Hello, I’ve been a silent reader up until now, but today I finally registered for this great forum. For some time now, I’ve been experiencing the following problem with my Uniti Core.
When I finish listening to music, I send the Core into “deep sleep” by pressing and holding the button so that the hard disk drive (HDD) does not run continuously. When I activate the Core the next day by pressing the button, it starts up normally. However, the Naim app shows the Core under “Server” but no content. Neither ripped CDs nor downloads. It doesn’t matter whether I control the Naim app via an iPad or an iPhone.
Only when I turn off the Core (remove the power cable) and then restart it does the app show the content on the HDD again.
This problem has occurred occasionally in the past. Now the error is permanent. Does anyone have any advice?
Perhaps also important: the firmware and app versions are up to date. A 2TB Seagate HDD is installed in the Core. The Core is connected to the ND555 via a switch.
@davidhendon is something of a Core expert and may respond later.
From what I understand, you’d only put the Core into deep sleep before unplugging it, so it sounds like it’s working properly. Normally you’d let it go into standby after the time of your choosing. Try that and see if it works. Good NAS drives are perfectly fine running continuously.
I have seen my Core show no music after a start up from cold and turning the power off and on again really quickly (less than 1 second off) has always sorted the problem out. But as I never use Deep Sleep, I can’t say if it affects that mode too. I suspect this is a sticky relay in the Core, but the problem has never lasted long enough for me to send it back to Naim.
Anyway I agree that the correct way to use the Core is to leave it on and let it go into Network Sleep when not in use. The HDD will run all the time and this is one reason why many of us use SSDs instead of HDDs.
First of all, thank you very much for your answers, davidhendon + hungryhalibut. I’m not comfortable with the solution of always leaving the Core running. The HDD would then sometimes be running pointlessly for days on end. This is unacceptable, and not just because of the noise. I also don’t believe that deep sleep mode is intended to be an operating state from which the Core cannot be restored to full functionality. My ND555 also has a deep sleep function. The difference between both devices and normal standby is that deep sleep can only be ended on the device itself and not via the app.
The fact that the function has been largely reliable in the past also speaks in favor of the permissibility of my operating method. When I had to do a complete restart from time to time, I usually blamed the Naim app for it. That’s why I could also imagine that the error I’m experiencing has something to do with one of the latest app updates.
One more question: is it actually normal for the Core to go into standby mode during operation? The music continues to play, and I only notice it when I call up the server, for example, to select a different album.
I never use deep sleep. I have it set to turn itself to light sleep after not playing music for an hour. Most of the time that works. Sometimes i just lightly press the front button to put it to light sleep. The drive is solid state which is low heat and lasts a long time especially if for the most part you are only reading from it not writing.
Yes, this light sleep you mention is called Network Sleep and it means the Core is visible on the network and can respond to requests from streamers as well the Naim app. Network Sleep is the normal mode for it to be in most of the time. And it is normal for the Core to go into Network Sleep after some minutes.
Regarding the issue described by @gambolputty , this is certainly a fault condition, I suspect a hardware fault. I described a way to overcome it, it maybe the translation doesn’t make it clear. In an ideal world you would send the Core back to Naim and they would repair it. But it’s probably worth talking to Naim Technical Support or a dealer to see whether they have any ideas.
Thanks again, David Hendon and JasVerlen, I will contact Naim support in this matter.
A workaround would be to switch to SSD. At the time I bought the Core, this was not recommended. Do you have a recommendation for a specific brand and model?