Naim streaming system

People just want things handed to them on a plate these days (am I sounding old?). Research skills are going out the window......

Well, I really think you should speak to a dealer quite honestly. They'll give you a better view of how it all fits together - and more importantly give you a demo. Lots of dealers carry both Naim and Linn, so you should be able to compare.

But, somewhat against my better judgement:

1) Depends, there are lots of options. The Uniti range is the simplest, but there are options 'above' that.

2) Yes, I use Minimserver. The Unitiserve is an excellent option but certainly not compulsory.

3) Depends on the system, but adding Unitiqutes is straightforward for multi-room.

4) Yes

4 again) Yes

5) Yes

6) Yes

7) Can share fine, no different from Linn

8) I don't work for Naim so I won't represent them here. Both Linn and Naim are very reputable manufacturers, and many people have both at home. The only sensible answer is to demo them both.

9) Yes

I hope this helps a bit, but I strongly recommend you speak to a dealer and get a demo.

If multiroom feature is important it might be a good idea to start by reading the description of multiroom & party mode from the Naim main site first in order to find out the basics. There are a few limitation which might be worth of mentioning:

• NDS (Naim's current top network player) is not compatible
• the file format used for multiroom is 320kbps MP3
• up to four clients can be added

Thanks -  to the first poster, the point we were trying to make (without upsetting the Niam people) is that it's not easy at all to work out what a Naim system top end looks like from the Niam web site - there seems to be several power supply options (without any idea of why this is optional).    The linn web site is relatively simple they list the systems they do and what goes into those systems. 

Generally I agree that a dealer is the best person to ask but am trying to understand the options before we get to that point.  we've found that knowing a bit about the kit before you speak to them is better than being completely in the dark.

The fact that the linked systems does not include the high end system and only uses MP3 raises concerns - why would we buy a high end system and only use it for rendering in the main room - the linn system distributes the sound to the network and from there the other (lower spec) renderers came play the distributed source ?  Sounds like a big flaw in the design....

Cheers.

Welcome lscb2014, sorry to hear about the loss of your current music set-up, I'd be most upset if I lost my rather modest Naim Uniti based equipment. I think all your qs have been answered. I would get your signal cabling checked out if you haven't already, my ex Naim dealer also sold the full Linn range but I found the sound a little too blanched for my taste when comparing kit at the same price level.

Just to clarify the clients can play hi-res material as indipendent players (from the same server) but not simultaneously in sync through several (all) zones i.e. the MP3 limitation is only valid when multiroom & party mode is used.

Greetings Iscb, and I too am sorry to hear that you have to replace your system.

The Naim website answers quite a few of your questions.

The NDS is Naim's top-of-the-line player.  On the Naim website, it is stated that the NDS (like all other Naim players) is, "UPnP-enabled to stream audio files from any hard disk server such as HDX or UnitiServe, network attached storage (NAS) or laptop/computer via the home network."  So yes, you can use any UPnP server as a source, including MinimServer.

Internet radio?  The website states, "vTuner 5* full service internet radio."

iOS apps?  The website states . . . well you get the idea.

At present, simultaneous multi-room playback is limited to lossy formats.  But one can have multiple Naim players in different rooms and play music served from the same UPnP-compatible server at full resolution, up to 24/192 presently, I am pretty sure.

Good luck in your decision-making process!

It does seem a little odd that someone able to spend £50,000 lacks the ability to undertake some basic research before coming to the Forum with an extensive list of questions. 

So, what would I get if I had £50k to spend on Naim? An NDS/555ps as source. A 552. A 500. That's £50k. But there are no speakers. So, buy exdem for 20% off and £10,000 appears for speakers of one's choice. Maybe Naim's Ovator 600, or maybe Kudos Titans, Neats, B&W, maybe PMC Fact 12.

Then, for other rooms, a couple of UnitiQutes with suitable speakers.

But..... I'd then have six large black boxes to compare with the Exakt's one. Hmm, tricky. I may also look at Chord, who make a very nice streamer with built in preamp - just add a power amp.

I think at that point I'd use my finger to press buttons on the phone, and book an appointment at a suitable dealer who could set up such a system in my home.

Experienced users have valuable input, but "is there an iPhone app" revealed his need for more, shall we say, basic, info. 

Now the greedy dealer would have told him that Android support and AirPlay support are due any minute now.

I think I would prefer to give the starter of this thread the benefit of a doubt that he/she may have suddenly considered Naim as a possible options but would like some quick answers. I am sure he/she knows what is it like researching the web. 

On a related note, I do agree as a matter of fact even as a Naim user that Naim website lacks the ability to sell the products at different levels as a system. The layout is such that it does individual product information sharing very well but not how different sets can be configured for different levels of appreciation. The fact that it has many functionally similar product (eg NDX vs ND5XS) doesn't help either. 

Theres nothing here at the Klimax DS / Kontrol / 350A price point.