Powerline with Uniti 3

PowerLine will add more depth, bass and 'black' background. 

Best thing is to test it before you buy - it's not exactly a cheap cable.

I found it made a good difference when I added one to my Uniti (original version) when I had it. 

I borrowed one from my dealer to trial it, but it didnt go back to him - I just took the money to him instead!

Its worth a try to see if it does the business for you. If you dont think its worth it or makes a difference youve saved yourself £500. I think you might like it though...

Many thanks for the advice. I should say that I'm so pleased with the U2 and kudos combination. It's a magnificent system in its own right. I do have the option to spend more if any of the U2 recommended upgrades are considered by those who have them as being worthwhile. I would certainly trial before buying. Does anyone have experience of a nap 200 or 250 with the U2? Would the 250 be overkill with the U2 / x2? That said, I'd imagine either of those should provide a greater improvement to the PL but if "pound for pound" the PL / U2 has advocates I'd be very grateful to hear of the experiences.

Don't...

just leave your Uniti as it is - it is a fine machine on its own.

A real upgrade would be a combo: N272 + 250DR.

Thanks for the advice.

I am currently using the U2 for streaming (Spotify) and very occasionally CD. I know that i should look into getting a NAS server (the Uniti Serve being the optimum) but I'm not sure exactly what advantage it would be over the streaming service? As I look at it, I have access to virtually every track ever recorded (including 95% of my CD collection) through the Spotify Connect service. If I were to buy a Uniti Serve or perhaps a Innous Zen Mini can anyone explain exactly what the advantage would be? For example, could I purchase tracks and albums at higher resolution than CD or Spotify and therefore better SQ off a site like Quobuz and simply transfer the file directly to the US or Zen mini for replay through my U2? Is it that straightforward; if not what else would I need by way of software on my PC? If I could improve the SQ to what I get through Spotify then I will definitely pursue it. Many thanks for any steer / advice!

S3 posted:

Thanks for the advice.

I am currently using the U2 for streaming (Spotify) and very occasionally CD. I know that i should look into getting a NAS server (the Uniti Serve being the optimum) but I'm not sure exactly what advantage it would be over the streaming service? As I look at it, I have access to virtually every track ever recorded (including 95% of my CD collection) through the Spotify Connect service. If I were to buy a Uniti Serve or perhaps a Innous Zen Mini can anyone explain exactly what the advantage would be? For example, could I purchase tracks and albums at higher resolution than CD or Spotify and therefore better SQ off a site like Quobuz and simply transfer the file directly to the US or Zen mini for replay through my U2? Is it that straightforward; if not what else would I need by way of software on my PC? If I could improve the SQ to what I get through Spotify then I will definitely pursue it. Many thanks for any steer / advice!

How to put it mildly? There is a huge difference. Given your' description above, the analogy would be a little bit like buying a very good sports car and using it to get some milk from Tesco.

There are numerous threads on this forum on the topics you mention. Further to that, you can keep high-resolution audio files on your NAS drive.
Another advantage is that the music is on your server, instantly available.

As to NAS vs UnitiServe. You don't need a US to store and play back music. It helps with ripping though.

Thanks Adam!

So it sounds like I need to get a NAS to get the most out of the U2 from a SQ perspective. I get the convenience thing but I guess my CDs would sound no better from a NAS than being played on the U2's CD drive?  

Is it as simple as purchasing a high resolution download from a site like Quobuz on my PC and then selecting the storage of that download to be on the NAS? Is it easier to do that with a US than with a Innuos Zen mini? 

If I buy a Innuos Zen mini (£499) and ripped my CDs on it would the quality of the rip be inferior to the US doing that job? Innous claim that the rip is "bit perfect" just the same as the US. 

Just trying to understand what the justification for the £1800 price difference between the US and the Zen (other than the US being a beautiful looking Naim box!)

I have a Powe line on my U2. I put it on a few months back and haven't looked back. One day I'll put the tibia back in just to check if there is any differences. I got it for a great price s/h not sure I would pay full price. 

I I use a Mac mini and external HD to rip and store my files. I run minimiserver on the mini and use the Naim app on my iPad mini to control my files. Fairly straight forward after a little reading about it in various sites but the minmiserver forum is very helpful. 

I have a Uniti 1(late model), and have ripped my 650 CDs to my Innous Zen Mini. I similarly control this using the Naim app via my iPad.

certainly, I couldn't justify paying an additional £1800 for the US.

Thanks all, Very helpful. Before I decide whether to go US or Zen I wanted to see whether I could use my PC with UPnP server software to send a dowloaded Flac file from my PC hard drive to the Uniti 2.

I have a downloaded FLAC track from QuoBuz in my "Music" folder on my PC.

I have downloaded the Asset UPnP software to my PC (which I believe is what you need to make the PC talk to the U2 over the network)

However I can not seem to make the software work. I believe it is installed. In my windows explorer I can see 2 instances of "Asset UPnP" on my network. My Naim Uniti 2 in "UPnP mode" can find both of these but I do not know how to get my Uniti 2 to play the track that I just downloaded to my PC hard drive? 

Can anyone help? What have I missed? 

S3 posted:

Thanks Adam!

So it sounds like I need to get a NAS to get the most out of the U2 from a SQ perspective. I get the convenience thing but I guess my CDs would sound no better from a NAS than being played on the U2's CD drive?  

Is it as simple as purchasing a high resolution download from a site like Quobuz on my PC and then selecting the storage of that download to be on the NAS? Is it easier to do that with a US than with a Innuos Zen mini? 

If I buy a Innuos Zen mini (£499) and ripped my CDs on it would the quality of the rip be inferior to the US doing that job? Innous claim that the rip is "bit perfect" just the same as the US. 

Just trying to understand what the justification for the £1800 price difference between the US and the Zen (other than the US being a beautiful looking Naim box!)

 

 

Hi S3

Ripped CD and CD played via your Uniti 2 should sould the same. Provided that the rip is bit-perfect.

When you purchase high-res files, say from HD Tracks, you simply download them and then place them in a folder on your NAS or UnitiServe. I don't know Innous Zen so cannot compare. I do know UnitiServe SSD - have been using it extensively for over 1 year now.

As to a justification for a UnitiServe. My home network is very extensive, with multiple streamers and a large NAS. I use US to manage / stream and for multi-room playback. So for me that is a good solution.

If I only had one stemer, than a choice would be a bit harder...  Ultimately it's a combination of convenience, platform and available funds.

If I were you I would start with a good quality NAS from either QNAP, Synology etc and a decent server software (like Minim server). That will give you a good and stable platform, which can be expanded as your needs grow.

Adam

I have ordered a Uniti Serve (late 2015 unit) which I'll take delivery of next week to go with mu Uniti 2. I'm very much looking forward to using it to get the most out of my system; particularly with regard to hi-res downloads which I'm hoping will sound better that my spotify stream.

If you're going to use the Unitiserve to store downloads, make sure you have a plan in place for managing the music files before you start. The US was originally intended to be a CD ripper/storage unit, and only later was the ability to store downloads added. You store them in a separate downloads folder, and unlike CD rips, they can't be edited once they're in it. 

My approach is first to save the downloads to my computer hard drive. Then I check that it works, is in the format I expected it to be, and the metadata is correct. (If, for example, the artwork or track listing is incorrect, it's easy enough to edit it now.) Then I copy the folder the the Unitiserve downloads folder. I also copy it to a USB hard drive for backup.

Dealing with CDs is much easier - you can edit these on the Unitiserve using the N-Serve app if you need to.

Good luck, hope you enjoy the US. It will certainly sound better than Spotify.

Don't forget that you will need to buy a nas so that you can back up from the UnitiServe, and also be aware that while you can make the US backup the CD rips folder automatically, you cannot do the same thing with the downloads folder, so you will need to remember to do it. 

Put it another way, in my view the UnitiServe is a waste of money if its prime function is to store downloads. A decent NAS will sound as good or better, and be far easier to work with, and you can back it up automatically to a £70 USB drive. As it is, you need a US and a NAS.

Just think, the £1,800 you don't need to spend could buy you a Powerline and a used NAP 200. If it were me I'd cancel the order, but that's just me. I normally wouldn't pour cold water on someone's decision, but I really don't think it's wise in this case. 

Be aware also that for £20 a month you can stream from Tidal in CD or near CD quality, and it sounds way better than the rather grotty sounding Spotify. 

I will be ripping over 1500 CDs to the US so its primary function will be to house my CD collection. I'll also be utilising the download storage facility.

I hear absolutely no difference between Tidal and spotify so I'm going to continue with the spotify service as my daughters also enjoy it for streaming to the kitchen Sonos.

Are you sure you have Tidal set to HiFi quality? If so, it really should sound much better than Spotify especially if you're playing it from within the Naim app.

yes - its set to hifi and it is played through the Naim app. I took the free trial but have now cancelled it. 

Hungryhalibut posted:

Just think, the £1,800 you don't need to spend.........

A standard Unitiserve is £2380 these days........

S3 posted:

Thanks all, Very helpful. Before I decide whether to go US or Zen I wanted to see whether I could use my PC with UPnP server software to send a dowloaded Flac file from my PC hard drive to the Uniti 2.

I have a downloaded FLAC track from QuoBuz in my "Music" folder on my PC.

I have downloaded the Asset UPnP software to my PC (which I believe is what you need to make the PC talk to the U2 over the network)

However I can not seem to make the software work. I believe it is installed. In my windows explorer I can see 2 instances of "Asset UPnP" on my network. My Naim Uniti 2 in "UPnP mode" can find both of these but I do not know how to get my Uniti 2 to play the track that I just downloaded to my PC hard drive? 

Can anyone help? What have I missed? 

I've tried most of the media server applications discussed on this forum.  IMO....  The easiest/best one is JRiver.  I've been running it for the last 2.5 years without any issue.  It is not free but the 50$ USD is some of the best money I've spent.

S3 posted:

yes - its set to hifi and it is played through the Naim app. I took the free trial but have now cancelled it. 

In my system Tidal>>>Spotify.  I know some Tidal tracks are only MP3 but the flac files sound much better than Spotify.  You might want to make sure your speakers and cables are setup properly.  Are you happy with SQ from the CD player?

Instead of spending €3000 on a US, I've chosen a €900 Synology NAS with 2x 8TB and a €100 Apple external optical unit, used by iTunes bit perfect ripping tool. No brainer.

Dan.S posted:

Instead of spending €3000 on a US, I've chosen a €900 Synology NAS with 2x 8TB and a €100 Apple external optical unit, used by iTunes bit perfect ripping tool. No brainer.

That is a very expensive NAS. I guess the 8TB drives made it so?

I use a Netgear 516 NAS with 6 4TB drives to store all my music, DSD (when available) and FLAC otherwise.  Works perfectly with my NDX.  I also run Plex Media Server on the NAS only to stream video (and audio) when I'm away, which also works great on the 516.  I picked up the 516 new through Amazon for US$700 . ..  Definitely a great deal!  Otherwise, Netgear's own DLNA server software with the Naim iPhone/iPad app does everything I need.  What does/would using JRiver add?

I have the Unitiserve set up and it is working well; an excellent device - very easy to use. I'm methodically ripping CDs to it. Interestingly on some CDs it makes a loud humming noise during the rip whilst on others it is quieter. I guess its to do with the disc itself (balance, flatness etc).

Regarding the point made around SQ between Spotify and Tidal it is a strange one; Spotify did sound better if anything and I had Tidal set to hifi / FLAC so very odd. I must say also that Spotify sounds as good if not slightly better than the files played through the US (even those downloaded at 24bit) which can not be right! Can anyone give any advice as to how I might check to see if my Kudos X2 speakers are set up / positioned incorrectly? I'm using 1.5m runs of chord epic with origonal chord terminations. I've ensured that the epics are dressed properly and are not touching any power cables.

Many thanks

I have the Unitiserve set up and it is working well; an excellent device - very easy to use. I'm methodically ripping CDs to it. Interestingly on some CDs it makes a loud humming noise during the rip whilst on others it is quieter. I guess its to do with the disc itself (balance, flatness etc).

Regarding the point made around SQ between Spotify and Tidal it is a strange one; Spotify did sound better if anything and I had Tidal set to hifi / FLAC so very odd. I must say also that Spotify sounds as good if not slightly better than the files played through the US (even those downloaded at 24bit) which can not be right! Can anyone give any advice as to how I might check to see if my Kudos X2 speakers are set up / positioned incorrectly? I'm using 1.5m runs of chord epic with origonal chord terminations. I've ensured that the epics are dressed properly and are not touching any power cables.

Many thanks