Unitiqute + NAP200 or n-sub

Posted by: joacim bengtsson on 29 May 2012

Hi,

I own an unitiqute, at the moment in use as a stand-alone system with either Royd RR1 or RR3, to me this brings about the same enjoyment as my old olive system. I really like the simplicity of this one-box system but I would like to have a little more authority and was thinking about adding a NAP200 (or possibly 250), but the I came to think about the possibility to connect a subwoofer!

Could anyone who have tried this help me figure out what would be best to add to the qute, NAP or Sub?

 

best regards

Joacim

Posted on: 29 May 2012 by Bruce Woodhouse

I had nSats/nSub and UQute for my system 2, then added an old olive NAP250.

 

I don't know your speakers. I don't think nSats are particularly difficult to drive yet in my set up the additional power amp was of very significant benefit. The quality leapt several notches in a whole heap of ways, definitely including a degree of punch, pace and definition.

 

As is usually the case the individual components work better together with each upgrade; in other words the nSub sounds pretty good as an addition to the 'bare' Qute but switching it out (and remembering to alter the setting on the Qute output) I could actually live without it. However it seems to be delivering more (by which I mean better) in the Qute-250 combo and switching it out now leaves a bigger gap in performance.

 

Hope that does not muddy the water. As ever, nothing beats a home demo but be warned, the nSub is a seriously heavy and unwieldy piece of kit. Once installed you may never want to move it!

 

Bruce

Posted on: 29 May 2012 by joacim bengtsson
Bruce, Thank's for your comments, much appreciated! I was somehow expecting the NAP to gove an ocerall better quality since it takes away some load from the preamp. I will see if I can get hold of a NAP200 for demo. That said I saw an used n-sub for sale locally not long ago,that might still be unsold... best Joacim
Posted on: 29 May 2012 by Bruce Woodhouse

A reasonable number of people have added power amps to a Qute on here, and all seem to have been pretty positive about it.

 

Bruce

Posted on: 29 May 2012 by joacim bengtsson
Bruce, Yes, there seems be almost concensus regarding qute + NAP. I thought that a n-sub could bring the same or perhaps more, but your posts tells me a NAP has more logic to it, and I can see why. I will definately try a NAP first to see how it works out for me. cheers Joacim
Posted on: 29 May 2012 by PG

An interesting post, which power amp would be a good starting point?

Posted on: 29 May 2012 by Bruce Woodhouse

I guess something that is a significant jump from the internal amp, perhaps a 140 or 'above' but I have not tried anything other than my setup. Somebody out there got great results with adding a Linn power amp if I recall. 

 

Shows what an excellent source/pre-amp the Qute is for the money I think.

 

Bruce

Posted on: 29 May 2012 by joacim bengtsson
I have an olive system (CDI/ NAC72/ HiCAP/ NAP140), bought the Unitiqute to use as streamer. Since I have tried the Qute as is, with the 140 and with the Nac/Hi/140 and now I am back to using the Qute on its own. I did not think the olive pieces brought that much extra to the presentation, and the Qute was on its on holding up quite well... Now I am thinking about selling the olive kit and buy either a used n-sub or NAP200, which should similar cost-wise. Bruce has made me understand that the Nap probably is the first to consider. (I should add that the olive items is due for recap and my findungs might have been other if they where newly serviced) /Joacim
Posted on: 29 May 2012 by naimUnT
Joacim: I have a UQ in my bedroom, mainly used for TV, FM and iRadio. Instead of adding a power amp (which meant another black box), I bought satellite speakers which came with an active Sub. The interesting thing about the speakers was that the UQ's speaker cables fed the Sub and the Sub in turn fed the tiny satellite speakers. The bass can be controlled via a volume knob behind the Sub. Now I've got a system with all the bass authority I could ever imagine yet my UQ's simplicity and convenience is still a virtue! Just a thought!
Posted on: 29 May 2012 by McGhie
Instead of adding a 200/250, you could trade the Qute in for a SuperUniti. This would give you more (and better) power and bass control, and provide you with an improved source and pre-amp. And it would keep the box count down to one, albeit wider, box. Or you could use the Qute somewhere else and replace with a SU. These alternatives would cost a similar amount to buying a 200 or 250. Just a thought. Cheers Ian
Posted on: 30 May 2012 by joacim bengtsson

McGhie,

I guess you have a point, although because of limited fonds I eas thinking about using the second hand market to source an amp... And this would allow me to expand to separates in the future. Who knows what will happen to pre-amps in a near future, maybe we get integrated dacs, like supernait without power-stage.

Anyways thank´s for all good advice so far!

/joacim

Posted on: 20 October 2012 by Hudsy

Joacim,

 

I have a UQ as well.  I like you wanted a little more from it and was looking at adding a power amp.  Just recently I acquired a Chrome bumper 250.  I had a rca to XLR cable made out of a Naim Snaic and WOW.  I am glad that I went with this setup.

 

I had ppl tell me to trade in and up to a "better" unit but to me the Qute is in extraordinary piece.  It has added that extra punch that I was looking for, especially at low levels.

 

At first I forgot to disable the speaker out on the Qute so in mid song I disabled it and it immediately took it to another level.

Posted on: 21 October 2012 by joacim bengtsson

Hudsy,

+1 for adding NAP to the Qute, I ended up buying a NAP200. As you say I think it was a very good "upgrade" and gave some more authority to my system. Addning the NAP also opens up some new paths for further upgrade. Addning nac and streamer or adding an NAC N 172 XS or better if there ever will be similar pre/streamers in classic cases.

/joacim  

Posted on: 21 October 2012 by Jonas Olofsson
Joacim, havent been through The Unity Upgrade, I have added n-Sub to n-Sats (then driven by Nait5/CD5) in a friends system. The upgrade was huge! Very recommended from me.

I personally use one n-Sub in both my two systems I use at home so maybe Im a beliver and not to be taken seriously...:-)

//Jonas