Uniti Core based system

There are still a lot of bugs with core and Naim have been and are still very slow to address customer concerns IMO. However, if it finds your HDD or your back up, it rips most cd,s, however some do not? Some really scratched cds rip, some looking fine do not, cheap computer drive rips them all? Still no response from Naim. Still needs more work to get to the Naim level we expect.

However, those that rip sound great.

I suppose I must be fortunate with my Core. No issues at all, perfect set up and it copied everything over from my old Unitiserve. Luckily I look after my CDs so don't have any showing signs of historical abuse. I use my Core with an NDS/555PS and to date no issues there either. I should add that I use a Samsung SSD with mine - totally silent and cool running which me and it lives on one of my shelves in the rack. I use a QNAP as backup.

1000+ CDs ripped, 1 failure and one has a slight drop out on the last track but both play OK on the CDX2 or DVD5. Playback through a DAC is sensitive to cable choice, a good cheap starting point is the Belden 4974R, around £35 shipped from Blue Jeans cables in the states. This gives surprisingly good results, it even makes the 2qute a bit less clinical but not enough. The chord clearway and shawline were disappointing, I haven't tried the DC1.

Try a proper powerline if you can lay your hands on one.

Any chance you can find a used NDS to go with the 555ps you already have? Get a NAS or whatever Hungryhalibut is using and you're done. The core is expensive for what it is, I've looked into getting one but am struggling to justify it.

Welll....

That depends a little bit how many CDs you will want to rip. If it's hundreds / thousands than UnitiServe or a new Core is a good bet.

nDAC powered by 555PS is a stunning piece of kit. But so is NDS with 555PSDR.
However NDS needs at least a NAS and a network to stream the files from.

CORE can be connected directly to a DAC and then to your 252. Mind you, both NDS and CORE require and internet connection.
There is one disadvantage to CORE - it does not have an internet radio.

So it all depends as to what one wants or needs.

But as a set, as described in the OP - looks good and will sound spectacular.

Drewy posted:

 core is expensive for what it is, I've looked into getting one but am struggling to justify it.

UnitiServe was even more expensive 

And I cannot imagine my network with out either UnitiServe (I must have one of the last units produced, after 4 exchanges in 2 years) or a CORE. And I also have a NAS.

I use my Core directly into my 272 using SPDIF connection ,tried it into a Hugo 1,then into the 272 analog inputs,I did not find it any better than using the DAC in the 272.Other than a few hiccups when I first got it(my fault) it has worked flawlessly for me since then,and the sound...

I'd forget the Core and the dac and get an NDS. Get a good NAS, set up a top notch but simple network and rip the CDs using a laptop. Keep the CD player for the interim so you can play the albums you have not ripped. I used to have a UnitiServe and sold it when I found that the nas sounded better. It's much more flexible and a far easier way to manage your collection. Upnp servers like Asset of Minimserver can do things that the Core cannot even dream of. 

I wonder how people can suggest an nds, not because of the quality of the nds, but  the price. I do not have a Naim pricelist but as I remember it the NDS is about double the price of a Core plus Ndac. And at least here in Denmark my dealer has had a few second hand Ndacs for very attractive prices.

Claus   

No quarter posted:

I use my Core directly into my 272 using SPDIF connection ,tried it into a Hugo 1,then into the 272 analog inputs,I did not find it any better than using the DAC in the 272.Other than a few hiccups when I first got it(my fault) it has worked flawlessly for me since then,and the sound...

Why not use the streamer in the 272 instead of using spdif out? And if you are not using the internal streamer in the 272, have you tried to disable it? According to Naim this should enhance the SQ of the 272 marginally.

Claus

Which is why I mentioned a second hand NDS. The op already has a 252 if I'm understanding things correctly so to me the NDS is the right solution bearing in mind he already has a 555ps to power it with. Would look right on the rack too. 

Claus-Thoegersen posted:

No quarter posted:

I use my Core directly into my 272 using SPDIF connection ,tried it into a Hugo 1,then into the 272 analog inputs,I did not find it any better than using the DAC in the 272.Other than a few hiccups when I first got it(my fault) it has worked flawlessly for me since then,and the sound...

Why not use the streamer in the 272 instead of using spdif out? And if you are not using the internal streamer in the 272, have you tried to disable it? According to Naim this should enhance the SQ of the 272 marginally.

Claus

Do you mean why not use UPNP on the 272?,if so,I have tried this and it works good.I now use SPDIF after reading on this forum that it sounds a bit better this way,and I have to agree.Also,I have a pair of Dynaudio XD 600's that can be fed directly from the Core...no other boxes in between(they are active).I have not tried disabling the streamer on the 272,I was not aware you could.Bottom line is that I have 2 systems I feed from the Core,and right now I am still experimenting which method is best.This morning I am off to go pick up my new pair of Dynaudio special 40's,so more testing to come.

ACRED, I use a Core based system, started streaming four years ago with a third party streamer and a NAS it was OK but things really took off when I purchased an ex demo NDX a couple of years ago.

The NDX was a simply superb in my Olive system this led me to investigate the Naim black boxes and after dealer demo's etc I ended up purchasing a new system spring of last year.(See profile some very similar to yours)

Being a bit of a computer numpty I've struggled  with the NAS side of things finding it to be a pain in the ass at times.

My Core was installed in February this year after a demo at the dealer who made sure I was aware of what it would and wouldn't do regarding editing saying that it was work in progress and this would be available shortly. little did we realise what shortly meant to Naim !!.

I've since ripped nearly 700 CDs with only one failing to rip which is on par with my NAS, initially a few were missing album artwork but this has been sorted with the editing in the IOS app the database used must have changed as it is very rare you have to search for album artwork.

I use a Seagate 2TB  video hard drive and a Seagate external drive for back up the Core sits on the equipment rack and is totally silent in operation and very rarely makes any noise when ripping.

I think it comes down to personal choice and how in depth you require to edit your collection but for me the Core is a joy to use all controlled from my Ipad and it sounds absolutely stunning would I go back to NAS I think not.

 Just  to add when I purchased my new system I part exchanged my CD player and do not miss it at all I would spend some time with your dealer and investigate the various options.