Parisian

Hi Chris,<br /> <br /> Could you tell what is the media software installed on the Drobo NAS. This is to me an important issue since I am experiencing unsolved problems when trying to read my files metadata with my QNAP's Twonky Media (http://forum.qnap.com/viewtopic.php?f=177&t=38457&p=242275).<br /> Thanks Gilles<br />

Has anyone tried this new and interesting music server from Austria ?? http://box-designs.com/main.php?prod=streamboxds&cat=source&lang=en Gilles

I am very respectful of CA and I have looked at the archives before posting this new topic, thinking it had already been discussed. It appears that there is no mention of any listening test between a current extraction software and a rip by naim. This is a question since Naim audio claims to have a superior method. Why do I insist on listening tests : this is the final relevant test. Referring to technology can truely help sometimes but can also lead to some serious mistakes. Remind of so to say obvious truth in the past : - the sound of CDs is perfect because bits are bits - the sound of valves is the same as the sound of transistor since they behave the same way - cables don't matter because the only thing they have to do is bring current to the devices or the speakers... So, who has tried the naim and has some experience ? Gilles

@eloise To me the Naim's conclusion is rather ambiguous. I understood (sorry I am not a native English speaker) that good ripping is not on the reach of average PC (or Mac) users (that I am) and that it needs some good knowledge on software and hardware combination ? @sandyk I've already seen that comment. It made me investigate a bit further on this issue. I think the best would be to get some testimonies on listening tests. Gilles

Naim audio theory about ripping CDs Continuing my quest for getting the best out of my newly installed ethernet home network, I found last week an interesting and surprising "white paper" from the naim audio company: http://www.naimaudio.com/userfiles/modules/attachment/naim_cd_ripping_engine.pdf It says that the current extraction softwares do not address some critical difficulties when ripping a CD. I advise you to read the paper as I didn't fully understand all the explanations. I can shortly summarise the different issues: - The burst mode for reading a CD on computer is not adapted to the accuracy needed for reading an audio CD - More and more CDs are copy protected and current softwares do not handle the problem. The protection may have different implementations : corrupt table of content, corrupt data layer and others... - offset correction - capturing lead in and lead out times - mechanism requirements (??) What is the opinion of the forum participants ? Has anyone made a listening comparison of a CD ripped with a naim (HDX or Unitiserve)and the same ripped with a good software (EAC or dbpoweramp) ? Was there any audible difference ? Gilles

Chris,<br /> <br /> I would love you give your advice on network music servers such as Naim NDX, Cambridge NP70, Marantz 7004 and/or Yamaha NP-S2000<br /> <br /> Thanks - Gilles

Thanks David, I kept on investigating these last few weeks. I agree that the Naim NDX could be a very good solution, but the format is limited to 24/96 resolution and does not go up toward 24/192. It worries me a bit given the price of the device. Do you think there could be an upgrade soon? I have also found other devices that seem well adapted to wired network: the Marantz na7004 (it seems difficult to bypass the DAC on this one?), the Cambridge NP30 or the Yamaha NP-S2000 The Unitiserve remains a solution for someone who wants to handle the higher resolution files and choose his DAC

Thanks Dave, Yes, in my last paragraph I meant the SSD version. As it seems you are a specialist for Naim audio products, I am asking you the question : can the Naim Unitiserve read the files and tags (ripped by dbpoweramp) from a remotely ethernet connected NAS without changing the data?? The reason for that is that I don't want to be bound too much to Naim format and that I would like to be able to use the files with other devices in the future. I think this is the same situation as for Olive or Linn devices. Gilles

Thanks dhe, you perfectly summarised my question. Thanks to Eloise too. A precision though: I intended to use the Unitiserve without its ripping capabilites i.e.I would have ripped my CDs previously according to the procedure described by Chris. In this case I think I wouldn't rely on the Naim tagging system, would I? Looking forward to your comments, Gilles

Thanks for all your answers. But I think you missed somehow my question : how to render the data (asynchroneous in principle)coming from a remote NAS through an Ethernet network usable by a DAC (even an old one). I quoted the Naim Unitiserve that seems to do the job. The NDX David mentionned seems quite complete, with an inboard DAC and I fear it to be much more expensive than the Unitiserve. Could the CAPS that Chris recently described could be the ideal solution (I didn't understand all the details)? Thanks again for your answers. Gilles

Hello from France, I am a new comer and this my first participation to the forum. I am currently equipping my house with Ethernet Grade 6 cables and I ask myself how to take the best benefit from this new equipment. I have been reading for some months your discussions and as far as I can see there are only a few possibilites : Linn DS range, the Squeezebox (the Transporter doesn't seem to be available in France), and PS audio DAC. Naim audio was also mentionned and I think it could be the best option (in terms of SQ) with the Naim Unitiserve SSD(never quoted in the forums) fed by a remote NAS. I am conscious that all the functions of the Unitiserve may not be necessary and that the product is expensive ,but the sound qualities of a Naim plus the freedom of choosing whatever DAC one can wish may be worth the price. I am waiting to reading your comments, with a lot of pleasure. Gilles PS : please apologize for the English