 

I currently use Sonos connected in both places, but now I'm listening on reasonable systems notice small hiccups occasionaly with Sonos (that don't afflict the SU )

 

Read this thread and still very confused!

 

What the heck are my options?

 

And is anybody else using Sonos and noticing the little hiccups I mentioned?

Posted on: 04 July 2013 by Wazza69
Qute will operate just like your SU. New functionality will let one sync up to the other in part mode. The slave will down mix to 320k though.