Sound more natural via mac!

Posted by: Kage on 27 May 2014

I've been achieving a difference in sound when playing the same (WAV) file using alternative methods(test done on a number of different tracks too)!
 
What I mean is, using the file browser on my Mac mini to negotiate to my files on my NAS, I can play individual files using the macs own playback facility (not iTunes). I guess I'm using the mac to serve the file from the NAS, to the DAC of the ND5 XS via its digital in with a optical lead. When I play the same file using the ND5 XS streaming across my network, the sound appears deeper in the low end but overly detailed and forward in comparison to the more balanced sound of the same raw file played using the mac. There is definitely a brighter, sharper sound this way.
 
Does the ND5 XS streaming section add a sonic character? Or is it just the difference between computer based and networked based playback? Network leads, switch, NAS make & model-how much do they influence the sound?
 
The ND5 streaming has this sound across most of my music. This is what I've been trying to control/address. Searching and playing individual files on the mac is a tedious way to listen to my music, but at the moment, I prefer it! It's the same DAC I'm using, so what's influencing the sound?
 
Thoughts?
Posted on: 27 May 2014 by hungryhalibut

When I bought my UnitiServe and SuperUniti, I discussed with my dealer how to connect it up. You can either use a digital lead to connect the two, and choose music with nServe, or stream over the network and choose music with nStream. This is directly analogous to the comparison you are making.

 

I was assured that the streaming option was better, and on that recommendation, coupled with the lack of need for an expensive digital cable, I set it up to stream and that was that. But I have no doubt the two options will sound different, as the music is getting from the server to the streamer in two different ways. Streaming should be better, apparently due to the way that the streamer ensures it has  all the data correct before playing it, rather than just playing what it's presented with by the server. It's more complex than that of course, but that's how I understand it.

Posted on: 27 May 2014 by Simon-in-Suffolk

The Naim network players are very good and resolving, especially when directly streaming. I have found providing SPDIF from my Mac  devices into Naim ok, but not as transparent and resolving.

i suspect if the Mac SPDIF stream sounds better but less detailed than TCP stream into the same device and same file, then there might be challenges elsewhere such as room reflections / speaker setup that is being 'excited' by the extra clarity from the TCP stream. It's all about system balance and this equally applies to digital streaming.

This has absolutely been my experience over the years. Look into the  speakers and reflections, and you might find the preference changes.

Simon

Posted on: 28 May 2014 by Kage

Thankyou for your reply Hungryhalibut. If streaming should sound better, why would someone then go and buy a Unitiserve to 'serve' the music to their network device? Having heard the Unitiserve at a shop demo, it's clear what acheives-frequency extentions and even more detail. Sonics seem to become more forward too.

 

Simon, if my system sounds preferable (to an extent) via my mac rather than the ND5 streaming, is there really a problem with my speaker setup? Is it not the case that my speakers and amp are just transparent enough to show what is happening further up-stream? To be honest, I have demo'd lots of speaker brands and I am pretty comfortable with my Compact 7's. They're a bit large, but there's certainly something appealing about them that I haven't heard in anything else. I've tried a few different front ends as well which has highlighted a naim character. Ive had the new supernait2 round mine and I have tried many looms. The only time I was fully content with a naim front end was when I heard the NDS with my Lavardin IS Ref (now IT). The dealer was even surprised how the little Lav. managed with the serious piece of kit feeding it. The music was presented is such a way I was upset! Upset that I could not afford the player. The sound was creamier, less forced, more natural, less digital but displaying all the information needed for a utterly engaging performance.

 

Having a mixed system, I get two different responses to my problems. My dealers who are non-naim seem to think it's a naim front end character issue and the naim dealers who express the opposite stating speaker selection, or synergy issues. One of my dealers, who stocks naim, was shocked to hear I had sold my Wadia and gone back to naim! 

 

I have a naim dealer rep coming round soon to spend some time on my system. It could be a simple setup issue, but I am doubtful after all that I have already been through.

 

Kind regards

 

Posted on: 28 May 2014 by james n

Could be just a system synergy problem - i know what you mean about the differences between the optical connection via a Mac and the streaming. I tried both methods with my old NDX - optical was softer and less focused - a result not for me but if your system errs on the side of brightness / harshness then this could be seen as beneficial. Its not really a good cure though.

 

A couple of ways you could go - 

 

Try out the Chord Hugo which seems to be well regarded - drive it from your ND5XS

Try an XPS on your ND5XS

Move away from a Naim  - with your speakers and amp, i'd try the Devialet option which may work for you. 

Posted on: 28 May 2014 by Pev

Comparing optical from the pc with upnp streaming from the same source to my Superuniti, upnp sounds slightly but consistently better to me. Not a huge difference but worthwhile.

Posted on: 28 May 2014 by Bart
Originally Posted by Kage:

If streaming should sound better, why would someone then go and buy a Unitiserve to 'serve' the music to their network device?

 

I think you have a failure of nomenclature here.  'Serve the music to the[ir] network device' refers to streaming.  If you mean why would someone connect a uServe directly to a dac . . . it may well be because (a) they do not have an ethernet network at home and do not want to lay cables along the floor, and/or (b) because it still sounds VERY good.