Naim Unity 2 and Sonos
Posted by: rainsoothe on 08 July 2013
So basically she is interested in a multi(2)room setup, and my thoughts would be to use sonos for the multiroom thingie and the Unity 2 for the main (livingroom) setup. My question is the following - will she be able to use the CD player in the Unity to stream to the bedroom sonos device WHILST hearing it thru the Unity's speakers at the same time? (if so, how would you connect the stuff?) OR she would need a CDP external to the sonos device in the livingroom, then feed the sonos to a Naim AMP (say the XS)?
Also can the Unity 2 work as a streamer and can it feed just a sonos device in another room?
Any help would be greatly appreciated. And sorry for grammar, english isn't my native language
You can wire Line Out (Tape Out) from the Uniti2 to a Sonos connect, then you add a Sonos Connect or Sonos Zone Amp or Play3/5 in Zone 2. In this config you would not need to use the Sonos streaming capabilites; the Uniti2 would be the source in all cases.
You may get a timing delay doing this; if the two zones are close to each other there can be an echo effect (which could defeat your effort to get a high-quality result). Be sure to get a return-guaranty, in case you do not like it.
I do not know if a Uniti Qute in Zone 2 could play the remote CD, without running Line-level wires between the units. I think NaimNet might, if correctly set up.
Good luck,
Nick
Have a good one,
rain
Except for the echo effect and the relatively poor sound quality, stock-Sonos is excellent. Best UI in the Business. I qualify these remarks by admitting I struggle to prefer Naim streamers (with or without the Naim DAC/555PS) to the Squeezebox Touch or Mac Mini into said DAC, in my room/system, for SQ alone. This point wouldn't be worth making if we weren't spending 2-10X normal money for the subtly-better/wonderful results Naim owners seem to enjoy.
***simmering down***
Hi, Robko. I liked the Sonos well enough that I kept the Connect and the excellent Sonos Remote for possibe future use; but I returned the Play3 and Play5. But as a source into the nDAC /555PS, my wife and I both clearly prefer the sound of the Squeezebox Touch or Mac Mini. Without the oportunity to compare the alternatives we might have decided the Connect was fine. It doesn't sound broken, just inferior to similarly-priced alternatives I happen to have.
I agree your use case sounds right for Sonos. My main floor is 1500 sq ft. My listening room is at the SW corner, and the dining room is at the NE corner. I tried the Play5 in the dining room, wired to the network, and the Play3 wirelessly in the bathroom next to the listening room. Playing the Connect as source through the Naim DAC, the three zones were never in sync. I think the Naim DAC time delay differs from the Sonos system's DAC it uses with their speakers. I also tried plaing CD via NAC to the Connect with similar results, which surprised me, because the nDAC delay was removed. (not sure if I tried CD as Record Source with Connect as Play Source.) What surprised me was when I turned the volume down on the main system, the Play3 and Play5 were not quite in sync with each other. I ran a long CAT5 to the Play3 to see if wireless was the cause. No.
I contacted Tech Support for Sonos, and my local dealer. Both told me it was functioning as designed. So, a bad fit for me, I guess.
Nick
I run a biggish Sonos system with 10 zones plus a main Naim system for serious listening in my library. A lot of the rooms that the Sonos units are in also have other hifi systems for example 2 have Bang and Olufsen systems, another has an Audiolab system whilst my garage has an old A+R system. I have connected these hifi systems into the Sonos using the line in facility and then can multiroom any source from any room to each of the 10 zones. It works fine although if you play the source room directly and the other rooms via the Sonos you will get a lag/echo effect on the Sonos zones.
Playing a Sonos source i.e. Spotify or Iradio through all zones in multiroom mode does not result in any lag or echo. I do this quite often and never get any lag/echo. I would suggest that lag/echo indicates a problem with the setup. The Sonos unit linked into the Naim system is a Wired for Sound modified unit which produces excellent sound quality.
Hi, scillyisles.
I am sure that part of my issue is that I am running my Naim system into AV, which serves a three-zone B&O system, and five remote Niles zones, all wired, analog, and in sync. Trying to integrate Sonos with this, to extend, affordably, to unserved areas may have been a lost cause from the start.
Still, when considered strictly as a source into the Naim DAC, I am inclined to believe that my friends who have paid handsomely for the W4S and DrV upgrades have spent for good reason, and gotten the improvements they want. In my case, I have to ask if what I would get would be better than what I already have, and if putting that money toward a Naim streamer wouldn't be a better idea.
Finally, I propose that custom-wired multi-zone solutions are a good value, bettering cheaper and easier wireless solutions, in most cases, for only a little extra money and bother, especially in the context of what we consider reasonable in the Naim "reality". I did all of mine with modest pieces at a point where I'd never have considered a $3K DAC. Now, that early investment is paying off, better than ever.
All the best.
Nick
Any issues with using a Play 3 in a steamy bathroom?
Any issues with using a Play 3 in a steamy bathroom?
Rather you than me - I use a couple of Play3 as a stereo pair in my kitchen but would not recommend using them in a steamy bathroom.
For a bathroom your best option is to use either a Sonos Connect mounted in the ceiling/void space with active ceiling or wall bathroom speakers or a Sonos Connect Amp with passive ceiling or wall bathroom speakers.