Mu-So QB with UnitiServ question

One thing you should bear in mind is that Naim intend, if I understand them correctly, to merge the functionality of the 2 apps into one new Naim app that will control both their servers and their streamers. This, of course, is designed to work with the new Uniti range, and although the existing products will be supported as far as possible, there must be some limitations.

Given your specific reliance on the n-Serve app, I would make sure that you have a backup copy of it as a fallback, just in case you run into problems with the new (or current) Naim app in future.

In answer to your other questions,

1. Any Naim streamer should be able to find your Unitiserve as long as it has a wired Ethernet connection to your LAN. No real configuration is required.

2. See 1. No need for it to use your backup.

3. As your V1 isn't playing on your network, but via a direct SPDIF connection, it is quite separate from the Muso streaming player. I'm pretty sure the US will play to both devices simultaneously, but you can't make them play in sync. If you set up the Muso and like its operation, one option for the future might be to replace the V1 with a streamer so that everything works nicely together.

4. See 3!

Hope that helps,

Chris 

One of the things I love about our Qb in the kitchen is that it can be synchronised with the main system in the sitting room so that when we walk from one room to the other the music flows seamlessly. It is also possible to have different music in the same rooms of course. If the Serve is connected to the Dac it is not possible to synchronise in the way that you would like to. Chris mentions possibly swapping the Dac for a streamer and I thought it might be worth suggesting the 272. It would match perfectly with your 250 and would enable you to sell the V1, 202, napsc and Hicap. You would get better sound too, and would be able to control the whole system with one app and get all the functionality you seek. Just a thought. 

Chris - Thanks for this, it has clarified a lot in my head that I thought was right but now I know it is.

HH - yep, that is really where  I want to go but ...

... this is where I am in a bit of a quandary.

I am at the stage where I am creating my final system (Yeah, I know, ha ha) and do not want components that I will be changing again.

I'm not at the 500 level; definitely fixed on my B&W 803D3 speakers and probably my 250DR; LP12 is on the books for upgrading early next year which leaves the server/streamer/DAC/pre ...

The N272 was certainly on my radar but the problem is whether this is better than

- the Ethernet connection better than the direct connection from US (I know posters have said yes to this);

- the built-in DAC better than the V1 (or NDAC/Hugo TT if I upgraded to that);

- the pre better than a 282 (I know my 202 is a bottleneck at present so would be upgrading), might even squeeze a 252 out of the CFO!

My worry is that the N272 will just be a stopgap although certainly something I could do now ...

... so alternative would be replacing the V1/202 with NDX/282 ... much pricier but a much better end-point than the N272 I believe? but would have to wait a couple of years down the line.

Oh dear, immediate gratification versus future wannas ...

... could do both of course

Allan

Well yes, the 282 and NDX might be better (but only with an XPS on the NDX) then you could get a 252, but then you'd want an NDS to match...... and so it goes on. I've been there and have no desire to go there again. All I'd say is that a 272 with XPSDR and 250DR and a really good set of speakers (like you already have) is extraordinarily good and may be all you need. That said, if you want to go higher it's not the most flexible way to go. I went there because I neither need nor want flexibility. If you do want that flexibility, swapping the V1 for an NDX and networking the UnitiServe will give you what you were after when you started this thread and before I diverted it.   

HH - thanks for this, very wise words ...

What I really must do is decide on where I want to ultimately end up.

The N272 is a nice compact solution and is very tempting ... could spend the money saved on the LP12 instead.

thanks again,

Allan

ChrisSU posted:

One thing you should bear in mind is that Naim intend, if I understand them correctly, to merge the functionality of the 2 apps into one new Naim app that will control both their servers and their streamers. This, of course, is designed to work with the new Uniti range, and although the existing products will be supported as far as possible, there must be some limitations.

Given your specific reliance on the n-Serve app, I would make sure that you have a backup copy of it as a fallback, just in case you run into problems with the new (or current) Naim app in future.

 

I remember reading something recently from Naim in one of the threads about the new Uniti range where they (Phil I think) said that the new app won't control the old servers, so I imagine that Naim will certainly keep the existing n-stream IOS and Mac apps available for a long time yet.

best

David

I can confirm that my Muso QB can see and play music from the music store on my HDX, which I understand works in the same manner as the Unitiserve, using the N-Serve app.

rightly or wrongly, I point my Muso QB to a Synolgy NAS which is effectively my 3rd back-up - my thinking being it might save the HDX hard drive a little.

I use the Naim app for the QB and N-Serve for the HDX and have had no problems.

i LOVE my Muso QB!

Allan - I've just been through the UnitiServe manual. Unfortunately the set up you would like to achieve will most likely not work.

If you do stick to a solution you propose you would be able to do the following:

* Play back local music via UnitiServe into Dac. You'd also get internet radio

* UnitiServe can simultaneously serve up to 6 individual streams to other network connected stereamers. In your case the two Musos could play back various music. 

* But in order to manage Musos you need a NAIM app, and as I understand it's not acccesible for you

* Also in order to synchronise all devices on the network to play the same music, you need a 'rooms' functionality which is only available on Naim streamers like NDX / N272 and controlled either via NAIM app or a remote control on a streamer's screen. So again - a no go for you.

As to a future system: I think HH is right here. N272 + XPS + NAP 250 may be all the system you'd need. It is a neat 3 box solution, two power plugs. It's also future proof.
If you listen to FM radio or DAB N272 can also be had with an FM / DAB module. Conveniently it has one antena input.

Few words on an NDX - a very good streamer. I'm not too convinced abot power supplies on it though. XPS refinded it in a subtle way. 555PS took it to an uncomforable zone. It's a good match with 282 / HiCap / 250DR. In my opinion nDAC transforms an NDX in a better way than an XPS. But than you run into a danger of testing a power supply on an nDAC....

David Hendon posted:

ChrisSU posted:

One thing you should bear in mind is that Naim intend, if I understand them correctly, to merge the functionality of the 2 apps into one new Naim app that will control both their servers and their streamers. This, of course, is designed to work with the new Uniti range, and although the existing products will be supported as far as possible, there must be some limitations.

Given your specific reliance on the n-Serve app, I would make sure that you have a backup copy of it as a fallback, just in case you run into problems with the new (or current) Naim app in future.

 

I remember reading something recently from Naim in one of the threads about the new Uniti range where they (Phil I think) said that the new app won't control the old servers, so I imagine that Naim will certainly keep the existing n-stream IOS and Mac apps available for a long time yet.

best

David

I think you're right David, so N-Serve will presumably remain available on the app store. Call me paranoid, I think I'll keep a backup copy anyway, just in case.....

Thanks Adam for that detailed reply.

I have just downloaded the Naim app and at least the few pages that I can get into seem somewhat accessible;

not perfect but I'll be contacting Naim about that.

Of course I can't do anything useful since I don't have a Mu-so or streamer but at least I can get into it (unlike some other apps where I'm stuck on page 1).

I'm dithering about where I want to go ...

One thought that occurred to me is that the Naim solution for streaming around the house has some limitations compared to the Sonus - e.g. I could get a Sonus connect with a ceiling speaker for hall and bathrooms.

.... I suppose the new Atom might fit that use case but seems overkill!

I could also use a Sonus connect on my HiFi rig if I wanted music synchronised all around the house.

I know this will leave me with two music networks but, after some thought, I am perhaps tending to think that keeping the Sonus for multi-room might be the best bet and leave the HiFi to look after itself ...

Mu-so QB versus Sonus Play-5 anyone?

Allan

Alan, you cannot navigate the pages of the Naim app, or even it's settings menu, until it is connected to a streamer, so if you're not getting very far with it, your screen reader is probably not to blame here.

Thanks Chris,

I realised that and was only playing with the welcome page ...

a few accessibility issues that I have reported to Naim but generally seemed not too bad ...

however it is the detail of the other pages that is most important and I won't be proceeding further until I check it out in my friendly dealers ...

he is quite amused that paying all this money for HiFi often comes down to whether the free app is accessible

cheers,

Allan

Aside - my friendly dealer is coming tomorrow to pick up my DAC V1 and UnitiServ to upgrade them to the latest firmware/software;

any comments on whether this affects SQ?

The V1 update is said to be a nice improvement in sound quality, although I haven't heard it myself. No change to the sound from the Unitiserve update that I noticed.

Muso QB vs Sonos Play 5 ?

No comparison in terms of sound quality - the QB is streets ahead!