Units Core as NAS / source

Well if your digital conversion end point does not change, nor will the outcome. The Core will stream your music like Qnap, so if you still like the cd spinner over your QNap, the Core will give similar results. The SSD has been reported on the forum to make no difference to SQ from the Core.

Well, it seems that there are differences with different configurations. 

QNAP running ASSET uPNP into the streaming section of my digital front end seems to b better than ROON running on ROCK in the same front end. 

What about UNITI Core SPDIf out into my digital front end ? How will it sound compared to streaming ?

Digital Front end - DCS Vivaldi 4 stack

Digital file player - Aurender W20 (bettered by the Vivaldi transport)

Hi I am using the core in N-Dac +555PS sounds wounderful.

Hi Tony,

So u pull music from NAS to the Core then output via SPDIF to nDAC ?

I like others can hear no difference between sprig or ethernet with the Core.

That should read spdif connection.

So I ripp the cds to the the core then play through the spidf on N-Dac.

MDFdude posted:

Well, it seems that there are differences with different configurations. 

 

QNAP running ASSET uPNP into the streaming section of my digital front end seems to b better than ROON running on ROCK in the same front end. 

 

What about UNITI Core SPDIf out into my digital front end ? How will it sound compared to streaming ?

 

Digital Front end - DCS Vivaldi 4 stack

Digital file player - Aurender W20 (bettered by the Vivaldi transport)

your aurender w20 is already a nas/server, so i don’t understand that you need the core, which is the same ( with also ripping software).  If the vivaldi transport is better than the aurender on your ears, there is little chance that the core will be better.  Perhaps you can try the sound galleries monaco server/ nas or the melco n1z2 or even the antipodes dx reference? or also try the dcs bridge with your dcs dac and aurender as a nas....

I was kind of hoping that the Uniti Core can be more compatible with the S1. Aurender, while very good, still has shown to be inferior to the transport.

A couple of scenarios :

1) Core with Asset into network input of upsampler 

2) Core with Naim app into network input of upsampler

3) Core with Naim app into SPIF input of upsampler

MDFdude posted:

...

 

A couple of scenarios :

1) Core with Asset into network input of upsampler 

...

Interesting, is it meanwhile possible to run Asset on the Core? Thanks, nbpf

I have opened a thread on SPDIF sources for the Naim DAC, please see  https://forums.naimaudio.com/to...gione-and-spdif-dacs.

So far, there are no systematic comparison between the Core and other popular SPDIF sources for SPDIF DACs, I am afraid.

Why are you using an upsampler?

Yes. I have the DCS Vivaldi 4 stack including the upsampler. All digital inputs except SACD goes through the upsampler 

I am guessing that the Core can possibly function as a NAS

MDFdude posted:

I am guessing that the Core can possibly function as a NAS

Yes, but it is Naim's proprietary system, and apart from adding a downloads folder using a computer, it is controlled only by the Naim app. Re. your earlier post, it will not run third party software such as Asset. For that, you need a conventional NAS. 

Thanks for that. Still exploring options 

MDFdude posted:

I was kind of hoping that the Uniti Core can be more compatible with the S1. Aurender, while very good, still has shown to be inferior to the transport.

 

A couple of scenarios :

 

1) Core with Asset into network input of upsampler 

2) Core with Naim app into network input of upsampler

3) Core with Naim app into SPIF input of upsampler

 

 

 

i think i am not wrong to say that your dcs dac will be connected to your S1 and the core in spdif to your dac. But the core will not be connected directly to the S1, so there is no question, i guess, of compatibility of core/S1....

I read one day that someone connected the nds to a dcs dac, with u-clock, and streaming from the unitserve ( past core).

Also i know that the aurender w20 can benefit strongly from a direct connection of the dcs clock....

A third solution would be a dcs streaming bridge, connected to your dac, and streaming from your aurender in ethernet mode.  the aurender used only as a nas.

Apologies if I was a little unclear. I am seeking the best possible sound for my system. I have heard many people say an all Naim system will sound best from  source to amplication. I am hoping Core will complement that.

Don't get me wrong, the Aurender is a very competent unit. I have my music files stored in the HDDs in the unit & files in the playlist gets lifted to the SSD in the unit for replay. I am using AES output into the Vivaldi upsampler. Unfortunately, the Vivaldi transport is still better. So the lazy bum in me is trying to find an alternative to the Aurender that allows me to replay all my songs without getting out of the throne seat. 

The Aurender is already connected to the Vivaldi wordclock via BNC with additional RS232 interface to allow auto switching of different word clock frequencies for songs various sampling frequencies.

My Vivaldi upsampler is already fitted with the latest hardware with a new network card hardware thingy that is on par or better than the bridge (I think).

If all else fails, I am drawing up CD cabinets & getting some made & digging out all my CDs to store in the hifi room. That would mean a move back to disc spinners after years of files as source.

so it will be difficult to find a better digital source than that, you have what is among the best available. I read in some dcs reviews that the dcs transport / dac / upsampler/ clock is still better than the streaming part of the dcs, for sound quality.

Perhaps can you compare what you have with an nds/2 555 dr/ uniti core, in ethernet mode, the best source from naim.    But this comparison will be difficult to do.  Good luck

I have a friend in another city with NDS. Somehow I don't think I can convince him to part with his precious for an audition.

I have auditioned a 5 series CD source & pre power combo a couple of years back. This system belongs to a fellow member here & we share the same speakers - ProAc Carbon 8. This particular audition convinced me that Naim is a match made in heaven for the ProAc. I was not that really into Naim prior to this. Flame suit on.

My sonore rendu beats my Aurender and Auralic Femto with USB. All sources were better than unitiserve direct attached to DAC. I sold Auralic and very soon my Aurender. Imho the sonore rendu is one of the best digital sources one could buy.  Give it a try- outstanding vfm��. Looking for Auralic G2 now with roon support....

@MDFDUDE: Hi, not sure I understand your problem. You have a full dCS Vivaldi, that means you can play the same CD on the Vivaldi transport or (after you rip it) from any NAS on the Vivaldi streamer using UPNP and the former is (a) distinguishable and (b) consistently better? What if you play from a USB stick ? Same ?

Some time ago I was with two friends in a demo of Burmester’s 151 server (which -by the way is a fantastic sounding machine- combines a CD transport and a UPNP renderer plus storage under one hood) . The manufacturer claims that ripped and stored music will sound better (over CD playback). My two friends (who firmly believe CD payback is superior) were - based on what they were hearing- claiming CD playback was superior. I could not tell any difference ...and was being laughed at it ...

Well,

(A) I have songs ripped using DB poweramp stores in the HDD of the Aurender output via AES/EBU into upsampler of Vivaldi

(B) I can play CD or SACD using the transport of Vivaldi into the upsampler of Vivaldi (SACD direct to DAC using dual ASS/EBU)

(C) play the same files via NAS with Asset into Vivaldi upsampler

(D) use ROON with ROCK pulling files from NAS into Vivaldi upsampler

(E) song files on SSD direct input via USB into Vivaldi upsampler

(F) exploring Core to become part of the playback chain

So far, (B) > (A) & (A) is similar to (C) with possibly slight edge to (A). Both (A) & (C) better than (D). With (D), the top end was a bit rough. I did not like (E) either which I thought would b the best. Sounded mute missing the top end. Now thinking whether (F) can be on par with (B)

Any other suggestion for (G) ?

Thanks. Perfectly clear. Melco might be an option (some claim it’s 2nd Ethernet “direct” output has the edge...). Also at this level of digital source cables might be playing a role...

Digital cables is a nightmare considering all the myriad of cables needed to get the 4 stack going. One dealer quoted a full loom of Crystal Cables supposed used by DCS themselves. The only catch was that they cost more than the Vivaldi stack !