streaming with melco/NDX experiences

Posted by: Matthew Johns on 07 November 2016

Hi hopefully re-posted into correct forum,

 

curious about peoples experiences of SQ when streaming with the Melco units (N1A and N1Z) into a NDX 

1) is there a uplift in SQ compared to say a good NAS?

2) more me wondering how melco would fare say against the new uniti core OR the innous Zenith Mk.II set up ?

anyhow interested in peoples experiences with it in streaming setup and whether any noticable uplift in SQ......

also as an aside is the melco capable of transcoding FLAC to WAV?

 

views/opinions appreciated

thanks again 

Posted on: 27 December 2016 by Simon-in-Suffolk
Innocent Bystander posted:
ThatsNotMyNaim posted:

I have a suspicion that it (Core to Hugo) won't sound anywhere near as good as an NDX to Hugo. Seems obvious right?

 

Not sure in what way it is obvious? Core is a much more modern product than NDX, with the benefit of years of experience and development. In this relatively young and rapidly developing field it is easy for products to become outdated, even when a planned successor may not yet be available. All I would say is, don't close your mond to the possibility, but assess how it truly sounds.

Streaming has been going since the late 90s, when I guess I first started getting involved with it, - not really young or immature. I think Naim have learnt that there are practical limitations with their current streaming architecture - and the new Uniti products have introduced a more flexible approach so as to be able to better suite application integration from more diverse markets more easily. I think the area that is evolving now is post streaming and is more about app media casting which is the latest development area - and yes the new Uniti products adopt Google Cast in this regard for easier application integration.

I think Naim have learnt that integration with their current platforms have proved harder than anticipated and I suspect this has driven some of the architectural changes in the new Uniti products. It will be interesting to see what trickles up to the new Classic streamers which I am sure will appear before too long.

I agree there is no reason to think that the Uniti Core feeding the Hugo via SPDIF won't sound superb - I assume the Unit Core uses a galvanically isolated SPDIF output.

S

Posted on: 27 December 2016 by ThatsNotMyNaim

I may eat my words then!

Posted on: 27 December 2016 by Bart

We must be careful with the "rapidly evolving" mentality.  That was my mentality when I first bought my first real adult hi fi in the summer of 2011 (coincides with me joining this zany forum).  UPnP is still here.  flac and wav are still here.  Yes there have been improvements, but the basic technology is still here and nothing has UNIVERSALLY replaced those for those of us who want a central server and multiple client format in their home.

I am sure glad that I jumped in in 2011 with a UnitiServe.  If I'd waited for the "next great thing," I'd still be waiting!

Posted on: 27 December 2016 by Dan43

Melco N1A into N272. I found an improvement over my SSD NAS drive, quieter, inky blacks is one way to describe it, and for me not that subtle.

For me direct playback via Cat6 is best, but some have had real joy via Devialet and USB out from N1A.

I'm a fan, WAV rips from a BR Disc player was a one touch operation and stored easily enough internally.

I run MinimServer through the Melco all music files are stored internally.