Installing storage on the Uniti Core

The Naim Uniti Core is a powerful music server designed to rip, store, and serve your music collection in the highest quality. To unlock its full potential, you’ll need to install internal or external storage. This guide explains what type of drive to use, how to install it, and how to configure your storage for ripping and playback.

1. What Kind of SSD or HDD Can I Use?

The Uniti Core supports both 2.5" and 3.5" SATA hard drives (HDDs) and solid-state drives (SSDs).

Important: The drive must be unformatted or formatted in NTFS or exFAT. The Uniti Core will reformat the drive during setup.

2. What Size Drive Do I Need?

The official upper limit to the drive size supported by Uniti Core is 8 TB However, Naim recommends:

• Minimum: 1TB for moderate collections
• Typical: 2TB–4TB for most users
• Large libraries: 6TB or more

The actual capacity needed depends on your music collection size. For example:

• 100 CDs ≈ 60,000 MB of space or 60 GB
• 400 CDS ≈  512 GB of space

3. How to Install an Internal Drive

Step-by-Step:

1. Power off the Uniti Core and unplug it.
2. Remove the removable caddy to access the drive bay : use a small cross-headed screwdriver to remove the two screws on the caddy.
3. Slide the caddy out and place your chosen HDD on the caddy, carefully turn it over and insert the provided HDD/SSD screws into the marked holes for your HDD/SSD to secure it in place.
4. Make sure the SATA connection for the drive is mounted towards the internal connections of the Core.
5. Slide the caddy back into the Core and replace the screws on the caddy tray.
6. Power on the unit.

The Uniti Core will detect the drive and prompt you to format it via the Focal & Naim App.

4. Can I Use External or NAS Storage?

Yes. Uniti Core supports:

• USB drives (connected to the rear USB port)
• Network-attached storage (NAS) via UPnP

These can be used for:

• Ripping destination (if no internal drive is installed)
• Playback of stored music

Note: Only one internal drive can be used at a time. If no internal drive is installed, the Core will prompt you to select an external or network location for ripping.

5. How to Set Up Storage for Ripping

Once your drive is installed or connected:

1. Open the Focal &Naim App.
2. Go to Settings > Music Stores.
3. Select your internal, USB, or NAS drive.
4. The Core will format the drive (if needed) and set it as the default ripping location.

You can also configure:

• Backup locations
• Music folder sharing
• Metadata preferences