After my false and abandoned attempt to return to a Naim system via a CD5si/Nait5si I still can’t quite get the desire out of my head. It’s still gnawing away at me. The problem was that I really do not want to return to streaming. But after much deliberation and frustration I’ve come up with an idea. Just want to run it past the forum in case I’ve missed something or it’s just a really bad idea for one reason or another.
So it’s this. Get a Nova and just play files from a USB drive plugged into the back of it. No need to stream across a network Connection to our network would be wireless to enable control from the App on our iPad. We only have a couple of hundred CD’s and we won’t be adding to them significantly. This seems like the perfect solution for my needs. But it’s perhaps ‘too easy!” I must surely be overlooking something vital that means it must be a bad idea! Anybody actually done this? Can anyone see any glaring pitfalls that I’ve overlooked? Any thoughts or advice welcome.
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Hi
I keep it simple I have vinyl and cd
A Supernait 3 amp and a Naim cd5si CDP.
Super no frills it just boogies.
I don’t technically stream but I do have an iPod touch in a dock that I’ve ripped CDs from my laptop iTunes and loaded into the iPod and use it as a radio without chat I just put it on shuffle.
I get great music with no DJ and no urge to buy the album as I already have it. 
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I’m all for keeping it simple. We only have CD which is how I like it. But wanting to return to Naim now and keeping it simple means really embracing the one box concept. I do find this hugely appealing but I’ve no desire whatsoever to get involved with streaming again having already had my fill of it from a Melco. But using a USB drive attached to the Nova seems like a simple no fiuss solution. Just need to make sure it will work satisfactorily and that I’m not overlooking something.
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I imagine you have all the CDs ripped to a drive then.
Taste and try before you buy. 
not streaming ? I have no idea why, but its your choice.
however, in the Nova you’re paying for a streaming module, so a bit of a waste of functionality ?
why not buy a SN3 or a NN50 and a CDP ?
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No. They were all ripped to the Melco before it departed. So I would need to re rip to our MacBook. I’m going off the idea already…..!
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Absolutely true. The Nova is not an ideal solution. It’s a bit of a work-around which I agree isn’t really quite right for my needs. But it appears to be the only way back to Naim electronics for me if I want to buy new - which I do.
I don’t think the Nova has a CD player, so you’d presumably only be streaming from your files which I thought you wanted to avoid? (I suppose you could add a CD transport.) Streaming from your own stored music and not using network makes every sense (which is why I do it) - did you try using your Melco that way? I have no idea if Nova can stream from its usb socket.
And Nova powering what? Your Klipschs? Maybe need to try first (and that would answer your question anyway). Or is this to be a second system?
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Exactly! just for clarity I want to avoid streaming across our network for various reasons. This is why I propose using an attached USB drive on the Nova. The Melco played direct into our Chord Qutest DAC via USB. No it won’t be a good match for the Klipsch’s which is a real shame and probably reason enough not to go ahead. I’m just really weighing up all my options here. I do have a strong urge to get back to Naim electronics though.
All I’m really looking for at this stage is someone to tell me “yes the Nova will work fine playing files from a USB drive” or “no it’s really not a good idea because of x,y and z….”.
Clearly you’re confused as to the best path. A few days ago you discounted All in One’s because you knew you’d want to upgrade some parts eventually .. Now you consider an All in One, except it isn’t, because it doesn’t play CD’s .. but does streaming which you say you won’t be using. And you only have 200 CD’s. I’d say stick with whatever you’ve got, or book some demos with local dealers, to clear some confusion and point the best way.
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sometimes I use my Nova without internet.
just plug a SSD on the back and listen to files.
but I have a WIFI access point to control my Nova with my phone
I’ve never had much involvement with dealers, but as @CrazyRiver suggests that might be something you need to do, as your multiple threads here suggest that you are having difficulty both rationalising to yourself what you really want to do, and finding a solution to whatever your underlying need or problem may be. It might take seeing multiple dealers before you find one who is able to help you recognise what you really want.
Aside from that, perhaps it is worth identifying what it is that makes you want to “go back” to Naim amplification? The Nova may have a very different sound character from Naim amps you’ve heard in the past, as from all accounts the character has changed over time. If you are hankering specifically after the “Naim sound” of the 1970s and 1980s, that might only be achievable with their amps from that era.
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We all know you are a serious man, so you wouldn’t be satisfied with a Nova – it’s a toy, money wasting. Like Skeptikal for simplest solution you need a Supernait 3/NN50, they are the real Naim my friend.
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That I suspect may very well be true. It’s difficult in a way for me to rationalise my thoughts/feelings about all this because I’m really not entirely sure what’s driving me. It’s not that I’m actually disatisfied with the sound we’ve got now which is fabulous to me. It’s more a feeling of remembering my very early Linn/Naim systems and having a desire to recreate that experience now. So I know it’s not really rational and I know it’s not going to sound like that. I can’t even say reliably what that actually sounded like anyway after several decades have passed. Also I was very inexperienced in hi-fi then, a lot younger and life was completely different. No doubt all of that has a bearing on what I think I remember.
I guess what I should really be doing is treating this as a fun project and buying used equipment to set up a second system similar to what I once had. That would make more sense. We really don’t have the cash to spare to indulge something like that though.
Anyway the very act of posting here and getting the replies I have has helped to greatly clarify my thoughts and I think I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m better off leaving well alone. This is surely where the forum is worth it’s weight in gold, ie. experienced and wise members helping a lost soul find their way back onto the right path. So I’m very grateful to all here for your kind patience and help.
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Yes it will. The USB input on the Nova will allow you to access CD rips or other music files and it will sound as good as any other way of playing on the Nova such as streaming the same files over your home network.
Do you really need to re-rip? Surely you have a backup copy of rips you had on your Melco.
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If you’re not going to use the streamer then why pay for it with a Nova?
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Maybe what you need to do is get a second system to keep what you love but also scratch that itch, e.g. comprising an old spec LP2, old Naim integrated amp and Kans - but no good if you don’t have any vinyl! So either your Melco+Qutest, or if you no longer have Melco perhaps a WiiM Ultra (which is said to be remarkably good sound quality for its cost) either with Qutest or even using its own DAC. Or sonething like a Marantz CD player.
He wants a one box system that can play digital files. There is no Naim system that does that without a streamer in it.
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