Alternative to the Core (with internal hdd)

Depends what you mean by a digital output? Do you mean SPDIF (bypassing the NDS streamer and turning it into a rather expensive DAC) or do you mean a UPnP server on a network?

ChrisSU posted:

Depends what you mean by a digital output? Do you mean SPDIF (bypassing the NDS streamer and turning it into a rather expensive DAC) or do you mean a UPnP server on a network?

I would want to feed into the NDS which will then use its internal DAC and output to my 282. 

That'll be a NAS with something like Asset or Minimserver running on it. Relatively inexpensive, scalable, serviceable, and in my case better sounding than HDX-SSD. You'll have to do your own rips though.  I find this appealing. Others don't. Each to our own.

Have a look at Antipodes Audio products. They get raving reviews, and have a price tag appropriate for a Naim stack . Funny thing, their full width renderer has same width as Naim and a triptych design, so if you get it in black you wouldn't even notice it's not a Naim

They even have their own "Core" server. Roon compatible and so on.

Richard Choong posted:

ChrisSU posted:

Depends what you mean by a digital output? Do you mean SPDIF (bypassing the NDS streamer and turning it into a rather expensive DAC) or do you mean a UPnP server on a network?

I would want to feed into the NDS which will then use its internal DAC and output to my 282. 

I'm still not sure which of the two possible connection methods you want to use??

Richard Choong posted:

If one were to look for an alternative to the Core (with an internal hdd) and a digital output (to say an NDS), what would it be?

 

Richard Choong posted:

If one were to look for an alternative to the Core (with an internal hdd) and a digital output (to say an NDS), what would it be?

i see you have problems with tracks missing on the core. So you want to move out of your core?

Richard Choong posted:

If one were to look for an alternative to the Core (with an internal hdd) and a digital output (to say an NDS), what would it be?

it is best to use nds in ethernet mode, not in spdif to a server. You can have qnap 251 nas or innuos zenith mk2 or melco. The innuos can also rip your cds.

Ripping is a good facility, although any PC/Mac can do a bit perfect, verified rip. It's the tagging that can make it or break it when you feed the files to a server. I found Naim to be particularly weak in this regard. I much prefer to do my own tagging.

Richard Choong posted:

If one were to look for an alternative to the Core (with an internal hdd) and a digital output (to say an NDS), what would it be?

Do you want to feed the NDS via SPDIF (optical or electrical via BNC) or via LAN?

You can now do your own tagging with a Core.

If you find Naim servers weak with tagging its ripps, good luck with the competition....

I have an Innuos Zenith which is in many ways similar to a Core.
It does however allow you to see and edit metadata before ripping a cd and also supports Spotify, Tidal and internet radio.
A Zen is a lot cheaper but I believe runs the same software.

Manu posted:

You can now do your own tagging with a Core.

Yes, all five fields of it...?! Impressive stuff..... 

Richard Choong posted:

If one were to look for an alternative to the Core (with an internal hdd) and a digital output (to say an NDS), what would it be?

If you're happy to stick with UpNP perhaps look at Melco's offerings....? I'm going to have a closer look at them myself now – I was resisting going there as I determinedly wanted to stay all Naim (have the US SSD...and 'was' planning on a Core...) but, for me at least, the Core has simply become a baffling product from Naim, at least in it's current state – and the noises re future functionality don't fill me with much hope, sadly......'Reference' it is not.

Keler Pierre posted:

Richard Choong posted:

If one were to look for an alternative to the Core (with an internal hdd) and a digital output (to say an NDS), what would it be?

 

Richard Choong posted:

If one were to look for an alternative to the Core (with an internal hdd) and a digital output (to say an NDS), what would it be?

i see you have problems with tracks missing on the core. So you want to move out of your core?

I am seriously considering it.

nbpf posted:

Richard Choong posted:

If one were to look for an alternative to the Core (with an internal hdd) and a digital output (to say an NDS), what would it be?

Do you want to feed the NDS via SPDIF (optical or electrical via BNC) or via LAN?

My initial sense is to feed the NDS via SPDIF. In my previous tests, I noticed that the SQ was distinctly better using the SPDIF vs via LAN. Hence the idea to have the songs stored locally on a local hdd as opposed to a NAS (which I have now).

Manu posted:

If you find Naim servers weak with tagging its ripps, good luck with the competition....

Server's don't tag. Rips tag and the HDX was pretty awful in this respect. The competition, like a PC running dBpoweramp is superior by a huge margin.

If Core users have full control over writing their own tags it's a big step forwards. Of course, you can already edit the tags if using an HDX. Except you can't really.

Manu posted:

If you find Naim servers weak with tagging its ripps, good luck with the competition....

if it was true...perhaps you have this chance, but i continue to finding users that have problems with their metadata on the core.  Richard who opened this post, and a lot of....

Some say USB direct into NDS can't be beat. In theory it is easy to see why. This appears to be an easy option to try out.

Keler Pierre posted:

Manu posted:

If you find Naim servers weak with tagging its ripps, good luck with the competition....

if it was true...perhaps you have this chance, but i continue to finding users that have problems with their metadata on the core.  Richard who opened this post, and a lot of....

Quoting from the latest Firmware update:

"Firmware Update v1.4

Feature: existing user edits on music imported from a previous generation Naim server will be reinstated.
Enabled: editable metadata fields: artist name, album title, track names, genre and album artwork.
Fixed: Occasional dropouts when playing FLAC files.

Naim iOS App Update v5.6

Added: metadata editing functionality now available for Uniti Core
Fixed: missing artist name and album name on the ripping monitor on Uniti Core
Fixed: long title track overlap on now playing screen
Fixed: last ripped filters on Uniti Core

Please Note:

- Editing of Composers and Conductors will not be enabled and is not currently planned as a future update.  
- The metadata editing functionality is based solely within the app, there is no desktop editing functionality.
- Only ripped CDs or CDs imported from a previous Naim server that have been ripped, can be edited.
- Music content in the Downloads Folder cannot be edited so the option will not be available.
- 'Artist Name' cannot be changed globally, only on a per CD basis.
- When a Uniti Core is updated to the firmware which includes the 'Edit Metadata' feature, if the database already includes music from a previously imported Naim collection any user edits applied on that collection will be reinstated automatically."

So it's not clear to me how much has changed in terms of functionality. That said, it's true that many of us are having trouble with the metadata and even having loss songs or albums, artistes etc.  Go figure...

If I weren't haven't these issues I would not even consider moving away from Naim even if it's not as great as some of the competition. I stand to be corrected but it's really frustrating at the moment. Instead of being able to just enjoy the music, I am constantly plagued with Core issues...sigh...

Bloody hell! And how long has the HDX been out for? 

sihctr posted:

Have a look at Antipodes Audio products. They get raving reviews, and have a price tag appropriate for a Naim stack . Funny thing, their full width renderer has same width as Naim and a triptych design, so if you get it in black you wouldn't even notice it's not a Naim

They even have their own "Core" server. Roon compatible and so on.

The Antipodes products look really good. Reviews seem pretty good as well! Worth considering!

Richard Choong posted:

nbpf posted:

Richard Choong posted:

If one were to look for an alternative to the Core (with an internal hdd) and a digital output (to say an NDS), what would it be?

Do you want to feed the NDS via SPDIF (optical or electrical via BNC) or via LAN?

My initial sense is to feed the NDS via SPDIF. In my previous tests, I noticed that the SQ was distinctly better using the SPDIF vs via LAN. Hence the idea to have the songs stored locally on a local hdd as opposed to a NAS (which I have now).

i had this impression too with my nds to unitserve...just at the beginning. But when improved lan cable, isolated network, put linear ps on switches and serve, the ethernet mode was a major improvement vs spdif...

Richard Choong posted:

sihctr posted:

Have a look at Antipodes Audio products. They get raving reviews, and have a price tag appropriate for a Naim stack . Funny thing, their full width renderer has same width as Naim and a triptych design, so if you get it in black you wouldn't even notice it's not a Naim

They even have their own "Core" server. Roon compatible and so on.

The Antipodes products look really good. Reviews seem pretty good as well! Worth considering!

look also at the cad audio transport, seems to be better than the antipodes dx reference, from what i read on reviews ( head hifi...)

Harry posted:

Manu posted:

If you find Naim servers weak with tagging its ripps, good luck with the competition....

Server's don't tag. Rips tag and the HDX was pretty awful in this respect. The competition, like a PC running dBpoweramp is superior by a huge margin.

If Core users have full control over writing their own tags it's a big step forwards. Of course, you can already edit the tags if using an HDX. Except you can't really.

you can read the recent review of the innuos zenith mk2 on 6 moons audio... perfect ripping and tagging.

I ripped 300 albums with my unitserve and only 2 have no cover....  I think the problem is more with classical music. In that case it is better to rip and tag with mac, of what i read in forums...