Who has given up on Userve and where did you go.

In that case, you'll just have to be patient!

The way I look at it is that the UnitiServe is, first and foremost, a server.  If having a hard drive based music library is not important to your home system, the UnitiServe is the wrong product.

If using the UnitiServe as a music server is its primary use, but you also want access to online streaming services, you can also look to your music player for such capabilities.  The UnitiServe as a server can serve music to any of a wide variety of DLNA-based music players, and while the Naim players at this point offer internet radio and Spotify, if you don't want to wait you could always pair it with a Linn player, for example. 

I think that an apt analogy is the collection of services offered by TV's as well as set-top boxes.  My Apple TV serves up a lot of content, but not Amazon Prime.  I've got that covered with an app on my Samsung TV.  One can adopt this same strategy with music servers and players.

Thinking that any hardware is "future-proof" is probably a mistake.  There will always be more inventions, technology advances, etc. 

Looks cool, and not a bad price, even better over here...

Just downloaded the Lightning DS app for a looksie, its running the NDX at the moment....

I love my ND5 XS, and wouldn't dream of being unfaithful to it.  However, I do have to say, the AA looks an amazing piece of kit! 

Understand, am big fan of Naim, however the UServe is back in Salisbury (again) and the AA may take my streaming to the next level...releasing an NDX, XPS DR, and CDX2......and maybe the US (if it comes back to life)....maybe not...

There is an AA stockist a few kms away...may have a look...

I have always thought the server function of the Unitiserve could be better.  Downloaded files are handled differently than files ripped from CD's.  For example searching for "composer" only reveals CD rips and not downloaded files.  If Naim could figure out a way to put and manage downloaded files onto the NAS as easily as the way it rips CD's they would have a great product .  This may not be possible but it would be nice if all the files were handled the same and the online source of metadata was available for all files not just those from CD rips.  The CD ripping process and the serving of CD rips is, however, very easy and convenient; and sounds great.

Blimey, I've just looked at your 'Kit' (s) Do you live in a castle? 

I been looking at the Aries, seems to tick a lot of my streaming boxes, however if you have a look on some other fora it may be a frying pan into the fire scenario as there are a lot of issues with it just as much as there are with Nam streaming products. 

Of course it's not a Userve substitute. 

SJB

Im totally confused by the talk of streamer/players being substitutes for a server.

(Mindful that the uServe can be used as a player into a dac directly, and indeed I used it that way, way back when.)

If / when my US dies I expect I will just use a NAS rather than get another Naim or other specialist server. 

I agree with theme of this post.  For me to justify the spend on a new Naim server it will need to handle CD rips and downloaded music consistently.  Having a server that backs up all my music, creates a parallel MP3 library of all my music, included my playlists in its backup etc are things which I think now would be must-haves.  When I bought my US I was expecting my music purchases to be pretty much all CDs with the odd download.  But I'm probably now at 50:50 and it's only going to head more towards downloads.

Can you elaborate on your reasons for getting rid of Userve and has HDX resolved all of these issues. I seem to recall seeing the odd post about similar problems with HDX.

I admit  I've never owned a US, so you may want to discount my opinion.

However, I'm really enjoying the Bryston BDP-2 I bought last autumn.  Probably the nearest equivalent to the US, effectively an audio optimised fanless PC from a major manufacturer that can be used standalone without a network if required (like a cd transport).

Not originally designed to rip CDs and aimed at playback from external USB drives, but can now replay from internal disk or network too.  Also plays DSD and DXD and can  be used to rip CDs with a USB drive, inc Bryston's own.

Currently sounding fantastic into my Hugo.

I'm currently reviewing the BDP-1 USB (into the Hugo or the Mirus DACs) and it's gobsmacked me on several occasions. The sound is gorgeous, spacious, revelatory, and very musically engaging. Switching back to the UnitiServe into the same DACs, there is a loss of spaciousness and the deep sense of calm that pervades the BDP-1 presentation. But.... the UnitiServe provides more emotion and more insight into the music. 

My idea of a straight forward replacement for the unitiserve if I had enough folding stuff would be the Burmester Music Centre 111.

Does the Burmester have a uPnP server pre-installed?  If so, is their own or a third-party (Asset, Minimserver, etc)?  If not, do you know if you can install one?  Sounds interesting.

The Bryston has a range of optional services you can enable in its software, including acting as a DLNA server, client or renderer.  However, I'm using a beta version of the latest firmware (to solve a DSD replay problem) in which the DLNA features don't seem to work.

I am told by Bryston that the next official firmware release (next month?) should sort this.  I believe I could revert to earlier firmware to restore DLNA features but DSD playback is more of a priority for me. 

Having said this I'm not sure that a DLNA server is the most appropriate role for the Bryston.  It's really designed to access music held elsewhere, on external direct attached storage or via network.  You can fit an internal SSD, but that's probably going to be no more than 500gb? Much better as a renderer I would have thought     

Userve back to dealer again tomorrow 4th time in 9 months.

Apparently bios battery flat.

Sorry to hear that Fitz. Perhaps it's time to part with it... Or, demand a new unit!

Does the streamer read the data on the NAS as the Userve did. I am trying to get help from my dealer and his distributor. Neither will help.

That's pretty rubbish support, Fitz.

Here's my attempt at a simple explanation!  The streamers play back a uPnP stream.  So as a source you need a uPnP server.  Most NAS devices have one of these installed.  You can also install third-party uPnP software products like Minimserver and Asset on some NAS boxes.

So the answer to your question is "kind of".  The streamers read data from a uPnP server - which typically resides on a NAS.

There are lots of threads on here debating the merits of various NAS devices and streamer software.

Howe were you using your UnitiServe?  It can be used like a NAS, where the music stored on it is streamed from its built-in uPnP server over a network.  Or you can connect it direct to a DAC (or DAC equipped amp) via its SPDIF output.  Sounds like you were using yours like this?

Hope that helps.

David

Hi Fitz

Hi Fitz...As David has said, that is not very good support. I think you live in New Zealand, am I right? So I don't know how many choices of quality Hi Fi dealers you have. In any case, I would change your current one. 

Again, as David has said, you need a Server to serve the music to the streamer. Most NAS drives come with at least one music server pre installed. I have a Qnap NAS, which has Twonky, Minim and PLEX pre installed. I personally use PLEX.

You can of course put any server you want, (Asset, Minim, PLEX) on your home computer, and use that as your 'NAS'. I have PLEX on my iMac and Qnap NAS (Both are Free!) 

What has Salisbury and your dealer suggested, with regards to your UnitiServe?

I have SSD Qnap nas and Ndac . Naim distributor here seems to think it is perfectly acceptable to have to pack up serve every 2 to 3 months and ship to him to be repaired. As long as he continues to repair it he feels he is providing a great service. Thus leaving me without a music source for at least one month of the year, to date. I live in a fairly remote area of NZ and hi fi dealers of any sort are thin on the ground.

Thanks for your help, I will investigate using plex and a streamer, probably not Naim.

Hi David

 You are correct. I was using the serve connected directly to an Ndac via SPDIF.

Hi Fitz

If you have an nDac have you thought about getting a MacMini and using that as your US replacement?

I've no experience of this, but plenty of people on the forum who speak highly of them as a source.   I would think you could keep the NAS as the store.  Probably cheaper than buying a streamer. Might be worth you trawling through the threads on this topic for ideas.