Should I change my UnitiServe to a Core

personally i would wait a little more until all the software, metadata problems are fixed.  You can see in the search part of the forum all the topics about core problems.  But some are also very pleased with it.  It is just risky for now....but just my opinion.

Not if you read most of the posts on the forum but I got one to replace my Serve 8 months ago and have been delighted with it. I use mine with a Samsung SSD which means it’s cool running silent and sits on the rack without whirring away all the time.

It backs up to a QNAP NAS without issue and the last software update went without issue.

Ravenswood10 posted:

Not if you read most of the posts on the forum but I got one to replace my Serve 8 months ago and have been delighted with it. I use mine with a Samsung SSD which means it’s cool running silent and sits on the rack without whirring away all the time.

It backs up to a QNAP NAS without issue and the last software update went without issue.

Ditto!

I've a Core fronting a NAC 272, NAP 250 DR and PMC 20 24'S. The hardware is very good and using a Seagate camera HDD as suggested by Naim, it's silent. Now I'm fussy about extra noise and if I thought an SSD was an advantage I would have taken that route. So in my view and considering the additional cost, an SSD is an overkill. As for the app controlling the Core, that's another issue. I find the Android app unreliable although it's usable. The Apple app is somewhat better but still not perfect. Can't compare it to US but the music from my system is very involving. I have compared the music from both Qnap NAS and Core. To my ears there's about the same amount of information coming from both but they deliver it in different ways and I suspect that may be true of the US. I prefer the Core's delivery because it sounds much more like the real thing, my wife and I go to quite a lot of live music events of all types, miked and un-miked and we want our music to remind us of a live event.

Not overkill in terms of energy consumption!

Agree there's savings but how long would it take to get your money back? I'm in the position of only paying for night time use as we have PV on the roof :-$ ;-) we don't make so much when it's raining but it still covers our background use even then.

Every little helps as the old slogan goes and having switched to SDD I know what I prefer. The days of spinning silver discs are nearing an end - antiquated technology - bit like me really 

Would I replace my fully functioning Unitiserve with Core in the hope of improving sound quality? NO

Would I replace my Unitiserve with a Core if it died tomorrow? Unlikely, although I might revisit the idea in future as the Core evolves. I quite like being able to walk in the door, throw a CD in the US, and play it 5 minutes later with no computer faff - but I could do that on an Innuos Zen Mini for £700.

If your UnitiServe still works well I would not change it now. Functionality of the Core is pretty much the same minus: iRadio and MP3 creation (if I understood correctly). Ok - software in the UnitiServe is old, but pretty stable by now.

I suppose taking the US to your local dealer for a back to back demo would give you the answer. Believe your ears. If possible take a second pair along for confirmation. My wife and I always go together when we demo equipment.

the core a little better, but the serve with a top linear ps is the best....by a little step however.

I recently moved from an HDX (used purely as a server) to a Core and have had no issues - my main concern was the outdated OS / app and spinning drives of my HDX (albeit backed up) so fancied a more up to date solution. But having said that I use another HDX and N-Serve in my second system and it all works beautifully so there's probably no need to rush!

I heard the unitiserve with tp linear power supply in my naim system, borrowed from a friend for a couple of weeks. A few weeks later I had the core on dem for a couple of weeks. I much prefered the sound of the core.

Mr Happy posted:

I heard the unitiserve with tp linear power supply in my naim system, borrowed from a friend for a couple of weeks. A few weeks later I had the core on dem for a couple of weeks. I much prefered the sound of the core.

Connection via UPnP or digital out?

Upnp connection on both. 

Mr Happy posted:

I heard the unitiserve with tp linear power supply in my naim system, borrowed from a friend for a couple of weeks. A few weeks later I had the core on dem for a couple of weeks. I much prefered the sound of the core.

if the linear ps was the israeli tp , i agree. But anyway, in all cases, the differences are very minimal.  I made the comparison at home.  

Mr Happy posted:

Upnp connection on both. 

do you remember the name of the linear ps?    

The one I used was from Halifax  UK - a substantial linear PS which was sold when I parted with the Unitiserve. The Core has its own linear PS so suited me fine as I didn’t like the idea of a cheap SMPS.

It was indeed the Israeli one. It was the one actually listed for the unitiserve, I don’t recall it having a name.

I found the two on my system quite different in presentation. The unitiserve was good but sounded a bit too “warm and polite” for me personally. The uniticore on the other hand sounded much faster and more dynamic, especially in the bass. The sound was just so natural and really gave a convincing performance.

Couldn’t agree more with your analysis Mr Happy.

Mr Happy posted:

It was indeed the Israeli one. It was the one actually listed for the unitiserve, I don’t recall it having a name.

I found the two on my system quite different in presentation. The unitiserve was good but sounded a bit too “warm and polite” for me personally. The uniticore on the other hand sounded much faster and more dynamic, especially in the bass. The sound was just so natural and really gave a convincing performance.

i had the israeli one before on my serve, and now the uptone js2. Better with the last ps, more dynamic and open...but at more than twice the price.  With the uptone, the sound vs the core was a bit more open and nicer on tones, with same dynamics.  But not night and day .

Since you have the NDS, don't.

I made the switch. Most pointless spend of money ever. Plus, you won't get much for the unitiserv when you sell it.

The uniticore is ahead of the unitiserv when it comes to spdif digital out. This is interesting if you're using it with a 272, NDX etc. Even there, it's a pain due to lack of automation. You'll have to switch back and forth on the buggy app and can't control volume in one place - same as  unitiserv really..

MangoMonkey posted:

Since you have the NDS, don't.

I made the switch. Most pointless spend of money ever. Plus, you won't get much for the unitiserv when you sell it.

The uniticore is ahead of the unitiserv when it comes to spdif digital out. This is interesting if you're using it with a 272, NDX etc. Even there, it's a pain due to lack of automation. You'll have to switch back and forth on the buggy app and can't control volume in one place - same as  unitiserv really..

Why is this any different for 272 and NDX compared to NDS?

A question to those who use spdif out from core  to Nova,272 etc can you recommend a good interconnect? I have had a Nova for a few months and it’s very good and especially now I added a 2nd hand 250DR. I am tempted to get a Core to rip my CDs, especially now my ageing Meridian 200 transport is starting to show its age. Initially at least I will use an spdif interconnect. Naim’s DC1 seems the obvious choice unless there are better alternatives 

Bob