upgrade to 24bit/192kHz - worth it?
Posted by: Mrs Wogan's lemon drizzle cake on 16 April 2016
Howdy y'all
Im toying with the idea of upgrading my uniti for Spotify compatibility, although i'm thinking it may be a better idea to just upgrade to a more recent system, such as a unitilite.
I guess my question is will my uniti (upgraded) still be supported in terms of firmware updates for the foreseeable? Does the upgrade bring any other goodies in terms of system performance? Also what's the current price for an upgrade? I'm quite handy with the old tech working in IT, so could this upgrade be done myself?
Thanks, and have a good weekend.
I heard the uniti 24bit/192kHz using 24bit/192kHz content and it is great. However how much 24bit/192kHz do you have or will have? For me only maybe 5% of my content is 24bit/192kHz.
Naim have a great reputation for supporting older products so I would not worry too much.
Maybe look at a super uniti or a super nait2 for an upgrade but what you have is great too!
5%, wow. Of my 2,581 albums (Minimserver tells you how many) I have 14 192k albums, which is 0.5%.
I certainly wouldn't get the upgrade board just to get Spotify, which sounds pretty dire through the Hifi, but is ok for casual listening.
I believe the original Uniti can have its firmware updated and could then run Tidal, which sounds a lot better, without needing to change the board, though I might be wrong.
If that is not enough of a change, I'd be inclined to sell the Uniti and buy a new Uniti2 or SuperUniti, both of which are significantly better than the original Uniti.
Mrs Wogan's lemon drizzle cake posted:Also what's the current price for an upgrade? I'm quite handy with the old tech working in IT, so could this upgrade be done myself?
You will have to ask your dealer for a price for the upgrade. I don't think Naim will quote direct and the Uniti will have to go back to Naim via a dealer. No you can't do it yourself. Apart from anything else, you won't be able to get hold of the parts or any instructions. Naim will put the latest firmware on it when they do the upgrade.
Best
David
I wouldn't upgrade for Spotify. 24/192 if you own or intend to own some older jazz records it's worthwhile, otherwise perhaps better to wait until you feel you want to upgrade to totally new hardware.
Perhaps (well probably) confusingly, the 24/192 hardware upgrade is needed to bring the original Uniti into the fold where it can integrate fully with other Naim streamers. It is not so much the likelihood of having many 24/192 source files on a UPnP server, but the processing power to participate in Multiroom, to get the BBC HLS iRadio streams, and full control from the Naim app.
As always, your personal choice will depend on how much you have, or are willing, to spend. Upgrading is going to cost you a whole lot less than a new Uniti although bear in mind that Naim will want to refurbish as well as upgrade. There might well be some components, capacitors etc, they will want to replace. This means that the final quote might only come once they get round to inspecting your Uniti. There might also be the option, if needed, for having the front USB input processing upgraded to take input from files stored on iPod Touch or iPhones, bypassing the DAC on the device.
Happy listening whatever you choose.
Roger
Can't comment on hi-res, but the24/192 board is definitely needed for integrated Spotify and Tidal. I have an original UnitiQute (no upgrade to the "3D" board) and I do get multi-room (as a client only; I have a SuperUniti in the living room). I have an Apple Express that I use as the wireless bridge and connected the optical out to a corresponding digital input which I labelled "AirPlay"...then from iPhone or iPad I can stream Spotify, Tidal, local content, etc. to the Qute. Spotify, in particular, sounds as good as is no nor cumbersome (as you must use the Spotify app for control either way). For my purposes it's great and the urge to upgrade the board is easily ignored in the chase for other toys.
Regards alan
Thanks for the replies chaps. Exactly 0% of my music is in 24bit/192kHz. it was really for Spotify. I'm still happy with my uniti, the main problem i have is with the crap acoustics in the kitchen/dinner, so uber high quality recordings may be a bit lost on my setup anyway.
I actually like listening to random jamaican dub iRadio stations, most of which are of dubious sound quality. i guess i was wondering if the new hardware would speed up things like changing stations and other ancillary stuff. Would be interested to know why new hardware is needed for spotify.
As mentioned, the 24/192 board gives the processor support use by Naim to implement these other features and includes Spotify - but Spotify Connect. You still need a Spotify app as a control point and select the Uniti as an available device to play on.
Roger
I cannot find the info in the web at the moment, but it is said that overal performance is increased, too. For example scrolling through a list, or quicker reaction to network events (like finding the servers). But I do not know how big the difference is. Also the sound quality is said to be enhanced, even with normal music data (like 44.1/16).
If you will do the upgrade, please tell me what you then think about the result, if it is worth the price. I think about upgrading my uniti, too.
Greetings
Gert
Hi Gert, i'm interested in "overal performance is increased, too" if you could dig any info out that would be usful. I have a suspicion that the max "current" play queue will be upped from 250 to 500 tracks, this in order to match the size of a playlist. If that's the case it would be another bonus.
Cheers!
I now just have found this german (austrian) web page:
http://sempre-vita.at/24_Bit_1...nitiQute.id.2206.htm
This thread contains a report of an a/b comparison in sound quality