Hello All,
I would really welcome any advice on the following.
I'm listening to my ipod using a Creek 4040 amp and a pair of Mordaunt Short 3.10's. The ipod
Is connected using a onkyo dock. The amp and speakers are circa 25 years old.
I'm now in a position
to invest in some new kit and am considering the Unitilite with either Kef LS 50's or Monitor Audio gx 50's.
If itunes is going to be the source is the unitilite overkill? Does it make any difference if I convert the downloaded itunes files to apple lossless? I can see file size is 3x bigger but can't hear any major imrovemehts on my system - to be fair this does need more listning investigation.
Also, would welcome views on the speakers; the room is approximtely 6.5m x 6.5m and I will never have very high volumes.
I've als been considering either a Sonos or arcam rcube multi-room set-up but am drawn to a single system which gives an open sound with plenty of detail.
Budget considerations might mean buying either speakers or unitilite first. Again, advice on which to buy first would be welcome. I believe in the concept of having the best source possible within budget but wonder whether the new speakers would give my set-up a new and sufficiently impressive lease of life.
I really appreaciate anyone taking the time to offer any views and advice.
I listen to jazz, electronica/lounge, classical, new age, pop, jazz reggae and a lot of piano and guitar in multiple genres.
Posted on: 24 March 2013 by Iver van de Zand
Hi ContraCasual,
can you elaborate a bit more on your future plans ? How/what format are your current albums stored. Is it mp3 or any lossless ? A system like the UnitiLite will definately show the differences in both formats. If your current music is in mp3 it will make no sense to convert into any lossless format, you'd need to re-rip your albums unfortunately .
How are you going the provide the UnitiLite with music ? Will there be a direct link (USB or SpDif) between your computer and the UnitiLite or are you going to stream via Ethernet ?
Posted on: 24 March 2013 by NickSeattle
Hi, CC,
If you ever liked your speakers, especially as they work in your room, I recommend you upgrade source first, to see how good those speakers can get. Your Creek amp is highly praised in reviews, I see.
Try ripping a CD you like to a lossless format and listen, compared to lossy rip. If you cannot hear a difference, save your money. Converting lossy to lossless is pointless, as the lost detail is not restored in the process.
Good luck.
Nick
Posted on: 24 March 2013 by ContraCausal
Hi Iver,
I have my music on itunes on my imac. I will stream via ethernet; using tp link modules in electrical sockets. Yes, unfortunately it is all mp3 format and from your post I understand that using the 'convert to loss-less' option in itunes doesn't do any thing for pre-ripped cd's.
Thanks for the interest.
Posted on: 24 March 2013 by NickSeattle
CC,
A UnitiLite will want a computer or NAS with music on it on your network. Will the computer you sync the iPod to be available? If you are using a laptop for many things, consider getting a dedicated computer or NAS; it doesn't have to be expensive.
The beauty of iTunes is you can have a lossless library on a computer or NAS, and convert to lossy at sync time if portable music on the iPod is still important to you.
For me, the iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad are super remote controls, not hi-fi sources, except in a pinch, using e.g. Spotify Premium away from home.
Nick
Posted on: 25 March 2013 by NickSeattle
On the other hand, you have the option to ignore streaming over your network, for the time being, and connect you iPod via the Apple cable into the front of the UnitiLite. Later, you could plug a computer or UnitiServe directly into the Lite, if you prefer to avoid using the network, and control it using your iDevice of choice.
So versatile! No matter what you choose to do, some capability of the UnitiLite is bound to go unused -- no crime.
Nick
Posted on: 25 March 2013 by Bart
Originally Posted by ContraCausal:
Hello All,
I would really welcome any advice on the following.
If itunes is going to be the source is the unitilite overkill?
Does it make any difference if I convert the downloaded itunes files to apple lossless?I can see file size is 3x bigger but can't hear any major imrovemehts on my system - to be fair this does need more listning investigation.
We can clear up this question. You cannot convert your downloaded, lossy files, to lossless. There is no way to 'add back' the data that have been lost. That's why you can't hear any improvement -- you are listening to the exact same data, just in a different format file. iTunes is really misleading when it gives that option -- I liken it to putting an M3 badge on a Honda Civic. There is no way to add a few hundred horsepower, and handling capabilities, that way 
As you move to more and more revealing hardware, the lossy files (such as those downloaded from the iTunes store) will start to really disappoint. Do you have a lot of money invested in an iTunes library of music downloaded from the iTunes store?
Posted on: 27 March 2013 by ContraCausal
Bart and Nick,
Thank you for your responses - really very helpful.
I am now ripping all my cd's in lossless and leaving the itunes downloads alone.
Also, I will audition the unitilite but must say that I'm enjoying my current set-up given the listening environment I have, I.e family home with no dedicated listening room.
Thanks again,
Mark
