Where would you start?
Posted by: Timbo39 on 04 November 2015
So I've owned a Superuniti and Neat Elite SX speakers for about a year now. First used a NAS then latterly a unitiserve. I put a Power line on Superuniti after a few months. Wired rather than wireless configuration. Though undoubtedly the finest sounding system I've had, I have been slightly disappointed since about a month into ownership. (it's all relative - I'm not actually complaining as such!) It's pretty good on smaller scale stuff generally - female vocalists, jazz quartets, chamber music if a little unexciting/dry. On more complex material, it's a bit congested/muddled sounding. I don't think it's a major problem with the room - I've tried different configurations of the same room, and a different room, and the differences are marginal.
I'd value advice from forum members as to where you would start looking for improvements first? Happy to provide more information as I know there are so many variables.
I work away from home most of the week and whilst home demos are possible, I'm just not sure where to start.
Thanks in anticipation!
Posted on: 04 November 2015 by Kiwi cat
I went through a similar experience myself with my unitiserve, superuniti, ovator system. The problem was solved with addition of a power amp, in my case the 250DR. A 2nd hand 200 would also do a very good job in untangling the congested sounds when the music gets loud or when there are complex musical passages. I guess the other things to check are that you have good quality cables eg the Naim A5, and that the Naim boxes are on good shelving.A separate power spur also helps. Best of luck in your quest.
So I've owned a Superuniti and Neat Elite SX speakers for about a year now. First used a NAS then latterly a unitiserve. I put a Power line on Superuniti after a few months. Wired rather than wireless configuration. Though undoubtedly the finest sounding system I've had, I have been slightly disappointed since about a month into ownership. (it's all relative - I'm not actually complaining as such!) It's pretty good on smaller scale stuff generally - female vocalists, jazz quartets, chamber music if a little unexciting/dry. On more complex material, it's a bit congested/muddled sounding. I don't think it's a major problem with the room - I've tried different configurations of the same room, and a different room, and the differences are marginal.
I'd value advice from forum members as to where you would start looking for improvements first? Happy to provide more information as I know there are so many variables.
I work away from home most of the week and whilst home demos are possible, I'm just not sure where to start.
Thanks in anticipation!
Posted on: 04 November 2015 by hungryhalibut
Hmm. The first thing I'd look at is speaker position. I found that moving my former PMCs further apart, further from the wall and with hardly any toe in worked wonders for the system's openness. Then I'd look at your speaker cables. Are they good? Do they have well soldered plugs? If your files are FLAC, are you transcoding to WAV?
Posted on: 04 November 2015 by Timbo39
Thank you Kiwi Cat!
Posted on: 04 November 2015 by hungryhalibut
If we are talking big money, swapping the US for a 272/250DR works wonders! But I was looking at free / cheap first.....
Posted on: 04 November 2015 by Timbo39
And thank you HH. Funnily enough I found my speakers placed what seems unnaturally far apart and zero toe in made a huge improvement, but I must try them further away from the wall too and some fine degrees of placement as you suggest.. I have Nac A5 cable with naim plugs, and do transcode to Wav. Indeed also experimented with WAV files too. I must check soldering. I live in hope I don't have to spend £10k or more to where I want to get to ( or at least my good lady does!)
Posted on: 04 November 2015 by Timbo39
Hmm HH I was hoping you might not mention 272/250. Ach I now understand this upgradeitis thing - I suspect I'm infected despite my better rational judgement.
Posted on: 04 November 2015 by hungryhalibut
I lived very happily with my SU for two years. Lots of people were saying it was a bit unexciting and uninvolving, but I loved it. Only when I got the new setup did I know what they meant - the better system is just so much more real and involving, but then it costs more and should jolly well be better. Check your speaker positioning and soldering before you do anything.
The other thing I'd do is put Minimserver on your nas, stream from that and sell the serve. That will release a wodge of cash and the sound will be no worse, in fact I found an improvement.....
Posted on: 04 November 2015 by Timbo39
Thanks HH I found a significant improvement in timing when I switched from NAS to Unitiserve - side benefit, I changed to US because my wife hated the ripping process. However that was compared to Twonky. Also now we have lossless tidal we've been thinking we could lose the US anyway... I will try Minim and see if that clinches it and frees up cash for the no doubt inevitable 272/250!
Posted on: 04 November 2015 by hungryhalibut
Sounds like a plan! Be warned though, if you hear the 272/250DR you will want it. It really is another world to the SU, I was astonished. And once you have that, the XPS DR will be next........
Posted on: 04 November 2015 by Dave***t
How much is a s/h Unitiserve worth? Perhaps enough to look at a used/ex-demo 250.2? There are a few around lately as users & dealers move to DR models. Might be able to find an as new example for at or under 50% of new cost. I did, and I've seen others saying they've spotted similar.
Posted on: 04 November 2015 by ChrisSU
Once you've satisfied yourself that your current system is set up well, with decent racks, cables etc. there are a couple of ways you can go to get a big step up in performance without going crazy. One is to get a nice used NAP200, and put that on the SU, then change the SU for a 272. The other is to go for an NDX/Supernait - again, you can buy one box first and run it with the SU until you can get the next. Either way, you'll get a big increase in performance for a lot less than £10k, especially if you take your time and look for ex-dem or used gear to come up.
Posted on: 05 November 2015 by Steve GTX
Originally Posted by Hungryhalibut:
Sounds like a plan! Be warned though, if you hear the 272/250DR you will want it. It really is another world to the SU, I was astonished. And once you have that, the XPS DR will be next........
I can endorse HH's comments here the.... 272/250DR is magical (at that price point) and still leaves room for upgrade once you've sold your children into slavery!
Just depends on how deep your pockets are or how much you can justify (or get away with) spending.
Steve
Posted on: 05 November 2015 by TOBYJUG
Originally Posted by Dave***t:
How much is a s/h Unitiserve worth? Perhaps enough to look at a used/ex-demo 250.2? There are a few around lately as users & dealers move to DR models. Might be able to find an as new example for at or under 50% of new cost. I did, and I've seen others saying they've spotted similar.
How much is a second hand Unitiserve worth ? Well mine has over a thousand albums ripped in it so it must be worth 10 X the amount I paid for it.
Posted on: 05 November 2015 by Christopher_M
Timbo, I'd start with the speakers. Yours are in nothing like the starting position recommended by Neat Acoustics. I found putting mine (little brothers to yours) in such a position paid dividends. You know what, manufacturers really do make it easy for us! And yet, and yet....
Chris
Posted on: 05 November 2015 by Sneaky SNAIC
Start with a stiff drink.
Posted on: 06 November 2015 by Christopher_M
If you're still reading, Neat generally recommend 30 cm from back wall, 60cm from side wall and with 15 degrees of toe-in, as a starting position. Something similar works for me.
C.
