Naim Superuniti or Uniti 2?

Seattle posted:

Hi,

Since my last post, I've narrowed the field to the Superuniti and the Uniti 2. I would like to hear your comments on the key differences between the two units (ignoring the CD player)  and whether the Super is worth the additional price.

Thanks

 

 

which speakers?   SU has extra control/grunt

SU is a level up in all depts in my view, but you should demo with your speakers

I went from Uniti to SU and it was a huge improvement in my system - so it should be given that  the SU costs more and doesn't waste resources on an obsolete redundant CD player.

Of course as Andy says,  you do need to demo to ensure the extra cost is worth it to you.

I do think the SuperUniti is a big step up.

Oddly, for me, there isn't a huge difference between the Unitilite and the Uniti 2. Even the Unitiqute 2 holds its own pretty well. The biggest jump in quality is to the SU, which has more control, depth and rhythm . . . just better. However, the SU is quite 'forward' compared with the Uniti 2, so it does depend on what you like.

In the time-honoured Naim Forum tradition of answering a different question from the one asked, the NAP200/172xs is also worth auditioning, and to my mind/ears is better still.

The SU is much better, and worth the extra. 

Thanks, seems the SU is well worth the price. As for speakers, I am thinking of LS 3/5's with a JL sub-woofer. I am

lucky, as I can audition the SU/Uniti 2 in my home with the speakers. Not too familiar with the NAP 200/172, is it

a separate integrated amp and streamer? Also, help me understand the difference in the forward sound of

the Uniti 2 and the SU.

if I were you I would do the home audition first, without further forum input to influence your own judgement

I would vote for the SU, but the 172/200 is a good call too. The 172 is streamer + preamp and the 200 is a power amp. There are plenty of good (and some maybe not so good) used or ex-dem 200s around, since the introduction of the new 200DR, which could make this a very cost effective option if you don't mind having 2 boxes instead of one.

Andy, Good point. I will be auditioning the system tomorrow.

Test them both at home.

There one additional 'benefit' of using SuperUniti - it has a proper volume knob. 

Adam, I do like a volume control knob too.

The reasons I chose SU:

* Sound

* No CD player

* Volume knob - call me old fashioned

Adam , Thanks! I will audition the unit, along with a Uniti 2 and a Linn Majik DSM tomorrow.

I am looking forward to listening to the various units

Seattle posted:

Adam , Thanks! I will audition the unit, along with a Uniti 2 and a Linn Majik DSM tomorrow.

I am looking forward to listening to the various units

Please let us know your findings, love my SU 

Seattle posted:

Thanks, seems the SU is well worth the price. As for speakers, I am thinking of LS 3/5's with a JL sub-woofer.

 

I have a SuperUniti with LS3/5As in my second system.  There isn't much bass so adding a sub-woofer is probably worth trying.  But the midrange from the LS3/5As is really excellent and I love the sound I get.

best

David

Just out of curiosity, is the volume knob on the SuperUniti also loose (as it is on my Supernait)?

Ardbeg10y posted:

Just out of curiosity, is the volume knob on the SuperUniti also loose (as it is on my Supernait)?

Can you define 'loose'?

It works exactly the same on my SU, as it does on my SN2 and my 252.....

Adam Zielinski posted:

Ardbeg10y posted:

Just out of curiosity, is the volume knob on the SuperUniti also loose (as it is on my Supernait)?

Can you define 'loose'?

It works exactly the same on my SU, as it does on my SN2 and my 252.....

And on my 272....

Same here, no difference compared to my SN1

Define loose: the balance knob is stiff, but the volume know seems to have a slight tolerance when I turn it. Feels like the first millimeter does nothing and then it really affects the volume.

Adam,

Have a look at the new NAC 172 streamer, it has a volume knob too

Ardbeg10y posted:

Define loose: the balance knob is stiff, but the volume know seems to have a slight tolerance when I turn it. Feels like the first millimeter does nothing and then it really affects the volume.

I think what you are describing is either "backlash" where the knob probably is loose on the shaft (you could check that yourself) or the minimum discrimination of the shaft encoder used to convert knob rotation to instructions to the digital volume control (the SN et al don't have that sort of volume control). I have a 272 and a SuperUniti and neither of them show any backlash, but you do have to rotate the knob a certain number of degrees (not many!) to get any reaction in the volume setting.

best

David

The audition of the three streamers is finished. I was able to hear the

Superuniti, Uniti 2 and Linn Majik DSM. It did not take long to rank the

three units. The Linn, to my ear, was thin almost gray in sound characteristics.

The Uniti 2 was a big step forward. Here the sound was fuller and richer. The Superuniti

was another step up. It had more grip and control along with having a wonderful presentation.

For those that can afford the Superuniti it is the best of the lot. However, the Uniti 2 is no slouch,

it is far superior in my opinion that the Linn unit. In the end it was an easy decision.

So did you place the order then Seattle?

I started my Naim path with a Uniti before moving to Superuniti as my next step and the difference was a big step up as you say. The SU had more ' grunt' but also a much richer feel to the sound.

Enjoy it when you get it!

I was also interested to hear your comments on the Majik. I didn't get the chance to listen to Linn when I was starting out, but once I was on the Naim path I wasn't interested in changing.

ChrisH posted:

So did you place the order then Seattle?

I started my Naim path with a Uniti before moving to Superuniti as my next step and the difference was a big step up as you say. The SU had more ' grunt' but also a much richer feel to the sound.

Enjoy it when you get it!

I was also interested to hear your comments on the Majik. I didn't get the chance to listen to Linn when I was starting out, but once I was on the Naim path I wasn't interested in changing.

I see you have a SN2/NDX combo now. How would you compare that to the SU? Is the jump from Initi to SU and SU to SN2/NDX about the same or not as bid of a jump?

thanks, John