Unitiqute 2 and B&W 683 S2

I don't KNOW for that particular pairing, but from the specs of the speakers (8Ω nominal, 3Ω minimum and a complex drive arrangement), I strongly suggest that the UnitiQute 2 will struggle badly with those speakers and an SU would be needed to drive them well (a Uniti 2 may do OK).

Who on earth suggested that particular combination, and why have you bought it without listening to it first?

I auditioned the Qute with a pair of B&W standmounted speakers and went away to ponder.

Upon calling a Hifi seller I mentioned that I listen to bass orientated music and suggested the B&W 683's as a possible pairing and was told that it would work. Now that I'm wiser and know about this forum I suspect I may need to re-evaluate or add an amp.

I used to have a pair of 805s, which, when I bought the UnitiQute, didn't work well at all.  I replaced them with a pair of Kef LS50s, which are fantastic and well suited to the 'Qute.

I've just added a NAP100 last Friday, and the difference in sound is immediate - well worth the outlay.

Stand mount 2 way speakers are, electrically speaking, a very different proposition to a 3 way floor stander.  It will work in the sense that the Qute won't blow up, but the sound is likely to be compromised in a number of ways (some predictable, some unpredictable).

I'm curious, you added a NAP100 between the 'Qute's preamp output and the LS50s? What are the most significant differences in sound?

That's right.  I'd say the addition has 'opened up' the sound - more definition, better separation, less 'confusion' and a more natural sound.

I have managed to buy a cheap Nap 100 to add to the B&W's and Qute and will be setting it up today.

After listening to the Qute on its own with the 683's and then with the Nap 100, my initial thoughts were that it sounded different and not necessarily better . . .

 . . . I will set it all up today in my own home as opposed to listening to it in a shop and have a play around and feed back my findings.

Snap! NAP100 sold and money went towards another Qute ...

My thought is that to drive the 683s properly, you'd be looking at an SU, SN2 or a NAP200.

I listened to the 683's on the end of my qute 2/NAP100 at a dealer when I was looking for speakers. I really liked the combination, it was one of the better matches for me, but I didn't try it with the qute by itself.

The NAP100 is perfectly capable of driving the 683. But as always, the best advice has to be for you to listen for yourself to see if the combo suits you.

That's not MY approach.  But then some buy a new car, drive it out of the dealer, and then proceed to figure out how fast they can drive it before it leaves the road.

The usual answer is, "5 mph slower than that."

If you reply in the white space below the grey box, it will be clearer for everyone to see what is going on. 

It's a stereo, it plays music!

No one listens to rock music quietly!

I have the max volume set at 60 for SU and the bare Qutes. Speakers 90dB efficient. Max volume can easily damage a tweeter. Respect your ears, if you want loud buy some Klipsch floorstanders, they're good for a party.

Thanks

I've not gone much beyond 50 . . . Yet!  

The system seems loud enough for this late hour anyhow.

Just wanted know what level one should not go beyond to avoid damage; not too worried about my ears as can easily replace them but where would I get new B&W's this late In the night?

The Nap100 will go pretty loud into the right speakers before the sound starts to harden up, once it does don't turn it any louder.  Depends how sensitive your speakers are and how large your room is really

The thing is, if you play a little amp into big speakers you are much more likely to destroy the speakers as a result of clipping, whereas playing a big amp into small speakers is unlikely to cause damage. I fear that your speakers are too much for the little 100, good though it is. I could play rock music at earsplitting volume with my SU and it would stay clean and controlled. The 100 will not be able to do this. 

Superuniti, it will be mine, oh yes, it will be mine.

I'm just giving my bank card a rest.

The Qute/100 combo seems to be working well at the moment.

Very true, its not power that damages speakers.  I ran my little NAP100 into Guru Juniors and it drove them very well and to high levels - it struggled with my Focals, and the bare Qute struggled even more. My SN2 will still be going when you've decided that the volume is far too loud and it keeps everything clean and under control whilst it does it. 

Thanks, that's useful.