Naim Unitiqute 2 network issues

If you've searched the forum, you will already have gathered that plenty of others have WiFi networks that are stable and reliable, yet do not allow them to stream reliably to a Naim streamer. I suspect the 802.11g WiFi modules Naim use in all their streamers are largely to blame. When I had this problem, I turned off the internal WiFi on my Superuniti, and connected an Airport Express to its Ethernet port. I could then stream at CD quality reliably, and once I'd moved the position of the Airport Extreme connected to my NAS, even 24/192 files would stream. Annoying to have to faff around like this, but at least I had a solution. An additional advantage of connecting the AE to the streamer is that you can then connect it to a spare optical input too. You can then stream with Airplay as well, which is a handy convenience feature at times.

If you're going to add a NAS, I would suggest siting it close to your UnitiQute. Then you can connect them, and an Airport Express or similar, together using a switch. Then they can talk to each other over wired Ethernet, leaving WiFi only for web access. I've been running like this for a couple of years now, and find it pretty reliable. 

Thanks for reply. It's terrible that this is the situation with a high quality streamer. I messed around with router settings again this evening. A combination of static I.P., port forwarding and Qos preference has so far improved things. Then again I thought this before after making other changes! We'll see. I will report back if all remains stable.

Well it seems playing around with my wifi router settings has helped. Things are 90% stable. I have put down a good few hours on Spotify connect and iradio with only 2 or 3 dropouts. Still not perfect, but getting there. Reconnection is a lot faster too at least.

A combination of extending DCHP lease renewal, Spotify port forwarding to the Unitiqute I.P. address and boosting Qos (quality of service) for the Spotify port to "high" has me where I am. Still concerned about trying anything more demanding than Spotify connect though.

Hopefully future firmware updates from Naim will iron things out. Spotify could be partially responsible too.

It's a silly amount of pampering required for a modern and expensive product though. I've never gone near my router before for far lesser devices and have enjoyed faultless performance. I have Naim to thank for two things at least;

1. A far deeper understanding of all those previously unexplored and mysterious options in my wifi router.

2. Amazingly addictive sound quality  

Back to square one again this morning I'm afraid. Several network drop outs in an hour. Reading the forums I know I'm not alone with these problems. Hard to gauge if it is a common problem though, people tend to only approach the forums looking for help. Perhaps there are thousands of customers happily using wireless.

Has anyone with similar issues returned their streamer for service or replacement and found the replacement to work better? Maybe it would be a wasted exercise. It would involve shipping for me. As my Unitiqute 2 is brand new it could just be faulty. Not sure what to do to be honest.  Naim customer support are busy.

You're not alone with wifi network issues and your Qute. You're also likely correct that many people have systems that work trouble-free and we never hear from them (or they worked trouble free until "something happened" and trouble arrived and joined the forum!). The formal Naim perspective, that home wifi networking is a non-robust minefield of often poorly implemented standards and equipment and that wired Ethernet is to be preferred, while correct, gives little comfort to folks who see that "everything else just works". I've not seen any forum reports of users getting a repair to the wifi board although you may be right to explore that. Many folks (including me) went slightly sideways and invested in a commercial wifi bridge (such as the Apple Airport Express or a TPLink RE200) which joins your home network wirelessly and provides a wired port that you can connect to your Qute. Lots of folks have success with this approach which is pragmatic if not idealistic. Something to think about, since the shipping costs alone would almost certainly pay for one of these tiny and simple gizmos. 

Regards alan

Thanks for your detailed answer. I may explore this route, I have seen an older g network Apple express that's not too expensive. Would this be sufficient do you think? Is an Airport express generally compatible with a regular wifi router, also g network? I don't know much about the airport express. Thanks.

Not sure what to tell you here, esp re: "not too expensive". The Apple is about $100US (includes an optical out and gives you AirPlay capability as well as the bridge), the TPLink is a bit more than $50US (gives you easy set up and a tiny package that looks like a night light)...these are suited for current generation (N and A/C) wifi networks, which are usually available with the home modems/routers people use, eg as provided by their ISP. G is older and slower, and may not be fast enough to stream CD quality reliably, I don't really know. My personal advice would be to get something that uses the most recent protocol offered by your wifi router and see if it works in the location you need.

My own preference is to get a new thing rather than an older used thing, since I am making a pick to eliminate a headache, not create a new one haha. If you already had the old one, I'd say try it. If you're going out to buy one, I'd say get something new, try it, and return it if you don't find it solves your problem. For me, driving to an Apple Store or a computer supply shop is easy and fast, but ordering an unknown old product and awaiting delivery in the mail taxes my (ridiculously limited!) patience.

Kinda wishy-washy, I guess. I have one of each (serving different functions in my home), as well as a spare Asus router configured in bridge mode...so I've already done what I'm suggesting (as have quite a few others here on the forum in one way or another). 

Best wishes. 

Regards alan

Thank you Alan. I will explore these options.

As a temporary solution I hooked up a yet unused Christmas present of a chromecast audio. I'm currently using the aux input but optical is an option. It's working great, Spotify arguably sounds even better than on the unitiqute as a bonus. It also opens up deezer, google music etc as streaming options. Network connection is solid. iOS AirPlay is not natively supported but apparently there are apps to overcome that. Apple may in time open official support.

The real joy of this setup is the chromecast dongle can be powered from the USB input on the unitiqute, keeping everything self contained and neat looking. Simply hide the chromecast behind if so desired. Getting happier with my purchase. Naim seriously need to work on their wifi implementation though. Premium products need to be just that.

You have not mentioned what the router is.

It's an older buffalo airstation g router. Getting on a bit I admit but proving good enough for streaming hdtv and running several devices simultaneously without issue up to now. The problem is the unitiqute 2, I've experimented enough with other devices in the exact same location as the unitiqute, streaming the exact same Spotify service without problems to be able to say this. It is only 320 Spotify too, this shouldn't be demanding.

Is Ethernet over mains cables e..g TP Link not an option?

I used TP Link for while and though it is as popular as flu in these parts it worked ok.  Wired Ethernet is better but if all else fails it may be an option

Understood but surely better than drop outs for now.

Wow, never knew such a thing existed. Another option to explore.

All of the above are great suggestions thanks but I want one sure fire fix. Wiring into the unitiqute may be the best way. I could try the airport express or mains cable Ethernet but if I suffered another drop out I think I'd flip out. At £1300 it should just work!!!

I'll play around with the chromecast for now. As for a NAS drive, I could be just as happy with a mass storage USB hook up. I didn't have my heart set on anything. I wish the unitiqute had another USB input now.

I only have 2 electrical sockets behind my set up and don't like to use power strips hence my trying to keep everything self contained. This could change if I give up on the Nap100. The unitiqute 2 doesn't really need it and dare I say might even sound a little better it it's own. Thanks again everyone!

Is there a sound quality debate regarding the mains ethernet? I'll ask quietly in case I kick something off

Yes, conventional wisdom is that it puts hash into the mains which is picked up by hifi gear and damages sound quality.  I found wired Ethernet to sound better but if you have no choice sometimes you have to make compromises.  Wired is better though if you can achieve it

Newguy posted:

Is there a sound quality debate regarding the mains ethernet? I'll ask quietly in case I kick something off

You might well kick something off! These devices are notorious for putting very high levels of noise into your mains supply. They may solve your dropout problem, and they may degrade your sound qiality. Or your neighbours sound quality. Or prevent you from opening your car door, apparently!

Does it genuinely noticeably effect sound quality though? Or is it a bit of a cable debate thing?

Oh dear, you will deffo start something off now.  In my experience cables can make a huge difference, anyway, all I can say is that my system sounded better with Ethernet cables in than TP Link. However, if I was unable to put in Ethernet cables and I was streaming, and had no choice,  I could have lived with the TP Links, providing I could open my car door of course

I think I'll drill a few holes and run wire. I too think cables make a difference. A quick read up on powerlines suggests a lot of potential hassle unless care is taken to have a pollution free mains environment. Not possible in my hectic family home.

Of course the real stinker here, and one that's easy to get distracted from is that the unitiqute 2 should just work. Oh well.

I wonder actually could the Bluetooth antenna be interfering? Are all unitiqute inputs active and powered even if not in use? You can disable them in the settings. Is this just to tidy up the selection menu? When using my iPhone for example to stream Spotify to a bose sound link before it was a bit shaky at times. Both wifi and Bluetooth were in use to do this. Hmmmm ��

Newguy, if you are getting a wifi bridge, I strongly suggest you don't get one that can only use legacy wifi protocols such as 802.11 a/b or g. I would ensure it has at least 802.11n and preferably 802.11ac as well.

The current wifi protocols support more efficient network throughput, encoding and radio spectrum utilisation allowing greater bandwidths in less ideal and busier conditions than the legacy protocols.

Simon

Newguy posted:

I wonder actually could the Bluetooth antenna be interfering? Are all unitiqute inputs active and powered even if not in use? You can disable them in the settings. Is this just to tidy up the selection menu? When using my iPhone for example to stream Spotify to a bose sound link before it was a bit shaky at times. Both wifi and Bluetooth were in use to do this. Hmmmm ��

Go to Settings > Input settings, and try turning off all unused inputs. Some people have reported a small increase in sound quality by doing this, although to me, any improvements were marginal. I'm not suggesting that this will solve your dropout problem, but if nothing else, at least it declutters the app a bit.

Knowing myself well I probably would buy the latest and greatest, I find it hard to buy outdated models of anything. I was just thinking, probably incorrectly, that maybe g would be better with g.

This morning I've set all my router settings back to the way they were. I disabled the Bluetooth input on the Unitiqute and have so far enjoyed 30 uninterrupted minutes of Spotify. I do know from before that my wifi no likey bluetooth. Fingers crossed.......