Star best SQ configuration

Posted by: Emme on 22 January 2018

Hi to everyone!

I'm an happy owner of a a new Uniti Star. I'd like to know your experience about the configuration to achive the best sound quality for streaming tidal/files (i have over 2000 cds/HD albums). My options are (but not limited to):

- HDD connected by USB to the Star

- macmini/HDD as network server connected by ethernet to apple airport / Star connected by wifi with UPnP (minimserver?)

- roon on macmini/HDD as network server connected by ethernet to apple airport / Star connected by wifi as roon endpoint

Thank you in advance for your answers and tips...

Posted on: 22 January 2018 by ChrisSU

Hi Alberto

If your USB hard drive has enough capacity, and you can find all your music on it with the Naim app, I would just use that. (Don't forget to make a backup copy!) For Tidal you may find an Ethernet cable connection better than WiFi, but if your WiFi is working well, no need to change it.

If you already have a Mac Mini, you can certainly use it as a music store and server. If the USB HDD is working well, there is probably no need. If you need to buy a Mac Mini, it is an expensive solution just for a server. A NAS such as QNAP or Synology running a UPnP server such as Minim or Asset would do a good job, and cost much less.

If you are considering Roon, try the free trial and see what you think. I find that it works very well, but do I need it to enjoy my music? Not really.

Posted on: 22 January 2018 by Emme

For the option no.1 (just HDD connected to the star) is better a powered HDD or a USB powerd drive?