Unitilite skippy on CDs

This is quite a common fault with UnitiLite players. You should speak to your dealer for a fix or replacement as appropriate. Don't live with it, it should play all your CDs.

Thanks H,

Will do.

Cheers,

J

As HH says, contact your dealer, there is a firmware update that should fix the issue. It takes about 5 minutes.

Thanks Jan-Erik,

My dealer has replied and suggest edit the in the first instance.

Best,

J

Don't you just love the IPad auto correction?

I repeat, My dealer has replied and suggested the same in the first instance. 

I'll post how it works out.

thanks again

J

Hi J,

I thought my CDs were just mostly scratched until I read your thread. I checked them and cannot see too much damage on them. Plus my trusty ol' DVD player can play them. 

I'll be looking forward to your post after the upgrade. 

If you do not mind, could you please add some details of the upgrade to do if it works as NAIM software updates is never a straight forward affair?

Thanks.

Hi all, i have the same issue with specific tracks on some CD; despite updating the firmware the player still issues the same error message.

Without intending to highjack the thread I must say that this is not my major issue with the UL. My key problem remains that in more complex pieces of music (symphonic classical with abrupt changes of volume) it lacks "breathing" and morever,  it often sounds a bit irritating on high trebles... i have not seen complains about this so i am wondering if it is only me...And as it is not easy to replace any upgrade will cost me much more than the UL

Is this on CD playback or UPnP? 

CD playback is not the UnitiLite's strongest suite. If you're not using it in streaming mode, then you're not getting its best performance.

thanks for responsing J-E. In fact i have seen some of your other posts and really wanted your opinion. I have noticed in in both (as well as in USB with very high res files which i also have as 320kbps from UpnP. it might be my speakers who are quite accurate (Audio Physic 10) but i have heard my speakers with ND5 XS - NAIT XS and all the harshness goes away. So i know it is the UL. i am contemplating adding a NAP200 (borrowed at home for the weekend and definitely improves the overall "volume" but has only a slight improvement on the bright trebles but the cost is significant and the eventual cost (dedicated streamer preamp --> Nap200) even more so. I am quite confused and not sure if i should keep on contemplating upgrades or accept the limitations of what i have...

Hi Ex HD,

I'll give a full report.

J

Hi DrPo,

I've not noticed irritating high treble on my UnitiLite. My first thought was the Audio Physics speakers, which can be sharp, but you seem to have eliminated that with the trial of the ND5 XS and Nait XS. What are you using for a UPnP source ?

Jan

 Hi ExHD and all who are interested.

I've downloaded and installed the firmware update as advised.

it took about half an hour all in as I had to download a driver for the USB connection first and it took me a while to sus this out (read the instructions).

Upload to UL was straightforward and all seems to be working fine.

I've now played a number of the previously dodgy CDs and they all played without a hitch.

so far, I'd call it a success.

thanks to all for your help and advice. 

J

As usual, I seriously underestimate time (5 min...).

Thanks for reporting back.

Enjoy the music.

Jan

Hi J-E, that would be mostly FLACs on my NAS. But the observed behavior is consistent between UpnP, USB, CD as well as headphones (AKG 701) and mostly depends on the tracks, not where I play them from (violin concertos, symphonic musics, jazz piano at high trebles, but also e.g Alice in Chains unplugged). It is also the same with my dealer's UL and same speakers at the demo room and with the said speakers goes away when I use the ND5xs as source so I suspect the DAC in the UL combination with the directness of the speakers.. Most of the time I am absolutely happy with the sound. what I am struggling with is the decision of whether to get a power amp like the NAP200 (which, truth be said, elevates the sound at a different level but defies the purpose of having a compact system). I find it hard to digest that I will disable the power amp and pay more than the original all in one unit to get those improvements...

Hi J. Thanks for the report. Much appreciated. 

If (in our mad mad world) you find 2 mins to provide us with a bit more detailed steps sequence you did, we (I) would be most grateful. 

S.

Before you get a NAP200 I would listen to a Uniti2 or a Superuniti - better sound and still a one box system. I love my SU but it doesn't have CD which may be important for you.

Perhaps the harshness is related to listening level. As I usually listen at low levels (60 - 70 dBA) this aspect didn't jump out at me. The Nait 5si for example (50W) doesn't go loud gracefully, so perhaps it's the same issue here. As Pev says, the Uniti2 (70W ; CD player) or SuperUniti (80W ; no CD player) would be worth auditioning.

Hi J-E and Pev, thanks for the responses. You are correct in that the issue is only noticeable at higher volumes. Regarding the higher Uniti range products I had indeed contemplated going for the U2 but did not do so based on the reviews which rated the UL very high and also based on the price difference which was considerable. The idea for the NAP200 came from positive remarks in this forum (albeit in conjunction with the original Uniti, not the Lite). If you are aware of any comparison between U2 and UL please share the link. SN will cost as much as a ND5XS + NAITXS 2 which Naim support considers preferable from sound quality point of view

DrPo,

Sounds like part of the problem is sibilance, which tends to be noticeable mostly at louder volumes.  Its an awkward thing to eradicate, and is usually a result of certain ill-matched components in the chain (which might well in this case be the UL's DAC and your speakers, as you suggest). 

Sometimes an influential factor can be speaker cable - what are you using currently ?  At least before entering into expensive upgrade territory, you could try some changes there.  Certain cables have a mellower/smoother sound than others, and can be used to balance out harshness otherwise prevalent in the system.  I don't have any specific recommendations, but a spot of research ought to throw up a few possibilities.  Dealers may also be able to help & advise.....

Good point. If you're using NAC A5, it can be a touch ragged in the upper treble. That combined with the Audio Physics may not be the best match.

thanks both, in fact i dont use NAIM cable but Nordost Super Flatline Gold which is indeed reputed to be detailed. What I surmise from your responses is that there is no consensus on the UL being overrly bright and therefore if I need a fuller sound I will indeed have to go to a different set up.

@ ExHD:

As i feel guilty of highjacking this thread let me try to ammend by describing what I did for the firmware update (i am using a laptop bue expect a similar process for Mac users)

1. check the version of the UL firmware  on the Lite's set up menu (i think it is under factory settings)
2. check whether there is a pertinent update in http://www.naimaudio.com/updates. the UL is towards the bottom of the list with Nov13 listed as the last day an update was released.
3. click on the relevant link (depending on PC/Mac) --> that resulted in a new program installed on my PC called "STREAMER UPDATER"
4. I then connected the laptop with the UL via the USB link in the back of the UL and run the streamer updater program of step 3 (I think you need to turn the UL off). The program runs in wizard mode and instructs one in detail about how to proceed.
5. restarted the UL and checked (as in step 1) that the firmware is now updated

hope it helps

That may well be the problem. I've used the Flatline in the past, and as you say it is *detailed*... Despite my comment on the NACA5, it's less bright than the Flatline. It's worth trying the NACA5, although it can be bettered in the upper treble. Reproduction of violins is difficult to get right, but I'm coming close.

J. True to your word. Thank you for this.

I'll start my upgrade tonight if it needs be.

Good luck with the sound calibration of your UL.

S.