NAS + NDX, HDX, Uniti, etc please help
Posted by: Gonzalikus on 16 September 2011
Hello Gang,
I want to take the jump into the stored digital music world but i am lost with the terminology and capabilities of the streaming electronics.
I own a Synology DS211+ NAS where I store my iTunes library, containing ALAC and high quality MP3s and i was hoping play those tunes in my NAS to NDX, HDX, etc... I am planning to upgrade my system COMPLETELY so, i was considering a Supernait/HC, Superuniti, 202/200 with HDX, NDX, Unituserve, etc, etc...so my questions are:
1) How would you set up your system for optimal sound quality if you were looking at equipment in that range.
2) How does the NDX, HDX, "see" files from the NAS?, my NAS uses the iTunes Server application and when i use me Playstation 3 to play files from the NAS its not nicely displayed as it is with iTunes, Synology has its own application which can play ALL files inside the NAS which looks very good (Like iTunes) and has Airplay capabilities which i use with my Airport Express
3) I have seen that Airplay diminishes file quality, is it the same with UPnP file streaming???
4) Does the n-stream app uses the iTunes server in the NAS or just looks inside the folders for music files.... i know this is a very dumb question...
Just for info i am planning to use Sonus Faber Monitor Cremona speakers.
Thanks in advance guys for your help, before i do some auditioning i need to understand all this stuff!!!...
Happy listening...
Unfortunately Naim doesn't support Apple formats like ALAC so you need to convert your files in to something it does support like FLAC or use a streamer that does support ALAC. If your files were in FLAC and your NAS has UPnP server on it then the NDX will see them and play them. The HDX is different. it doesn't need UPnP, it will access files in a file share on your NAS just like a Mac would or any other computer.
Correction–ND5 XS, SuperUniti and NDX units from October forward (using the same streaming module as the two newer units) are said to support Apple Lossless playback (which is also required for AirPlay support).
The HDX and UnitiServe can read and play Apple Lossless files natively, as well as to provide transcoding services to WAV for players which are unable to decode ALAC files natively.
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Correction–ND5 XS, SuperUniti and NDX units from October forward (using the same streaming module as the two newer units) are said to support Apple Lossless playback (which is also required for AirPlay support).
The HDX and UnitiServe can read and play Apple Lossless files natively, as well as to provide transcoding services to WAV for players which are unable to decode ALAC files natively.
Thanks Daviddever,
If I understood correctly no matter which device I select NDX,HDX,Superuniti, etc I will be able to play apple lossless files stored in my NAS. If this is the case, does playing the files natively, or streaming them from my NAS provide the same quality output?, meaning, is there any file quality "downgrade" when feeding the player in different ways?
I have red that this is the case when playing with apple airport express...
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The jury is out on AirPlay sound quality but UPnP is excellent through any of Naim's streamers.
My advice, (others with deeper pockets will no doubt disagree) is to build/buy a Vortexbox UPnP server and stream to SuperUniti / Nap200 and Neat Motive 2SE or Monitor Audio RX6s.
Tog
Thanks tog,
I rip my CDs with iTunes (alac files) and store them in my synology nas to be accessible in my network, what does the vortexbox do that is better besides being a one box solution?, I think in terms of file/sound quality they are both the same...
Are u sure the Superuniti can be upgraded with a nap200 or power supply... I think that's still unknown, or I'm I wrong??
Simon, your answer is the one i was looking for, and the one i was hoping :-)
do you have experience with the n-stream/n-serve apps? how good are they with album artwork, organization etc...
Correction–ND5 XS, SuperUniti and NDX units from October forward (using the same streaming module as the two newer units) are said to support Apple Lossless playback (which is also required for AirPlay support).
The HDX and UnitiServe can read and play Apple Lossless files natively, as well as to provide transcoding services to WAV for players which are unable to decode ALAC files natively.
Hi David -
Many thanks for the correction.
Will there be a firmware upgrade so my UnitiQute can play AIFF or ALAC directly? I've been converting to FLAC on a Vortexbox, but would sooner not do this if I didn't have to. I can and do play Apple formats directly from a computer or through a W4S ZP90/Naim DAC+555PS, but doing this without the intermediate devices does have an appeal.
Thanks as always
All the best, Guy
Simon, your answer is the one i was looking for, and the one i was hoping :-)
do you have experience with the n-stream/n-serve apps? how good are they with album artwork, organization etc...
No sorry, I have been trying to decide which device best suited my needs HDX, Userve or NDX, however with the announcement of the ND5 XS I think I shall be getting that subject to audition. I was seriously considering going down the vortexbox path but I actually have already ripped all my music into ALAC so ultimately seemed little point, actually same applies to Userve and HDX. I have been using an AppleTV2 in one of my systems for casual listening and that works pretty well as a low cost solution.
I have also used Synology's Audio Station App to stream directly from the NAS to my DAC via USB it was servicable if a bit rudimentry. I haven't done any listening comparisons as this was into my HT system rather than the 2 channel system but for background music it was adequate.
Hope this helps,
Cheers Simon.
I too have a Synology DS 211 which I use to stream ALAC files to a NDX. The Synology DSM software can transcode ALAC to WAV, but this has to be activated (under the Synology Audio Station application) as it is not turned on by default. I wrote about this here: https://forums.naimaudio.com/di...415#6776267699453415
The n-Stream app works well on this set-up, but both appear to rely on data served up by the Audio Station software, not iTunes. As such, playlists have to be managed by Audio Station. The downside is that Audio Station is less flexible than iTunes. Otherwise, it sounds great. And as Simon wrote in another thread, the NDX seems to only get better with time.
Tog
I too have a Synology DS 211 which I use to stream ALAC files to a NDX. The Synology DSM software can transcode ALAC to WAV, but this has to be activated (under the Synology Audio Station application) as it is not turned on by default. I wrote about this here: https://forums.naimaudio.com/di...415#6776267699453415
The n-Stream app works well on this set-up, but both appear to rely on data served up by the Audio Station software, not iTunes. As such, playlists have to be managed by Audio Station. The downside is that Audio Station is less flexible than iTunes. Otherwise, it sounds great. And as Simon wrote in another thread, the NDX seems to only get better with time.
Hi LGCS1,
Thanks! thats the answer i was looking for!!!... how does the sound qc is compared to a CDX2, what did u have as source for CDs before?... this NDX sounds like a winner... i guess my poor wallet has to get ready!