What is the difference between unitserve and uniticore ?

manicm posted:

nbpf posted:

manicm posted:

Christine posted:

The Core is also a streamer...

Its primary function is being a server and ripper - and Naim would be the first to tell you this. ...

I do not have any reason to believe that Naim considers the Core's SPDIF replay functionalities to be less important than its ripping functionalities and its UPnP server functionalities. Why do you think Naim would do so?

Because they simply do - wasn't it Phil Harris or Richard Dane who stated it here? They've provided the spdif connection for convenience, not ultimate playback quality.

From what I glean Christine should have ordered neither the Atom nor the Core, but the Star instead - it rips, plays and streams and was designed for all three purposes, for the same price as the Core + Atom.

Not me.  I haven't listened to a Core through s/pdif yet and I can't speak for Naim HQ on the new products.

However, I would guess that the comment may have come about because Naim would doubtless see using the Core as server alongside a high quality streamer would be even better than with a DAC; i.e. as an example, Core and NDS/555PS via ethernet would probably trump Core and DAC/555PS via s/pdif. However, if you want to use the Core as a source into a DAC via s/pdif then you can - and the s/pdif will be a good one, properly done (using a 75ohm BNC is always a good sign), because otherwise there's no point in having it there.  So if you want to use the Core that way then go for it.

manicm posted:

nbpf posted:

manicm posted:

Christine posted:

The Core is also a streamer...

Its primary function is being a server and ripper - and Naim would be the first to tell you this. ...

I do not have any reason to believe that Naim considers the Core's SPDIF replay functionalities to be less important than its ripping functionalities and its UPnP server functionalities. Why do you think Naim would do so?

Because they simply do - wasn't it Phil Harris or Richard Dane who stated it here? They've provided the spdif connection for convenience, not ultimate playback quality.

...

I see, thanks for the information! I do not remember this comment but if it's true that the Core's SPDIF output has not been provided for ultimate playback quality, then the device is completely uninteresting to me. The SPDIF output is actually the only feature for which I could imagine buying a Core. Best, nbpf

Before dismissing the Core's S/PDIF output, may I just point out that it's bloody amazing. 

Either way I choose to run the Core, I don't hear any compromise in the sound.

hello guys,

i borrowed a core from my dealer. I have a unitserve /tp power supply / nds 555dr. The core is a december/ january product , so it is the one with bugs...

My first impressions, in ethernet mode:  i put a scandisk memory disk ultra at the rear. All flac albums don't appear on my nserve app, just waw. But even then, certain albums or tracks( waw) are missing. Then i put an usb ssd external drive, a lacie 500 go. The vast majority are present now. With the unitserve, i have flacs and waws on it.  When you download an album on tidal store or highrez audio, the albums are only on flac. With qobuz, you can choose flac or waw or aiff....  

The n-serve app does not work: i see the albums, the time of the tracks is running, but no sound: but when i use the naim nds remote, all is working. A big bug!

The good news: the sound, vs nds/unitserve, is more clear and dynamic, the same impression as an other member had.  The step is like going from a standard power cord to a powerline..

You can also add the power cord you want, not with the unitserve.

Last problem : i tried to rip a cd on the core, to the lacie usb drive. I doesn't work. I have configured the core with the app, choosed the usb lacie.

I am confident with naim and hope they will fix these bugs. I don't know yet if i will take the core and sell my unitserve.

Jan-Erik Nordoen posted:

Before dismissing the Core's S/PDIF output, may I just point out that it's bloody amazing. 

Either way I choose to run the Core, I don't hear any compromise in the sound.

with your resonnesence dac you have no other choice i think. But with top of the line nds naim  range, you can listen to unitserve /or core to spdif into the nds or choose the nds / unitserve in ethernet mode. This second option is the best for a majority of users.

But perhaps your specific dac , with the unitserve in spdif, gives a better sound that nds/ unitserve in ethernet.   who knows?

Chag... posted:

And as far as SQ is concerned Christine, is there anything in your view, or in your hear I should post, that UC does better, or not, than US?  

Chag -

 

Chag... posted:

And as far as SQ is concerned Christine, is there anything in your view, or in your hear I should post, that UC does better, or not, than US?  

Chag -

hey chag, i have borrowed the core. see my impressions p5 on this topic. i know you are specially interested by this product, vs the unitserve.

Keler Pierre posted:

hello guys,

 

i borrowed a core from my dealer. I have a unitserve /tp power supply / nds 555dr. The core is a december/ january product , so it is the one with bugs...

My first impressions, in ethernet mode:  i put a scandisk memory disk ultra at the rear. All flac albums don't appear on my nserve app, just waw. But even then, certain albums or tracks( waw) are missing. Then i put an usb ssd external drive, a lacie 500 go. The vast majority are present now. With the unitserve, i have flacs and waws on it.  When you download an album on tidal store or highrez audio, the albums are only on flac. With qobuz, you can choose flac or waw or aiff....  

The n-serve app does not work: i see the albums, the time of the tracks is running, but no sound: but when i use the naim nds remote, all is working. A big bug!

The good news: the sound, vs nds/unitserve, is more clear and dynamic, the same impression as an other member had.  The step is like going from a standard power cord to a powerline..

You can also add the power cord you want, not with the unitserve.

Last problem : i tried to rip a cd on the core, to the lacie usb drive. I doesn't work. I have configured the core with the app, choosed the usb lacie.

I am confident with naim and hope they will fix these bugs. I don't know yet if i will take the core and sell my unitserve.

You have been badly advised by your dealer because he should have told you that at the moment you have to use the Core with the latest IOS Naim app release. N-serve doesn't work with the Core and this is not a bug. It is intentional. The Naim app replaces n-serve for the Core. Also with the Naim app you tell the Core where to look for music by setting up music shares and where to save music rips by setting up a music store. 

Naim have said that they will soon release the Android version of the Naim app with Core functionality and they have also said that they will release new firmware for the Core soon. But the problem you had was your dealer not telling you how to use the Core (although all the instructions are on the Naim website for anyone to read.

best

David

I have no problem with ripping on core to a rear connected Samsung ssd drive

jon honeyball posted:

Christine posted:

3.  Who in their right mind would use .flac when you can use, and I'll quote Naim here "slightly better sounding .WAV files"

I am using flac. i am not prepared to use what is effectively a proprietory storage format, due to the limitations of WAV (OK, lets not have a discussion about BWAV etc).

FLAC is portable with its metadata. WAV isnt.

The way I name and folder my .wav files makes them portable with metadata and this is achieved with the Unitiserve desktop application

jon honeyball posted:

 

I am using flac. i am not prepared to use what is effectively a proprietory storage format, due to the limitations of WAV (OK, lets not have a discussion about BWAV etc).

 

But metadata in WAV is portable now you can use ID3 just like mp3s, okay it is not as well supported as mp3s but Im sure it will happen. The problem is NAIM going their own way and creating their own format.

Christine posted:

Claus-Thoegersen posted:

This thread has with over 100 posts of course changed subject. However there are 2  differences between the s Userve and Core. The Userve has internet radio the core does not, and the Userve can be controlled from a pc, the Core cannot. It may or may not be important. And as John wrote the development of the Userve and other servers has stopped.

I would not today go out and buy a Userve simply because the development has stopped, but I like it features and have just had my old ns01 repaired. I have a backup streamer a Bluesound node, so I had music while the ns01 was away, and access to streaming services, but I really missed the control from a pc.

Claus

Exactly and also don't forget that metadata editing when available on the Core will only be possible via your smart device which for me personally is a deal breaker.

While I agree, I see this as part of knowing the market.  The "younger generations" do a lot more on their smart devices. For example, travel planning. Yes Expedia and all the other travel sites, hotel sites, etc., have apps.  I for one find it much easier to do from the laptop.  But the world is moving in the smart device only direction

The sound quality of the Core is improved over the Unitiserve.

It is more dynamic and spatial although my thoughts are that the bass is slightly thinner than Unitiserve.

Overall the SQ is very very good.

Bart posted:

Christine posted:

Claus-Thoegersen posted:

This thread has with over 100 posts of course changed subject. However there are 2  differences between the s Userve and Core. The Userve has internet radio the core does not, and the Userve can be controlled from a pc, the Core cannot. It may or may not be important. And as John wrote the development of the Userve and other servers has stopped.

I would not today go out and buy a Userve simply because the development has stopped, but I like it features and have just had my old ns01 repaired. I have a backup streamer a Bluesound node, so I had music while the ns01 was away, and access to streaming services, but I really missed the control from a pc.

Claus

Exactly and also don't forget that metadata editing when available on the Core will only be possible via your smart device which for me personally is a deal breaker.

While I agree, I see this as part of knowing the market.  The "younger generations" do a lot more on their smart devices. For example, travel planning. Yes Expedia and all the other travel sites, hotel sites, etc., have apps.  I for one find it much easier to do from the laptop.  But the world is moving in the smart device only direction

I agree but editing metadata isn't a one-time activity such as searching for a hotel or flight.

I edit metadata on approximately 20 x CD's per week and I don't think even a youngster would tackle this on a smart device if the option was there to do it on a Desktop.

This is academic though because fortunately I can continue to rip with my Unitiserve.  I'm going to purchase another to put in storage for when this one stops working.

Or I'm going to ask my software developer to write a desktop application that will edit Core produced metadata

Christine posted:

Bart posted:

Christine posted:

Claus-Thoegersen posted:

This thread has with over 100 posts of course changed subject. However there are 2  differences between the s Userve and Core. The Userve has internet radio the core does not, and the Userve can be controlled from a pc, the Core cannot. It may or may not be important. And as John wrote the development of the Userve and other servers has stopped.

I would not today go out and buy a Userve simply because the development has stopped, but I like it features and have just had my old ns01 repaired. I have a backup streamer a Bluesound node, so I had music while the ns01 was away, and access to streaming services, but I really missed the control from a pc.

Claus

Exactly and also don't forget that metadata editing when available on the Core will only be possible via your smart device which for me personally is a deal breaker.

While I agree, I see this as part of knowing the market.  The "younger generations" do a lot more on their smart devices. For example, travel planning. Yes Expedia and all the other travel sites, hotel sites, etc., have apps.  I for one find it much easier to do from the laptop.  But the world is moving in the smart device only direction

I agree but editing metadata isn't a one-time activity such as searching for a hotel or flight.

I edit metadata on approximately 20 x CD's per week and I don't think even a youngster would tackle this on a smart device if the option was there to do it on a Desktop.

This is academic though because fortunately I can continue to rip with my Unitiserve.  I'm going to purchase another to put in storage for when this one stops working.

Or I'm going to ask my software developer to write a desktop application that will edit Core produced metadata

It's yet another reason why a Naim ripping and UPnP serving solution is no longer of any interest to me.  Once I learned how to do it all on my own with a laptop to rip and nas to serve, that was that!

My music is stored in a very straightforward way, in nested folders (directories), e.g. Genre\artist (composer for classical)\album.  Very quick and simple to srore new things, and very easy to browse, exactly as when I had a physical collection arranged on shelves, or a record store, etc. When I had an ND5XS controlled by Naim App, and files served by three different UPnP players over time, i could browse by that storage hierarchy, simply, easily and effectively.

Does the Core controlled by Naim App not allow browsing like that?

It mattered not a jot that many files had missing metadata (my ripped LPs), and many more had incorrect metadata (in particular a high proportion of classical where there is much inconsistency in assigning metadata). no time-wasting doing anything with metadata, no fretting about how metadata is stored between different file types, no missing albums where something has gone wrong with metadata. Simplicity is often best...

Bart posted:

Christine posted:

Bart posted:

Christine posted:

Claus-Thoegersen posted:

This thread has with over 100 posts of course changed subject. However there are 2  differences between the s Userve and Core. The Userve has internet radio the core does not, and the Userve can be controlled from a pc, the Core cannot. It may or may not be important. And as John wrote the development of the Userve and other servers has stopped.

I would not today go out and buy a Userve simply because the development has stopped, but I like it features and have just had my old ns01 repaired. I have a backup streamer a Bluesound node, so I had music while the ns01 was away, and access to streaming services, but I really missed the control from a pc.

Claus

Exactly and also don't forget that metadata editing when available on the Core will only be possible via your smart device which for me personally is a deal breaker.

While I agree, I see this as part of knowing the market.  The "younger generations" do a lot more on their smart devices. For example, travel planning. Yes Expedia and all the other travel sites, hotel sites, etc., have apps.  I for one find it much easier to do from the laptop.  But the world is moving in the smart device only direction

I agree but editing metadata isn't a one-time activity such as searching for a hotel or flight.

I edit metadata on approximately 20 x CD's per week and I don't think even a youngster would tackle this on a smart device if the option was there to do it on a Desktop.

This is academic though because fortunately I can continue to rip with my Unitiserve.  I'm going to purchase another to put in storage for when this one stops working.

Or I'm going to ask my software developer to write a desktop application that will edit Core produced metadata

It's yet another reason why a Naim ripping and UPnP serving solution is no longer of any interest to me.  Once I learned how to do it all on my own with a laptop to rip and nas to serve, that was that!

The Core and Unitiserve are much better solutions for Ripping CD's - Stick A CD in and forget about it, sometimes they even download the correct metadata.  I've ripped over 4,000 CD's and I would never have done this manually using a PC.

BUT for the casual ripper then yes a PC solution would be just as good

David Hendon posted:

Keler Pierre posted:

hello guys,

 

i borrowed a core from my dealer. I have a unitserve /tp power supply / nds 555dr. The core is a december/ january product , so it is the one with bugs...

My first impressions, in ethernet mode:  i put a scandisk memory disk ultra at the rear. All flac albums don't appear on my nserve app, just waw. But even then, certain albums or tracks( waw) are missing. Then i put an usb ssd external drive, a lacie 500 go. The vast majority are present now. With the unitserve, i have flacs and waws on it.  When you download an album on tidal store or highrez audio, the albums are only on flac. With qobuz, you can choose flac or waw or aiff....  

The n-serve app does not work: i see the albums, the time of the tracks is running, but no sound: but when i use the naim nds remote, all is working. A big bug!

The good news: the sound, vs nds/unitserve, is more clear and dynamic, the same impression as an other member had.  The step is like going from a standard power cord to a powerline..

You can also add the power cord you want, not with the unitserve.

Last problem : i tried to rip a cd on the core, to the lacie usb drive. I doesn't work. I have configured the core with the app, choosed the usb lacie.

I am confident with naim and hope they will fix these bugs. I don't know yet if i will take the core and sell my unitserve.

You have been badly advised by your dealer because he should have told you that at the moment you have to use the Core with the latest IOS Naim app release. N-serve doesn't work with the Core and this is not a bug. It is intentional. The Naim app replaces n-serve for the Core. Also with the Naim app you tell the Core where to look for music by setting up music shares and where to save music rips by setting up a music store. 

Naim have said that they will soon release the Android version of the Naim app with Core functionality and they have also said that they will release new firmware for the Core soon. But the problem you had was your dealer not telling you how to use the Core (although all the instructions are on the Naim website for anyone to read.

best

David

i am using naim app, not n serve. i am using the good app ( i wrote precedently n serve but i was referring to naim app). it doesn't work. i configured the core, the storage...my tracks are appearing, but no sound when i click to play. the time of the track is running...but no sound.

 

i am using naim app, not n serve. i am using the good app ( i wrote precedently n serve but i was referring to naim app). it doesn't work. i configured the core, the storage...my tracks are appearing, but no sound when i click to play. the time of the track is running...but no sound.

OK so I guess what you are doing is telling the Core to play an album from inside the Core part of the Naim app. What that does is play the album via the digital output from the Core, that is what you want if you are connecting it to a DAC.

If you want to serve from the Core to a streamer with upnp, say an NDS, then you have to go the NDS part of the Naim app and select the album you want to play, which I think you said works. So it is doing what it is supposed to do, in that respect at least!

best

David

Innocent Bystander posted:

My music is stored in a very straightforward way, in nested folders (directories), e.g. Genre\artist (composer for classical)\album.  Very quick and simple to srore new things, and very easy to browse, exactly as when I had a physical collection arranged on shelves, or a record store, etc. When I had an ND5XS controlled by Naim App, and files served by three different UPnP players over time, i could browse by that storage hierarchy, simply, easily and effectively.

Does the Core controlled by Naim App not allow browsing like that?

It mattered not a jot that many files had missing metadata (my ripped LPs), and many more had incorrect metadata (in particular a high proportion of classical where there is much inconsistency in assigning metadata). no time-wasting doing anything with metadata, no fretting about how metadata is stored between different file types, no missing albums where something has gone wrong with metadata. Simplicity is often best...

That is exactly what I do and the system works perfectly.

The core will index your music perfectly, even now, BUT if you have any rips from a Unitiserve with included metadata files or user edits files then this is what is causing the problems.

David Hendon posted:

 

i am using naim app, not n serve. i am using the good app ( i wrote precedently n serve but i was referring to naim app). it doesn't work. i configured the core, the storage...my tracks are appearing, but no sound when i click to play. the time of the track is running...but no sound.

OK so I guess what you are doing is telling the Core to play an album from inside the Core part of the Naim app. What that does is play the album via the digital output from the Core, that is what you want if you are connecting it to a DAC.

If you want to serve from the Core to a streamer with upnp, say an NDS, then you have to go the NDS part of the Naim app and select the album you want to play, which I think you said works. So it is doing what it is supposed to do, in that respect at least!

best

David

sorry but here i know what i am doing. The core is choosed, configured , the format of lacie formatted, the albums are appearing on the naim app.... all is done inside this app and is appearing correctly. but no sound when i want to play the tracks. when i play them with the naim remote, they play with the sound...

Christine posted:

The sound quality of the Core is improved over the Unitiserve.

It is more dynamic and spatial although my thoughts are that the bass is slightly thinner than Unitiserve.

Overall the SQ is very very good.

i agree with you: a bit more clarity, dynamics but with the unitserve there is more bass . i finally could rip cds on the lacie on the core. I found the rips more thin than on the unitserve.

i don't know if i had ripped them on an internal drive( like samsung ssd 2,5), the sound would be better.  For now i prefer the rips on my unitserve.  The downloads seems better on the core, on my lacie ssd external.  But i will take time to compare more...

Keler, re read Davids post. Go to the nds icon in the naim app and select it. Now play music from the core through the nds, not the core part of the app. 

Christine posted:

Innocent Bystander posted:

My music is stored in a very straightforward way, in nested folders (directories), e.g. Genre\artist (composer for classical)\album.  Very quick and simple to srore new things, and very easy to browse, exactly as when I had a physical collection arranged on shelves, or a record store, etc. When I had an ND5XS controlled by Naim App, and files served by three different UPnP players over time, i could browse by that storage hierarchy, simply, easily and effectively.

Does the Core controlled by Naim App not allow browsing like that?

It mattered not a jot that many files had missing metadata (my ripped LPs), and many more had incorrect metadata (in particular a high proportion of classical where there is much inconsistency in assigning metadata). no time-wasting doing anything with metadata, no fretting about how metadata is stored between different file types, no missing albums where something has gone wrong with metadata. Simplicity is often best...

That is exactly what I do and the system works perfectly.

The core will index your music perfectly, even now, BUT if you have any rips from a Unitiserve with included metadata files or user edits files then this is what is causing the problems.

As far as the rips are concerned, maybe the issue is the compatability of the Unitiserve, rather than a failing of the Core per se. However, one would expect Naim to have made their new machine capable of handling anything ripped in the old one, otherwise perhaps provide an import utility to convert them.

Also I have found one CD that my Unitiserve wouldn't rip but which played fine in standard CD players.

The Core ripped this CD with no problems.

Keler Pierre posted:

David Hendon posted:

 

i am using naim app, not n serve. i am using the good app ( i wrote precedently n serve but i was referring to naim app). it doesn't work. i configured the core, the storage...my tracks are appearing, but no sound when i click to play. the time of the track is running...but no sound.

OK so I guess what you are doing is telling the Core to play an album from inside the Core part of the Naim app. What that does is play the album via the digital output from the Core, that is what you want if you are connecting it to a DAC.

If you want to serve from the Core to a streamer with upnp, say an NDS, then you have to go the NDS part of the Naim app and select the album you want to play, which I think you said works. So it is doing what it is supposed to do, in that respect at least!

best

David

sorry but here i know what i am doing. The core is choosed, configured , the format of lacie formatted, the albums are appearing on the naim app.... all is done inside this app and is appearing correctly. but no sound when i want to play the tracks. when i play them with the naim remote, they play with the sound...

So if you select your NDS in the Naim app and then select upnp you should then be able to browse the Core and choose an album to play. Does that not work?

best

David