Hard drive storage/playback.

What have you tried precisely and what has not been working?

The ND5XS is a very capable streamer and you shouldn't have any problem using it in a wired LAN with no matter what UPnP server running on a NAS, laptop, desktop, RPi, US, Uniti Core, etc.

I suggest that you first get this basic functionality up and running and well controllable via the Naim app. Then you can think about adding support for Tidal and perhaps upgrading or fine-tuning your UPnP server.

Streaming from your own store removes the internet variable, and is all I do, other than when sampling something new to see if I like it, when I use either Spotify (basic), uTube etc, linked through the Mac Mini that is my store, but not worrying about sound quality. I also personally prefer not to stream across a network at home, keeping it simple with a combined store and renderer, feeding DAC direct.

The Uniti Core is something I have thought could excel in such a role, though there has not been too much yet comparing its sound quality from SPDIF output compared to other good renderers. Alternatives without getting into complex setting up/DIY include Melco Innuos Zenith and Aurender.

Some people like Roon. Although I didn't appreciate its social-media type feel, and having no interest in Tidal found that aspect simply annoying, it does seemplessly blend Tidal with your own stored music, so for anyone reallly wanting Tidal it would seen possibly very good. Just yesterday or the day before Naim announced Roon connectivity for Uniti, so possibly UNiti Core is the door to both worlds?

See previous thread. If I had an axe...

I don't the Core will ever do Roon because Naim say it is just a hard disc player/server. Nor is it mentioned in Naim's release about "Roon Ready".

best

David

Innocent Bystander posted:

Some people like Roon. Although I didn't appreciate its social-media type feel, and having no interest in Tidal found that aspect simply annoying, it does seemplessly blend Tidal with your own stored music, so for anyone reallly wanting Tidal it would seen possibly very good. Just yesterday or the day before Naim announced Roon connectivity for Uniti, so possibly UNiti Core is the door to both worlds?

I do not think so. The Core is basically a port of the Uniti Serve functionalities on a Linux platform. Naim has not annouced support for Roon, internet streaming services or internet radio on the Core, as far as I know.

For £500 you can get a really good nas, with a couple of 3Tb drives. Cheaper than a Core, more flexible, though it needs setting up. If I can do it, anyone can. 

Do tell.

I'm with HH,  NAS every time;  rip CD's with dBpoweramp software on your PC/Mac/Laptop,  plus download www purchased HiRes files, free choice of file format WAV/FLAC & DSD etc.,  easy editing of metadata & simple file management.

Go for forum favourite NAS makes of QNAP using Asset or Minimserver UPnP media server software,   or Synology with their own Media Server or the 3rd party pre-installed Minimserver software

See, I haven't the slightest idea what any of that means.

All I need to know is the name of the box. I just want to plug it in, switch it on and listen to the music.

Kind of what I was expecting when I bought the NAIM streamer.I 

You need a Core then if like me you have no love of computers and want an easy set up. Yes there have been problems but most are fixed. There are just as many posts with set up problems with other devices.

Gazza posted:

You need a Core then if like me you have no love of computers and want an easy set up. Yes there have been problems but most are fixed. There are just as many posts with set up problems with other devices.

Do you really think a Naim Uniti Core is going to help the OP getting Tidal without dropouts on his ND5XS? It will not, unfortunately.

nbpf posted:

Gazza posted:

You need a Core then if like me you have no love of computers and want an easy set up. Yes there have been problems but most are fixed. There are just as many posts with set up problems with other devices.

Do you really think a Naim Uniti Core is going to help the OP getting Tidal without dropouts on his ND5XS? It will not, unfortunately.

But my understaning is that he's given up with Tidal and decided on ripped CDs.

However if he might still be interested in Tidal, this quote lifted from Naim's "Connections" newsletter on Friday: "A software update will be available at the end of October across the Uniti all-in-one players featuring Roon Ready". That does suggest to me that it includes the Core. Of course, if dropouts are due to the internet not the ND5XS, it will not fix that.

I haven't the slightest idea what "Roon" is. Isn't the Core a NAS? What has Tidal got to do with that?  Will that update not apply to my ND5XS, then?

Yes I want to move to downloading and storing music files. Yes I'm completely fed up with trying to get NAIM/Tidal to work. Yes there's no problem streaming radio stations. And YES! I'd like someone to recommend a Naim-compatible "NAS" that will do this.

Frankly, I wish I'd never moved from a CD-based system in the first place.

Innocent Bystander posted:

nbpf posted:

Gazza posted:

You need a Core then if like me you have no love of computers and want an easy set up. Yes there have been problems but most are fixed. There are just as many posts with set up problems with other devices.

Do you really think a Naim Uniti Core is going to help the OP getting Tidal without dropouts on his ND5XS? It will not, unfortunately.

But my understaning is that he's given up with Tidal and decided on ripped CDs.

However if he might still be interested in Tidal, this quote lifted from Naim's "Connections" newsletter on Friday: "A software update will be available at the end of October across the Uniti all-in-one players featuring Roon Ready". That does suggest to me that it includes the Core. Of course, if dropouts are due to the internet not the ND5XS, it will not fix that.

 

You are right, that's an interesting twist. If the Core player will support Tidal by becoming Roon ready, however, the OP will still have to connect the Core to the ND5XS via SPDIF thus bypassing the streaming module of the ND5XS. This is something that he could already try, e.g., via a Meridian Explorer connected to a mobile device. This would also provide him a definite answer to the question of whether the Tidal dropouts that he is experiencing with the ND5XS are caused by limitations in the current ND5XS firmware or by limitations of his LAN or internet connection. In fact, he does not even need to connect a phone to the ND5XS to make this test: just fire up the Tidal app on a iOS or Android phone and check whether this delivers streaming without dropouts or not. Only in this case it makes sense to think about ways of feeding the ND5XS with a Roon ready device via SPDIF.

Mike, the Core is a plug and play NAS. Just connect by ethernet to your router, preferably by a network switch. You then use the Naim app to find the core as a new room on the App follow the set up and you can start ripping cds or download music from your pc or another NAS on the system. You do not need a pc, just iPad or smart phone with the App.

That's what I'm looking for. I'm interested in Hungry Halibut's cheaper option however, but he seems shy about telling me what it is...

Next numpty question - what exactly is a "network switch" in this context?

It’s just a switch which will activate the ethernet cable to router when say the Core is switched on. They cost about £30 on Amazon, Maplin etc for a reasonable quality device, and they usually have 4, 6 or 8 connections. Hence your ND5xs would be connected to the same switch.They seem to benefit the system stability by isolating from the router. Others on the forum could explain better

HH is many things, but shy isn't one of them! He has a QNAP NAS. I forget which one but he will be along later and tell us no doubt. He says he preferred the sound quality to what he got on his old Unitiserve. With a NAS you have to use a computer to rip the CD, edit the metadata if you want to and transfer the music onto the NAS. In selecting and playing music, whereas with a Core you stick the CD into the slot and you edit the metadata using the Naim app. For playback a NAS works just like a Core.

A network switch is a plug and play box that you can use to mean that traffic within your network, like streams from your Core or NAS to your streamer, doesn't go near your router. Many of us have found this makes the network more stable. They don't cost much. This is a brief explanation, grossly over-simplified, but many of us can expand on this if you want more info!

best

David

Why don't you talk to the Naim Audio dealer who sold you the ND5XS? I would expect the dealer would have experience of several different set-ups to suit numerous customers with different levels of computer understanding and confidence. 

Mike, 

Clive makes an excellent suggestion. At least it will give you an idea of the various options available.

From what you say, it sounds like a turnkey ripper and server solution (such as the Core) would do you. There are cheaper options available from companies such as Innuos or Zoneripper. All of these will sit on your home network, serve music to your ND5XS and allow you to easily rip CDs without needing to use a computer. There is a lot of support here on the forum if you get stuck 

James

"Why don't you talk to the Naim Audio dealer who sold you the ND5XS?"

He's in England and I now live in Spain.

However, I am going to replace my speakers which are too big for my new listening room from the only NAIM dealer in Andalucia. 

Going forward,  I'm going to wait for the new firmware update at the end if the month and if that solves the problem then all well and good.

If not, then it's Core time, I think.

Mike1951 posted:

See, I haven't the slightest idea what any of that means.

All I need to know is the name of the box. I just want to plug it in, switch it on and listen to the music.

Kind of what I was expecting when I bought the NAIM streamer.I 

OK if you have no idea what it all means despite getting talked about on a daily basis on the forum,  maybe a Core or similar other make ripping box is for you.

No shit Sherlock! 

Mike - just get a Core. It will do exactly what you want and it's simple to set up.

just make sure your delaer fits a hard-drive to it. Go for 2-3 TB version fo thr hardrive so it's future proof.

And enjoy the music! 

Adam