Keeping the existing streamer lineup at the forefront

All well & good bringing in better technology,  but I'm not moving anywhere if it does not bring worthwhile gains in sound quality.     I visited a friend a while back who has a whole raft of add-on gizmo's (deliberately not naming),  I was not impressed with the wires & various odd coloured boxes.

Popeye posted:

Morning all

For those that won't want to part with there existing streamers when the new range are released, what other tech is out there that will connect to the streamers to bring them to the forefront of technology and bring other streaming providers like Qobuz into the mix but not to the detriment of sound quality.

I.e products like the Innuos Zen 

 

Regards Popeye

This is relatively simple: every Naim streamer has a S/PDIF input, if I am not mistaken. Thus, one only needs to front-end the streamer with a device that can provide Tidal, Qobuz, Roon, UPnP, etc. and has a good S/PDIF output.

Popular approaches range from using so-called network players (Sonore ultraRendu, SoTM sMS-200ultra, Auralic Aries mini, Raspberry Pi, etc., typically connected to the S/PDIF input of the streamer via a USB to S/PDIF interface like the Schiit Eitr or the Mutec MC-3+ USB) to server+player solutions like those from Aurender, Innuous, Allo (Digione), Magna (Mano), Naim (Core), etc.

I understand that many users of Naim streamers have already implemented such solutions in order to be able to enjoy streaming from Qobuz, Tidal, etc. "wihtout the agonizing pain".

Popeye posted:

For those that won't want to part with there existing streamers when the new range are released, what other tech is out there that will connect to the streamers to bring them to the forefront of technology and bring other streaming providers like Qobuz into the mix but not to the detriment of sound quality.

Qobuz can be "added" by utilising software - if you can run the BubbleUPnPServer software somewhere on your network (on a Raspberry Pi or NAS for examples) and then use Linn Kazoo or Lumin App on your iPad (other software available and options for Android) to control it.

Otherwise you are essentially adding a second Streamer and connecting via SPDIF and then anything is possible.  A Raspberry Pi with DigiOne "Hat" is the obvious cheap (though DIY) solution but anything like Auralic Aeries or perhaps the Bryston bdp-Pi.  Even (perhaps) adding a ND5XS MkII then you can still (maybe) control your Naim pre-amp via the Naim App.

nbpf posted:

Popeye posted:

Morning all

For those that won't want to part with there existing streamers when the new range are released, what other tech is out there that will connect to the streamers to bring them to the forefront of technology and bring other streaming providers like Qobuz into the mix but not to the detriment of sound quality.

I.e products like the Innuos Zen 

 

Regards Popeye

This is relatively simple: every Naim streamer has a S/PDIF input, if I am not mistaken. Thus, one only needs to front-end the streamer with a device that can provide Tidal, Qobuz, Roon, UPnP, etc. and has a good S/PDIF output.

Popular approaches range from using so-called network players (Sonore ultraRendu, SoTM sMS-200ultra, Auralic Aries mini, Raspberry Pi, etc., typically connected to the S/PDIF input of the streamer via a USB to S/PDIF interface like the Schiit Eitr or the Mutec MC-3+ USB) to server+player solutions like those from Aurender, Innuous, Allo (Digione), Magna (Mano), Naim (Core), etc.

I understand that many users of Naim streamers have already implemented such solutions in order to be able to enjoy streaming from Qobuz, Tidal, etc. "wihtout the agonizing pain".

Thanks for your reply. I need to do a bit of googling as this is going straight over the top of my head. Ha

If you're of a non-technical bent, and don't mind things maxing out at 96kHz, the Google Chromecast Audio dongle works pretty well into an optical input.

I've used an Airport Express (older b/g variety seems to be the better-sounding unit), also into an optical input, for AirPlay in the past, but it's really only appropriate for 44.1kHz streams.

For both of the above, you may need a 3.5mm optical to Toslink adaptor at source.

And if you're slightly technical, a Raspberry Pi 3 with HiFiBerry Digi+ Pro audio hat (dual clocks, transformer-isolated SPDIF coax output) is a great platform for Roon (dedicated image from HifiBerry site), Moode (OpenHome / UPnP / MPD / Shairport / TIDAL / Qobuz &c.) or anything else you decide to run on it (e.g., RuneAudio and Volumio, which are similar to Moode). I currently use one of these with my Uniti mk I, which pans out at 96 kHz max, has an original iPod 30-pin analogue input, &c.

You can use an app from resin.io called Etcher (macOS) if you need a simple means to image a micro SD card for use with the Pi, and there are plenty of options for Windows PCs as well.

The Pi 3 + HiFiBerry option can be encased in a metal chassis for slightly better performance, and there are a few 5 VDC Micro-USB power supply options out there, if you're feeling tweaky.