UPnP and local playback: operation, compatibility and control

What Is UPnP?

UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) is a protocol that allows Naim products to stream music from compatible servers on the same network. It enables playback of locally stored music from devices such as computers, NAS drives, or dedicated UPnP servers.

Types of UPnP Servers

There are several types of UPnP servers that can be used:

• Software-based servers: Installed on a computer (e.g. Asset UPnP, MinimServer, JRiver).
• NAS-based servers: Built into network-attached storage devices.
• Dedicated hardware servers: Such as the Uniti Core.

These servers index music libraries and make them accessible to Naim streamers over the network.

Recommended UPnP Servers

The following servers are known to work well with Naim products:

• Asset UPnP
• MinimServer
• JRiver Media Center
• Twonky Server

These options offer reliable indexing, metadata handling, and compatibility with high-resolution audio formats.

UPnP vs DLNA

While UPnP and DLNA are closely related, UPnP offers more flexibility and better support for advanced features such as gapless playback and high-resolution audio. DLNA is a subset of UPnP and may not support all features required for optimal performance with Naim products.

Control Options

UPnP playback can be controlled using:

• The Focal & Naim app
• Third-party control points (e.g. BubbleUPnP, mconnect)
• Remote controls (on supported models)

The Focal & Naim app provides full browsing, playback, and queue management capabilities. Some models also allow basic UPnP navigation via the physical remote.