superuniti or separates?

Posted by: Paristhea on 09 September 2015

I am considering upgrading into a superuniti or totally separates.

Of course the superuniti solution is attractive as it will occupy less space.

But i do need to understand the real difference inside the box, between a superuniti and equivalent separates.

1. First of all, which separates are equivalent to the superuniti?  Most importantly the DAC part inside the superuniti, and of course the preamp.

2. I have the option of NAC202/NAP200 plus a source, possibly ND5XS.  Would this result in a better sound than a superuniti?

3. The issue is that the Naim product site does not provide enough technical info to assess what is inside each box, perhaps it is meant to be confidential, i don't know.

 

Easy answer is to listen to them all and decide, but where is the time to listen to them all.  One should be able to make a short listing of various options and come down to two, then do an audition to decide.

 

Is there any site that provides more technical info on the differences between the various boxes?

Posted on: 20 September 2015 by nbpf
Originally Posted by Paristhea:
...

 

And yes please, i do like more explanation, so if there are links providing more detailed explanation and information please direct me, no need to retune everything.

 

I wonder what is the advantage of a streamer over the DAC really, other than internet radio.  Is there a difference in quality of the end result?

My understanding is that internet radio and streaming services can be more easily integrated in setup 2) than in setup 1). The reason is that it is easier to adapt music players like Audirvana, Jriver or MPD to integrate new services than the firmware of a streamer. You can find a thread (albeit a very long one) on (among others) this issue in

 

https://forums.naimaudio.com/to...fter-35-years?page=1

 

The following are threads in which, among others, advantages and disadvantages of different streaming approaches have been discussed:

 

https://forums.naimaudio.com/to...ular-approach?page=1

 

https://forums.naimaudio.com/to...35#46337837060876635

 

https://forums.naimaudio.com/to...ular-approach?page=1

 

https://forums.naimaudio.com/to...an-a-naim-dac?page=1

 

If you use the advanced search function you will be able to find more contributions.

 

If you are mainly interested in enjoying your music, you like the way the Naim iOS app gives you access to your music collection and you can afford to have a wired LAN connection between your streamer and your router (usually via a network switch), than you should probably not waste too much time with the above links. In this case the N272 / NAP 250 might well be the best choice you can make at the moment in this price range and in the Naim universe.

 

Best, nbpf

Posted on: 21 September 2015 by Paristhea
Originally Posted by nbpf:
Originally Posted by Paristhea:
...

 

And yes please, i do like more explanation, so if there are links providing more detailed explanation and information please direct me, no need to retune everything.

 

I wonder what is the advantage of a streamer over the DAC really, other than internet radio.  Is there a difference in quality of the end result?

My understanding is that internet radio and streaming services can be more easily integrated in setup 2) than in setup 1). The reason is that it is easier to adapt music players like Audirvana, Jriver or MPD to integrate new services than the firmware of a streamer. You can find a thread (albeit a very long one) on (among others) this issue in

 

https://forums.naimaudio.com/to...fter-35-years?page=1

 

The following are threads in which, among others, advantages and disadvantages of different streaming approaches have been discussed:

 

https://forums.naimaudio.com/to...ular-approach?page=1

 

https://forums.naimaudio.com/to...35#46337837060876635

 

https://forums.naimaudio.com/to...ular-approach?page=1

 

https://forums.naimaudio.com/to...an-a-naim-dac?page=1

 

If you use the advanced search function you will be able to find more contributions.

 

If you are mainly interested in enjoying your music, you like the way the Naim iOS app gives you access to your music collection and you can afford to have a wired LAN connection between your streamer and your router (usually via a network switch), than you should probably not waste too much time with the above links. In this case the N272 / NAP 250 might well be the best choice you can make at the moment in this price range and in the Naim universe.

 

Best, nbpf

Thanks.  I tried to follow the various conversations, i found myself getting lost in the end.

Basically, i already have whatever you mentioned above, not a switch as i use all Mac products, therefore i have a time machine, which acts as a 4-port switch as well.

In a nutshell, this is how i am currently using the UQ2 that i have.  Hard wired ethernet connection into the UQ2.  Thinking about it, it should be an ok method for getting the music into the DAC.  Compared with the USB method, i think there is nothing into it.  Both methods send digital information into a DAC device.  Perhaps there is additional functionality via USB, not sure and not important.

In my home country i have a similar set up (mac mini) feeding a Creek DAC/CD player via a USB link, because the Creek doesn't offer the Naim method (ethernet hard wired connection).  I heard people claim that you get better sound quality via the USB, but i doubt it personally. Digital is digital, ones and zeros, nothing more.

I would think that the USB method is more flexible, in so far as you only need the computer to be near the DAC/streamer, although with the ethernet connection you also need the router or a switch too.

 

Summary: I will stick to the NAC N272 and will buy the NAP 250 as soon as i can afford to upgrade the NAP 100.

 

Regards,

Posted on: 05 October 2015 by analogmusic
Hi Richard
 
So do all classic series kit have the "resistor lift" ?
 
What about the older NAP 200 and the current NAP 100 or NAP 155XS.
 
Thanks
 
 
Originally Posted by Richard Dane:

 

As for the bit about resistors, it's just one of the many critical processes that Naim carry out on the parts  supplied.  Naim doesn't rely on the manufacturers tolerances - they are far too wide anyway.  Instead parts are measured and matched by hand to within very tight margins.  With resistors in certain parts of the circuit, Naim found them to be quite microphonic, so they create a sort of suspension system by carefully hand forming the legs and allowing them to stand off the PCB.  It amy seem a small thing but when it was originally applied during the classic/reference kit it brought considerable benefits.  So much so, that early NAP500s have the so-called "resistor lift" done as an upgrade as part of the service routine - the difference it makes is appreciable.

 

Posted on: 05 October 2015 by Richard Dane

The "Resistor Lift" came about during development of the Classic/Reference range of power amps, as such all have them.  Only the early NAP500 missed out, although it's something that is done with a service.

Posted on: 05 October 2015 by analogmusic

Thanks, seems like the NAC 272 also has these, it is visible in the resistor bottom right of the picture

 

Do the other classic preamps like 202 or 282 benefit from these too?

 

NAC 272

Posted on: 05 October 2015 by Richard Dane

Wherever it brings real benefits then you'll find lifted resistors with formed legs.  The key ones in the power amps are the big green resistors on the PA boards.