Considering an NDS and Naim vs the other guys...

I think the NDS and unitiserve is probably the best way to rip CDs and play them. I have been doing this happily for 2 years. The Naim front end is world class in my opinion, and can be upgraded with a Chord DAC such as Dave or a Lampizator if it is ever required.

The good thing about it for me is that Naim amps are not required to enjoy it - so if you fancy Soulution or valve amplification go for it.

Sorry not clear - I meant in the positive I had a CDX2 for years - an excellent machine.

I misunderstood - my bad. Yes I agree CDX2 with 282 should be quite a fine combo and end game for that matter.

Provided the CDX2 is used as a full analogue output player & not a digital transport only - it becomes a whole new player with XPS,  it really is one of those instant wow factor upgrades 

Yup. CDX2-XPS2 into 82-250 here...  

Go for the 282 first - then consider the XPS2 - which can of course power other things, later....

Thanks to all for your thoughtful comments.

A few clarifications:

 - I was planning to get the Unitiserve SSD and use it with a NAS drive so my whole-house system can see the same library on the NAS via the home network as my separate Naim system sees via the same network. 

 - I was definitely planning to upgrade the 202 to the 282 even with the NDS acquisition.

 - I wasn't planning to get a separate PS for the CDX2 simply because I'm hoping to move in the direction of digitizing CDs and ultimately not having a CD player.

To Charlie P: My current support is Isoblue. I like it, but it's hard to find in the US.

To nbpf: Ideally, I would liked to have one dedicated box for the digital source (exclusive of NAS drive); I still put NDS/Unitiserve in this category as what I really mean is my preference is not to have a separate DAC. I definitely don't want an integrated preamp as I want to preserve the ability to upgrade with separates. I want the most elegant interface possible (and I've heard Naim's is among the very best), and while I'm not averse to many boxes for amps, preamps and power supplies, I want to keep the digital portion in fewer boxes for simplicity. That said, SQ is the most important thing to me by far.

To Foot Tapper: As noted, SQ is paramount, and to your point, I'm after effortless, natural music. I've had that before in a previous system, and while my current system is far better than that one (Arcam/Vandersteen), as noted, it doesn't sound like "itself" all the time and on all source material/genres. "Kind of Blue" = magic. "Sticky Fingers," not so much. I am looking for magic all the time, and I don't want to feel like I am constantly chasing another upgrade.

Again, lots of great input here and much to consider, including, importantly, that there is lots of positive sentiment here about non-Naim solutions. Thanks again to all.

OK nothing wrong with that,  but my XPS started off powering the CDX2 & is now powering my NDX - its just another line of possibilities

I own a UnitiServe and enjoy it, but if you use the same NAS, and run Asset or Minimserver on it, and forego the UnitiServe, I don't think you'll be missing out on any functionality from the server end of things.  The Naim system via the Naim App will see your music server, and you can do whatever else you want with the NAS vis a vis your whole-house system.  The Naim App really is as happy to "see" Asset or Minimserver as it is to "see" the UnitiServe.  

Hi Mostly Drummer,

In the last few weeks my wife and I have listened to and compared the following. 

1. Audio Research CD9 -- Naim 252, Naim 300 -- Wilson Audio Sabrina

2. Same source -- Audio Research Ref 5Se, Audio Research Ref 75 -- Wilson Audio Sabrina

A week's gap, then:

3. Same source -- Audio Research Ref 5SE, Krell Duo 300 -- Martin Logan (forget which ones @ 25k)

Another week, then

4. Naim CDX2.2, 555PS -- Naim Statement S1 Pre & S1 Power -- Naim Ovator S800

5. Naim NDS, 555PS - Same amps and speakers

Another week, then

5. Audio Research CD9, Ref 5SE, Ref 75 -- Sonus Faber Olympica 3

5. As above -- Magneplanar 3.7i.

I'm writing a long photo essay with our detailed thoughts on this, the results of this listening marathon certainly confirmed a few things and taught us a lot more.

Best regards, 

@FT - I think you're right IF another device were to try to use the uServe's STORE as a library.  The format Naim use for cd's ripped by a uServe or HDX would not make other devices happy.  But if the other devices are (merely) UPnP clients, then they should be fine with what the uServe serves up to 'em.  At that end of the ethernet cable so-to-speak, what the uServe serves is "industry standard" so far as there are actually industry standards.

(I think that HH said the same thing in far fewer words.)

I moved from a Naim NDS + 2 x 555 to a Linn KDS 1 Renew.  Sonically, I don't miss the NDS but I do miss the design.  You can control the NDS from the front panel.  The Linn has to be controlled from a PC or tablet. I have a Hugo as well.  Great for headphones but I find it neither as detailed nor as warm as the Linn when fed from a Mac Mini.  And a little hard and clinical sounding. I do know that it is sensitive to the digital supply but don't want to go around the houses looking for others.  So I'm sticking with the Linn. Do try them all out, it's very much a matter of taste.

I haven't tried the 272. 

Yes, I found the USB input on the Hugo not the greatest.. and a little cold and clinical is what I would agree with. SPDIF and using a DNM HFTN interconnect is in a completely different league...

the TT and the 2Qute are very much improved apparently with USB.. If I used a Mac transport I would probably go down that path.

Simon

Thanks for your input Simon.  Perhaps if I had a TT, i could have a streamer setup and headphone amp in one. At one time, I did feed the Hugo from the NDS and remember that it was very good. But also very expensive digital source indeed.  The Hugo and Chord products do offer potential for upgrades it seems.

The number of boxes is essentially the same for an ethernet streaming solution and for a USB streaming solution. In the first case you need a (UPnP) server, a streamer and a dac: this makes two boxes if you accept to compromise upgradeability and integrate streamer and dac in one box. In the second case you need an (MPD, Audirvana, ...) server and a pure dac: this also means two boxes but these are now separately upgradeable.

In my view, the UnitiServe is an obsolete device with a poorly supported proprietary OS and with crippled functionalities. It is probably very practical if you do not care too much about how your metadata look like and you want to get the ripping work done in a short time. But if you are interested in classical music or if you want to have detailed control on your metadata, there are better alternatives. Also, if you do not care so much about metadata, you can probably spare yourself the effort of ripping your CD collection by taking advantage of increasingly available HD internet streaming services.

 Hi FT (and MD) - the US has the ability to rip and serve FLAC rather than WAV.

This being the case, it would be serving all the metadata you'd expect with FLAC, so you'd be keeping the simplicity of life with a UnitiServe, a blessing not to be underestimated IMHO 

Thanks for the update on US ability to rip & serve FLAC.  Looks like I'm behind the times (again) when it comes to this new fangled technical wizardry 

Best regards,

Luddite

The Serve will always rip to WAV. You set it to convert to FLAC. Once done, those files will be readable if played by another upnp server. 

You can also set it to transcode to WAV on playback, to get the best sound with a Naim streamer. 

Bear at in mind though, that my Synology NAS running Minimserver sounded better than the Serve when I tested them back to back.

The Serve is, nonetheless, a wonderfully convenient ripping solution. I ripped four albums using dbpoweramp last night and I could have done it in a quarter of time with the serve. It's ok when ripping four, but 4,000? Hmm. 

HH, indeed I have media servers (even the same app) on different platforms can sound different.. I think it may be down to the TCP parameters and the speed the data is delivered in bursts over the network.

But I don't want to upset anyone by introducing yet another variable, so i'll say my optimum media server runs on a RaspberryPi and leave it that.

Simon

There you go again Simon, just throwing money around like it's confetti.

How much is a RaspberryPi these days?

It must be almost the cost of 2 LPs for goodness sake!

Best regards, FT

Hi Simon, is there a "complete idiot's guide" to implement one of these somewhere? And I really mean "idiot"! I'm curious about these but am long out of the loop on homespun tech. nowadays.