Interesting interview with Naim's Jason Gould

Hopefully a Core before a Fraim. Source first.

1 Like

I don’t have any stored music Mike, I stream only.

2 Likes

Check out the Simrak!

2 Likes

I can’t keep up with you.

Don’t fall for the hype. A Fraim will do more for the music than a roomful of Cores. It’s only a nas in a fancy box.

1 Like

Thanks for your advice, oddly my 2 local dealers have both said my system doesn’t really warrant a Fraim and a Fraim lite would be more appropriate.
Racks aren’t something you can easily demo like other equipment.
Obviously the more de-coupling probably the better sonically but more vulnerable I assume.

What you mean you can’t keep up with me, what have I said? :joy:

I beg to differ - I have both and respectfully disagree with you!

ATB. George.

1 Like

HH have you got any photos of your system on the old SVT, I’d be interested to see how it looked.

That’s where trying for oneself will give the answer. I’ve had a Serve, which was worse than a nas, have a Fraim now and have owned all sorts of different racks. For me the Core is all fur coat and no knickers.

Unless you have a Core, I can’t possibly see that you have anything to offer in terms of ‘advice’ to others on the forum. I also had a US-SSD, and the Core is a world better than that.

ATB. George.

4 Likes

Nothing bad Popeye. Be assured. Mike just doesn’t agree, as I, of the absolute necessity of buying a Fraim for optimal sound.

Appreciate these inputs George. I started a thread in the streaming audio section asking about SQ differences between the Serve and the Core. Many helpful replies, but many referenced the better User Interface, linear PS, lower mechanical noise etc., but not many unequivocal votes for an improvement in SQ. I’d be very interested in your specific observations on how you experience the Core improving on the Serve’s SQ.

I understand those who are sceptical about Naim servers being an important part of the whole, but my experience having twice trialled Melco at home against my Serve has been that whilst the Melco’s are clearly superior in HiFi terms, they didn’t thrill or come close to the involvement I always experience when listening to the Serve.

You’re quite right. My views are pointless and irrelevant.

When I received the Melco n1/2 , I wanted to return it. Boring, no dynamic and involved.
Until I discovered that the direct default mode set up was responsible of that lifeless.
Set up the bridge mode and all the life returned, but with finer details and more naturalness vs the unitserve / Uptone ps.
My unitserve / linear ps was already a bit better sounding than the Core I tested at home.

Hi KJC,

Yes, I had a US-SSD with a MCRU linear PSU, and loved that for many years - it definitely gave me better SQ through my NDS at the time (e.g. faster attack on electronic music like Pale Green Ghosts and Thomas Dolby’s Dissidents and generally lower noise levels in my music) compared with either my Synology 214 or 916+ serving via Minim or Synology own UPnP.

I wasn’t originally going to buy the Core, because as David H. and others have pointed out, back in 2016-2017, the Core had a difficult incubation (software and hardware), and given that I was happy with my US-SSD, I definitely wasn’t looking to change. The thing that changed for me though was when Jason Gould performed a demo at my local dealer of the new streamers (NDX2 and ND555) on 7th July 2018 (I remember the day well!), I also had a chance to hear the differences between the Core and the US-SSD for myself. It was a very convincing demo, and not only did I upgrade my NDS to ND555, I also upgraded my server as well. The Core demo just took improvements on a further step than the US, and gave more of everything. Others in the same demo also noted similar improvements - it was quite enlightening!

Having lived with the Core and the ND555 for a year now, I’m enjoying my music significantly more than previously (and it was pretty good before), and I’ve even surprised myself how much the Core has added to that enjoyment.

It’s the reason I encourage others to listen for themselves and at least give it the benefit of an audition. No different to any other upgrade I guess - have a listen first.

If you live near Canterbury, I’m more than happy for you to come and listen to the system for yourself, or if you have a nearby dealer, you could always ask for an audition.

Hope helpful?

George

1 Like

Apologies for being so abrupt Nigel. ‘Fur coat and knickers’ analogy probably triggered me!

I do find your opinions of value (I upgraded from Fraimlite to full Fraim on your recommendation way back to audition improvements for myself), however I guess I feel passionately that folks with the most valuable advice on the forum are those who have auditioned/owned the kit that they are giving opinions on. I know we all have prejudices (I know that I do!), however it’s always good to keep these in balance I guess?

Hopefully no hard feelings and long may we enjoy your contributions to these threads. Thank you for your valuable advice to date - it is much appreciated.

ATB. George.

6 Likes

Perhaps the Core is better sounding with the new streamers. I didn’t have tested.
With my nds, the unitserve / linear ps and Core sounded nearly the same.

2 Likes

Thanks for this George. Yes, very helpful. I’m not too far from Canterbury so I may take you up on your very kind offer. I could bring my NDS along to level the playing field. I know how much better the ND555 is than the NDS, but that upgrade is not on my horizon for now, so probably better for me to stick to what difference it makes to an NDS based system. However, an upgrade to Core is very much in my mind…
Kevin

1 Like

@anon4489532 am I right in thinking this is your old SVT setup? Looks great!?

1 Like