UnitiQute and NAP100 - bi-amp or not?

Posted by: Solid Air on 29 September 2013

I have a UnitiQute and am thinking of getting a NAP100. If I do, should I bi-amp it or not? I've read one review online which suggests not, but I was wondering about people's experience. Don't want to buy the extra cable if it isn't an improvement . . . 

 

And on that topic, do both runs of cable in a bi-amp set up have to be the same? Could I use Chord Rumour on the tweeters and Van Damme blue on the woofers?

 

Thanks for any help!

 

Alex

 

Posted on: 29 September 2013 by hafler3o

Hi Solid Air,

 

Yes I've run Qute/NAP100 in all three configs. and yes they do sound different, but I must also say the system/speakers and cable was all burning in at the time so the 'end result' may have been different than the original findings! Search the forums, my post is in there somewhere...

 

Personally the Qute/Nap combo is good enough to not need to be bi-amped, and it saves some faffing around to just hook it up and enjoy the music. I wouldn't use different cables personally and I'd stick to the Naim stuff (I have ex-Naim cable now marketed by the Scottish Co. at £5/m and it's fine)

Posted on: 29 September 2013 by Solid Air

Ah, thanks, useful thread.

 

Did you sell the NAP100 because of the PMC DB1is? I'm also thinking of getting those to replace my B&W CM1s (I have a big birthday coming up, a year ending with a nought ). What was it about the PMCs that wasn't right with the NAP, or am I misunderstanding?

 

Thanks for sharing your experience, much appreciated.

 

Alex

 

Posted on: 29 September 2013 by olliememate

Hi Solid Air,

 

Just adding my 2p.

 

I used Chord Rumour speaker cable with my UnitiQute but changed to Chord Odyssey 2. Big improvement. More defined bass and sweeter treble. So while you are demoing the NAP 100 and new speakers you could also try the Odyssey 2. I find it a bit brighter than NACA5 so as always it is up to your ears/room/system.

Posted on: 29 September 2013 by hungryhalibut

Rather than a 100, which is little more powerful than the Qute, I'd look at a used 200. Or maybe just get a SuperUniti, after all, with a 100, a lot of the Qute is wasted. 

Posted on: 29 September 2013 by hafler3o
Originally Posted by Solid Air:

Did you sell the NAP100 because of the PMC DB1is? I'm also thinking of getting those to replace my B&W CM1s (I have a big birthday coming up, a year ending with a nought ). What was it about the PMCs that wasn't right with the NAP, or am I misunderstanding?

 

No I sold the NAP to help pay for the SuperUniti, the Qute does not really need any help when playing softly at night now in our bedroom, it used to be the main system in the living room. It looked rather groovy with another 1/2 pint box under it, the NAP made it a little tighter and punchier (DB1is are not very efficient but difficult to wrong-foot with volume and styles of music).

 

The older PMC range are very much monitors in the best tradition (like ATC), and will always be appreciated by someone, even if you graduate onto bigger & better. So a sound investment!

 

A big birthday event needs a big present so start dropping hints about that SuperUniti. As for cable, Chord and Naim have a close relationship so always worth checking out if you don't fancy working with NACA 5.