Q2 or V1

Hi robert, I had v1/nap100 and UQ which is a great combo. Traded in my v1for a rega rp6 which now feeds my UQ into nap100, I don't miss the v1 at all and to be honest I think the streaming side sounds better without the v1. The rega on the other hand is an amazing piece of kit and I am loving the return to vinyl.

my advice is to get the UQ sell the nait and put this towards a nap 100 it is all you need amp and streaming

Hi Robert, it depends what you define as "better sound". The V1 has slightly more detail, but gives a heavier sound compared to Qute2, which to my ears just let's you enjoy the music. If it was me, I personally would go for the Qute2 and either use as a dedicated streamer into the 5i, or move on the 5i, and enjoy just one box. BUT, you may enjoy V1 sound more, so best to home demo, rather than take someone else's word for it.

Good luck.

If there is a baby involved, I might be inclined go with the Qute 2 on non-sound quality grounds.

With the Qute, there will be no PC/Mac in the playback chain pushing files to the DAC V1 via a trailing a USB cable ideal for a toddler to trip over/chew/yank on. Sad experience (and a battered Benchmark DAC1) tells me that the computer is very vulnerable.At least my notebook did not land on the slate floor as well!

On the other hand my Qute, which replaced the benchmark, has remained untouched, although I did replace the speaker cables after they received attention from kids and a puppy. Wired Lan and an iPad allows it to be placed well out of the way.

My Qute is a wonderful thing - such a lovely, easy way to to listen to music. I will say that the NAP100 makes it better still from a SQ POV, but it's very good without and great value.

Don't know which sounds 'better'. Personally, I wouldn't want to have to hook up a PC every time I want to listen to music in the lounge. Maybe if I was after something for the home office the V1 would be good - even then I might get another Qute and go multi-room.

Alex

I suppose it depends how integrated into your life a computer really is. Since mine rarely leaves my side be it iPad/iphone/laptop - having it the living room is no real problem. I've a MacMini that handles media for the TV courtesy of the wonderful Plex (DVD/Bluray player - no thanks) - Macbook is often plugged into my Uniti to play Spotify.

Streaming is good but often using a computer is more flexible.

Tog

Yes, agreed.

I'm rarely away from my computer/iPad/iPhone either, and use the IOS devices to control the Qute - having the NAS to hold the music just seems easier to me. And I use an Apple TV to hook up to the TV - no DVD either!

I guess it's all about lifestyle, room layout, whether you use Spotify, cost and so on . . . it's great to have the choice and you can't really go wrong with either option.

Alex

Give a try to V1/NAP100 with the MQn, a new PC based player (still being developed, but available), and you will get feeling what that combo is capable of. It is beyond any expectation I had before I purchased it. I used owe CDS/82/250 (all olive) system. V1/100 with that player bits crap out of it.

Some people may think that I'm promoting MQn (I already pointed to it), I just want to make people aware of something special that happened just recently. If anybody tried it already, please, comment your experience.

Hopefully I should be able to try both out on a home demo before I buy, but looking at a few posts here and other forums the q2 looks like its on the money.

Q2, it's on the money.....

i think that you sum it well there. The V1 might sound a bit better, but the Qute just does everything to a high standard, and a very good price!! The great thing is, that should you buy it, and not like it, then just sell it on with minimal loss.

I truly believe that performance per pound, it is the best product that Naim make. I only kick myself that it was only my snob value that prevented me from getting one before. Same goes for Motive 2 speakers.

Qute only, if you don't appreciate flexibility of a computer. 

I certainly do...

it's as well a question of: how do you want to control ...

And using the digital outputs of the SBT and, maybe the also Meridian 508.24, into the V1 will potentially give better SQ than the analogue outputs.

Also the V1/Dac costs around 50% more than the Qute2. So a better comparison would be with the Qute2 plus NAP100, which would go a long way to evening up the SQ. Or maybe a Unitilite, although that's an even more different proposition.

Can the V1dac have its inputs switched from an ipad.

Nope

Tog

V1 is really starting to slip from my want / need list!

If you have any interest in headphones, the V1 is a great solution.

The Q2 used as a streamer involves a NAS, home network and iPad for control. 

....not necessarily, I have all my music in FLAC on a 64Gb SDHC card. Just plug it in the front of the Q2 and play music....no fuss.

If you have any interest in headphones, the V1 is a great solution.

I'd go with the Q2! Never mind about "better" sound. It's like, how long is a piece of string? Never ends. And better to some is not better to others, nor is it to be equated to, even if better, more enjoyment or a more musical presentation. The Q2 offers all you need in one box. With the right speakers that is of course. The "need" for a NAP100 is debatable, some prefer it without. Plus you get to use nStream as the control software on your iPad. Not so with the V1. I'd get the Q2. You might want to keep the 5i for a second system? Or use the Q2 to feed the 5i for now and build a second system around the 5i in the distant future?

Eh?  I am running my Unitiqute2 lineout through a 252/SC into a Headline/HC into Sennheiser HD800's and the result is lucious 

Does it have a fixed out?

I started another thread about the Q2 & NAP100, not realising that many of my questions had been answered by this thread. All except one: I have the impression that the Q2+ NAP100 combo is near identical in spec and cost to the UnitiLite which also includes a CD player.  Anyone care to comment on this comparision?

I have a Qute and NAP100 and love it. I bought the Qute first and then added the NAP when it was released, so I didn't consider the Unitilite. However, even with equal SQ i would choose my combo because i never listen to CDs and I love the design.

I have heard the Lite briefly and I'd say it's different rather than better. Maybe a fraction bouncier sound. But either option is great I think.