(insert swear word here) USB Sticks

Posted by: Lewis on 29 November 2014

I bought myself a nice little Kensington Data Traveller DT Micro USB stick with the idea to save a load of music onto it, and have it inserted in the front of the UnitiQute, thus removing the necessity to buy a NAS / UnitiServe / any other type of storage device.  It would also look super neat as it is so small and compact, and not really be noticeable when plugged into the front of the UQ.  However, all my good ideas seem to go tits up, and I spent AAAAGES last night trying to get the thing to work.  I feel like smashing it with a hammer, and sending it back to Kensington.  I tried it on my work PC, my Wife's PC, my Wife's Laptop, my Mac, would it work, would it feck.  So when inserted the PC reads it but you simply cannot access it to format or anything.  I've spent a long time reading about it on Google, trying various solutions but without reformatting and changing your entire PC, it seems there is no solution.  So I need to send it back.  I have since cooled off otherwise it would've been dust.  It's just so frustrating when you buy something that will be perfect and it doesn't work.

 

So after that rant, what I want to know is what USB sticks do guys recommend, both that work well and look neat and not like some kind of eyesore protruding from the front the HiFi.  I know most people don't care about how these things look, but I do.

 

PS:  The UQ wouldn't read the Kensington one either....mystery.

Posted on: 29 November 2014 by winkyincanada
Originally Posted by Lewis:

I bought myself a nice little Kensington Data Traveller DT Micro USB stick with the idea to save a load of music onto it, and have it inserted in the front of the UnitiQute, thus removing the necessity to buy a NAS / UnitiServe / any other type of storage device.  It would also look super neat as it is so small and compact, and not really be noticeable when plugged into the front of the UQ.  However, all my good ideas seem to go tits up, and I spent AAAAGES last night trying to get the thing to work.  I feel like smashing it with a hammer, and sending it back to Kensington.  I tried it on my work PC, my Wife's PC, my Wife's Laptop, my Mac, would it work, would it feck.  So when inserted the PC reads it but you simply cannot access it to format or anything.  I've spent a long time reading about it on Google, trying various solutions but without reformatting and changing your entire PC, it seems there is no solution.  So I need to send it back.  I have since cooled off otherwise it would've been dust.  It's just so frustrating when you buy something that will be perfect and it doesn't work.

 

So after that rant, what I want to know is what USB sticks do guys recommend, both that work well and look neat and not like some kind of eyesore protruding from the front the HiFi.  I know most people don't care about how these things look, but I do.

 

PS:  The UQ wouldn't read the Kensington one either....mystery.

"Sounds like faulty stick", he said, stating the obvious.

 

What are you loading the stick from? Why not send the files directly from that to the UQ? I've never really understood why people want to muck about with sticks once they have their music on a computer.

Posted on: 29 November 2014 by Lewis

I thought faulty stick but others have had exactly the same issue which leads me to believe it's something wrong with the design.....I don't know!

 

I have the music on an external HD but don't really want that sitting on the sideboard as it looks shit.  Also not keen on cables trailing all over the place.  The USB stick is a tidy solution.

Posted on: 29 November 2014 by DavidDever

Patriot seems to be pretty good for USB 2.0 sticks

Posted on: 29 November 2014 by pete T15

Hi Lewis , maybe your stick is formatted wrong? I have used USB sticks as my main source into ND5XS for the last 2 years due to my unreliable network . I have a few sticks but my favourite is the Sandisk extreme range , they are ready to go from the off and I've had no problems at all with them. I also have Lexar which are good too but I tend to revert to the Sandisk these days. 

Posted on: 29 November 2014 by Lewis
Originally Posted by pete T15:

Hi Lewis , maybe your stick is formatted wrong? I have used USB sticks as my main source into ND5XS for the last 2 years due to my unreliable network . I have a few sticks but my favourite is the Sandisk extreme range , they are ready to go from the off and I've had no problems at all with them. I also have Lexar which are good too but I tend to revert to the Sandisk these days. 

Hi, the problem is you cannot get into it to format it / change the format.  Not sure if anyone has experience with this brand / model but I would not recommend it at all.  I will check out the Sandisk one thank you.

 

Originally Posted by DavidDever:

Patriot seems to be pretty good for USB 2.0 sticks

 

Ok will check those out.  I want one that's small and inconspicuous too ideally!  Can't have a big haemorrhoid sticking out from the front of that nice little amp

Posted on: 29 November 2014 by pete T15
Originally Posted by Lewis:
Originally Posted by pete T15:

Hi Lewis , maybe your stick is formatted wrong? I have used USB sticks as my main source into ND5XS for the last 2 years due to my unreliable network . I have a few sticks but my favourite is the Sandisk extreme range , they are ready to go from the off and I've had no problems at all with them. I also have Lexar which are good too but I tend to revert to the Sandisk these days. 

Hi, the problem is you cannot get into it to format it / change the format.  Not sure if anyone has experience with this brand / model but I would not recommend it at all.  I will check out the Sandisk one thank you.

 

Originally Posted by DavidDever:

Patriot seems to be pretty good for USB 2.0 sticks

 

Ok will check those out.  I want one that's small and inconspicuous too ideally!  Can't have a big haemorrhoid sticking out from the front of that nice little amp

That'll be the Sandisk extreme  then , the smallest of all mine and matt black. 

Posted on: 29 November 2014 by Lewis
Originally Posted by pete T15:
Originally Posted by Lewis:
Originally Posted by pete T15:

Hi Lewis , maybe your stick is formatted wrong? I have used USB sticks as my main source into ND5XS for the last 2 years due to my unreliable network . I have a few sticks but my favourite is the Sandisk extreme range , they are ready to go from the off and I've had no problems at all with them. I also have Lexar which are good too but I tend to revert to the Sandisk these days. 

Hi, the problem is you cannot get into it to format it / change the format.  Not sure if anyone has experience with this brand / model but I would not recommend it at all.  I will check out the Sandisk one thank you.

 

Originally Posted by DavidDever:

Patriot seems to be pretty good for USB 2.0 sticks

 

Ok will check those out.  I want one that's small and inconspicuous too ideally!  Can't have a big haemorrhoid sticking out from the front of that nice little amp

That'll be the Sandisk extreme  then , the smallest of all mine and matt black. 

 

 

I had a quick peek, and that's still quite long, it will look like my UQ has a little erection poking out the front   The Kingston one is literally the size of a 10p piece, know of anything similar size to that which works?

Posted on: 29 November 2014 by Mike-B

Hi PeteT15,  as it happens I have just bought a USB stick,  not so much to play on my stuff, but to exchange files between friends.  I haven't even unpacked it yet & its a SanDisk 64GB Extreme USB 3.0 Flash Drive,  is that (or similar) what you are using ???

Posted on: 29 November 2014 by Lewis

I am going to try one of these as it's the same minimal design as the Kingston:  Verbatim 98130 32GB Store n Stay NANO USB 2.0 Drive

Posted on: 29 November 2014 by pete T15
Hi mike , yes exactly the same.
Posted on: 01 December 2014 by Lewis

I don't suppose you can buy those Naim ones anywhere can you?