Will NDX Support FLAC Files From a 1TB USB Hard Drive?

YES

Great!  Now it all boils down to the SN2 living up to it's reputation.

The guy I bought my Harbeth 30.1's from told me I should go to Naim.

Bud

I thought you were hanging on to your Bryston source ?

Well, I've done some research on the Naim streamers and if they would work for me, I could reduce the complexity and cost of my system even more.  If I'm going to downsize, I need to be serious about it.

I wouldn't make the switch without trying a streamer first.

Bud

FLAC files are fine but I'm not sure you can just plug a 1tb usb drive into the front of an NDX and use it like that. It may work but there may be issues. Best to check first if this is what you envisage doing. Across a network it will be fine of course.

My Bryston digital music player accepts six USB inputs and has an internal hard drive as well.  I have both the 1TB drive plugged in as well as a couple of flash drives.  The BDP-2 handles it all.

Although I do have a iPAD Air, I would prefer to use my laptop to control things.  The BDP supports both.

I will progress carefully before making a big jump.

Bud

Strange is it may seem, a top level preamp will improve your source. The SN2 has this effect, due to the quality of its preamp section and discrete regulated power supply. The BDP-2 might be better than you think !

If you plan on streaming, then be sure to use an UpNp software that transcodes to WAV. Not sure about the NDX, but I know with my UQ it was like a 'whoa, they finally delivered the stereo' kind of moment when I loaded minimserver to my Vortexbox and set it to transcode from FLAC to WAV.  Huge difference, like a veil being lifted. Maybe it's the lack of replay gain tags, or whatever, but it really made a huge difference. The bass was really boomy before (to the point I wanted new speakers pronto) and now is tight and detailed. Of course with a SN2 and NDX you'll have even more of everything!

 I'm aware just how good the BDP-2 is.  In fact, I'd assume I'd be giving up some sound quality moving from the BDP-2/BDA-2 to a Naim streamer.  It's just that I'd like to simplify things with fewer boxes, cables, etc.

Bud

Thanks for the tip.  If I did go to a Naim Streamer, there are some things not available with the Bryston BDP-2

Bud.

Naim software for controlling the streamers doesn't run on a laptop. However, a forum member has developed an application for this purpose (inputs and volume control) :

https://forums.naimaudio.com/to...-uniti-inputs?page=1

If, instead, you choose to go to a Naim server (for example UnitiServe into a DAC), you can use nServe for Mac to control the server from a laptop, but not volume.

Yes, I have a house full of Macs.  Mac Pro, iMac and Retina MacBook Pro.  Thanks for that information.  That's one more thing I can cross off my list of questions.

Bud

Hi Leatherneck,

I believe the official line on Naim streamers is that they "support" USB flash memory devices (like thumb drives) but not USB hard drives.  Now, I don't think that means an NDX won't play from them at all, but there may be issues of some sort, in which case Naim aren't going to help you out -  as would be the case if it was a faulty product for instance.

I would actually question why you would contemplate giving up such a potentially fantastic source as the Bryston.  A number of other people on here have "downgraded" to one box solutions and I suppose I'm saying I just don't get it.  How is it simpler ?  Something that is working well today, sounding great, and doing what you want it to do, through control interfaces you like, is..... ideal.  No ?

I do concede that in Naim systems the box count can have a tendency to "spiral out of control", but even then, if it's all neatly racked what's the problem ?  Personally I would never compromise on sound quality by reducing boxes, unless there was some other huge benefit like say having everything in file format rather than a 1,000+ CDs for example.  Even ditching the cables has me scratching my head, if they are of fine quality.  You will still need cable ?

Anyway that's just my feelings. The SN2 sounds like a fine choice based on all the reviews and forum feedback.

Best of luck with it,

K

+1 for Charlesphoto's view that transcoding to WAV is the best option. Just sounds better. Don't convert the files to WAV, leave them as FLAC and transcode on the fly.

Also, forget the USB drive and get a NAS. Run Minimserver on it and sit back with a glass of wine and a great big smile.

You could also consider a SuperUniti, instead of the Supernait 2, into which you could plug the USB drive directly.  One box, one app–no computers required.  (In theory, you need not even bother with a network; you could operate the unit strictly with the supplied IR remote.)

If, at a later point, you decide to utilize a networked storage device as a media server, you can migrate the contents of your drive onto the storage device.

(Edited - oops, you already bought the Supernait 2.)

I agree with you.  Any change I make will be a downgrade in both SQ and versatility.  I need to keep that Bryston source.

I do think the SN2 is worth a try and I got it for a great price.  If it works out, I will save some money and replace three boxes with one.

If not,  I'll get my money back.

The SN2 will arrive today and I'm ready to plug it in using Naim speaker cables and driven by the BDA-2.

Bud

That's another good tip.  However, I'm having second thoughts about giving up my BDP-2/BDA-2 for a Naim streamer.  If I can arrange a trial then I'll do it, otherwise, I may stand pat with the Bryston front end.

Bud

Yup, it arrives here today. 

Bud

You can stream wirelessly or wired via router (music files stored on your external drive and served via N-Stream app)... however if you are planning to plug your 1 TB drive into the USB port on the front of the NDX... this won't work. That USB port will only accept USB flash drives formatted in FAT32... so for practical purposes you are limited to a 16BG flash key.

That is my understanding at least... I've tried this with my SU and it didn't work... USB keys work fine as long as they don't exceed 32 GB storage capacity.

I've used FAT32 portable hard disk drives over 32GB with the Uniti in the past;  the bigger issue is media scanning speed....

Interesting... will dig up an old external drive and try it. 

+1 to the media scanning speed... especially for hi res 24/96, 24/192 files

Hi Leatherneck.

I'm not aware of the equipment you already own nor of the sound quality that you're used to experiencing as I'm learning about the equipment as I go.

My two penneth is that in December I bought a SN2 and NDX along with a Synology NAS. Once I'd got it working (it's not hard but I'm slightly dyslexic) it produced a great sound by my ears and that improved when I added a pair of Neat Momentum 4i's. When I did the research I concluded that even with a well loaded USB drive running the NDX with the remote control would be frustrating. As soon as the iPad was added with n-Stream control improved markedly. The only comment I would make about the Synology is that as you might expect it does rely upon the  meta data being correct so a bit of work is required but at least the indexing is done on the fly rather than as a separate operation.

I have an all Bryston system and use Cardas Clear cables.  The speakers are Harbeth 30.1's.

I just got a SuperNait 2 today and we've been listening for a while.  It's beginning to sound pretty good.

If we're convinced that the SN2 can replace my Bryston amp and preamp.  I'll recoup a good sum of money, especially if I sell the Cardas speaker and interconnects that support it.

I've been considering replacing my Bryston digital music player and DAC with an NDX.  I'm cooling to the idea.  I'm convinced that both the BDP-2 and BDA-2 are better than the NDX.  The BDP-2 has a more powerful processor, more memory and supports up to 6 USB 3 drives plus an internal SSD drive. 

I can use my laptop to create playlists on the fly.

The BDA-2 supports balanced digital inputs and balanced outputs.

That doesn't mean I wouldn't like to try an NDX to see how it sounds. 

One thing that gives me pause is if I know a Naim device will sound better with an external power supply, I'll wind up spending a lot of money and adding more boxes.

First I have to decide if I'll keep the SuperNait 2.

Bud

I use a 1.5 TB portable USB hard drive with my ND5XS without problem. (as a backup to my NAS)

You should use a drive with it's own power supply..

Format to FAT32.

Note windows won't format greater than 32GB in FAT32,  but you can download a 3rd party formatter.

It took about 10 seconds to format the full 1.5TB in my disk.

Copy on your FLAC files, in a meaningful folder structure,  as you will need to use folder view to navigate your music.

simple as that.

FF

There would be only one reason to switch from my Bryston digital music player to something like the NDX and that is sound quality.  Otherwise, the BDP-2 allows me to plug in up to six USB 3 hard drives or flash drives as well as install an SSD inside of it.

I currently have two flash drives and two 1TB hard drives plugged into it.  It also allows me to create playlists with the BDP-2 rather than doing it in advance.

When things settle down, I'm going to arrange to try an NDX and sound quality will govern the decision.

Bud