Best way to stream to my Unitiqute.

Posted by: Aidan1 on 30 October 2014

Hi Folks.

 

Not an expert, so need some advice please.

 

I've just subscribed to Qobus music service (well it's a one month free trial actually).

 

I'm streaming to my Naim Uniticute (the original one) via Apple TV and Airplay, with my Macbook & iPhone, got to say it's sounding really superb.

 

Is there a better more direct way to stream to my Unitiqute wirelessly, because I"m thinking the Apple TV maybe losing some of the 16bit 44mhz?

And I'm presuming that it would down sample any 24bit stuff from the Qobus site?

 

Like I say, it's sounds really great I'm not complaining, but is there an alternative way other than Airplay?

 

Are there any plans to incorporate the ability to do this directly from the Naim app on my iPhone?

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Aid.

 

 

Naim Unitiqute.

B&W Nautilus 805.
Chord Odyssey speaker cable.

 

 

Posted on: 30 October 2014 by garyi

Your only real way from here is a dedicated PC or Mac connected.

 

On the PC side you can walk away with an Intel NUC for little money, within the mac sphere a mac mini will set you straight.

 

You are right that the ATV will restrict you on the mega fonzies, though i wouldn't sweat it to much.

Posted on: 30 October 2014 by Aidan1
Originally Posted by garyi:

Your only real way from here is a dedicated PC or Mac connected.

 

On the PC side you can walk away with an Intel NUC for little money, within the mac sphere a mac mini will set you straight.

 

You are right that the ATV will restrict you on the mega fonzies, though i wouldn't sweat it to much.

 

Thanks for the quick reply Gary.

I'm also connected wirelessly via Airplay with Qobus Desktop my Macbook.

So, just as a matter of interest, if I connected my Macbook directly into the back of the Naim with a usb cable, could I expect any audible sound improvement over Airplay?

 

Thanks again.

 

Aid.

Posted on: 30 October 2014 by ChrisSU

I believe there are some forum members who like Raspberry Pi devices for this. I have no experience of them myself, so I can't offer you any more advice, but possibly worth investigating as a low cost alternative.

 

With your Apple TV, I think a wired, Ethernet connection to your Unitiqute is possible. I do this with an Airport Express / Superuniti, and it has better sound and more stability than wifi. You can also connect it directly to your Unitiqute with an optical digital cable, although I couldn't say what this would do for sound quality.

Posted on: 30 October 2014 by garyi
You wont be able to connect the macbook with usb but can with optical, this will give you a good indication of what possible from a connected pc.

I would install bitperfect from the app store as this automatically switches the audio output depending on the file