Core - Help me understand...I'm a little bit lost...
Posted by: JF Lux on 02 January 2017
I will apologize upfront if this is either obvious or can be gleaned from other threads...but going to ask anyway...
I get that the Core is a ripper and storage device. But I am wondering if it is something for me.
My immediate objective is to improve on my source (Squeezebox Touch with EDO hi-res plug-in) and limit connection points from current NAS and basically "isolate" music files from NAS/home network. Thought process is to have music playing from storage direct to system without going through switches, cable runs etc (existing wired network is not with best CAT Ethernet cables and re-cabling would be quite some effort. Also thinking this will reduce SMPS in the circuit). The NAS will then be removed from the hi-if system but will be used as file back-up.
1) I have already ripped my CD's to a NAS (dbPoweramp for ripping; lossless FLAC; windows laptop used to rip) and do not want re-rip if I can help it - So is it simply just copying existing files from the NAS to a Core ? Would there be issues with metadata, file structure etc ?
2) Rarely buy CD's now and instead download from Qobuz and HDTracks - Can the Core be used to directly download to or will it still need to be done via PC and then copy to Core ? (And then have the same issues from question 1, should there be any?)
3) I'm assuming the Core cannot be used in any way to stream Qobuz as it is not a streamer (but I can keep the SBT for that purpose) - correct?
4) Does the Core (via the control app) bring system automation to the NAC202 and nDAC or is that just provided by NDX etc ?
5) Or am I barking up the wrong tree (or just barking mad...) and what i want is not going to be easily answered by a Core and i should hold out and see if Naim brings out new streamer/renderer products...?
Right now I am not looking at an NDX - I have had one on home demo several months ago and whilst it was clearly a better source, it was marginal and definitely not a big enough improvement to justify the replacement of the SBT. However, that was when it was with a Rega DAC and before the nDAC.
Or should question 6 be go the MacMini/Audirvana route as this will be storage/renderer/Qobuz download...? With assumption that difference in replay quality (if any...) between MM and Core is going to be nuanced rather than spectacular...?
(Current system is SBT with ability to replay up to 24/192; nDAC; NAC202/HICAPDR/NAPSC; NAP200(DR); SOnus Faber Toy Towers; NACa5 7m; Supra digital interconnect between SBT and nDAC; QNAP NAS) And before other options are suggested - dedicated mains not feasible; dedicated hi-if stand is planned anyway; will eventually change speakers but not right now as SWMBO seems to like the black leather 
; no plans to change amps for a couple of years. And if I can find a used 555ps (non-DR) for the nDAC I will get one...but these seem to be thin on the ground right now...
thanks in advance for feedback and thoughts.
JF Lux posted:NBPF - I wouldn't say you have misunderstood the original questions. But I do need to think again as to how to approach this
Getting a good understanding of what one actually needs or wants to achieve is truly not that easy. My experience is that, to this end, Naim's product documentation and, by large, product documentations in general, are in the best case not helpful. You'll have to figure out what matters to you and what you are actually after. In my specific case, I find Naim's DACs, amplifiers and speakers very compelling options. At the same time, I find Naim servers and streamers lacking. This has likely to do with the fact that I can easily set up a server that better fulfils my needs than a Core but I would have a very hard time building a speaker, let apart a DAC or an amplifier. Good luck and, no matter what in the end you go for, have fun and enjoy the journey! Best, nbpf.