Seriously Considering UQ2 or V1

Posted by: Don Dadda on 31 October 2014

Hi all 

 

I'm not new to HiFi but new to Naim in the sense of considering one but known of them for many years.

 

I am redecorating the house after refurb work and the dining room is next on the to do list. I've decided to sell the existing hifi in that room and go for an all in one streamer with built in amp. I am seriously considering the UnitiQute ( V1 or V2) which i have shortlisted with the Cambridge Audio Minx Xi. I know there's a huge different in price between them  so would expect the SQ to be better and other stuff  being 3 x times more but both fit the requirements and interest me to have a demo.

 

 I found out that the UQ does not support streaming services as such which is fine as i don't subscribe to any but it much appreciated if someone can try the following station and post back if it works and not getting a media  licence message : 'http://www.di.fm/soulfulhouse/.'

 

I listen to  wide range of genre but do listen to that particular station a lot and  this would hinder me from getting the UQ if it can't play it and don't want to buy it only to find out it can play the stations i want.

 

On the V1, does gapless and FF\FR come natively or to upgrade the firmware to get them? and if so which firmware version upgrade does this?

 

I already have a Cambridge Audio NP30 audio streamer on another setup, but it does not have FF\FR and has stopped playing the station above citing license issue  which it had no problem with before and cannot add the station as a service. This same station is still able to play on my Squeezebox Touch, PC and smartphone using the station's streaming app. Having the NP30 I naturally looked on the CA MINX Xi but being basically the same as NP30 but with a amp and other little bits, will suffer the same issues as  mentioned  above so have semi ruled it out  

 

 The setup it will be replacing is a Marantzx PM7001Ki, SqueezeBox Touch and will need to connect to a TV, Marantz UD7006 (Films and CD) and Nakamich RX202E Cassette deck ( yes, i i'm one of the remaining few that still uses cassette tapes)

 

 

Many thanks

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted on: 31 October 2014 by Solid Air

Good choices. There's nowt wrong with the Minx but it's a lot less ££ than the Naim options and there's a big difference in sound. The Cambridge does have better access to streaming services though, a Naim weak point currently, although there's a general expectation that Naim will add at least some of those eventually.

 

The V1 is a DAC and preamp, so it plays music from a computer and still needs a power amp (usually a NAP100). The Qute is all-in-one (except speakers) and plays from a separate NAS, so you don't need a computer. The usage behaviour is very different, and it just depends what you prefer. The V1/amp is also more expensive than the Qute, but popular opinion suggests it has superior sound.

 

You'll be delighted to hear that I'm listening to DI.fm Soulful House right now on my Qute. Sounds very good even at 128kbs. Damn funky! 

 

Posted on: 31 October 2014 by Rattlesnaic
Why not keep the squeezebox touch and run it into a Sac v1 (yes I know it says sac but this tablet thinks it knows better) something I am considering for a second system.
Won't have a analogue input for the Nakamichi though.
Posted on: 31 October 2014 by badlyread

But the Qute does have an analogue input.....

 

If you want to keep it simple get the UQ2 and some Guru Juniors for a fantastic system. 

Posted on: 31 October 2014 by dayjay
Originally Posted by badlyread:

But the Qute does have an analogue input.....

 

If you want to keep it simple get the UQ2 and some Guru Juniors for a fantastic system. 

+1, qute 2 and juniors are brilliant together

Posted on: 31 October 2014 by Dave***t
Possibly more future flexibility in starting with a qute, too. Like the sound, but want more of it? Add a Nap 100. Like the streaming but want to step up the quality? Add a V1.

I'm very happy with my qute2 into my old floorstanders, and will add a Nap 100 in due course. If the anticipated addition of spotify connect materialises too, I think you'd have to spend quite a lot of money to get a similar mix of features and sound.
Posted on: 31 October 2014 by dayjay
Originally Posted by Dave***t:
Possibly more future flexibility in starting with a qute, too. Like the sound, but want more of it? Add a Nap 100. Like the streaming but want to step up the quality? Add a V1.

I'm very happy with my qute2 into my old floorstanders, and will add a Nap 100 in due course. If the anticipated addition of spotify connect materialises too, I think you'd have to spend quite a lot of money to get a similar mix of features and sound.

Slippery slope ahead, I loved my qute 2 into juniors, it was that good I wanted to see how much better it could be so I added a nap100 and loved that too, then I plugged in a Hugo and it was transformed,  then I felt I could get more from the Hugo so I swapped the Nap100 for a supernait 2. Its been a busy 12 months and I'm auditioning speakers at the moment. You have to be careful! 

Posted on: 31 October 2014 by Brubacca

First of all I have never heard a Dac V1.  

 

As as to the Unitiqute, I just got a version 1 unit purchased from a dealer.  This is an awesome piece of kit.  it will take careful speaker matching, but the ease of use and sound is nothing short of amazing.  It really needs an efficient speaker to make it sound it's best.  I tried a 6 ohm , 85 dB efficient speaker and it was not as good a match as a 10 ohm, 88 dB efficient pair.  really highly recommended and the tape deck can go in the analog in.  

 

I just got got my unit and am not sure how to try your link.  I'll try to figure out how to do it and try your link in the next couple of days.  

 

I had had purchased mine to use it a just a source, but am seriously considering dumping my $2k tube amp and just using the Qute. (Decision not made yet, but the fact that I am even considering it says something). 

Posted on: 31 October 2014 by Don Dadda

Thanks for the replies and suggestions fellas

 

Apologies, but down to my terminology, there seems to be a little bit of confusion so let me clarify. I was referring to the first generation Unitiqute  when I said V1 and not the V1 DAC which I know is a dac. Definitely not looking to go any further than the UQ on this setup.  I will just say UQ1 from now on to save confusion.

 

The UQ1 is in the frame as it can be had at price which most can be covered by sale of said components plus other AV kit that I will be looking to find new homes for and maybe a little on top.

  From my understanding it is practically the same as the UQ2 bar the  rs232 connection being replaced by a micro usb at the back and adding a usb and 3.5mm phono input on the UQ2 front panel. And no gapless as standard which can be resolved by a firmware update so i'm told. Not sure if FF\FR is available on the UQ1 without a update either so will need that clarified

 

Solid Air -  thank you so much for doing that. Music to my ears that is.

yes it is funky, Just how I like it. I listen to a varied range of music but this  keeps the blood flowing and the eldest embarrassed.

 

This will not be my main setup which is in the living room,  but for the dining room and similarly connected. I will using most of what it has to offer, streaming  music from a nas, Internet, CD 's also  of equal measure and maybe the odd FM channel if the reception is good To improve the TV sound for the times when you cant watch what you want to watch, when you want to watch it, or want to watch it in peace

 

The 30wpc is plentiful for the purpose. I will be still be able to appreciate it while lounging on the patio (when I create one) during those lazy few and far between summers days. It will be paired with Wharfedale Diamond 10.2's which I already have and works very well with the existing setup and hoping the same with the UQ or Minx, It could be said the UQ deserves better and may be it does but I will be sticking with them for now.  

 

Half of my music is flac and the rest in -dare I say it - mp3 with some wma thrown in for good measure. I've read that the UQ  is none to kind to the lesser quality formats but that's fine as I already played them on the main setup which exposed me to what I already knew. Some decent\good, some not so. can't do anything about that i'm afraid so have to make do with what I've got. I've also digitize my cassettes tapes with some very good results and some not so due quality of the tape used at the time, recording or left expose to father time.

 

My only other concern is will I like how it sounds. I don't doubt the quality, but i've  not heard a naim amp in years, hence why I will be seeking a demo.  I know how the Minx sounds, but not with my speakers,

 

 

If it is of any interest, my main setup is

XTZ Class A100 D3 amplifier

XTZ 99.36 speakers

Cambridge Audio NP30

Oppo BDP 105

 

 

 

 

Posted on: 31 October 2014 by Solid Air

Ok, nice system.

 

Mine is a UQ1, and it sounds glorious. It's been great for me. Yes, it will step up to better speakers than the Diamonds, but it's nice to have that headroom. Also it's fine with MP3s - I have a few, and at 320 I can barely tell. Enjoy the demo. And I've favourited that radio station, so thx for the reco!

 

Posted on: 31 October 2014 by Don Dadda

Thanks for the compliment

 

can you FF\FR within tracks on the UQ1?

Posted on: 31 October 2014 by dayjay

For the money the qute is incredibly good

Posted on: 02 November 2014 by Brubacca

Just went through the steps to add Soulful House to my UQ version 1.  It did appear on my choices, but would not connect.  Sorry, looks like it would not work directly from the UQ iTuner. 

Posted on: 02 November 2014 by Solid Air

Works fine for me - 100% buffering over wireless, flawless. Been listening to it today on UQ1. 

Posted on: 03 November 2014 by Don Dadda

What version are you both running? It shouldn't matter but worth asking

 

Posted on: 03 November 2014 by Brubacca

I have a Qute v1 which is only 24/96. Never used vTuner before so it may have been user error.  I am not on the latest firmware.  1 level back I believe. 

Posted on: 03 November 2014 by Don Dadda

Another question. What gives with the speaker connections? 

 

Are the plugs that fit onto the cable supplied by Naim or or can these be bought else where?

I have banana plugs on the end of my speaker cable which look way too small for the UQ speaker outputs from what i can see 

 

Posted on: 03 November 2014 by Solid Air
I'm running a UQ1 with the latest firmware and the newer board. I can play the station fine - a couple of hours yesterday.

The banana plugs are standard. I use non Naim wires and totally standard banana plugs bought from a non Naim dealer. I've used other wires before too - no problem with plugs at all.

If you can get a UQ2 I think that's worthwhile - newest of everything and I gather the sound is very fractionally improved. Certainly a very small difference though, so it might depend on the deal you can get.
Posted on: 03 November 2014 by Daveas

I'm using UQ1 with the latest firmware and original board and DI Soulfulhouse works fine. (not my cup of funk though). BTW Solid Air what speakers are  you using with you're UQ1 to make it sound glorious. I'm using Proac tablettes, sounds OK but could be better.

Posted on: 03 November 2014 by Solid Air
I'm using ATC SCM11s but the UQ on its own wouldn't have the power for them. I have a NAP100 as well and it's only just enough at 50w. The bare UQ needs more sensitive speakers.
Posted on: 03 November 2014 by Huge
Originally Posted by Don Dadda:

Another question. What gives with the speaker connections? 

 

Are the plugs that fit onto the cable supplied by Naim or or can these be bought else where?

I have banana plugs on the end of my speaker cable which look way too small for the UQ speaker outputs from what i can see 

 

They are 4mm sockets, normal bananas will fit, however Naim use a different plating than gold and their plugs match electrochemically.  Gold plated 4mm bananas work, but you have to clean them very occasionally (one per year perhaps).  Naim do supply their own speaker cable connectors with the unit.

Posted on: 03 November 2014 by Don Dadda

Thanks again for confirmation Solid Air and thank you Brubacca for trying.

 

Thanks Huge for the info. that's good to know. In pictures they look bigger tan what they are and I wasn't looking to change my existing cable  either.

 

I wish I could stretch to a UQ2, but the pockets dictates and they say unless a UQ2 owner\shop take leave of their senses, i'll do well to get a UQ1 . And they are not exactly cheap s\h either.

 

Daveas -  It takes allsorts to make the music world go round and now you know what else contributes to that. I like the 'cup of funk' bit.

 

I had Proac Tablettes a while back  - Studio 100 MKll. They were my first proper speakers on my first proper hifi. Always felt that the bass was a teeny bit too tight though and could do with being a little looser on certain tracks. It could of been the amp which was a Albarry PP1, but I was young in hifi terms and didn't know great deal other than the norm.. Other than that, I thought they were great speakers.

 

I see the guru's are popular with naim owners. Never heard of them until a few weeks ago. maybe one for the future if I need to upgrade

Posted on: 15 November 2014 by Don Dadda

Well chaps, I took delivered of a ex demo UQ1 yesterday which I secured from a dealer earlier in the week. I got it within budget and with 12 months warranty so I'm most pleased about that. The dealer also updated it to the latest version (3.22) before dispatching it which was nice of them to do so.

  I've not had a chance to set it up properly but had to at least take it out the box. Much smaller and lighter than I thought it would be and quite aptly named - it is cute. Though I plan to have it hardwired, I tried the wireless setup which was pretty painless. I didn't attach the speakers as it was stupid o'clock in the morning and I want to have more time to give it a good run through when I do, which will be tomorrow. I will also have more time to work out the naim app and look for info on how to work it as  its not exactly straight forward. Its the android version which I know they've not long released but it didn't find my UQ1 after adding a room. In failing that, I can use Bubble upnp as that has worked with every steaming device I've tried so far.

 

Will post my thoughts once I have them

 

 

 

Posted on: 15 November 2014 by Brubacca

Awesome.  Congrats. I've had mine about a month now and love it.  I think you will to.  

Posted on: 16 November 2014 by Huge

Don, the problem of not finding the UQ is probably network configuration.

 

Can you see it from your computer (look at the Networks control panel)?

Check your router has UPnP enabled

Check your router's firewall has port 1900 open for internal traffic

Is the UQ Network setup using DHCP, if not check there's no IP address conflict.

Posted on: 16 November 2014 by Don Dadda

Thanks Brubacca- i think so too

 

Huge - Thanks for that but its sorted now. I had switch the dhcp off and tried to use a static ip but the app didn't like that. I need to go into the router to check or create a static ip range but all is well as its seeing my nas and the app is now working. 

 

Whereabouts can i add other internet stations? I see the option to play the added station but not to create one