My new unitiserve

Hmm. The digital source is limited by the Qute. A £1,000 all in one is never going to be as good as a £3,000 CD player. It's just not going to happen. The question arises as to why you've ripped all the albums and then kept the cd player. So what to do? Sell the Qute. Sell the CDX2. Get an NDX. Swap the 102 for an 82 or 282. Sorted.

WC, are you streaming to the UnitiQute via UPnP or using  the direct digital out ? Either way, you could compare the two methods and see which you prefer.

Assuming that you're streaming via UPnP, then HH's suggestion to move to the NDX is sound.

Or you could put a Hugo on your qute which makes it a rather decent streamer

See my post on digital cable upgrade. Perhaps a better cable between the US and UQ? You don't say what you are using. Inserting a dac (I use a V1 into a NAP 110) is also a good idea as the one in the UQ is good but there's better, a lot better. I also think turning everything off and running the UQ as source only it hits above it's belt in value if paired with a good cable. Also, with the UQ if your connected amp goes down then you're never stuck without one! With a V1 you could lose the 102, etc though not sure if CDx2 has digital out as the V1 has no analog inputs. Also, the US probably needs a linear power supply if running as a direct source to sound it's best. Best of luck! 

As HH has put it. Maybe even listen to a NAC-N272 as a potential replacement for (CDX2,) UQ and 102.

adca

That's an even better idea.

I'll pile on.  You've got a lot of parts, but not a "system" that makes a lot of sense to many.  You could probably do better with fewer, better parts.

I think it'd be interesting to hear what the new N272 brings.  uServe, N272, 250.

I ran my Unity Serve directly over the nDAC + XPS for a period of time. Quite ok, but...

Adding a third party PSU improved it definitely - no names here, just google...

Last december I got the NDX, connecte it to nDAC + XPS, and now the whole system shines.. 

Personally, i like NDX more than CDX2, which always seemed too bright and a bit harsh to my ears.

Hi HH

Firstly - thank you (and to all) who have taken the time to share their thoughts and insights on my situation. Why have I ripped all of my albums and kept the CD player??.... well the ripping started while the player was in the shop with the intention that when it came back I would sell it. As you see my A-B has shown that it still holds a place in my system until I can achieve the sonic equivalent... the NDX sounds promising.... but I do like adca's  suggestion of the NAC-N272.... especially as I do like to spin my vinyl and I think the 272 has a phone pre-amp. I am streaming to the Qte via UPNP so maybe a direct digital out to Qte would be an interesting stop-gap.  Seems like I may be readying myself to release my NAC102/QTE and the CD player!

Yes, I think the 272 may be the best idea. It will be very interesting to hear it. It doesn't have a phono stage, but may provide a powered output for a headline - you'll need to check the specs. Swapping the 102, Hicap, napsc, Qute and CDX2 (5 boxes) for just one sounds rather appealing! I'm biased of course, having swapped a multi box setup for a SuperUniti. If I ever move up the chain again it will very likely be to a 272/250.

easy there, steady now. 

SJB

IIRC, N272 cannot power a phonostage. a Naim phonostage would require you to keep the HC, but there are viable alternatives (Dynavector, arkless), depending on your analogue setup and your ears.

adca

I'm not sure that you'll have an epiphany with this change, but sure connect it that way and see if you prefer it.