SuperUniti

Zinpaw posted:

My current system is a UnitiQute (with 24/192 upgrade) - Linn Klout - B&W CM10. (all British!)

I've come across a SuperUniti at what seems a good price second hand and am considering buying this to replace the Qute and the Klout.

Do you think this would be a smart move and a worthwhile step up in sound quality?

Paul 

 

 

 

Not really

Personally I prefer the UQ without additional poweramp but I understand if speakers are not very easy driven some more power could be needed particular in large rooms (as you might have in Detroit ?)

I like the Klout but only in a complete Linn setup, its overly warm and dull in most other scenario's

As for the UQ vs SU, Again my favorite is the little UQ, my speakers are 90db though, no idea 'bout CM10 (I dislike most B&W speakers)

I'd better sell on the Klout and speakers buying some that are better matched

The SuperUniti is a very big step up from the UQ.  Apart from having a lot more power in hand, it has a much better DAC and a much better power supply. I don't know the Linn Klout, but you wouldn't need an outboard power amplifier with the SU.

best

David

FWIW I run an SU into B&W 683S2s and am very happy with the combination.  I upgraded from a Unitilite last year and the improvement was very large.  I don't know how similar the 683s are to the CM10s though.

Nick

I don't agree at all with B_Lund, although of course this game is subjective. To me, the SuperUniti is a big step up in sound quality, good though the Qute is. Sell the Qute and Klout - the SU has plenty of power without needing help. 

You shouldn't have any difficulty improving on your current system, which seems rather oddly balanced. I suspect your combo of Qute/Klout/CM10 is genuinely unique, so I doubt anyone can comment authoritatively, but it feels like it might be too much froth and not enough beer. You need some serious control to drive those speakers; an SU should get you nearer to the ballpark.

I suspect the Qute and Klout is not the happiest of combinations, so a move to the SU is on paper a good idea. It does give a rather big sound that is on the warmer side, so how it will gel with those huge B&Ws is anyone's guess. Hopefully the SU can be tried at home first. 

I actually do run both of those - definitely SuperUniti!

Just make sure you get proper speakers for it. Given the right ones, it is capable fo delivering some seriously good sounding music.

I've had both too. 'Qute great, SU even better. Do it.

Thanks for all your opinions and advice guys. I think I'll get the SuperUniti if it's still available.

You guys don't seem to like my Klout although it's probably fair to say it was Linn's equivalent to the NAP 250 (I can see that comment getting me into trouble on here!). If I miss out on the SuperUniti, the other option I'm considering is replacing the Klout with a 250 then later replacing the Qute with a 272. I have a second system in another room where the Qute or SuperUniti could go after upgrades to my main system.

If you can ultimately afford a 250DR and then a 272, I would go that way. It's in a completely different league to the SU, and the Qute will be fine into the 250 while you save up. An alternative of course is a Linn streaming preamp into your Klout. It all depends on the sound you prefer. 

Then forget the SU

sell on your Klout, this will provide good price

Get an old serviced Nap 250 or a new 250DR if funds allow

Use the UQ as preamp until you can afford 272, then the UQ is superb as secondary setup provided matching speakers available

b_lund posted:

Then forget the SU

sell on your Klout, this will provide good price

Get an old serviced Nap 250 or a new 250DR if funds allow

Use the UQ as preamp until you can afford 272, then the UQ is superb as secondary setup provided matching speakers available

I agree with this but I recommend you go to a dealer and try it out. You will hear a big improvement and would probably easily live with it until you get the funds to go 272.

Following the advice of a Naim dealer (John from ProMusica in Chicago) I've taken the Klout out of my system so driving my CM10s directly from the Qute. What an improvement! My Klout's now listed on e-bay!

If only all upgrades were that easy! 

Just to check, when you were running the Qute with the Klout, did you apply the menu setting for no speakers? This gives a small benefit to the Qute sound quality when pairing it with an external power amp.

With the Qute running the CM10's direct, I would expect good sound at low-moderate levels in a smaller room, but it's likely to struggle to fill a larger space or at higher volume levels.

For me the 200/250 were out of my price range when I was looking to upgrade from NAP100. I went for an Odyssey Khartago to give more grip, and room filling sound with my large-ish stand-mount speakers, and it's turned out to be an excellent match with my Qute2 and I'm now loving the sound.

Since you're in the USA, Odyssey may be a good lower cost alternative to the lower/mid-level Naim power amps. If your speakers and room appreciate a bit of power, the Odyssey is several steps up from a NAP100 or the bare Qute, while presenting the typical Naim traits faithfully.

While on the subject of speaker settings, it might be worth mentioning that, somewhat counter-intuitively, you should ensure that the Qute isn't set to "small speakers" because what that does is filter out below 100Hz on the assumption that the low frequencies will be handled another way (eg a sub-woofer).

best

David

Yes

When I was running the Klout I had the Qute set to Speakers: None and without it I have it set to Speakers: Large. The Klout had plenty of power for my setup and room (rated at 80 Wpc into 8 Ohms and 160 Wpc into 4 Ohms) but using the Qute amp still seems to give me a more detailed sound with the PRaT that I've been told to expect from NAIM. Listening to something like Deadmau5 at volume, there was still tons of bass (had the windows shaking) and lots of energy in the music.

Bottom line is that It showed how improvements can be made over the Klout giving me the confidence to sell it and I know I can live with the Qute running as it was intended until I get my hands on either a used SuperUniti or 250. I consider that a used SuperUniti would probably give me the best bang for the buck as that would be a step up in both the DAC and Amp compared to the Qute.

Sounds like the qute has good synergy with the Cm10s in your room, in which case I think you're on the right track, the superuniti should give you nicely balanced improvements in all areas. 

But do if possible demo with your speakers and room first, as some changes such as increased/extended bass can upset the speaker room interaction. 

I received my SuperUniti today, installed and upgraded the firmware. After a quick listen I can tell it's quite a step up from my Qute 192, and I thought the Qute was good. The amp in the SU seems to pack more punch the the Klout I had even though they both have the same nominal power rating, Overall the sound is very detailed, energetic and musical.

I think it's time to stop pursing audio nirvana for a while and focus on listening to some good music. 

Zinpaw posted:

I think it's time to stop pursing audio nirvana for a while and focus on listening to some good music. 

I agree with you.

this is the main reason why I chose an all in one with high-quality. We are often abducted by the desire to buy more boxes and we focus on how it sounds but often we lose the pleasure of simply listening to the music....SU does it very well.

It must run in for six months to reach the top......remember (If it is new)

Wait 3-6months for the SU to really open up. Enjoy your time with it!

It must run in for six months to reach the top......remember (If it is new)

I bought it used so I don't have to do this and can enjoy it at its best from day one.

one of my major regrets(?!):

i bought a UQ2 because i couldn't test/make an audition on a SU.

(national importer didn't have 1 available; so.. i will never know.)

but still: UQ2 provide me great pleasure and make me coming back for more.

that's whats matter, isn't it?

I've owned a Superuniti now for 4 years. Connects to B&W CDM 7NT with Nordost Flatline cables. They are more power than I need even in the large room I have (300 sqft). I had demoed both the quite and SU and it was not even close. Now looking to improve my system with a speaker cable upgrade (chord odyssey, chord epic or QED XT400)

Sunit posted:

I've owned a Superuniti now for 4 years. Connects to B&W CDM 7NT with Nordost Flatline cables. They are more power than I need even in the large room I have (300 sqft).I had demoed both the quite and SU and it was not even close. Now looking to improve my system with a speaker cable upgrade (chord odyssey, chord epic or QED XT400)

SU that much better? (with standmount speakers)