Why isn't UPNP Universal nor Plug and Play?

Not a stupid question, and yes you can control your Naim Player with dozens of servers and control points.  There is ZERO need for any software from Naim.

I would go with a Media Player that you can use as a server such as JRiver Media Center.  Then use either the player on a laptop/desktop, WebGizmo on any device with a browser, use the great iOS app JRemote, or Gizmo on Android.

This is just one method.  There are plenty of others.

-Patrick

Oh, my dog... I had no idea. Maybe I can even find some app that will actually display the lyrics, which nStream can't do! Brilliant!!!

30 day fully functioning trial awaits you!

IMO, the advantages of nStream are 1) Naim network player and preamp control (volume, source selection), 2) ROVI access, and 3) multi-room/party mode.

Any UPnP control point software should work equally well for selecting and playing music.

Hook

1) that is what an IR remote is for.... get a harmony.

2) no clue what that is.

3) JRiver will take care of any kind of multi-zone playback you want.

-p

Patrick, the reason I don't think the difference is ZERO, is because nStream is the only controller (I am aware of) that manages the Naim automation, and that loads the current playlist into the Naim streamer memory. This latter point means the controller can sleep, be switched off and your album still plays. Controlling my 282 NAC (and NDAC)  via NStream is useful and allows you to banish the remote control for most things and control everything from the iPad.

however if there is another UPnP controller than can do this I would be interested.

Simon

Bubble upnp (a control point which achieves what Naim can't and works on Android) has a plug in that can display lyrics. I can't switch inputs or seek within track or display Radio Paradise info but it can adjust the volume. There is software (Namote?) that can do the other bits which is produced by a member of this forum. If Nstream worked for Android I'd use it but if lyrics are important to you then Bubble is worth a (free) try.

Until Naim either open up to other developers or up their software development game from its current pitiful level of performance it's about choosing the compromise that most closely fits your needs.

Volume control?  Ok, maybe im missing something here, but i can not figure out how to use tn-stream to control the volume?

1) No thank you. Line of sight IR is not nearly as easy to use as a network-connected iPad. I've used a Harmony One for many years in my home theater, and love one day to replace it with an iPad app.

2) ROVI is a database that nStream provides access to (artist/album info, reviews, suggestions of similar artists, and so on).  I enjoy having easy access to this info.

3) I used JRMC for about a year before switching to UPnP and nStream.  I'll take your word that it does multi-room well.  Similar to Sonos, Naim's implementation appears limited to all-Naim setups.

n-stream is also, and specifically, required for support of on-device playlists (gapless playback, multi-client access), though (at the moment?) access is limited to one (tunneling) control point client at a time (kill app on device A, launch app on device B).

1) With the new Smart Hub (with or without IR blasters) line of sight is a thing of the past.  I dont use the IR blasters, and the Hub @ is about 20' away from components.  No need to point the remote anymore.  I will always have a remote for watching TV.  No apps or iOS devices for that please.  Tedious and slow.

1a) I find using an iOS device for anything but selecting music to be a pain in the booty (I feel the same about selecting music with a remote).  I am not going to open up an app to bump the volume a bit, or to pause etc....  I find the Harmony remote which is always on the table or couch, is MUCH quicker and easier.

2) Sounds cool!  But there are similar options with JRemote.  Info comes from LastFM.

3) Multi-zone works fantastically with JRiver/JRemote.  Plus you can have many controllers connected at a time.  I have had 4 people controlling the server at a time without issue.

-p

What is Naim Automation?

If you use an app that controls the server (like JRemote), you can shutdown the control point (be it laptop, iOS, computer that runs the server, etc) and the server will continue to send the playlist.  That is nothing special at all.

What are people controlling with the NStream app besides volume?  (FYI, there is volume on JRemote app).

Playlists?  JRemote will do anything you want there.  Make one, edit one, play one, etc...

I just don't think people (like the OP) know there are other options out there (that are worlds better) for controlling their Naim Streamers.

-Patrick

What are you using for a server these days?

-Patrick

Asset UPnP running a small DIY PC server.  Music is on a QNAP NAS.  The beta version of Asset for QNAP works great, but I'll wait for the production release before migrating off of the PC.  

Asset has been rock solid for me -- easy to set up, extremely reliable, zero hassles.

Hi Patrick, the Naim automation includes volume control as well as input selection for the NAC, NDAC  and NDX.

Therefore on my  Nstream I can select my NAT03 tuner, my SkySTB, my AppleTV, web radio, UPnP  etc as well as volume and mute all by a single selection on my NStream. The automation sequences several devices. Therefore if I am switching from tuner to NDX UPnP into my. NDAC , the NAC input changes, the NDAC digital input changes, and the NDX goes into UPnP mode and activates as a UPnP renderer. Finally the NDX display shows the current mode. Therefor if using my NAT03, it shows ' FM Radio ' on its display, or whatever string I want to display.

If I use other UPnP controllers, I can control volume at best and most UPnP functions, but nothing else.

BTW I agree Asset UPnP is great. I run mine now on my tiny Raspberry Pi. It just works.

Simon

Hey buddy,

that is exactly what a Harmony does, much easier and faster.  A standard ir/rfi remote is a must in any integrated world.  The tablet/iOS method is not practical for basic functions (yet).

When you walk in a room you dont want to have to bust out the iPhone to adjust volume, unlock a door, or lower the blinds.  "One ring to rule them all" just doesn't apply to technology.  I would rather have a dedicated switch for any quickly needed items, e.g volume.

-patrick

Is NStream your only option for a control point?  Can the Pi be seen as a "client"?

-p

You need to switch on the system automation (see sections 2.11 System Automation and 4.9 The System Automation Menu in the manual).

where can I get a Raspberry Pi ?

Uncle Google says: http://www.raspberrypi.org

Various online shops (e.g. Amazon) have also bundle offers (kits including all required components).

Minimserver, on a Synology NAS, transcode flac- wav24, N-Stream, switch PC off = win.

And can I control it with something other than N-Stream? Because that's the whole point of this thread I want to control it (i.e. browse the database, choose the song, build song lists, etc.) from a Windows laptop and my wife's MacBook and an iPad using 3rd party software, not N-Stream which: a) works only on the iPad, b) doesn't display lyrics...

Bubble UPnP server is worth a look.  I used to use it before I got N-Stream on the iPad.