Core or not

I think the Unitiserve and Core are great solutions for convenience and ease of ripping. I would also put the Innuos Zen Mini on my shortlist, as it is much cheaper, although still more than a regular NAS. 

Roon will not run on any of the devices you have except the Atom. It will, however, see and play your music library on pretty much any device. You could always run Roon on a computer while you trial it to see if it is worthwhile for you. 

In your position, I would not have sold my Unitiserve, as mine works well, and has been very reliable. I don’t have a large amount of classical music, though. If I did, I would almost certainly not use a Naim server due to it’s limited handling of metadata. 

Well all I can say is that I listen almost exclusively to classical aside of some jazz, went from a Serve to a Core and have been delighted with the latter. It backs up perfectly to my QNAP and sounds great via my NDS/555PS DR even though said NDS is now obsolete

yes there are the odd artwork mismatches but I had the same issues with the Serve so nothing new there. I used the Serve with a linear PS to get around that awful SMP thingy but that’s not needed with the Core. I also like being able to swap out the hard drive rather than having to send the whole shooting match back to the factory.

I've been using a Core since they were first avalible previously using a Synology NAS to me the Core is a superb, simple and effective way of ripping CDs.

The editing side has improved in leaps and bounds since the launch (It needed to) it is also silent in operation and can sit on the equipment rack without any noise intruding into he listening environment back up it completely automatic, to me it is a no brainer.

It also sounds superb feeding my old and broken NDX.

ChrisSU posted:

In your position, I would not have sold my Unitiserve, as mine works well, and has been very reliable. I don’t have a large amount of classical music, though. If I did, I would almost certainly not use a Naim server due to it’s limited handling of metadata. 

I had my Unitiserve on service as it died completely. A new motherboard was installed and it was as new. That said, Serve had in general a lot of technical problems so I realized I could get some money back for it at that point.

As for ripping classical music, I don`t understand that Core has limited handling of metadata, Serve did not in my view. My problems with Serve was related to that it did not accept all cd`s in a box set, I had to rip it from the Mac to NAS. In that way it generated two libraries.

S

How future proof is the Core? I guess it all boils down to being a ripper and a server and if put in a Roon setting, Core becomes a harddrive as all others? Am I right? Roon hardware does not replace Core in any way?

Also, ripping to WAW, I become dependent of the Core for playback due it`s way of packing music and metadata. I guess and hope my music ripped to WAW is still useful for other systems or at least convertible?

Thanks all, I appreciate your help.

S

Stover posted:

How future proof is the Core? I guess it all boils down to being a ripper and a server and if put in a Roon setting, Core becomes a harddrive as all others? Am I right? Roon hardware does not replace Core in any way?

Also, ripping to WAW, I become dependent of the Core for playback due it`s way of packing music and metadata. I guess and hope my music ripped to WAW is still useful for other systems or at least convertible?

Roon will access your Core library. I guess it would be neat if the Naim Core would also run the Roon Core, in the way that the Innuos servers can, for example. 

I believe the Core has inherited the US way of handling metadata in WAV, so if you want to use these music files on other, non-Naim devices, you would need to store them as FLAC. 

Steinar, you mention the UI not being as good. I wonder what upnp server you are using on your Nas, as what you see in the app is determined by what the server is sending it. MinimServer is designed for classical music and is way more flexible than a Core. Asset is also more flexible, though less so for classical. If you are used to using the Nas there seems little point in spending a lot of money on a Core for less functionality. I’ve found dbpoweramp much more reliable as a ripper than the Serve ever was. 

I've a core and my wife and I are very pleased with it. I also have quite a large collection of classical along with pop, rock, musicals etc, etc. Ripped all my cd's, well that's a lie, my wife did! As for indexing the classical collection and using same, I have no real concerns. For me it's a non issue. If you do have problems with the index, entering part of the title or artist name in search will quickly give you a list of possibilities. When deciding on HDD for the Core, should you take that route, pay particular attention to Naim's recommendations. The SSD will guarantee silence at considerable cost. However the correct Seagate HDD, surveillance type are inaudible. I believe most dealers use Seagate, so have a listen to theirs before going the SSD route. Hope these ramblings help. Rich 

Rich 1 posted:

I've a core and my wife and I are very pleased with it. I also have quite a large collection of classical along with pop, rock, musicals etc, etc. Ripped all my cd's, well that's a lie, my wife did! As for indexing the classical collection and using same, I have no real concerns. For me it's a non issue. If you do have problems with the index, entering part of the title or artist name in search will quickly give you a list of possibilities. When deciding on HDD for the Core, should you take that route, pay particular attention to Naim's recommendations. The SSD will guarantee silence at considerable cost. However the correct Seagate HDD, surveillance type are inaudible. I believe most dealers use Seagate, so have a listen to theirs before going the SSD route. Hope these ramblings help. Rich 

I use a Seagate Pipeline 2Tb as recommended by Naim totally silent in operation.

Blurb from Seagate pipeline video surveillance HDD, as recommended by Naim.

Cool - Quiet - Low Power• Optimised for high-definition consumer DVR applications

• Low power, quiet hard drives fine tuned for consistent, dependable delivery
of multiple high-definition video streams with capacities from 250GB to 2TB
• Designed to meet Energy Star and other strict consumer power consumption
standards
• Quiet drive operation to enhance customer viewing and listening experiences
• Easy-to-manage multi-room video delivery of up to 16 simultaneous HD
streams
• Qualified for operating temperatures up to 75°C to meet the rigours of the
consumer electronics set-top box market
• 24×7 operational profile to meet the always-on demands of the DVR market
Best-fit Applications
• Consumer digital video recorders
• Media servers and centres
• Home cinema PCs and servers
• Cable, satellite and IPTV set-top boxes
Data Sheet
Pipeline HD®Cool - Quiet - Low Power
• Optimised for high-definition consumer DVR applications
• Low power, quiet hard drives fine tuned for consistent, dependable delivery
of multiple high-definition video streams with capacities from 250GB to 2TB
• Designed to meet Energy Star and other strict consumer power consumption
standards
• Quiet drive operation to enhance customer viewing and listening experiences
• Easy-to-manage multi-room video delivery of up to 16 simultaneous HD
streams
• Qualified for operating temperatures up to 75°C to meet the rigours of the
consumer electronics set-top box market
• 24×7 operational profile to meet the always-on demands of the DVR market
Best-fit Applications
• Consumer digital video recorders
• Media servers and centres
• Home cinema PCs and servers
• Cable, satellite and IPTV set-top boxes
Data Sheet
Pipeline HD®

ChrisSU posted:

Stover posted:

How future proof is the Core? I guess it all boils down to being a ripper and a server and if put in a Roon setting, Core becomes a harddrive as all others? Am I right? Roon hardware does not replace Core in any way?

Also, ripping to WAW, I become dependent of the Core for playback due it`s way of packing music and metadata. I guess and hope my music ripped to WAW is still useful for other systems or at least convertible?

Roon will access your Core library. I guess it would be neat if the Naim Core would also run the Roon Core, in the way that the Innuos servers can, for example. 

I believe the Core has inherited the US way of handling metadata in WAV, so if you want to use these music files on other, non-Naim devices, you would need to store them as FLAC. 

Ok, just as I`ve got this also.

ChrisSU posted:

I would also put the Innuos Zen Mini on my shortlist, as it is much cheaper, although still more than a regular NAS. 

If I don`t misunderstand this completely, it has the same functions as Core. Rip, store, serve and also do backup automatically....and cheaper depending of the model of course?

Hungryhalibut posted:

Steinar, you mention the UI not being as good. I wonder what upnp server you are using on your Nas, as what you see in the app is determined by what the server is sending it. MinimServer is designed for classical music and is way more flexible than a Core. Asset is also more flexible, though less so for classical. If you are used to using the Nas there seems little point in spending a lot of money on a Core for less functionality. I’ve found dbpoweramp much more reliable as a ripper than the Serve ever was. 

Nigel- I use Synology and Mediaserver, the inbuilt software. The library functionality is so bad I don`t even use it. Also, waiting and listening to the NAS starting up. I have read Qnap uses different software as Asset or minimserver. This will mean I have to purchase another NAS and I`m prepared for that?

Second, with Core rips to WAW with ease as far as I remember, and edit metadata was also easy. How do you experience that with DBpoweramp? I have only tried Flac.

Stover posted:

ChrisSU posted:

I would also put the Innuos Zen Mini on my shortlist, as it is much cheaper, although still more than a regular NAS. 

If I don`t misunderstand this completely, it has the same functions as Core. Rip, store, serve and also do backup automatically....and cheaper depending of the model of course?

Yes, for £700 you get something that has more or less the same functions as the Unitiserve/Core, plus Tidal, Spotify, and some Roon functions. If my Unitiserve dies, I might consider it as a replacement. 

Hi Stover,  I too have a Synology & also use their native Media Server & find simple & very easy to use,  it accepts & index's my WAV & DSD files from both rips & www downloads without any problems & for me its faultless.     I see you mention that you also use dBpoweramp & it makes me wonder why you need a Core.     

Mike-B posted:

Hi Stover,  I too have a Synology & also use their native Media Server & find simple & very easy to use,  it accepts & index's my WAV & DSD files from both rips & www downloads without any problems & for me its faultless.     I see you mention that you also use dBpoweramp & it makes me wonder why you need a Core.     

Cos it looks nicer on the rack, has a linear power supply and you only need to load a CD to rip and the SSD - I could go on but frankly I can’t be bothered to load CDs into a PC to rip then have to monkey around with db what ever amp. I bought 20 CDs in the week, ripped them on the Core and all is well. Sitting here listening to a couple of them now  and very fine they sound too. Simples at least for me...OK each to his of her own.

I bought a Core (ex-dem) 2 weeks ago unseen and unheard.

I unpacked it, fitted the Samsung SSD, connected it to my switch, plugged it in, switched on, navigated the app and started ripping.

Haven't stopped yet! It's a great piece of kit looks good and sounds great.

I'm extremely pleased with it.

Stover posted:

Hungryhalibut posted:

Steinar, you mention the UI not being as good. I wonder what upnp server you are using on your Nas, as what you see in the app is determined by what the server is sending it. MinimServer is designed for classical music and is way more flexible than a Core. Asset is also more flexible, though less so for classical. If you are used to using the Nas there seems little point in spending a lot of money on a Core for less functionality. I’ve found dbpoweramp much more reliable as a ripper than the Serve ever was. 

Nigel- I use Synology and Mediaserver, the inbuilt software. The library functionality is so bad I don`t even use it. Also, waiting and listening to the NAS starting up. I have read Qnap uses different software as Asset or minimserver. This will mean I have to purchase another NAS and I`m prepared for that?

Second, with Core rips to WAW with ease as far as I remember, and edit metadata was also easy. How do you experience that with DBpoweramp? I have only tried Flac.

You can load Minim on Synology easily, give it a go. If you rip to flac and transcode to WAV, it sounds the same as native WAV and the metadata handling is easy. 

Ravenswood10 posted:

Mike-B posted:

Hi Stover,  I too have a Synology & also use their native Media Server & find simple & very easy to use,  it accepts & index's my WAV & DSD files from both rips & www downloads without any problems & for me its faultless.     I see you mention that you also use dBpoweramp & it makes me wonder why you need a Core.     

Cos it looks nicer on the rack, has a linear power supply and you only need to load a CD to rip and the SSD - I could go on but frankly I can’t be bothered to load CDs into a PC to rip then have to monkey around with db what ever amp. I bought 20 CDs in the week, ripped them on the Core and all is well. Sitting here listening to a couple of them now  and very fine they sound too. Simples at least for me...OK each to his of her own.

A nas in a different room looks even better. 

Just occupies space groaning away in another room with that awful SMPs injecting junk into the mains. I have a QNAP on a linear PS elsewhere in the house for backup and it’s just fine in that capacity. For me being able to rip a CD in the rack is simplicity in itself. Don’t worry this is an emoji free zone!

It seems like I have a job to do with my NAS and it`s software, no matter what I choose to do. I have tried NAS rip/ replay for two different periods now and I end up at the same spot every time, to much hazzle, setup or investigations occupies valuable time that I can spend doing other and more valuable stuff. With that experience in mind I lean towards a demopriced Core or I will even have a closer look at the Innuos Zen Mini .

S

Hungryhalibut posted:

Stover posted:

Hungryhalibut posted:

Steinar, you mention the UI not being as good. I wonder what upnp server you are using on your Nas, as what you see in the app is determined by what the server is sending it. MinimServer is designed for classical music and is way more flexible than a Core. Asset is also more flexible, though less so for classical. If you are used to using the Nas there seems little point in spending a lot of money on a Core for less functionality. I’ve found dbpoweramp much more reliable as a ripper than the Serve ever was. 

Nigel- I use Synology and Mediaserver, the inbuilt software. The library functionality is so bad I don`t even use it. Also, waiting and listening to the NAS starting up. I have read Qnap uses different software as Asset or minimserver. This will mean I have to purchase another NAS and I`m prepared for that?

Second, with Core rips to WAW with ease as far as I remember, and edit metadata was also easy. How do you experience that with DBpoweramp? I have only tried Flac.

You can load Minim on Synology easily, give it a go. If you rip to flac and transcode to WAV, it sounds the same as native WAV and the metadata handling is easy. 

Agreed, I could try that, but depending of the cost. After some thinking, purchase a new NAS, just to find that it`s not for me is not the way to go.

When playing music from the NAS, I find the library very "narrow" in it`s function. When I play music, I want to have all the albums listed and also the possibility to search within them, something like a playlist on Tidal. From memory, US acted like that?

When I sold my Serve I went to Synology with Minim and it was way better, in terms of functionality. It sounded better too. You can trial Mimin for free, and give a donation if you like it. So there is no risk. 

Plus one for the Core from me,all the points Ravenswood10 makes,I agree with.And who knows if Naim can or can not also update the Core to make it sound better,just like they just did with the streamers...probably can’t with a NAS.

Stover posted:

After fiddling with rips for a while, I purchased a Unitiserve 2T a few years ago. It was a revelation for rips and playback, compared to former solutions. When Core was announced, I sold the Serve and planned to purchase Core. In the meantime I have tried rips via DBpoweramp to NAS, doing Flac due to metadata edit. I have also added more cd`s and have about 3-3500 discs, 2/3 of the classical music.

...

If you have a significant amount of classical music, I would argue that the Core is not for you. The Core's UPnP server is rather primitive and its support for organising, browsing and metadata editing classical music is very poor.  You cannot run MinimServer or any other state-of-the-art UPnP server on the Core. Thus, you are stuck with its internal UPnP server.