Unitiserve close call

I think the OP is a bit confused.

Nobody needs a US or Core to use the Naim app and run a Naim streamer (if that was the case Naim would be in dire straits financially). The Naim just needs to talk with UPNP or DLNA software, which is loaded onto the storage device of their choice (NAS, Vortexbox, PC, US, etc). The app then “talks” to this software, which pulls the music from the server and sends it to the streamer. The app is really just a pointer. 

So up to you if you want to retain the US and/or get a Core, but absolutely not essential, and imo, for the cost of either of those, I would just get a second NAS and then you have a true mirror for mirror back up system in place and put the rest of the money elsewhere in the system (or for music). Most people have a pc or laptop - use dbpoweramp ($50 but so worth it) and an inexpensive CD burner if your pc doesn’t have one in it, and then drag the files from your computer to the NAS. Easy. 

Thinking of getting a QNAP myself. The silent model looks nice in that it could be left in the living room and “bridged” direct to the streamer (microRendu in my case) which is supposed to be a big jump in sq (essentially bypassing all switches, routers etc). Has anyone done this? I may just go for a big four bay or such for my photography, but curious. 

the best place for a nas is in your loft space

1. Adam Zielinski posted:

Good choice [@mention:37750161766213550].

I also use a ‘quiet’ version of QNAP NAS - in my case it had to go on a shelf in a network rack. So horizontal orientation was the meain decisive factor.

Adam, how quiet is your QNAP? My TS-212P is audible at 2.7 m distance (like a faint hum).

Loft or long ethernet cabling is not an option for me, it has to be near the hi fit rack.

I am considering getting a really quiet server, preferably dedicated to music. Unfortunately I have ruled out the Core given the idiosyncratic way it handles metadata so I am looking at the likes of Innuos and Antipodes - but then the lext logical step would be to use them as renderers as well and move to a dedicated DAC rather than a steamer. A really quiet, pure music focusing, electrical noise and RFI concious NAS is something I would be interested in.

thx, Greg

You can still hear the hard-drives whirring. That’s about it.

Because of passive cooling, it needs space around it to cool.

I seem to recall you have the HS-251 (or the "+" version?) which accepts SSDs - in that case one might dispense with the "residual" hard drives noise as well?

DrPo posted:

I seem to recall you have the HS-251 (or the "+" version?) which accepts SSDs - in that case one might dispense with the "residual" hard drives noise as well?

SSD drives would a good and quiet solution.

I used 6 TB drives in mine, but than again noise is not an issue for me - my NAS lives in a dedicated network cabinet, locked away in a storage room.

I use a HS-251+ with SSDs, it is slient and stays 'cool' even when transcoding to wav from flac to 2 streamers.

charlesphoto posted:

I think the OP is a bit confused.

Nobody needs a US or Core to use the Naim app and run a Naim streamer (if that was the case Naim would be in dire straits financially). The Naim just needs to talk with UPNP or DLNA software, which is loaded onto the storage device of their choice (NAS, Vortexbox, PC, US, etc). The app then “talks” to this software, which pulls the music from the server and sends it to the streamer. The app is really just a pointer. 

So up to you if you want to retain the US and/or get a Core, but absolutely not essential, and imo, for the cost of either of those, I would just get a second NAS and then you have a true mirror for mirror back up system in place and put the rest of the money elsewhere in the system (or for music). Most people have a pc or laptop - use dbpoweramp ($50 but so worth it) and an inexpensive CD burner if your pc doesn’t have one in it, and then drag the files from your computer to the NAS. Easy. 

If you don’t have a streamer but have something like a nDAC plus PS, then a US or Core makes a “streamer” with the nDAC, as good SQ wise as an NDS for a third of the price. I am trying a preloved US SSD, and find even with a 5m Audioquest Forrest optical cable the SQ is close to the CDX2 I play through the nDAC. Still to try a DC1. Some find the US and Core convenient for ripping, but as the OP says you need to back your US or Core.

I would like to try TIDAL, and could stream through the iPad to the nDAC through USB port. Computers, NAS and tablets don’t have good enough sound interfaces. 

Phil

jon honeyball posted:

the best place for a nas is in your loft space

Hmm, why?
In the summer, it can hit 40 degrees Celsius, in the winter, barely above freezing.
Electronics don't usually like temperature extremes.
I'd have thought anywhere stable in temperature and, if it's a noisy NAS, somewhere away from your listening room.
I keep one in my garage as it's a stable temperature (in my case) and well away from my listening room.

ChrisSU posted:

Kiwi cat posted:

I do not download music as HD tracks is expensive and we do not have quobuz here. Once I get familiar with the the NAS maybe I will download reasonably priced music. The important thing for me is to be able to select music via the Naim app on my iPhone and iPad . I do not want a PC on my lap when selecting  music. I mean, I really am ignorant re bypassing the Unitiserve and using a NAS instead. I just want to have a simple tablet based operating system. Also CDs are cheap and I am fine with that level of resolution. Heck, most of my listening is on Tidal, which I find great. I guess I have a steep learning curve coming up!

You don’t need a Naim server to use the Naim app to control a Naim streamer. The app will allow you to browse and play from other servers. For backup, that’s not strictly relevant, but if you are without your Unitiserve, either temporarily because it dies, or if you sell it, you have a choice of server packages which you can run on a Synology or QNAP NAS. Use of the Naim app and Tidal will not be changed, although your ripping process will. 

Hi Chris

Thanks for the excellent clarification. I will be keeping the Unitiserve for ripping and NAS for backup, and will learn how to use the NAS with server packages to play music files, like others have mentioned. I am also relieved to know that these other server packages can be controlled by an iPad. I had imagined that this was the domain of the computer geek.  The NAS is being installed in 2 days. I will be referring to the other helpful posts here for future reference. Thanks.

Filipe posted:

 

If you don’t have a streamer but have something like a nDAC plus PS, then a US or Core makes a “streamer” with the nDAC, as good SQ wise as an NDS for a third of the price. I am trying a preloved US SSD, and find even with a 5m Audioquest Forrest optical cable the SQ is close to the CDX2 I play through the nDAC. Still to try a DC1. Some find the US and Core convenient for ripping, but as the OP says you need to back your US or Core.

I would like to try TIDAL, and could stream through the iPad to the nDAC through USB port. Computers, NAS and tablets don’t have good enough sound interfaces. 

Phil

Yes, agreed - I got my US as a streamer for my existing NDAC - exactly as you say, more or less as good as a full NDS but for much less money.  It's not bad as a streamer.  It accesses all your music stores on the network and gives you internet radio all via a reasonable App.  It just misses out on Tidal/Spotify.  And as you say, it is convenient and accurate for ripping.

Since moving my system into my study close to the PC, I now tend to use the PC (with Tidal) as the streamer but I feed it through a Mutec USB reclocker to avoid noise and jitter from the PC.  This set-up give really good SQ.   I have a DC1 connecting the Mutec to the NDAC. It is very expensive for a cable and I would say it is better than cheap coax cables (without having done proper listening tests), but can't tell you if it is better than good quality but alternatives.  

blythe posted:

jon honeyball posted:

the best place for a nas is in your loft space

Hmm, why?
In the summer, it can hit 40 degrees Celsius, in the winter, barely above freezing.
Electronics don't usually like temperature extremes.
I'd have thought anywhere stable in temperature and, if it's a noisy NAS, somewhere away from your listening room.
I keep one in my garage as it's a stable temperature (in my case) and well away from my listening room.

Electronics are actually remarkably stable in high temperatures. My synologies are fine to 40degrees C operating temp, and probably considerably higher depending on the drives. 

However, this all depends on your particular circumstances. The advantage of loft space is that its much harder for a burglar to find!

Western Digital state the Red drives are safe operating temp from 0 to 65 degrees C, for example.