Glad to hear people like the core as I’m looking at options for my music collection and considering getting the core or something similar next year.
You keep saying that but most here that have compared agree the Core (or music server) sounds better. Not only here but on every article I’ve read they all seem to agree that a music server sounds better than a NAS. Yes it is only a computer but it’s one that’s sole purpose is to supply music to your streamer/DAC as opposed to a computer who’s focus is broader and more likely comprised.
You’re right, HH, I certainly could. However, I really like the idea of disconnecting from the computer and having a purpose built component.
Wow, that’s a very serious cleaning station!
Indeed! New records just go through the AudioDesk. Dirty used records (I’m not talking Derek and Clive Live) go Loricraft first, AudioDesk second.
FWIW, I have 804 D3s in Wimbledon. Great speakers but I agree a 250 is the minimum they need. The Atom I have for upstairs and my girlfriend’s Nova have both been attached, just as a test - no need to do that again. A s/h 300DR works even better than a 250…
Welcome aboard. That’s a lovely looking system, you’ll have to give us updates on your Nait 50 experience as it runs in
Cholestereolol is even worse, roughly twice as bad.
To redeem myself from the above offence, here’s an away-from-home system pic.
Which model of headphones are those?
Will do , just trying to save some pennies for the neat petite classic now
Sennheiser HD 650.
Sound is proficient but a bit unengaging. Not sure if the main culprit is the headphones or the DAC.
Maybe I’ve just been spoiled by my main system
Possibly the DAC. I have some old HD600s and I don’t think the Audioquest Cobalt works so well with them - it’s all just a bit flat. The AQ is much better with easier to drive 'phones and works well with the Hifiman HE400is that I use in the office.
Best portable partner for the Sennheiser HD600s (and I would assume also for the HD650s) is the old Ponoplayer, especially when used in balanced mode; perfect partners. FWIW, Charley Hansen of Ayre Acoustics developed the audio stage of the Ponoplayer using HD600s…
Could it be because in spite of it being just 0s and 1s, CD transports have different digital out cards?
Thanks Richard, will investigate. I didn’t find the Cobalt DAC a significant upgrade over my old AQ Black.
And yes, my in-ear Pinnacle headphones seem to work better with the AQ DACs.
All I know is that when I compared a NAS to a UnitiServe, the NAS sounded better, and I don’t recall anyone saying that a Core is better than the US. Like the Core, a NAS is designed to store music or whatever, and like the Core’s software, Asset is designed specifically to serve music.
As to the mags, they are hardly going to say that a £500 NAS is better than a fancy pants multi thousand server, are they? I can bet that if my Qnap was put in a Naim box, people would compare the two and as that the one in the posh frock sounded better, even if it didn’t.
Not sure where that’s coming from I’m pretty sure most who have gone from the US to Core have mentioned the improvement.
I never tried the test with a Unitiserve.
As mentioned above, the Core is up to the standard of a CDS2 and substantially better than rips done on my laptop and replayed via the NDX2. Multiple ears agreed, including those who had no idea what I was fiddling with and which version was supposedly better.
If you have found a NAS that is just as good for a fraction of the cost, that’s great.