Qute/AIFF Clarification Required

From what I understand, the 24/196 is the only UQ model that streams ALAC. 

Naim can confirm ( my NDX handles AIFF fine). Remember that you'll need a UPnP server on the Mac to stream your iTunes library to the Qute. 

James

Thanks for the replies hypostatic and James. I have asked Naim customer support if the entry level Qute can stream AIFF (every model above it can, as well as ALAC).

James...if I need another software to stream my iTunes library anyway, then it would seem an alternative is to find one that converts the ALAC files on the fly to a format the Qute can handle (rather than convert to AIFF within iTunes)? Any thoughts on UPnP options?

Hmmm - had more of a look about and it seems the 24/96 Qute won't handle AIFF. Shame. If you do go for an option that does then Playback is an excellent UPnP server and integrates fully with your iTunes library.

James

I remember back in the day itunes couldn't even handle AIFF particularly well, haha.

I had the original UnitiQute 24/96. It does not stream ALAC (Apple Lossless). That support was added in the 24/192 hardware upgrade. It is one of the reasons I traded my Qute for a ND5XS after I acquired a 202/250.

I might be wrong, but I think AIFF support came AT THE TIME of the 24/192 hardware upgrade, but AIFF support itsself did not depend on the new board but was provided with the related software update. So my recollection is YES, it can.

Best,

Stefan

Thanks everybody for the feedback.

Here is the official response from Naim Customer Support:

"The Uniti series products do not natively support AIFF streaming – AIFF format files would be transcoded (ideally to a lossless format) for streaming by the UPnP server."

I stopped my Qute 24/96 order and will wait for the Lite or some other option.

Why don't you just stay with ALAC. That should be supported.

Not in the Qute 24/96. That support was added in the Qute 24/192.

Oh, FLAC then?

FLAC is great, but iTunes doesn't support it, so if you want to use a UPnP server that streams from your iTunes library, you have to either use WAV or add 3rd party support to iTunes.

I fought against those issues with my Qute 24/96. Finally, when I got my NAC202, I just traded the Qute in towards a ND5 XS (which supports ALAC and AIFF) to put all the format difficulties to rest.

In your case I would have dumped stupid iTunes - but that's another story ...

Which solves one problem by introducing a different one.

In the end it's probably just easier to upgrade the Qute and be done with the incompatibilities in formats

Interesting post guys, I've been toying with ordering a basic Qute, but having all my music in AIFF, think I'll give it a swerve. Why are some things that should be so simple, so fustratingly hard???

It'll become easier. Slowly but surely. I have been watching the market for about three years nows. During the last year I could notice a certain convergence of features developing to become a standard - if not codified so at least in practice.

I will say. I am happy with the ND5 XS. It streams everything I have to throw at it, although digital is only 5% or so of my listening.

Dear all,

I am surprised about the reply from naim - my ND5XS surely plays AIFF fine (from USB-memory), and I think the unitis (incl. qute) got AIFF-capability with a software upgrade end of 2011? Here is a quote from the last page of the qute manual on supported audio formats:

"Internet radio (WMA, MP3 Streams, MMS) Playlists (M3U, PLS) MP3, M4A, AAC (up to 320 kbps, CBR/VBR) Apple Lossless (from iPod) Windows Media–formatted content (up to 320 kbps) LPCM16/24, WAV, FLAC, Ogg Vorbis, AIFF"

Don't give up on the qute as yet!

Best,
Stefan 

Just connect your Mac Mini using an optical cable (mark Grant or Wireworld) to the S/PDIF input on the Qute and then it'll play everything including direct from iTunes. 

I tried connecting my MacBook Pro with an optical cable and could never get it to connect at anything higher than 24/96.

Hi Guido,

naturally so. But I thought the query was about streaming input...

And RaceTripper - I think this is a limitation of optical?

S.

My Dad is considering the lower pec UnitiQute but needs to play apple files puff his Mac. Am I correct in thinking that EyeConnect will transcode these on the fly but not play hires files? Also, did thee latest version lose ths functionality fr some reason?

thanks

I wouldn't bother with EyeConnect. It doesn't support FLAC files for one. I tried it and dumped it pretty quickly. Get Playback for Mac. It's inexpensive and works great.

I have the original UnitiQute and have been streaming FLAC files for almost a year. But today I tried an album in AIFF (24/88.2) first from a USB stick and it played perfectly, then from my NAS, but it is not recognised at all. So it seems that it is not fully compatible.

For those still interested in the unitiQute (v1) streaming AIFF files. I just accidentally selected a Floyd album that I had ripped in AIFF and it plays just fine on the Qute. I then tried a few more AIFF albums and they all work, streaming from my NAS drive. Seems the last firmware has made it possible. Thank you naim.