Core vs Qnap Nas, my twopence worth
Posted by: Rich 1 on 26 April 2018
The continuing debate on Uniti Core vs Nas, or more accurately Nas vs Nas.
Just to wade into the debate with my 2 pence worth as I have both Qnap dual core, 2 Bay Nas and single bay Uniti Core Nas.
Preamble; System comprises Qnap and Uniti Core Nas, NAC-N272, NAP250 DR and PMC 20 24 speakers, (all auditioned before purchasing). I’m in my early 60’s so don’t hear much above 10k. My wife and I go to plenty of live venues both miked and un-miked. We want our music to remind us of the live events.
Experiment;
Ascertain possible differences between Core and Qnap Nas.
Methods;
1 Rip cd to Core.
2 rip cd to Qnap via pc and correctly set up Exact Audio Copy.
3 Copy from Qnap to Core Downloads folder, altering metadata to differentiate recording.
Results;
1 Direct from Core. Sounds good, slightly warm sound, very involving.
2 Direct from Qnap. Sounds good, similar amounts of information as Core but presentation of music is slightly different, dryer sound, not unpleasant, and maybe not quite as involving to my ears. Blind tests with my wife, she heard a difference and consistently preferred the Core. That's one reason we went for the Core.
3 Copy from Qnap to Core. Music is similar to direct rip to Core.
Conclusion;
Qnap and Core deliver the same amount of information but present it in different ways. I prefer the slightly warmer sound of the Core and to me it’s far more involving. Heard in isolation both are acceptably good. If my memory serves me correctly the difference in sound is similar although not exactly to the difference between early high quality cd players and say an LP12 turntable. What’s right for my wife and I might not be to others taste. If you and your partner can’t hear the differences between Nas then go for the best value. If you can hear a difference then go with your ears.
My unsubstantiated conclusion is that all Nas’s may add their own signature to the sound. Why that might be is not my problem!