Connecting Laptop to Qute

What level of quality are you looking to achieve - ie. is this for main listening or playback of the occasional Youtube video (for example)?

USB to SPDIF converters start at around £25 (look at places like eBay and Amazon).  You might want to consider one that support TOSLink as it provides an additional layer of isolation.  Alternatively many laptops have a Mini-TOSLink connector as part of the 3.5mm headphone/audio connector.

You mean for audio or to upgrade firmware?

If for firmware upgrade then the instructions are online on the Naim site.

If for audio then, as a UPNP streamer, it's designed to connect via ethernet to the network, and read from servers (eg a laptop) on that same network. Again, instructions are on the Naim site.

Solid Air posted:

If for firmware upgrade then the instructions are online on the Naim site.

I never considered maybe the OP was asking about firmware upgrade :-)

If for audio then, as a UPNP streamer, it's designed to connect via ethernet to the network, and read from servers (eg a laptop) on that same network. Again, instructions are on the Naim site.

This only works though (afaik) for music "files".  There is no way (again afaik) to use Ethernet to play (for example) the audio from Youtube or iPlayer (or other websites) unless I have missed some application.

Of course if you have the newest UnitiQute then you could use Bluetooth for audio in this situation.

Sorry, I didn't think about the possible confusion either!  I meant for audio replay.  As I've said on other threads, I've got a Qute for my son's 18th birthday along with a Pi / hard disk to act as a upnp server.  However, it'll also make sense to be able to connect his laptop to the Qute to replay other sources (such as YouTube videos / other websites etc.) and as a backup route for music. I'd like something better than the cheapest possible but I don't want to be spending a fortune either.  I wouldn't really want something with a DAC onboard - he'd already have that functionality in the Qute.

As I say ... a USB to SPDIF converter seems to fit the requirements.  A few years back there was a plethora of them around £100-£150 but they now all appear to be cheap (£50 or less) or over £250.  If you could find a second hand Musical Fidelity or M2Tech HiFace 2 that would fit the bill I would think.

Or if it was a new Qute with BluTooth then use that.

I use a Gustard U12 USB to SPDIF convertor/isolator (Gustard U12), and it certainly did the trick in removing any RF interference from a computer source (Mac Mini). Last summer it cost ~£110 from a well known online auction sire (direct from China) and is also available through an online bookshop...

Thanks for the help, folks.  I've found a second-hand M2Tech HiFace.