Feedback on Naim Uniti Core - strength and issues

Sourav Mazumder posted:

...

3. As player also extremely good compared to Jriver/Roon running on Mac. I tried it with two Dacs - Naim nadir and P S Audio Direct Stream. No doubt that the sound quality is much defined with better imaging and tighter bass. That's what I was probably always missing and kept on trying multiple Mac based music server but not with much satisfaction.

...

Interesting report, thanks! Letting apart the current Core issues and limitations, I would be potentially interested in the device as a replacement for my current server + USB bridge. Thus, a question is how the Mac (a Mac Mini, I assume) that you compared to the Core was powered and connected to the DACs. Did you use a USB bridge or isolator? Was the Mac powered by a liner PSU? Thanks, nbpf

My Uniti Core User Report

Good report; I've now had the Core in my system for about 3 weeks.  Brief summary: A great, great product which is a large step forward for Naim--they've really hit a home run with this device.

First and foremost, the improvement in sound quality is clearly apparent compared to UnitiServe SSD with ripped music on a Synology NAS. And at a terrific price point--so much better that I immediately sold my UnitiServe AND my ND5 XS as the only thing needed now is my Naim DAC with the Core acting as a digital player with direct digital input into the DAC as an input into NAC 252/NAP 250

Regarding choices for use of the Core, listening tests at my dealer (Pro Musica Chicago) and in my system show very clear superiority for the Core acting as a digital player: Core via digital cable directly into the DAC.  The Core can also function as a UpNP music server (via ethernet) which is still a better sounding option compared to the previous UnitiServe/ND5XS seup.   Finally, the Core can be a wifi-based UpNP music server if a streamer is in your system (e.g. UnitiQute, Muso or other).

Regarding storage of music and sources of digital music files, the Core can play from either an installed internal HDD (up to 8 TB) or from a NAS. Listening tests with Ken and John at Pro Musica show a slight superiority of music played from the internal HDD option over music played from the NAS, but I gotta say that the difference is not that meaningful in daily use unless I am sitting down and doing very close A-B comparisons.

Oh--BTW, if you use an internal HDD on the Core note that CDs ripped to that drive end up in the MQ folder like the Serve.  If you wish to add music to that HDD and you want separate folders to be seen on the app (such as a bunch of music that I've ripped from LPs) make sure that you put those folders in the Download folder AND name the folder so that it isn't mixed in on the app with all the other artist music folders.  For example, when I named my LP rips folder "Jazz LP Rips", the folder showed up in the "J" section alphabetically next to "J" artists.  So I renamed the folder "(((Jazz LP Rips)" and that folder was now at the end of the alphabetically arranged artist view and much easier to find.

Setup of music shares and music store is much much easier than the remarkably clunky and almost un-doable setting up of music stores and shares in the old UnitiServe software.  It's all done from the app; plug the Core in and connect it, setup up music shares by telling the Core which network drives or folder to scan and voila!  Same for the music store.

One unsolved glitch on my Mac system is that I see the Core on my network using Finder, but cannot connect to the Core to see music folders or music files.  Weird--Naim is aware of the issue. 

And regarding NAS storage, if you have a Synology NAS, there is a definite quirk in the Core's abiiity to see music shares on a Synology.  You must enable the local master browser!  If you don't (at least in a Mac-based system like mine), you will not see your NAS music......

For now, there is no way to modify album name/art or metadata in the app.  Apparently that functionality is on the way soon.  Some of the other app functions aren't working yet either; I assume that we will see fully functional buttons in due time. 

Ripping CDs to a chosen music store is simple and the ripper reads better than the Serve--I had about a dozen CDs which simply would not read/rip on the Serve and all but one were read and ripped by the Core.

A final note; the Core finds and displays art and music much quicker than the Serve did, but may not display all of it especially after adding music.  In that case make sure you delete music art ("Other Settings" on the app) AND reset the Core database and let it rebuild which should solve the problem.  A couple of times, I had to do it twice, but ultimately all music was displayed properly.

Overall: Bravo Naim for a great new product!

Firstly, the Naim App does not support discovery of non Naim uPnP streamer.

Thanks for this; started setting up last night and was being driven to distraction by this; very much appreciate hearing that not supported (so can stat looking for solution); absolutely crazy; why on earth wouldn't a NAS that is detectable to the streamer and connected to the same streamer be undetectable to Core?

Total PITA isn't it???  I was going crazy until located this for Synology NAS:

For a SYNOLOGY NAS drive:

 instructions are for current DSM 6.0.2-8451 Update 9

 Open DSM

Open Control panel

 Open File Services

Under ‘’Win/MAC/NFS’ : click ‘’enable Windows file service’’

 Open Advanced Settings

Click: ‘’Enable Local Master Browser’’

 Save it by clicking APPLY

Reboot your NAS drive(s).

When it is back on line (Status light green), reboot your Core: stand-by then pull the plug, wait 1 minute, re-plug it.

 Restart the Naim app (kill it and restart it new)

After about 5 minutes you should be able to see your shared folders, to enable your music shares and to promote some folders to Music Store

nbpf posted:

Sourav Mazumder posted:

...

3. As player also extremely good compared to Jriver/Roon running on Mac. I tried it with two Dacs - Naim nadir and P S Audio Direct Stream. No doubt that the sound quality is much defined with better imaging and tighter bass. That's what I was probably always missing and kept on trying multiple Mac based music server but not with much satisfaction.

...

Interesting report, thanks! Letting apart the current Core issues and limitations, I would be potentially interested in the device as a replacement for my current server + USB bridge. Thus, a question is how the Mac (a Mac Mini, I assume) that you compared to the Core was powered and connected to the DACs. Did you use a USB bridge or isolator? Was the Mac powered by a liner PSU? Thanks, nbpf

Hi NBPF,

Very good point. Here goes my setup without Uniti Core.

1. Mac Mini USB + Musical Fidelity VLink + nDac SPDIF

2. Mac Mini USB + P S Audio Direct Stream Dac

3. Mac Mini + P S Audio Direct Stream Dac on Streaming through ethernet using P S Audio Bridge

All these 3 I tried with JRiver and Roon. The first one I also tried using Audirvana. In my understanding all of JRiver/Roon/Audirvana avoids Mac Mini's audio engine - Audirvana I used in dedicated mode.

Among these 3 the 3rd one is the best from SQ perspective and that also with jRiver. Next comes close is the 1st one with Audirvana. And Uniti Core beats those 2.

I have not used Mac Mini with linear PSU. And also some more tuning at Mac Mini's level can be done to probably further increasing the SQ. But when I thought of comparing the Mac Mini's price (mine is the highest model close to $1k) along with extra cost of the PSU and additional effort I found $2.6k is not a bad deal.

However, not to forget I have used a local SSD storage in case of Uniti Core. Uniti Core with NAS as a storage was not that good in terms of SQ.

Regards,

Sourav

Blue Bottle posted:

Firstly, the Naim App does not support discovery of non Naim uPnP streamer.

Thanks for this; started setting up last night and was being driven to distraction by this; very much appreciate hearing that not supported (so can stat looking for solution); absolutely crazy; why on earth wouldn't a NAS that is detectable to the streamer and connected to the same streamer be undetectable to Core?

Hi Blue Bottle,

To be honest I am not absolutely sure that this is not supported. I'm new to Naim App. But even after struggling for 4 days I didn't see a way. And I would be more than happy if Naim Support can tell me a to achieve this through Naim App.

I had a similar feeling like you as soon as tried Uniti Core on the first day. That is the first thing anyone will expect.

It is a huge deal breaker for whoever wants to use this as a separate Music Server solution. If I buy a Music Server (worth $2.6K) which advertises that it supports uPnP, I expect that the same would be able to discover all uPnP Renderers through its own control point. Otherwise how am I going to use the uPnP feature ?

Regards,

Sourav

BobV posted:

Total PITA isn't it???  I was going crazy until located this for Synology NAS:

For a SYNOLOGY NAS drive:

 instructions are for current DSM 6.0.2-8451 Update 9

 Open DSM

Open Control panel

 Open File Services

Under ‘’Win/MAC/NFS’ : click ‘’enable Windows file service’’

 Open Advanced Settings

Click: ‘’Enable Local Master Browser’’

 Save it by clicking APPLY

Reboot your NAS drive(s).

When it is back on line (Status light green), reboot your Core: stand-by then pull the plug, wait 1 minute, re-plug it.

 Restart the Naim app (kill it and restart it new)

After about 5 minutes you should be able to see your shared folders, to enable your music shares and to promote some folders to Music Store

 

Huum that is interesting. Fortunately I didn't find any such issue with my Qnap except the fact that 10% of the time it does not show up at all whenever you restart all the systems.

Regards,

Sourav

BobV posted:

My Uniti Core User Report

Good report; I've now had the Core in my system for about 3 weeks.  Brief summary: A great, great product which is a large step forward for Naim--they've really hit a home run with this device.

First and foremost, the improvement in sound quality is clearly apparent compared to UnitiServe SSD with ripped music on a Synology NAS. And at a terrific price point--so much better that I immediately sold my UnitiServe AND my ND5 XS as the only thing needed now is my Naim DAC with the Core acting as a digital player with direct digital input into the DAC as an input into NAC 252/NAP 250

Regarding choices for use of the Core, listening tests at my dealer (Pro Musica Chicago) and in my system show very clear superiority for the Core acting as a digital player: Core via digital cable directly into the DAC.  The Core can also function as a UpNP music server (via ethernet) which is still a better sounding option compared to the previous UnitiServe/ND5XS seup.   Finally, the Core can be a wifi-based UpNP music server if a streamer is in your system (e.g. UnitiQute, Muso or other).

Regarding storage of music and sources of digital music files, the Core can play from either an installed internal HDD (up to 8 TB) or from a NAS. Listening tests with Ken and John at Pro Musica show a slight superiority of music played from the internal HDD option over music played from the NAS, but I gotta say that the difference is not that meaningful in daily use unless I am sitting down and doing very close A-B comparisons.

Oh--BTW, if you use an internal HDD on the Core note that CDs ripped to that drive end up in the MQ folder like the Serve.  If you wish to add music to that HDD and you want separate folders to be seen on the app (such as a bunch of music that I've ripped from LPs) make sure that you put those folders in the Download folder AND name the folder so that it isn't mixed in on the app with all the other artist music folders.  For example, when I named my LP rips folder "Jazz LP Rips", the folder showed up in the "J" section alphabetically next to "J" artists.  So I renamed the folder "(((Jazz LP Rips)" and that folder was now at the end of the alphabetically arranged artist view and much easier to find.

Setup of music shares and music store is much much easier than the remarkably clunky and almost un-doable setting up of music stores and shares in the old UnitiServe software.  It's all done from the app; plug the Core in and connect it, setup up music shares by telling the Core which network drives or folder to scan and voila!  Same for the music store.

One unsolved glitch on my Mac system is that I see the Core on my network using Finder, but cannot connect to the Core to see music folders or music files.  Weird--Naim is aware of the issue. 

And regarding NAS storage, if you have a Synology NAS, there is a definite quirk in the Core's abiiity to see music shares on a Synology.  You must enable the local master browser!  If you don't (at least in a Mac-based system like mine), you will not see your NAS music......

For now, there is no way to modify album name/art or metadata in the app.  Apparently that functionality is on the way soon.  Some of the other app functions aren't working yet either; I assume that we will see fully functional buttons in due time. 

Ripping CDs to a chosen music store is simple and the ripper reads better than the Serve--I had about a dozen CDs which simply would not read/rip on the Serve and all but one were read and ripped by the Core.

A final note; the Core finds and displays art and music much quicker than the Serve did, but may not display all of it especially after adding music.  In that case make sure you delete music art ("Other Settings" on the app) AND reset the Core database and let it rebuild which should solve the problem.  A couple of times, I had to do it twice, but ultimately all music was displayed properly.

Overall: Bravo Naim for a great new product!

 

 

Hi BobV,

Few points -

1. For me accessing Uniti Core from Mac Mini was never an issue. Do you have latest version of Fuse in your Mac Mini ? However if you are using local music storage in UC it will not give you any write permission in the Music folder (but you get write permission on download folder).

2. Regarding displaying of album art in my case I have some struggle. And I mostly tried for Indian music. Though Core is able to find the track listing for most of them it is not able to find the album art for some reason - probably the music database it uses for Indian Music is not a good one. Now since the writing is not supported in the Music folder neither I can add a folder.jpg in the directory of the album if I use a local music store (it is possible though if I use NAS as music store). I surely need a solution for this.

Regards,

Sourav

Sourav Mazumder posted:

nbpf posted:

Sourav Mazumder posted:

...

3. As player also extremely good compared to Jriver/Roon running on Mac. I tried it with two Dacs - Naim nadir and P S Audio Direct Stream. No doubt that the sound quality is much defined with better imaging and tighter bass. That's what I was probably always missing and kept on trying multiple Mac based music server but not with much satisfaction.

...

Interesting report, thanks! Letting apart the current Core issues and limitations, I would be potentially interested in the device as a replacement for my current server + USB bridge. Thus, a question is how the Mac (a Mac Mini, I assume) that you compared to the Core was powered and connected to the DACs. Did you use a USB bridge or isolator? Was the Mac powered by a liner PSU? Thanks, nbpf

Hi NBPF,

Very good point. Here goes my setup without Uniti Core.

1. Mac Mini USB + Musical Fidelity VLink + nDac SPDIF

2. Mac Mini USB + P S Audio Direct Stream Dac

3. Mac Mini + P S Audio Direct Stream Dac on Streaming through ethernet using P S Audio Bridge

All these 3 I tried with JRiver and Roon. The first one I also tried using Audirvana. In my understanding all of JRiver/Roon/Audirvana avoids Mac Mini's audio engine - Audirvana I used in dedicated mode.

Among these 3 the 3rd one is the best from SQ perspective and that also with jRiver. Next comes close is the 1st one with Audirvana. And Uniti Core beats those 2.

I have not used Mac Mini with linear PSU. And also some more tuning at Mac Mini's level can be done to probably further increasing the SQ. But when I thought of comparing the Mac Mini's price (mine is the highest model close to $1k) along with extra cost of the PSU and additional effort I found $2.6k is not a bad deal.

However, not to forget I have used a local SSD storage in case of Uniti Core. Uniti Core with NAS as a storage was not that good in terms of SQ.

Regards,

Sourav

Thanks Sourav, it's a very interesting comparison and the results with the new Core look very promising! The device could be a very interesting source for the Naim DAC. Hopefully Naim will fix the software issues and improve support for flexible UPnP servers. I hope that at a certain point it will be possible to run MinimServer on the Core, but I doubt that support for non-Naim UPnP streamers will be available for the Naim app, see https://forums.naimaudio.com/to...-the-other-way-round. Best, nbpf

BobV posted:

 

One unsolved glitch on my Mac system is that I see the Core on my network using Finder, but cannot connect to the Core to see music folders or music files.  Weird--Naim is aware of the issue.  

 

I don't seem to have this problem. I am connected as "Guest" and have access to both the Music and Download folders. Not sure if that makes a difference. Email me if you want to see a pic of how is appears in my finder.

What I did have a problem with was downloading from an external hdd or my NAS to my Core's internal HDD. I had to put all my music into a folder named "MQ" otherwise the Core would refuse to download. Of course what then happens is that the files get downloaded into the "Music" folder of the Core's internal HDD which meant I could no longer cut and paste or make changes to those files from my Mac.

nbpf posted:

Sourav Mazumder posted:

nbpf posted:

Sourav Mazumder posted:

...

3. As player also extremely good compared to Jriver/Roon running on Mac. I tried it with two Dacs - Naim nadir and P S Audio Direct Stream. No doubt that the sound quality is much defined with better imaging and tighter bass. That's what I was probably always missing and kept on trying multiple Mac based music server but not with much satisfaction.

...

Interesting report, thanks! Letting apart the current Core issues and limitations, I would be potentially interested in the device as a replacement for my current server + USB bridge. Thus, a question is how the Mac (a Mac Mini, I assume) that you compared to the Core was powered and connected to the DACs. Did you use a USB bridge or isolator? Was the Mac powered by a liner PSU? Thanks, nbpf

Hi NBPF,

Very good point. Here goes my setup without Uniti Core.

1. Mac Mini USB + Musical Fidelity VLink + nDac SPDIF

2. Mac Mini USB + P S Audio Direct Stream Dac

3. Mac Mini + P S Audio Direct Stream Dac on Streaming through ethernet using P S Audio Bridge

All these 3 I tried with JRiver and Roon. The first one I also tried using Audirvana. In my understanding all of JRiver/Roon/Audirvana avoids Mac Mini's audio engine - Audirvana I used in dedicated mode.

Among these 3 the 3rd one is the best from SQ perspective and that also with jRiver. Next comes close is the 1st one with Audirvana. And Uniti Core beats those 2.

I have not used Mac Mini with linear PSU. And also some more tuning at Mac Mini's level can be done to probably further increasing the SQ. But when I thought of comparing the Mac Mini's price (mine is the highest model close to $1k) along with extra cost of the PSU and additional effort I found $2.6k is not a bad deal.

However, not to forget I have used a local SSD storage in case of Uniti Core. Uniti Core with NAS as a storage was not that good in terms of SQ.

Regards,

Sourav

Thanks Sourav, it's a very interesting comparison and the results with the new Core look very promising! The device could be a very interesting source for the Naim DAC. Hopefully Naim will fix the software issues and improve support for flexible UPnP servers. I hope that at a certain point it will be possible to run MinimServer on the Core, but I doubt that support for non-Naim UPnP streamers will be available for the Naim app, see https://forums.naimaudio.com/to...-the-other-way-round. Best, nbpf

Thanks for the link. But I didn't find any Naim personal's official feedback that non-Naim uPnP renderers would not be supported, unless I am wrong.

And if that is the case I have to take it up seriously with Naim support.

It is absolutely fine to me if Naim says that it does not allow any other Music Server software on the UC. That makes sense because what I'm paying for is that special Music Server which Naim has developed. And Naim has every right to decide how they are going to implement that - whether using Minim, Roon or anything XYZ or anything propitiatory of their choice. 

However, when it is about the interface of using that Music Server with a uPnP renderer, my point is very simple - I need a control option offocially supported (and free) by Naim for selecting a uPnP renderer since I have bought a Music Server which advertises that it supports uPnP. Now how Naim provides that it is upto them. It is very similar to asking for a control option to select a uPnP based Music Server if I would have bought a Naim renderer which says that it supports uPnP.

Regards,

Sourav

Richard Choong posted:

BobV posted:

 

One unsolved glitch on my Mac system is that I see the Core on my network using Finder, but cannot connect to the Core to see music folders or music files.  Weird--Naim is aware of the issue.  

 

I don't seem to have this problem. I am connected as "Guest" and have access to both the Music and Download folders. Not sure if that makes a difference. Email me if you want to see a pic of how is appears in my finder.

What I did have a problem with was downloading from an external hdd or my NAS to my Core's internal HDD. I had to put all my music into a folder named "MQ" otherwise the Core would refuse to download. Of course what then happens is that the files get downloaded into the "Music" folder of the Core's internal HDD which meant I could no longer cut and paste or make changes to those files from my Mac.

Hi Richard,

I see what you are saying. I guessed this behavior before hand and hence didn't go for that route.

I believe the import option which you are trying is strictly for importing songs which were previously ripped by Naim products - either Uniti Server, HDX or may be old Uniti Core (in future). For anything non-Naim your only option is to download the same in Download folder. That option worked for me.

Regards,

Sourav

Sourav Mazumder posted:

nbpf posted:

Sourav Mazumder posted:

nbpf posted:

Sourav Mazumder posted:

...

3. As player also extremely good compared to Jriver/Roon running on Mac. I tried it with two Dacs - Naim nadir and P S Audio Direct Stream. No doubt that the sound quality is much defined with better imaging and tighter bass. That's what I was probably always missing and kept on trying multiple Mac based music server but not with much satisfaction.

...

Interesting report, thanks! Letting apart the current Core issues and limitations, I would be potentially interested in the device as a replacement for my current server + USB bridge. Thus, a question is how the Mac (a Mac Mini, I assume) that you compared to the Core was powered and connected to the DACs. Did you use a USB bridge or isolator? Was the Mac powered by a liner PSU? Thanks, nbpf

Hi NBPF,

Very good point. Here goes my setup without Uniti Core.

...

... but I doubt that support for non-Naim UPnP streamers will be available for the Naim app, see https://forums.naimaudio.com/to...-the-other-way-round. Best, nbpf

Thanks for the link. But I didn't find any Naim personal's official feedback that non-Naim uPnP renderers would not be supported, unless I am wrong.

And if that is the case I have to take it up seriously with Naim support.

It is absolutely fine to me if Naim says that it does not allow any other Music Server software on the UC. That makes sense because what I'm paying for is that special Music Server which Naim has developed. And Naim has every right to decide how they are going to implement that - whether using Minim, Roon or anything XYZ or anything propitiatory of their choice. 

However, when it is about the interface of using that Music Server with a uPnP renderer, my point is very simple - I need a control option offocially supported (and free) by Naim for selecting a uPnP renderer since I have bought a Music Server which advertises that it supports uPnP. Now how Naim provides that it is upto them. It is very similar to asking for a control option to select a uPnP based Music Server if I would have bought a Naim renderer which says that it supports uPnP.

Regards,

Sourav

You are right, there was no official feedback from Naim on the thread that I mentioned. But we had authoritative contributions, among others from Eloise and Simon-in-Suffolk, explaining why the Naim app might not be able to interact with non-Naim streamers.

I very much sympathize with your expectations but, to the best of my knowledge, the Naim app does not currently support non-Naim streamers and I very much doubt that things will improve in the future.

Thus, if support for non-Naim streamers is important to you, you should probably clear this point with Naim's technical support.

Sourav Mazumder posted:

nbpf posted:

Sourav Mazumder posted:

nbpf posted:

Sourav Mazumder posted:

...

...

...

...

...

It is absolutely fine to me if Naim says that it does not allow any other Music Server software on the UC. That makes sense because what I'm paying for is that special Music Server which Naim has developed. And Naim has every right to decide how they are going to implement that - whether using Minim, Roon or anything XYZ or anything propitiatory of their choice. 

...

It goes without saying that Naim has the right to decide what they do support and what they do not support. It's just that the only UPnP server actually supported on the Core is very poor in comparison with MinimServer, both in terms of software stability and flexibility and in terms of support for customizable indexing. Thus, the decision not to support other servers begs the question of who is going to buy the Core for deploying it as a UPnP server. I'm not saying that the Core is bad, perhaps it is a very good ripping station and an excellent SPDIF player. It's just that it could also be a first-class UPnP server is if Naim would adopt a less dogmatic approach towards supporting third-party solutions.

Sourav Mazumder posted:

Richard Choong posted:

BobV posted:

 

One unsolved glitch on my Mac system is that I see the Core on my network using Finder, but cannot connect to the Core to see music folders or music files.  Weird--Naim is aware of the issue.  

 

I don't seem to have this problem. I am connected as "Guest" and have access to both the Music and Download folders. Not sure if that makes a difference. Email me if you want to see a pic of how is appears in my finder.

What I did have a problem with was downloading from an external hdd or my NAS to my Core's internal HDD. I had to put all my music into a folder named "MQ" otherwise the Core would refuse to download. Of course what then happens is that the files get downloaded into the "Music" folder of the Core's internal HDD which meant I could no longer cut and paste or make changes to those files from my Mac.

Hi Richard,

 

I see what you are saying. I guessed this behavior before hand and hence didn't go for that route.

I believe the import option which you are trying is strictly for importing songs which were previously ripped by Naim products - either Uniti Server, HDX or may be old Uniti Core (in future). For anything non-Naim your only option is to download the same in Download folder. That option worked for me.

Regards,

Sourav

Richard:

Regarding a download from external HDD or NAS to the internal Core HDD, did you first allow the Core to format your HDD?  

That is necessary first because Core then creates the appropriate file structure including a "Download" folder which you can then download to.

I found it easier to take out the HDD from the Core and put it in a docking station plugged into the back of the NAS 

Folders, music etc can then be copied right onto the drive no trouble.

Bob

Richard Choong posted:

BobV posted:

 

One unsolved glitch on my Mac system is that I see the Core on my network using Finder, but cannot connect to the Core to see music folders or music files.  Weird--Naim is aware of the issue.  

 

I don't seem to have this problem. I am connected as "Guest" and have access to both the Music and Download folders. Not sure if that makes a difference. Email me if you want to see a pic of how is appears in my finder.

What I did have a problem with was downloading from an external hdd or my NAS to my Core's internal HDD. I had to put all my music into a folder named "MQ" otherwise the Core would refuse to download. Of course what then happens is that the files get downloaded into the "Music" folder of the Core's internal HDD which meant I could no longer cut and paste or make changes to those files from my Mac.

Richard:

I would love to see a pic of how it appears in the Finder.

Thanks

Bob

Moderated Post:  Bob, please don't post your e-mail address on here - it can be viewed by anyone. Thanks.

BobV posted:

Richard:

Regarding a download from external HDD or NAS to the internal Core HDD, did you first allow the Core to format your HDD?  

That is necessary first because Core then creates the appropriate file structure including a "Download" folder which you can then download to.

I found it easier to take out the HDD from the Core and put it in a docking station plugged into the back of the NAS 

Folders, music etc can then be copied right onto the drive no trouble.

Bob

I did allow the Core to format the HDD. Interesting that you could take it out from the Core and you plug it in to the NAS it could read the HDD. I tried that and it didn't work. Weird.

Anyway the reason why I didn't use the drag and drop method into the Downloads folder was because I was using a Mac and there are stupid hidden files that make drag and dropping into the Downloads folder a pain. I have commented elsewhere in this forum about the problem.

Sourav, Bob;

Thank you for your quite specific and very helpful reports. It is very interesting to read that Core S/PDIF appears to beat network configuration by a comfortable margin. Could you elaborate on differences of sound presentation and resolution between Core and UServe SSD?

Chag -

Better, tighter more precise bass response.  Overall clarity much improved and that old Naim attribute rhythm and timing all improved.  

Most importantly, virtually all of the UnitiServe owners who hear the Core are convinced to the point that ProMusica has sold more than a dozen Cores to their existing UnitiServe customers (this one included).

Frankly, I'm surprised that Naim is still offering the UnitiServe at a much higher price!

Richard Choong posted:

BobV posted:

Richard:

Regarding a download from external HDD or NAS to the internal Core HDD, did you first allow the Core to format your HDD?  

That is necessary first because Core then creates the appropriate file structure including a "Download" folder which you can then download to.

I found it easier to take out the HDD from the Core and put it in a docking station plugged into the back of the NAS 

Folders, music etc can then be copied right onto the drive no trouble.

Bob

I did allow the Core to format the HDD. Interesting that you could take it out from the Core and you plug it in to the NAS it could read the HDD. I tried that and it didn't work. Weird.

Anyway the reason why I didn't use the drag and drop method into the Downloads folder was because I was using a Mac and there are stupid hidden files that make drag and dropping into the Downloads folder a pain. I have commented elsewhere in this forum about the problem.

Richard:  That is strange--I wouldn't know why.  I can't comment on the Mac drag and drop because my Mac still will not allow me to access the Core, even though it shows up in the Network--no access allowed, can't even get to the point of logging on as a Guest.

Lots of mystifying little things when it comes to computer networks.........

Chag... posted:

Sourav, Bob;

Thank you for your quite specific and very helpful reports. It is very interesting to read that Core S/PDIF appears to beat network configuration by a comfortable margin. Could you elaborate on differences of sound presentation and resolution between Core and UServe SSD?

Chag -

Hi Chag,

I never had UnitiServe SSD. So I cannot compare.

But it sounds great compared to all other Music Server solutions I have tried so far except for the DSDs. Probably the reason for that is they convert DSD to PCM - that entirely spoils DSD's signature Sound Quality.

I'm not sure what is the meaning of converting DSD to PCM - if someone likes HiRes in PCM he/she can buy HiRes in PCM. If someone is buying DSD that means that he/she does not like HiRes in PCM - then what is the meaning of converting it and advertising that this supports DSD ?

Regards,

Sourav

BobV posted:

Most importantly, virtually all of the UnitiServe owners who hear the Core are convinced...

Not this one.

BobV posted:

Better, tighter more precise bass response.  Overall clarity much improved and that old Naim attribute rhythm and timing all improved.  

Interesting BobV! Do you know whether the Core uses a different SPDIF output than the US? I also would be curious to compare the SPDIF output of the Core to the new HiFiBerry Digi+Pro SPDIF output. Hopefully we will see some detailed reviews and comparisons in the upcoming months! Best, nbpf

For a SYNOLOGY NAS drive:

 instructions are for current DSM 6.0.2-8451 Update 9

 Open DSM

Open Control panel

 Open File Services

Under ‘’Win/MAC/NFS’ : click ‘’enable Windows file service’’

 Open Advanced Settings

Click: ‘’Enable Local Master Browser’’

 Save it by clicking APPLY

Reboot your NAS drive(s).

When it is back on line (Status light green), reboot your Core: stand-by then pull the plug, wait 1 minute, re-plug it.

 Restart the Naim app (kill it and restart it new)

After about 5 minutes you should be able to see your shared folders, to enable your music shares and to promote some folders to Music Store

BobV

Thanks very much for this, much appreciated!

Nick

Watch out for a Synology update,  not sure how it will link into the new Core s/w but something to watch/expect.  DSM 6.1 has been beta testing for a while & I just noticed the public rev. has gone in the release hopper today.  If you have your Synology set to auto-update, I expect that will be done anytime from now, depending on region & whatever time you have your unit set for auto-update.   They have also auto-updated Media Server & Search this morning,  I expect to enable them to work with the new DSM.