HDX + NDS vs Streaming Site + NDS
Posted by: Consciousmess on 26 July 2017
The NDS is praised as the current Naim top, but this is based on the assumption that one's router and the websites one uses are always working well.
So one having one's own HD tracks on an HDX outputting to an NDS must therefore top this? Less chance of error. Potentially with 2x 555 PS on the NDS.
Do you see where I'm coming from?)
(Shame you can't unlike my thread!!)
Local storage is currently considered to out perform website based streaming. Problems with equipment such as routers will also impact local storage. Direct connection of the HDX to the NDS using SPDIF is considered suboptimal.
Paul
Did you not just contradict yourself?
No contradiction, Paul's answer is quite correct.
S/Pdif transport is quite different from network transport via Ethernet, and is prone to other problems that cause more difficult issues when sourced direct from an HDX.
Thanks for the clarification, but my question still stands. Take coaxial instead, that from HDX to NDS is better quality than streaming,
I think most people agree that so far streaming sites are not as good SQ as locally stored music. Of course it depends what format your locally stored music is in, but if it's HD downloads or CD rips, it should sound good. But if and when you can stream a reasonable range of HD then that may change the balance of benefit. The big advantage of streaming sites is choice, which may or may not match your personal likes, and the chance to try for free music that you might decide later to buy as a CD, LP or download.
Home networks can be a hassle but mostly they are not. If you have an HDX and an NDS then you can try a direct connection and a networked connection and decide for yourself. I'm not sure I have answered your question, but those are my first thoughts anyway.
best
David
So you're using your HDX as a server. If that were a core or uniti serve then yes a ripped cd from there would be better than say streaming highest quality Tidal. I'm running apple lossless from my mac and that's better than what I'm getting from my Tidal subscription (I'm looking at other options as the Apple thing is driving me nuts)
Thanks for the responses - kind of helps as I may part exchange my nDAC for the NDS and I immensely value my HDX.
Consciousmess posted:Thanks for the responses - kind of helps as I may part exchange my nDAC for the NDS and I immensely value my HDX.
I would argue that your HDX becomes somewhat redundant if you move to an NDS, as a regular NAS would do the same job as a UPnP server/music store, freeing up some rack space/capital. There may be differences in performance between different NAS based servers, HDX, Unitiserve, Core etc, but I think these are likely to be subjective, and relatively small. I think you'll find any of those options will sound better than web based streaming though - by which I mean Tidal 16/44.
Ok my friend thanks for the tip. The temptation is to direct the funds towards a 552 non DR - but (first world dilemma eh?) I got my 252 SC2 DRd within the last year. That's why the source has more 'salience'.
(The pondering is based on a new and well set out listening room, I've recently realised the benefits in utilising Naim Forum advice on stacks, cable length, placing equipment away and to the side.)