superuniti or separates?

Hello,

if you had asked this a few weeks ago someone would certainly have come up with enthusiastic endorsement of the SU, but things change..

Seriously:

1. Difficult to answer. I have had the SU, for about one week then understood it was not my cup of tea. For my taste, room and ears I found it too polite, plenty of power but a little rounded off, civilized. It belongs, in my modest opinion, to a new 'breed' of Naim voices made for a more wide and universal target. I know nothing about its DAC.

2. I have owned 202/200, for about one year, and if I leaned towards separates again, that would be my choice, any moment: real Naim sound, powerful, not harsh but clear, assertive, luminous.

3. I can't answer this either. I have never felt much need to know what's inside a Naim box. What I can tell you is, that if you want a powerful integrated with more of a classic Naim sound and a more than decent DAC on board, a Supernait1 is still, in my still modest opinion, a good choice. If streaming is a priority, you'll probably want a good, separate Naim streamer, but I have heard a lot of times a Squeezebox Touch into the Supernait's DAC, and it was more than enough for me, in terms of quality.

I have once carefully compared a SuperUniti as streamer and amp vs an ND 5XS as streamer into the SU's analogue input, and was barely able to detect any difference. I am beginning to suspect that the digital domain may be the one (DACs, streamers) where the differences are heard less going up or down the range...

Best with your choice

M

Thanks a lot, really valuable comments.

I will audition today a Superuniti Vs NAC202/NAP200 and see where this takes me.  My own speakers are Linn 109, plus i now also have the B&W PM1 in my living room, as i am considering buying them (2nd hand of course). Can not get much difference between them so far, and i lean towards the Linn sound so far.  My source is only UQ2+NAP100, maybe that is why.  People say the PM1 are difficult to drive.

Streaming is quite important to me yes, as i either listen to  turntable or digital music stored on my MacMini which acts as a music/media server, and i also use J River Media Centre as software.

If you have anything to add please do.

I have to agree with HH about this. I went from a Uniti to Superunity, now to 272/250DR. The Superunity is a superb one-box solution (with the usual caveats about individual tastes, so needing to audition for oneself). If you don't suffer from Naim upgrade-itis, the SU is simply very easy and satisfying to live with.

Before I got to my present setup I auditioned a 272/200, which I thought offered a significant improvement, although at a price; so I think the advice about checking that out and considering cost-benefit is spot on.

Good luck with the listening.

I'd agree that the 272 or Superuniti are good options to consider. However, if you already have a Mac Mini, you don't really need a Naim streamer as well, just a DAC (plenty to choose from by Naim, Chord etc.) and amp. If you don't want loads of boxes, maybe a Supernait?

what speakers do you own or plan to own?

There have been a few other recent threads on this topics, where some users have favoured even the 172/200 over the SU.  The cost is approx the same, whether new or second hand, so it could be another combo for the demo list if at all possible......

The Mac Mini is only a storage, it is not a player.  I thought the streamer acts as a player, is it not?

I already have Linn Majik 109, and i am also currently testing B&W PM1.  But i must say that after two days of listening, i much prefer my Linn 109's over the PM1.

That is why i am going to improve on the source and amplification, before i make up my mind on the PM1.

Well, this is an even better reason why i should chose the Superuniti, in order to avoid the upgrades

A properly configured MM will do everything a Naim streamer will do, and more. You would just need a DAC, whereas all Naim streamers have a built in DAC. Some people prefer this route, which might free up more of your budget for a quality DAC. Others prefer the Naim streamer route. I'm not trying to push you one way or the other here, but as you own a Mac Mini it's an option you could consider. 

If it were my choice and the only priority was best performance and I wasn't constrained by space or the desire to have just a neat one-box solution then without any hesitation I would go for the NAC202, NAPSC + NAP200 with either the Naim DAC or maybe an NDX up front.

But I'm me and you are you, so try to listen to each option and then decide where your priorities lie.

Fair point! I think there are two issues in this context:

1. Audio - are you happy with the listening experience from particular kit?

2. Psychological - are you the kind of person who is happy just to go on enjoying your music without getting diverted into analysis of sound qualities and concerns about how/whether it could be "better"?

The answers to these questions may help solidify the approach to equipment choice.....

cheers,

R

I have had it for about 8 months, but i had always in my mind the Superuniti.  

But i will not sell the UQ2+NAP100, it will just go to the bedroom or the office.  I have no complaints from it, it is superb, excellent!!!  

Now my mind is thinking about  separates and the cost is climbing fast.

I am even wondering whether the UQ2 would be an adequate analogue source, should i opt for the NAC202/NAP100.  Cause the 272 may be excellent idea but it is also very expensive.

I suppose the separates gives more flexibility for the future.  

I guess in 5 years time ideally i would like the NAC272, NAP250 with external PSU.

Total agree with the above... Try and decided what you want to achieve and the most cost effective route (new or pre - owned) to achieve your goal easier said than done I know. However, the most important ingredient in any upgrade is finding a good dealer who will give you good advice and home demonstrate your choices without any pressure to buy. I once had a pair of Wilson Benech speakers from my dealer on demo for six months and did not buy them then If in doubt buy more music .

Good luck Graham,  

If you aspire to a 272/250 (excellent choice) then you need a route to get there.  Why not 172/200 and then upgrade to 272 in slower time?

Dont know if this helps, but last night I tried my DAC V1 direct into my NAP 200 (compared to Hugo/282/HCDR/NASPC)

No contest, the 282/HCDR was so much better than the DAC v1 preamp.

Once I heard the difference there is no way I could ever sell my 282 and go back to DAC V1 preamp.

yes, at least for my own experience, 172/200(DR version) is better than SU. but there is a slight different presentation so i would rather try them before deciding.

This is the route (172/200) I took and am very glad I did. I went in looking for a 2 box solution (CD and Amp) but once I'd heard this combo and the benefits of streaming where shown to me I took the plunge. I still use CD as my main source but am looking at setting up a NAS soon. Good Luck and enjoy what you buy.

this is slightly hilarious, since in DAC V1 - to my knowledge - there is only a digital attenuator, and not an active preamp.

BUT, some will be surprised to know that, in certain setups, inserting an active preamp might disrupt the balance and timing... not in many cases, but there were some.

I always thought the DAC V1 had an active preamp? 

In any case based on my test last night I am keeping my 202 for my second system. the 202 is no slouch at all despite somehow many negative comments which I just cannot for the life of me understand.

Thanks all for the valuable replies to my question and your comments in general.

I paid today the deposit and ordered a NAC272.  I will use it with the NAP 100 for now.  The dealer will take 4-5 weeks to get it as there is a lot of demand, apparently.

I will get the NAP250 next, when i can afford it.

Thanks again.

Will come back and let you know of my impressions of it.