experience with the qute

Posted by: Robbert on 04 September 2010

I hear that there are a view qute where available this weekend.

So some people must have the experience at there own house now.

Can somebody describe how the qute works? And maybe who has a NAP 250-2, how that works. Is it really running hot?? As power amp or also as pre amp?
Posted on: 16 September 2010 by Tonkis Q
quote:
Originally posted by Phil Harris:
quote:
Originally posted by powerbench1:
quote:
Originally posted by Tonkis nr2:
I got my Qute now and it seems quite good from start, I want some weeks running in to see what happens..

I´m using Ipod Touch and the nStream app. It's nice and userfriendly. It's not 100% stable (ver 1.2), some times it don't find the UQ but it's no big issue. I guess next version will be more stable.


i agree its a little buggy at times but overall easy to use.


If you find that the app "loses" the Qute and you have the Qute connected wirelessly then (if you can, even temporarily) just try dropping in a wired connection between your router and the Qute and see if that resolves it - wireless networking is a technology that has been (IMO) badly developed as a consumer level product and because everyone and their dog is using it there are lots of instances where there are so many networks competing for airspace that the throughput (and consistency of connection) are compromised even though signal strength is good...

Cheers

Phil


I live in an area with few houses and no real competing among networks. I have used a SB3 wireless without problems..

My UQ are connected to my NAS via a switch so here we have wired connection. For Internet radio the Switch is configurated as a wireless bridge to my router, I guess this is the week point.

Sometimes when I stream Internet radio and the UQ loses contact with the Internet radio station it also lose contact whith the NAS and can not be found via nStream app. It seems that the UQ disapear from the network, after a few minutes it's back again and all works as normal..
Posted on: 16 September 2010 by David Dever
quote:
For Internet radio the Switch is configurated as a wireless bridge to my router, I guess this is the week point.

Absolutely. AirPort Express?
Posted on: 16 September 2010 by Peter_RN
Well, our Qute arrived this morning and was installed and running in a very short order. Fully wired, no wireless of any kind here; connects to a nas and has been streaming faultlesly for the past 10 hrs, save for a few minutes trial of iradio streaming and brief pauses to select next album.
Plays Playlists stored on the nas without problem and the best bit, sounds very good indeed. Too early to know just how good it will become, but I am very pleased with it as is.
The mute/volume control on the front panel will prove very useful and is a nice touch.

The Qute has increased my eagerness to hear the NDX when it is released as if it provides a significant step up from the Qute (as it seems to suggest) I would I think be very happy to add one to the main system.

Well done to the engineers, really looking forward to your next effort!

Peter
Posted on: 16 September 2010 by powerbench1
quote:
Originally posted by Robbert:
quote:
Originally posted by powerbench1:
The 'Qute is breaking in and I like it,i think it may sound better than the Uniti.

PS The Ipod N-stream app is worth it IMO. I dont have to worry about banging up or loosing the remote once it's set up. Its very handy and easy to use.


Hi Powerbench, how is the qute doing it now? You have also the nStream app for the iPod Touch. As i understand it correct you MUST install a uPnP server on your computer. Or isn't it?

If yes, what is the best uPnP server software? Especially with my iMac. ( i see twonky etc.. )

I have a Linux Vortexbox which works well with UPnP
Posted on: 16 September 2010 by powerbench1
quote:
Originally posted by Phil Harris:
quote:
Originally posted by powerbench1:
quote:
Originally posted by Tonkis nr2:
I got my Qute now and it seems quite good from start, I want some weeks running in to see what happens..

I´m using Ipod Touch and the nStream app. It's nice and userfriendly. It's not 100% stable (ver 1.2), some times it don't find the UQ but it's no big issue. I guess next version will be more stable.


i agree its a little buggy at times but overall easy to use.


If you find that the app "loses" the Qute and you have the Qute connected wirelessly then (if you can, even temporarily) just try dropping in a wired connection between your router and the Qute and see if that resolves it - wireless networking is a technology that has been (IMO) badly developed as a consumer level product and because everyone and their dog is using it there are lots of instances where there are so many networks competing for airspace that the throughput (and consistency of connection) are compromised even though signal strength is good...

Cheers

Phil

Hi Phil it even drops it on a wired connection, my router is on the same rack as the Qute.
Posted on: 18 September 2010 by Tonkis Q
It seems that my UQ disapear from my network when running iRadio and my son are streaming video to his room.. I guess that combination stress my router. Today I have played iRadio for hours without any problems.

I like my little UQ more and more...
Posted on: 18 September 2010 by Simon-in-Suffolk
I have been auditioning the Qute today at my home. I have taken the Qute line outs into my pre-amp. I have fed it FLAC files via WPA2 encrypted wireless LAN from Twonkymedia server running on a PC. I am very impressed, the sound is not a million miles away to the Naim CDP sound in terms of flow and musicality. Ok the dynamic range feels a little limited and the high end is a little shut it, and it certainly is not a CDX2/XPS, but for the money what should I expect, I certainly like it a lot - it lets me listen to my music and it times quite nicely. I did not get on with nDAC, and perhaps the Qute sound is closer to what I can expect with the NDX. Very impressed.
Simon
Posted on: 18 September 2010 by Simon-in-Suffolk
quote:
Originally posted by Phil Harris:

- wireless networking is a technology that has been (IMO) badly developed as a consumer level product and because everyone and their dog is using it there are lots of instances where there are so many networks competing for airspace that the throughput (and consistency of connection) are compromised even though signal strength is good...

Cheers

Phil


Phil, wireless LAN protocols were and continue to be developed for industry primarily not the consumer. One of the key drivers was to reduce structured edge wiring costs for offices and enterprises.
However you are right that there is only finite bandwidth for use which means both 802.1b and 802.1g have access to 11 channels of which only 3 don't overlap. Further, and I think this is more relevant for streaming, Wireless LAN (like consumer methods such as the awful PLA) is a half duplex medium with a single collision domain. Therefore only one device can transmit in either direction on the wireless LAN at anyone time. If two devices collide, the data is thrown away and each device waits a random time before trying to transmit again. What does this mean? Well if your wireless LAN is busy or working near it maximum speed for the signal conditions, the UDP music stream will be constantly being interrupted and resent. For streamed audio this can cause dropouts. Sometimes increasing the buffer sizing can recover this unless you are near the max speed of the wireless LAN connection. Therefore unless yuo have a wireless LAN with a strong signal, without much traffic, many devices, on it it is best to go for a full duplex switched wired Ethernet connection. That is make Sure you use switches and NOT hubs and try not to route your traffic unless you are using an industrial grade router - in a home LAN routing shouldn't be necessary apart to route out to the Internet and you will probably not be sending high bandwidth streams via that path.
Simon
Posted on: 18 September 2010 by powerbench1
quote:
Originally posted by Simon-in-Suffolk:
I have been auditioning the Qute today at my home. I have taken the Qute line outs into my pre-amp. I have fed it FLAC files via WPA2 encrypted wireless LAN from Twonkymedia server running on a PC. I am very impressed, the sound is not a million miles away to the Naim CDP sound in terms of flow and musicality. Ok the dynamic range feels a little limited and the high end is a little shut it, and it certainly is not a CDX2/XPS, but for the money what should I expect, I certainly like it a lot - it lets me listen to my music and it times quite nicely. I did not get on with nDAC, and perhaps the Qute sound is closer to what I can expect with the NDX. Very impressed.
Simon


Unitiqute replaces for less cost what I had before ie. 202/200/NDac,CD5XS,NACA5,T****XPS,T***p etc.and also a Supernait, and Uniti. Although it does not perform as well as previously mentioned their is enough a NAIM sound that really makes me think that its a great one box solution for 2500CDN.
Posted on: 19 September 2010 by Robbert
Who uses "loudness" on the qute?

And i have a NAP250-2 + big speakers. Must i select "none" at "what speakers" ?

Or what will be the best setup in my situation?
Posted on: 19 September 2010 by Robbert
Will the qute also get a program ( like iTunes with the remote app ) for connection with the nStream app?

As i understand it correct, the HDX does it have. Will the unitiqute get it also??
Posted on: 19 September 2010 by rich46
units selling for £300 are just as good, most who buy the qute will spend money for something they dont need amplifier etc
Posted on: 19 September 2010 by David Dever
The n-Stream app is used to control streams to and all other functions of UnitiQute, NaimUniti (running v3.0 s/w) and, eventually, the NDX.

The n-Serve app is used to control local playback of HDX, UnitiServe and Zone 1 outputs on NS01 / 02 / 03 servers.
Posted on: 20 September 2010 by okli
Have my since Wednesday - promptly delivered as promised by the dealer. Some misleading info regarding the firmware versionon on the web interface postponed the installation of nStream on my iPhone - thanks to Steven and the local dealer here for the great support! As I wrote it is connected to my Nait XS and Sonus Faber boxes. So, the sound is really great - very good bass, a lot of detail all the range. This improvement over my old (and cheap) CD player is clearly from Qute, because the other setup didn't change at all. You can hear everything even at very low volume, too. My settings are "Large" for the speakers - I read it is recommended if you use amplifier. Regarding loudness - I've tried this too with very low volume, but turn it then off - the low frequency is somehow "dull" IMO. As far as I remember this setting will apply 100Hz filter to the output and should maintain "weaker" low freq. as you increase the volume - as I sad I didn't like it much. I didn't try the sound of Qute direct yet, because I'd like to get the "feeling" of the current setup to be able to make the difference.
Regarding software to control the unit the only one currently working for me is the nStream application. I've tried Cidero and Songbook on my Macbook - neither of them is able to control the unit. But as I can see there is some web server in Qute, so I hope web interface similar to the nStream application will be provided in (hopefully near) future - it'd be great to have it via normal browser, as I don't want to buy iPhones / iPods to all my family just to control Qute ;-)

Question - the unit has constantly temperature around 41/42°C and the case is a little bit warm - is this normal? I'm using only mute/unmute to turn it on/off - never switched it really off...

Thanks,
Ilko
Posted on: 20 September 2010 by Tonkis Q
quote:
Originally posted by okli:
Have my since Wednesday - promptly delivered as promised by the dealer. Some misleading info regarding the firmware versionon on the web interface postponed the installation of nStream on my iPhone - thanks to Steven and the local dealer here for the great support! As I wrote it is connected to my Nait XS and Sonus Faber boxes. So, the sound is really great - very good bass, a lot of detail all the range. This improvement over my old (and cheap) CD player is clearly from Qute, because the other setup didn't change at all. You can hear everything even at very low volume, too. My settings are "Large" for the speakers - I read it is recommended if you use amplifier. Regarding loudness - I've tried this too with very low volume, but turn it then off - the low frequency is somehow "dull" IMO. As far as I remember this setting will apply 100Hz filter to the output and should maintain "weaker" low freq. as you increase the volume - as I sad I didn't like it much. I didn't try the sound of Qute direct yet, because I'd like to get the "feeling" of the current setup to be able to make the difference.
Regarding software to control the unit the only one currently working for me is the nStream application. I've tried Cidero and Songbook on my Macbook - neither of them is able to control the unit. But as I can see there is some web server in Qute, so I hope web interface similar to the nStream application will be provided in (hopefully near) future - it'd be great to have it via normal browser, as I don't want to buy iPhones / iPods to all my family just to control Qute ;-)

Question - the unit has constantly temperature around 41/42°C and the case is a little bit warm - is this normal? I'm using only mute/unmute to turn it on/off - never switched it really off...

Thanks,
Ilko


I also turn my UQ off via mute, I quess that's the way to do it... when the switch is placed on the backside.

Has anyone found other options?
Posted on: 20 September 2010 by okli
quote:
Originally posted by Tonkis nr2:
quote:
Originally posted by okli:
Have my since Wednesday - promptly delivered as promised by the dealer. Some misleading info regarding the firmware versionon on the web interface postponed the installation of nStream on my iPhone - thanks to Steven and the local dealer here for the great support! As I wrote it is connected to my Nait XS and Sonus Faber boxes. So, the sound is really great - very good bass, a lot of detail all the range. This improvement over my old (and cheap) CD player is clearly from Qute, because the other setup didn't change at all. You can hear everything even at very low volume, too. My settings are "Large" for the speakers - I read it is recommended if you use amplifier. Regarding loudness - I've tried this too with very low volume, but turn it then off - the low frequency is somehow "dull" IMO. As far as I remember this setting will apply 100Hz filter to the output and should maintain "weaker" low freq. as you increase the volume - as I sad I didn't like it much. I didn't try the sound of Qute direct yet, because I'd like to get the "feeling" of the current setup to be able to make the difference.
Regarding software to control the unit the only one currently working for me is the nStream application. I've tried Cidero and Songbook on my Macbook - neither of them is able to control the unit. But as I can see there is some web server in Qute, so I hope web interface similar to the nStream application will be provided in (hopefully near) future - it'd be great to have it via normal browser, as I don't want to buy iPhones / iPods to all my family just to control Qute ;-)

Question - the unit has constantly temperature around 41/42°C and the case is a little bit warm - is this normal? I'm using only mute/unmute to turn it on/off - never switched it really off...

Thanks,
Ilko


I also turn my UQ off via mute, I quess that's the way to do it... when the switch is placed on the backside.

Has anyone found other options?


What operating temperature of UQ is shown under system settings? Is something around 40°C ok?
Posted on: 20 September 2010 by Tonkis Q
quote:
Originally posted by okli:

What operating temperature of UQ is shown under system settings? Is something around 40°C ok?


I have 42 degrees now when playing medium level..
Posted on: 20 September 2010 by naimUnT
Relax Qute owners! I had the same concerns with the UQ's bigger brother, the Uniti but was assured that the temperature (40 plus Celcius) was normal operating temperature. I engage the "Mute" when not listening. The "On/Off" switch is also at the rear, implictly telling you not to switch the unit off.
Posted on: 20 September 2010 by okli
ok, nothing to worry about then - thanks for the info
Posted on: 20 September 2010 by Tonkis Q
Uniti owners, are there any difference in stability when using static IP-address instead of DHCP? I guess that there are identical network cards in Uniti and Qute.
Posted on: 20 September 2010 by Peter_RN
quote:
Originally posted by David Dever:
The n-Stream app is used to control streams to and all other functions of UnitiQute, NaimUniti (running v3.0 s/w) and, eventually, the NDX.

The n-Serve app is used to control local playback of HDX, UnitiServe and Zone 1 outputs on NS01 / 02 / 03 servers.


I understand that the n-stream app also controls the volumne on the Qute (and also the forthcoming NDX, etc.) but only runs on an ipod/phone/pad.

Has anyone found a control point that runs on a PC that will control the volumne on the Qute?

I have tried both Kinsky Desktop and also Asset Control, and whilst both of these are perfectly able to control the stream, neither are able to adjust the volumne.

I do not use wireless. All network connections are via Cat5e cable, so any solution would need to work via this.

Many thanks for any advice or suggestions that may be offered.

My Qute is warming up nicely and will I believe become an extremely good second room solution; which was after all what it was meant to be. I like this little box.

Peter
Posted on: 21 September 2010 by okli
quote:
Originally posted by Peter_RN:
quote:
Originally posted by David Dever:
The n-Stream app is used to control streams to and all other functions of UnitiQute, NaimUniti (running v3.0 s/w) and, eventually, the NDX.

The n-Serve app is used to control local playback of HDX, UnitiServe and Zone 1 outputs on NS01 / 02 / 03 servers.


I understand that the n-stream app also controls the volumne on the Qute (and also the forthcoming NDX, etc.) but only runs on an ipod/phone/pad.

Has anyone found a control point that runs on a PC that will control the volumne on the Qute?

I have tried both Kinsky Desktop and also Asset Control, and whilst both of these are perfectly able to control the stream, neither are able to adjust the volumne.

I do not use wireless. All network connections are via Cat5e cable, so any solution would need to work via this.

Many thanks for any advice or suggestions that may be offered.

My Qute is warming up nicely and will I believe become an extremely good second room solution; which was after all what it was meant to be. I like this little box.

Peter


I read somewhere about foobar2000 + UPnP plugin + Uniti as a working solution, if I'm not completely wrong. Perhaps you can try this combination with Qute. IMO the best solution will be to provide web interface directly from Qute, but we have to struggle with 3rd party software at the moment :-(
Posted on: 21 September 2010 by okli
Has someone tried to control UQ with Harmony (1100) or similar devices? Could't find anything on the net and Logitech's database.
Posted on: 21 September 2010 by Paul Stephenson
quote:
Question - the unit has constantly temperature around 41/42°C and the case is a little bit warm - is this normal? I'm using only mute/unmute to turn it on/off - never switched it really off...



no issues
Paul
Posted on: 21 September 2010 by Peter_RN
quote:
Originally posted by okli:
quote:
Originally posted by Peter_RN:
quote:
Originally posted by David Dever:
The n-Stream app is used to control streams to and all other functions of UnitiQute, NaimUniti (running v3.0 s/w) and, eventually, the NDX.

The n-Serve app is used to control local playback of HDX, UnitiServe and Zone 1 outputs on NS01 / 02 / 03 servers.


I understand that the n-stream app also controls the volumne on the Qute (and also the forthcoming NDX, etc.) but only runs on an ipod/phone/pad.

Has anyone found a control point that runs on a PC that will control the volumne on the Qute?

I have tried both Kinsky Desktop and also Asset Control, and whilst both of these are perfectly able to control the stream, neither are able to adjust the volumne.

I do not use wireless. All network connections are via Cat5e cable, so any solution would need to work via this.

Many thanks for any advice or suggestions that may be offered.

My Qute is warming up nicely and will I believe become an extremely good second room solution; which was after all what it was meant to be. I like this little box.

Peter


I read somewhere about foobar2000 + UPnP plugin + Uniti as a working solution, if I'm not completely wrong. Perhaps you can try this combination with Qute. IMO the best solution will be to provide web interface directly from Qute, but we have to struggle with 3rd party software at the moment :-(


Hello Okli

Thanks for your suggestion, I have only had a chance to have a quick look but am not sure this would work. I will look further at the weekend.

I should have mentioned that my music files are stored on a NAS drive which has a built in DLNA/UPnP server, there are none stored on the computer. I think therefore that a Control Point program is what is required.

Both Kinsky and Asset have volumne controls built in but neither work with the Qute. I am not sure whether or not the Qute's volumne can be controlled in this way.

Regards
Peter