Uniti for two rooms

Posted by: Sutton on 11 April 2016

I'd  like to set up music in two rooms using one source -  Uniti.  Is  it possible to use, for example, a unitiqute to play music to the connected speakers, whilst using its digital out to provide a signal for another naim hi-fi system in an adjacent room?

Thanks 

Rhod 

Posted on: 11 April 2016 by ChrisSU

If the other room has a Naim streamer in it, yes. As long as the other room has a Naim streamer, which could be another Uniti or a Muso, just connect both to your network, and they'll connect to each other using the multiroom function. Just remember that not all inputs will work this way - UPnP, iRadio and iPod/USB only. 

Posted on: 11 April 2016 by Sutton

I'd like to run a unitiqute feeding speakers in a conservatory, whilst using the digital out to feed the DAC of my main hifi in the adjacent lounge.  Obviously,  but systems playing the same signal.  Would this work? 

Posted on: 11 April 2016 by feeling_zen

Yes it will work but there are a couple things to consider:

  • If you want to turn off music on the conservatory, you need to go into the menu from the Uniti handset (not the Naim app) and turn off the power amp each time. And back on again when you want it.
  • Same for the digital out. If you just want music in the conservatory sometimes, you will need to use the Uniti handset to go into the setup menu and turn off the digital out. Ans back on again when you want it.

If the above sounds like a bit of kerfuffel (it would to me), I would take CHRISSU's advice and just use one Uniti for one room and another (Or a Muso) for the other. You can then turn on a room simply from the Naim app since they will all link via multiroom connectivity over the network. I find this works seamlessly. I have a main system with an NDX in the lounge and Uniti in the office. It's an easy way to fill the home with music without any extra wires.

Posted on: 11 April 2016 by Sutton

Thanks for the feedback.  Understood.  I appreciate the limitations but also mindful of costs,  initially. 

Posted on: 12 April 2016 by Huge

Given that conservatories aren't generally noted for their favourable acoustic properties, I think a UnitiQute (or even a Muso or Muso QB) would be all that you really need there.  These are a considerable saving on another Uniti, particularly if you get a secondhand UQ.

Posted on: 12 April 2016 by NickSeattle
Uniti offers the option of wired multi-room, which is bound to work/sound better than wireless. Wireless is OK for temporary setups.
Posted on: 12 April 2016 by NickSeattle
To be clear, even if both Unitis are wired to the network, it would be better to run Line-level wires between the units for the best possible performance. This is my experience where my NDX + 552 are playing through my remote Qute. Perhaps the benefit might be somewhat reduced when the end points are more equally matched -- I do not know. Best, Nick
Posted on: 12 April 2016 by David Hendon

Worth remembering that the multi room is 320kbs MP3 except on the master unit and you can't multi room a high definition file (but a CD rip works fine with multi room, only at 320 kbs). So there could be reasons to get the signal to the second room another way as the OP suggested.

best

David

Posted on: 12 April 2016 by Sutton

Thanks to everyone for your advice.  The idea for using one Uniti is to exploit the multi room facility, which includes the main  hifi room.  For serious listening, however,  I shall use a direct feed from a unitiserve into the DAC and into amplification. 

Posted on: 12 April 2016 by NickSeattle
Sutton, You originally asked if you could use the Digital-out. Using the Analog-out instead is more flexible, and no more difficult from a wiring perspective -- in fact, the latter is more forgiving of longer runs, if necessary. Nick
Posted on: 12 April 2016 by Sutton

Thanks Nick