Spotify Connect Arrives for Naim Streamers
Posted by: Arthur Geraerts on 15 December 2014
Best christmas present ever. Updated my UQ2 and it works like a charm!
Thanks guys! Naim rocks!
Sorted. Just logged out of spotify app then logged back in and it works!
Wow...I am amazed how many can "hear" a difference between a nice 320 mp3-file and a lossless FLAC in CD-quality...
Honestly, I have the SN2, ND5XS and S400...I listened yesterday to a few Spotify songs and I am tempted to try a "blind-ear-test"...since they sounded wonderful too me...not just "background"-music...
If we talk 24/96 or 24/192 files, ok...but 320 mp3 vs lossless FLAC 6/44.1...not THAT huge a diff.
:-D
Again, thanks NAIM:
Works perfectly.
Wow...I am amazed how many can "hear" a difference between a nice 320 mp3-file and a lossless FLAC in CD-quality...
Honestly, I have the SN2, ND5XS and S400...I listened yesterday to a few Spotify songs and I am tempted to try a "blind-ear-test"...since they sounded wonderful too me...not just "background"-music...
If we talk 24/96 or 24/192 files, ok...but 320 mp3 vs lossless FLAC 6/44.1...not THAT huge a diff.
:-D
Again, thanks NAIM:
Works perfectly.
Totally agree with you. Problem is that Google music and Deezer sound even better! (Through a Sonos Connect)
Hi there,
I've downloaded and installed the USB mini driver (as per naim instructions p. 2) on my MacBook Pro running OS 10.10, but in the Mac System Report no USB mini driver (USBtoUART bridge controller) is visible. I then checked the release notes, and they only go up to Mac OS 10.9 (see below)
Did anyone manage to run the naim installer from OS 10.10, please, and if so, how did you get the USBtoUART bridge controller, please?
Thanks,
Stefan
P.S.: given that the screen dumps in the naim instructions show OS 10.7. only, my hunch is that perhaps nobody has tried it with OS 10.10. as yet, and that the naim instructions would better discourage using 10.10.? Well, hopefully this outdated driver won't ruin my new Mac!
FROM THE NAIM INSTRUCTIONS p 2:
To find most up to date drivers follow the below link:
http://www.silabs.com/products...ridgeVCPDrivers.aspx
AND THE RELEASE NOTES SAY:
This release includes the Macintosh OSX driver for the Intel and
PowerPC Platforms versions 10.4, 10.5, 10.6, 10.7, 10.8 and 10.9.
Hi Stefan, I am on 10.10 and it worked first time perfectly. We Mac users are just not used to having to find Drivers to get something to work!
NDX and UQ2 upgraded successfully. Naim app is crashing too often, but you will fix that. The benefits are stellar!
So glad the stars aligned and I bought a Headline/FC2X over the weekend. Borrowed- and broken-in AGC K701 headphones really show off the benefits of Spotify on the NDX versus the (still satisfying, yet compressed) SBT.
Used my 2009 MBPro running Yosemite to do the deed.
Cheers to the team!
Nick
I now realise I need to do 4 updates (none started yet, but after a sleepless night, I think I need to update the DTC as well).
And, it seems, I need to install Spotify in my iPad. That makes 5.
If I we're to be brave enough to attempt these changes, would I then be committed to paying a monthly fee to Spotify?
I now realise I need to do 4 updates (none started yet, but after a sleepless night, I think I need to update the DTC as well).
And, it seems, I need to install Spotify in my iPad. That makes 5.
If I we're to be brave enough to attempt these changes, would I then be committed to paying a monthly fee to Spotify?
You can leave Spotify any time you wish. No Commitment.
Does anyone know which file I need to download from the website In order to update the NS01?
The NS01 doesn't seem to be listed, but there are files for HDX / HDX-SSD and another for UnitiServe / UnitiServe-SSD.
Thanks for any advice.
yes 64bit win 7
USB3 port or USB2?
Just updated my uniti 1 last night and all went well. Had to buy a laptop as i lost the charger for my old one when I moved house and it's 2005 vintage (couldn't help it I'm impatient and wanted to update now,prob could of borrowed a computer 
)I just watched the demo video and followed the instructions it couldn't of been simpler, many thanks for an early Christmas present 
Stefan, I used OSX 10.10 with no issues for my RS232.NDX. However I didn't follow the Naim guide. I simply downloaded the Prolific USB to Serial driver and then the Naim Updater program. I also ensured my MacBook Pro was directly connected to the LAN and not wifi when doing the upgrade. It was right first time...
To the point that some made that they can't noticeably appreciate the difference between a good 320k MP3/AAC / Ogg Vorbbis file and a 14/44.1 PCM amazes me. There is a world of difference to me, not least because of what Naim equipment gives me .. For those.who can't hear much or any difference I am truly intrigued .. I really am. Perhaps I am unusual that my brain just does not reconstruct lossy audio the same way as yours... It would be fascinating to get scientific about it.
After all lossy audio codecs have been optimized with statistical group listening tests.. and there are those outside the mean that it doesnt work as well for since it is a non deterministic compromise for each individual.
Simon
So does anyone have a view as to the updating of an early uniti to enable the use of spotify....mainly cost v value ? Is there another simple solution?
CB
Clive, I would rephrase it to say that lossy codecs remove subjectively redundant or none significant parts of the audio signal. Some/many appear not to significantly notice this reduction of information from the audio.. Others find the losses obvious and detracting.
As far as why bother.. With Spotify its a great toy and is fun.. and there is the novelty factor .. For this time of year with many people casually popping in and out of the house its quite nice to have for background music.
I guess it also hopefully paves the way for lossless streaming from the likes of Qobuz etc in the not too distant future.. Now that should be suitable for musical listening sessions IMO.
I expect also there are some underlying fixes and optimisations for web radio and UPnP streaming as well.. so I would upgrade, even if you don't use Spotify.
BTW Playlists are stored on the Naim app tablet device, or you can manually create playlist files on your UPnP server NAS, if your UPnP software supports them.
Simon
Hi all,
Despite all the discussions about quality etc. I am happy with this upgrade. I use Spotify (via my Airport Express) over several years to discover music and for dinner purposes. Easy listening.
Please accept a (bit) lower quality (I think most people can 'hear'the difference because we talk about it, in a blind test it could be difficult)
Now I have updated my Unity to 4.1 (including all the ‘troubles') and it is working well. My Airport Express can be moved to E-bay.
I run Spotify from ip-Pad and i-Phone and connect to my UnityLite via the green Spotify connect button in the Spotify app. Most of all functions are working well. Only when you want to change the playlist by clicking a number and choose the option to play it as the next number (via 3 dots button, option ‘put in que') is NOT working. That's a pitty.
Maybe anyone has a suggestion to solve it or do we have to wait for 4.2?
Thanks,
Edwin
Unity via CAT6 to router, Apple devices via WiFi (5 GHz) Spotify PREMIUM, All apps latest versions
Hi Clive - I think you need to do it to keep abreast of the technology. I would install the Naim app on your iPad (or whatever) first and give yourself a few days to come to grips with the differences from nStream. Having done that, go for the system update. If you're not happy with updating firmware, get your dealer to do it. It would take a max of 30 mins per unit.
As for Spotify, it's a good service. The sound quality is good, better than DAB radio mostly, and you will not be disappointed. To experience it you would have to subscribe to Spotify Premium for at least one month (£9.99). If it didn't suit you then it's very easy to cancel. If you do cancel it you can even hide/disable the Spotify input in the Naim app. You are in no way committed. If you have a slow internet connection there could possibly be a buffering issue (mine is 17Mb/s and there are no problems at all). Check the Spotify website to see what they recommend as a minimum. It's probably pretty low.
Then it does irritate me that Naim Audio doesn't issue instructions on things such as how to create playlists, how to use the new app (which I have so far avoided owing to all the negative comments on here), how to integrate and use Spotify etc.
Regarding playlists, I guess what I should have said is that I have never been able to save one, despite the feature of playlists being apparent on the nStream control app. But then in the abscence of any instructions perhaps that's not surprising.
I have already done this (cancelled Spotify Premium) for much the same reason. I found if my home network was doing anything else, e.g. uploading files to Cloud back-up then Spotify spluttered pretty much all the time. And that was with a half decent broadband connection (not quite fibre optic just yet). I was never able to ping the Spotify server address and get a return, as requested by Naim, so I guess I was lucky to get anything out of Spotify at all. I don't know what's going on, but I do wonder if, as I live in Jersey, that my connection to Spotify routes through various French relay servers, I am just guessing. Why that should matter is not a given either, but I did do a Traceroute as well, and that could not find the same Spotify server either.
But guys, enjoy your Spotify, I will wait until some decent lossless services are taken on board by Naim, then my interest will perk again.
It seems it's a time of day thing for me. No problems at all in the morning/day but come the evening and it's crap.... I'm guessing poor internet. I'll give it 'till the end of the month, paid the tenner anyway, and then decide what to do.
I've got what I thought was okay broadband but I'm finding that spotify is very iffy in the evening... I mean c.5 'till 9. Seams okay during the day so it looks like I'm just on a rubbish internet provider whose either not got a good backbone or is running a poor contention ratio, so come the evening when everyone and his dog is online, it just can't cope. :-(
The naim app keeps asking me if I want to switch sommer time on/off - every time when I start the app. Am I the only one with this problem?
I had the same problem whenever Naim App is started. It keep asking me if I want to turn on Automatic Daylight Savings, clickin Yes or no make no difference as it will ask again when I turn on the App next time. There is no daylight saving here in Singapore. Did you manage to find a fix to this?
I'm not a Spotify user but some info that backs up your broadband diagnosis ............ I get hangup/freeze problems downloading big files with my business, mostly always evenings; but also noticed that during these hangups the iRadio remained OK & www surfing was slow but mostly OK.
My village is in the process of going fibre optic with the BT wires & although part of the village is connected (up to the local road/community cabinets) my cabinet will not be connected until after the holidays. However as the exchange is now fibre it must have relieved a capacity problem as its now noticeable that all my big downloads don't hangup. Speed checker shows 14 to 18mb/s at all times of day, whereas it dropped to less than 8mb/s during the hangups.
I haven't read everything above, but I just want to say that mine is working great. So pleased with my UnitiQute now it really does everything I set out wanting at the beginning - cracking work Naim, appreciate the work it took to do this 