NDX questions ?

al9315 posted:

Hi Thinking of buying a NDX player

Am I right in thinking that my own PC CD drive can copy the CDs using something like dbPoweramp and then store them on a NAS drive, then I just need to link an ethernet cable from NAS to router to NDX?

1. Can I have ethernet socket put in wall in PC room, cable run along outside of house, drill through and another ethernet socket in lounge where NDX will be, this would mean two ethernet leads + cable run, would these connections cause any issues ?

2. I do not own an iPhone or iPad - could I just buy an android one to use for playlists....?

3. Can anyone explain what the following means (been reading lots of threads) ? :-

"FLAC to WAV on the fly" - "Transcodes to PCM" - "using Asset UPnP"

Final questions - am I right in assuming I would need NDX, iPad or Andoid Pad, to purchase some software e.g. dbPoweramp, to purchase a NAS like synology and a couple of Hard drives

I already have 3 or 4 1-2 Tb drives with a docking station, so I assume I could back up to them? - Approx 400-500 CDs

I know I should go to a dealer, but I do not currently have one, nor am particularly near one, and plan to buy 2nd hand NDX, so not fair to quiz dealer

Thanks for your patience and any assistance !

Regards,

Al

 

 

Al

have owned an NDX for 2 years now changed from CDX2/XPS and have never regreated it, lots of questions -

a number of forum members are very good on the IT, but from my experience

1: you can if you wish drill holes etc - it is better to contact the NDX directly into your router or like me and I am sure a number of others you and use Develio plugs to contact you NDX to the router -  around the house but I would suggest you need a good internet siqnal

2: i use IPAD but I am sure you can use another phone or run directly from NDX

3: FLAC is Free losses audion Codec - or WAV i prefer FLAC as the meta data infomation is better or WAV lots of users prefer different forms, normally lossess at 5+

dBpoweramp is very good and used by a number on this forum - software you can purchase on the web and use on your PC - it rips your current CD collection into music formats - ideally NAS for stoarge of music files and YES always have a seperate back up

there are other options as well as NDX 272 for instance -

enjoy the serach

al9315 posted:

Hi Thinking of buying a NDX player   ...............................  

Antony D has it pretty well covered,  but add my two'pen'arth

Am I right in thinking that my own PC CD drive can copy the CDs using something like dbPoweramp and then store them on a NAS drive, then I just need to link an ethernet cable from NAS to router to NDX?  ...................   YES. 

1. Can I have ethernet socket put in wall in PC room, cable run along outside of house, drill through and another ethernet socket in lounge where NDX will be, this would mean two ethernet leads + cable run, would these connections cause any issues ?  .................  YES - the basic schematic is attached (below),  a network switch shown in the schematic is ideal,   but the switching function can be done through the router providing its good quality;  that will look like NAD<->Router<->NDX.     An all Ethernet connection is a must TBH,  wireless & EoP plug adaptors are liable to be unreliable or cause problems.

2. I do not own an iPhone or iPad - could I just buy an android one to use for playlists............... YES  - I use iPad & a Samsung (Android) phone 

3. Can anyone explain what the following means (been reading lots of threads) ? :-   "FLAC to WAV on the fly" - "Transcodes to PCM" - "using Asset UPnP"  ..............   This all concerning transcoding,  don't get put off or confused by terminology,  what its saying is FLAC codec has slightly better SQ if transcoded to WAV.  That's done in the NAS by the UPnP media server.  (Asset is a UPnP media server)      

Final questions - am I right in assuming I would need NDX, iPad or Andoid Pad, to purchase some software e.g. dbPoweramp, to purchase a NAS like synology and a couple of Hard drives  ..............   YES - NAS choice is wide,  the make, model & the UPnP server choices etc    This is another subject,  so maybe better to gather thoughts & read up on it - the forum search is your friend - but come back with more questions if needed.    

I already have 3 or 4 1-2 Tb drives with a docking station, so I assume I could back up to them? - Approx 400-500 CDs ........... YES

Hi - Thanks very much for replies - I feel I am perhaps on the right track at last

Regards,

Al

Hi AL9315 - I'm at the same stage as you - the start of the streaming adventure! I'd download dBpoweramp asap and just start exploring the software with reference to the helpful set up guide on the 'illustrate' site, plus all of the brilliant help and advice here on the forum...

http://www.dbpoweramp.com/cd-ripper-setup-guide.htm

Maybe it is not nessesary to drill through walls if you can use a w-lan-repeater whith your w-lan-rooter as I do. But only for the internet-connection like:

Internet - ethernet - w-lan-rooter - w-lan - repeater - ethernet - switch - two ethernet - one to NDX and one to NAS

In this case you have a stable connection between NDX and NAS over the switch and also a good w-lan connection to your android/iPad. Only the access to internet-radio can be a problem if the connection between w-lan-rooter and w-lan-repeater is to bad.

Since the advent of Windows XP, there has been the provision for whatever metadata you want in WAVE files, this is no longer a particular advantage to FLAC.

Using wired Ethernet is better than WiFi in two ways:  1 It's reliable with HiRes recordings (where as WiFi often gives dropouts).  2 It give superior sound quality as then you can turn off the WiFi transceiver in the streamer and reduce the RF noise on the internal power supplies.

Using Develio plugs or any similar PLAs, puts a lot of RF noise pollution onto the mains which also has the potential to degrade sound quality (and may have negative consequences to health - the research into this is still ongoing).

Finally don't forget mirror drives in a NAS aren't the same as backups (despite what some people think), you still need data backups.

One more thing ! - Just been looking on a music download site - 3 versions of the same album - Hi Res - Hi Res Quobuz sublime -16 bit  CD quality : different prices 

Can the NDX play all of these ?

Thanks everyone for assistance

Al

Yes - & No

Hi-Res is a 24-bit encoded album (WAV, FLAC or whatever codec is available, its your choice & remember the conversion software is in dBpoweramp)  & 16-bit is CD quality like it sez on the label  (again its WAV, FLAC or whatever codec is available).   Sublime is the top end CD quality streaming service & the price you pay for 24-bit downloads when you've signed up for Sublime. 

Hi Al

I have had an NDX for over 3 years now and when I first purchased it had very limited knowledge of streaming music, since then my CDX2 has long gone, I used dbpoweramp for ripping CD's initially but since moved on to Unity Serve and NAS for back up, expensive but very easy, lots of posts on forum re this, I got mine before I discovered the forum

Mike B has it pretty well summed up, use only wired connections and preferably a separate switch for your music system

This is my first post on the forum and would definitely recommend NDX