Music-server tips

I've been using a Core for over a year connected via ethernet and must admit had a few problems to start with. The recent updates have improved the Core substantially since its release. I find it a joy to use, so simple plus it is silent in operation it also sounds rather good.

I wold suggest you have a demo at your dealer t see if it is for you.

Totally agree with the above sentiments.

I've had mine for 6 months  and obviously came along after the initial software issues. I moved over from a Unitiserve. I use mine with an SSD so totally silent too and cool running

Had mine for 3 months - no problems, easy to use and to edit metadata. Using ethernet connection and SSD.

Thank you!

Sure I'll do. But regarding a server it is not only the SQ but also the every day usage with a dealer may not have as much as you guys here in the forum. 

[@mention:49436537387864621] do you also use the core with a SSD? 

Have you ever heard about any problems using a SSD with a core? As far as I know SSDs should always receive a TRIM command           ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trim_(computing) ) And furthermore a SSD inside a media server might always read files at the same position as there is no constant writing activity or am I mistaken?

Not specifically to ssd storage, pretty sure a couple of forum members are using ssd. The Core needs ethernet to import the metadata off the web. If I play the Core by ethernet into the Nova I get music plus the Nova screen has album cover. If I play the music from the Core by spdif, I get the screen on Nova just showing the digital input being used. From a sound quality perspective I prefer spdif, I use a belden 1494a. I am currently trying a True audio signal cable from my dealer.......much much better than my cable or Naim dc1.

Thanks, [@mention:69004037573964054]

which ethernet cables are you using? 

DL_Audio posted:

Thank you!

Sure I'll do. But regarding a server it is not only the SQ but also the every day usage with a dealer may not have as much as you guys here in the forum. 

[@mention:49436537387864621] do you also use the core with a SSD? 

Have you ever heard about any problems using a SSD with a core? As far as I know SSDs should always receive a TRIM command           ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trim_(computing) ) And furthermore a SSD inside a media server might always read files at the same position as there is no constant writing activity or am I mistaken?

I use a 2TB Seagate Pipeline HDD with a Seagate 2TB back up and as I said silent in operation, connection is ethernet only I/m using  Audioquest Vodka from Core to switch and switch to NDX.

I would strongly recommend the IOS APP in favour of the Android APP.

I'm using the recommended SSD in my Core and it works fine. Silent of course and the Core runs cool too.

if you use the recommended Seagate HDD then it will run quite hot and the disc runs continually too, 24/7, unless you put the Core into deep sleep standby. But it does work ok and the HDD is designed to run continually.

The IOS app is pretty good now. I don't use Android but there do seem to be more issues for guys using the Android app.

best

David

Personally I don't see the necessity for such a large expenditure as a Core for something as simple as a Media Server.
Those from QNAP and Synology (amongst others) work just fine; for a small fraction of the price.

My tip is...

Buy a QNAP or a Synology!

I perceive the strength of the Core being when it is used in rendering mode with digital output direct to DAC, rather than as a fancy NAS with CD ripping capability. In rendering mode when playing locally stored music an external network is taken out of the equation, with all its apparent potential for problems (judging by perrenial pleas for help), and recent debate over whether expensive cables make a difference.

The question then is how good is the digital output? Comments on this forum do seem to be weighted heavily on the favourable side, however there are precious few direct comparisons - and that I gather is what the OP is seeking, with Melco as one possible contender - exactly my point of consideration if my Mac Mini were to die. Against this, from various threads over recent months I gather the Core has some limitations/quirks in relation to its music file and metadata handling, though that of course will vary in significance from person to person.

IB

That is exactly the reason I wanted a Core,direct feed to my 272,an external DAC,or my XD 600s.Also I chose the Core over other brands,because it all shows up in the Naim app,and was designed to work together.

@DLaudio I am using AudioQuest forest to switch, Melco from Core to switch, and qed graphite, switch to Nova. The latter being the weak link, I hope, need to demo a better cable for that piece.

Huge posted:

My tip is...

Buy a QNAP or a Synology!

Huge posted:

Personally I don't see the necessity for such a large expenditure as a Core for something as simple as a Media Server.
Those from QNAP and Synology (amongst others) work just fine; for a small fraction of the price.

My tip is...

Buy a QNAP or a Synology!

Personally I don't want to mess about with computers and like the ease of use of the Core.

Pcd posted:

Huge posted:

Personally I don't see the necessity for such a large expenditure as a Core for something as simple as a Media Server.
Those from QNAP and Synology (amongst others) work just fine; for a small fraction of the price.

My tip is...

Buy a QNAP or a Synology!

Personally I don't want to mess about with computers and like the ease of use of the Core.

Just out of interest, who writes your forum posts for you (or do you in fact "mess about with computers" and do them yourself)?

Personally I actually find it easier to just use a Synology as a generic network storage device (save files in the right place and they automatically just appear in the Naim app, AND you can still edit their metadata!) rather than messing about trying to find out how to do things like alter the metadata on a proprietary solution.

But each to their own.  I can truly see the appeal of the core if you never want to do anything other than shove a disk in and just accept whatever it writes to its disk, but the Core (or Melco or...) isn't automatically easier for everyone.

Huge, editing Metadata on the Core is very simple all done from the comfort of your armchair using the APP. I used a Synology for over five years and struggled at times with the PC and set up etc.

Pcd posted:

Huge, editing Metadata on the Core is very simple all done from the comfort of your armchair using the APP. I used a Synology for over five years and struggled at times with the PC and set up etc.

Curious how many threads there are about "How do I... (fill in as appropriate)?", or "This doesn't work...(fill in as appropriate)" in respect of the Core, if all you need to do can be done from the app (just as there are similar threads about other music servers).

Seems like there are usability problems both ways ("We're doomed, we're all doomed")! 

When I had a Unitiserve it was wonderfully simple to rip CDs, and all the metadata can be edited from the app. The Core is just the same. But once all the CDs are ripped these rippers make a less convincing case for themselves, particularly if most new music is acquired as downloads. My other reason for getting a Serve was that I was scared of the idea of using a nas. Now I have one I’m quite happy with it. And you can do things with dbpoweramp and a nas that you really can’t with a Serve, and presumably a Core. For example, when 37 Maria Callas albums came as a single folder and needed splitting into the original albums with the original artwork I sorted it out on the laptop. With a Core you still need to use a computer to edit the metadata of a download, making the Core rather pointless. But if all your new music is acquired from CDs it’s a delightfully simple solution. 

HH must be mellowing - I agree with him that ripping CDs and editing metadata is delightfully simple using a unitiserve, and presumably a Core, although I have not used the latter.

HH, you are correct different people have different needs when it comes to ripping and storing music the Core suits my needs.

I did have a second hand double CD by Billy Eckstine turn up last week put disc one in the Core nothing it could not read disc two either.

I fired up the iMac and Synology and using dbpoweramp tried both discs and went around the world looking for metadata etc sod all found.

Strangely ITunes read and ripped both discs I downloaded the artwork and as an experiment I burnt both discs put them into the Core whereby the Core ripped the music but no metadata which I edited with the App adding the artwork etc.

Still trying to fathom this one out both the Cds played OK on my Unitilite rather strange??

Pcd posted:

I did have a second hand double CD by Billy Eckstine turn up last week put disc one in the Core nothing it could not read disc two either.

I fired up the iMac and Synology and using dbpoweramp tried both discs and went around the world looking for metadata etc sod all found.

Strangely ITunes read and ripped both discs I downloaded the artwork and as an experiment I burnt both discs put them into the Core whereby the Core ripped the music but no metadata which I edited with the App adding the artwork etc.

Did the CD have DRM? I've found iTunes able to rip some copy protected CDs where other rippers either fail, or take many hours to rip them.

Chris, just a standard Cd purchased secondhand from Music Magpie

Hungryhalibut posted:

When I had a Unitiserve it was wonderfully simple to rip CDs, and all the metadata can be edited from the app. The Core is just the same. But once all the CDs are ripped these rippers make a less convincing case for themselves, particularly if most new music is acquired as downloads. My other reason for getting a Serve was that I was scared of the idea of using a nas. Now I have one I’m quite happy with it. And you can do things with dbpoweramp and a nas that you really can’t with a Serve, and presumably a Core. For example, when 37 Maria Callas albums came as a single folder and needed splitting into the original albums with the original artwork I sorted it out on the laptop. With a Core you still need to use a computer to edit the metadata of a download, making the Core rather pointless. But if all your new music is acquired from CDs it’s a delightfully simple solution. 

you say that all the metadata can be edited within the app for the unitserve ?  how can you do that?    can you describe me the steps please ?     if i use naim app, i click on a logo and it is written «  not this album « .  After i have a lot of propositions, but i can’t change the album cover for some downloads : the good album cover appears but if i return on the album to play files, the album cover ( unknown with naim logo) still appears.  

You need the nServe app.