Regen vs Gustard vs Micro Rendu

ThatsNotMyNaim posted:

Mayor West posted:

I picked up a Gustard but haven't been able to have a proper listen yet unfortunately due to work commitments. Although you suggest connecting via optical I've read a few times that coax sounds better on Hugo. 

Did you have chance to try the Gustard? Interested in your thoughts. 

 

Cheers

Adam

Hi Adam, I've been really bogged down with various commitments so still haven't been able to give it a proper trial but I'm hoping to this week.

Your findings are interesting and seem to tally with others. Which cables did you use to connect the Gustard to the Hugo? 

Hello Mayor,

No problem. Do let me know what you think generally when you get time. If you have any experience of other SPDIF formats into the Hugo / DAC also by comparison that would be interesting to hear.

Innuous Zenith > Supra 2.0 USB cable (I've tried many, cheap and expensive, and this is the nicest/most natural for me) > Gustard U12 > Stock Hugo optical > Hugo.

I also tried the Chord Silver Plus which is popular hear but I find it bright/jangly/over detailed.

I'm tempted on more expensive convertors now or even NDX.

Cheers

Adam

Missed this thread till now, so several observations based on what's been said by others:

• I believe Hugo's electrical spdif input is better quality than optical (IIRC that's the view of its designer)
• ND5XS alternative: I found HUgo in place of the ND5XS sounded better (ND5 as renderer), and Audirvana on Mac Mini via Gustard to be better still, so it would be a backwards step,in SQ.i
• I believe HugoTT and Dave have RF filterering on their USB inputs, not just galvanicIsolation.
• I understand Melco doesn't need an isolator between it and Hugo, and it is a good one-box solution, though I note that option has passed at this point.

You said you'd abandoned Audirvana on an iMac. Trying to understand whatbthe difference may have been from what I understand to be the optimum approach, both for my own interest and for others considering things, can I ask: Did you use Audirvana in optimised mod? Did you use usb rather than spdif, which uses the Mac's soundcard? And if so was it dedicating a usb bus? And if you used USB did you use an isolator inline to the Hugo to remove the electrical/rf noise from the computer (essential with Hugo)? I'm not familiar with the iMac, but only with Mac Mini. MM can be run headless, with no monitor and bluetooth turned off, which prevents them having adverse effect.

Noting comments such as the one asking what all these names are and instead naming a variety of Naim names, many of these matters have  been much discussed on these forums. If you're remotely interested in knowing about alternatives that many say offer better sound quality and value for money if requiring more knowledge and a setting up,than a one-box solution, then It is there to find across this forum. Of course if your minds are closed it would seem to that threads like this are probably not worth the time it takes to read.

Innocent Bystander posted:

Missed this thread till now, so several observations based on what's been said by others:

• I believe Hugo's electrical spdif input is better quality than optical (IIRC that's the view of its designer)
• ND5XS alternative: I found HUgo in place of the ND5XS sounded better (ND5 as renderer), and Audirvana on Mac Mini via Gustard to be better still, so it would be a backwards step,in SQ.i
• I believe HugoTT and Dave have RF filterering on their USB inputs, not just galvanicIsolation.
• I understand Melco doesn't need an isolator between it and Hugo, and it is a good one-box solution, though I note that option has passed at this point.

 

You said you'd abandoned Audirvana on an iMac. Trying to understand whatbthe difference may have been from what I understand to be the optimum approach, both for my own interest and for others considering things, can I ask: Did you use Audirvana in optimised mod? Did you use usb rather than spdif, which uses the Mac's soundcard? And if so was it dedicating a usb bus? And if you used USB did you use an isolator inline to the Hugo to remove the electrical/rf noise from the computer (essential with Hugo)? I'm not familiar with the iMac, but only with Mac Mini. MM can be run headless, with no monitor and bluetooth turned off, which prevents them having adverse effect.

Noting comments such as the one asking what all these names are and instead naming a variety of Naim names, many of these matters have  been much discussed on these forums. If you're remotely interested in knowing about alternatives that many say offer better sound quality and value for money if requiring more knowledge and a setting up,than a one-box solution, then It is there to find across this forum. Of course if your minds are closed it would seem to that threads like this are probably not worth the time it takes to read.

 

I'm not listening to other people anymore! Unless they are positive. Because I've found a brilliant place today.

When I used iMac i tried the following all with Audivarna (WAV lib):

Imac > Optical > Hugo

Imac > USB (Lots of different ones) > Hugo

I have dumped the iMac completely for an Innuos Zenith. This is MUCH better. Flaweless seemingly. I plugged the Mac back in earlier and that confirmed it immediately. Never again. Although an optimised Mac Mini might be better, the Zenith has triple linear power supplies, isolated ultra low noise ports etc etc. And you can hear the difference easily. Graceful sound.

The latest addition of the Gustard U12 has taken it to the next level. Absolutely bliss sound. Not an ounce of distortion or sibilance. Utterly wonderful. I've now finally managed to get the TP cap off of the Nait XS2 and don't miss it one bit. Infact I love the vare XS2 now. I'm going to SN2 now I have the front end in order.

I wouldn't be so sure about the M+lco until testing it. The Zenith is technically superior and it does one hundred percent still benefit from SPDIF conversion. The M+lco does not state zero noise. Ultra low. The same as the Innuos. So while it's low, it's not zero. 

An SPDIF potentially reduces that further. At least this is the best sound I've heard to date. It's quite brilliant actually.

I think there might be better SPDIF options though. TP? Stello? NDX/NDS.

Omitted to add: 

I am under the impression that most people who have compared and reported on this forum seem to think the Hugo improves the NDX - i.e. It as a better DAC. IF you use another renderer such as Melco with Hugo then a) you don't pay for a redundant DAC, b) at least with Melco the music store is in the sme place as the renderer, so the music files need not be streamed  across a network with attendant potential for problems (and no NAS is needed as primary music store), and c) again at least with Melco no additional box is needed between it and Hugo. I don't know if the Zenith is equivalent to Melco, nor how other potentially similar store-renderers compare, but when I used Hugo my Mac Mini needed only one additional device between it and the Hugo to isolate the noise (I used a Gustard U12 and was very happy with it). Some of the talk on here suggests it is rather more boxes and complexity! (N.B. GUstard not needed into the more expensive Hugo TT which has isolated usb input)

i did once do a cursory comparison of my specific MM/Audiv/Gustard setup with the Melco N1A, and there were no immediately obvious differences. (System was Chord Dave into Bryston 4Bsst2 inro PMC Fact 12) - however it was only a short comparison so I can't say there weren't subtle differences -when my MM reaches end of life the Melco (or whatever then is eqiuivalent) is something I'd consider as an alternative.

ThatsNotMyNaim posted:

 

When I used iMac i tried the following all with Audivarna (WAV lib):

Imac > Optical > Hugo

Imac > USB (Lots of different ones) > Hugo

 

it sounds as if the limitations with that were i) optical uses the Mac's soundcard so limited to what it can do, and ii) A computer usb output to Hugo absolutely needs an isolator in line (fancy USB cables are pointless, as the noise comes from the computer). Also a dedicated device like a headless Mac Mini with everything optimised for best quality output is really the only way to go for it to be part of a hifi system, as opposed to "computer audio". 

This isn't trying to convert you as clearly you've moved to something else, but may be useful information for anyone else exploring here.

Innocent Bystander posted:

Omitted to add: 

I am under the impression that most people who have compared and reported on this forum seem to think the Hugo improves the NDX - i.e. It as a better DAC. IF you use another renderer such as Melco with Hugo then a) you don't pay for a redundant DAC, b) at least with Melco the music store is in the sme place as the renderer, so the music files need not be streamed  across a network with attendant potential for problems (and no NAS is needed as primary music store), and c) again at least with Melco no additional box is needed between it and Hugo. I don't know if the Zenith is equivalent to Melco, nor how other potentially similar store-renderers compare, but when I used Hugo my Mac Mini needed only one additional device between it and the Hugo to isolate the noise (I used a Gustard U12 and was very happy with it). Some of the talk on here suggests it is rather more boxes and complexity! (N.B. GUstard not needed into the more expensive Hugo TT which has isolated usb input)

i did once do a cursory comparison of my specific MM/Audiv/Gustard setup with the Melco N1A, and there were no immediately obvious differences. (System was Chord Dave into Bryston 4Bsst2 inro PMC Fact 12) - however it was only a short comparison so I can't say there weren't subtle differences -when my MM reaches end of life the Melco (or whatever then is eqiuivalent) is something I'd consider as an alternative.

The Zenith is the same as the Melco but higher spec basically (Better power suppliers and SSD). It's a relatively new product. Recently reviewed in hifi+. I don't know about the renderer side of things in the two units.

Try the Gustard and M+lco again though. The Zenith is meant to outperform the Melco (It's more expensive though so should do).

I would of done more investigation into the Melco but I'm here now and got a good price. The Gustard still makes a difference though Mac or Zenith regardless. 

Innocent Bystander posted:

ThatsNotMyNaim posted:

 

When I used iMac i tried the following all with Audivarna (WAV lib):

Imac > Optical > Hugo

Imac > USB (Lots of different ones) > Hugo

 

it sounds as if the limitations with that were i) optical uses the Mac's soundcard so limited to what it can do, and ii) A computer usb output to Hugo absolutely needs an isolator in line (fancy USB cables are pointless, as the noise comes from the computer). Also a dedicated device like a headless Mac Mini with everything optimised for best quality output is really the only way to go for it to be part of a hifi system, as opposed to "computer audio". 

This isn't trying to convert you as clearly you've moved to something else, but may be useful information for anyone else exploring here.

It's sound advice. I wish I had this knowledge when I started 6 months ago. I've come a long way! 

I'll probably end up with a TT and an NDX (or more expensive SPDIF convertor) ... but that's end game for me. I'm not far off.

The Regen/LPS are enroute. Only thing to try then is a MicroRendu.

Certainly worth trying the TT on Zenith , both with and without Gustard (or other). I auditioned TT against HUgo+Gustard with my MM/Audiv source and TT was better, though time precluded trying with the Gustard also before the TT.

As for MicroRendu, many of the reports suggest it is very good, though more attention needed like power supplies - if I were coming to it new now I'd certainly look into it, and Ihave been following the discussions with interest, not ruling it out as a possibility for the future.

My journey that started with ND5XS ended up with MM/Audiv into Dave, so far without Gustard, though some time I will get round to seeing whether the Gustard makes any difference. But I don't recommend listening to Dave unless you can stretch to it.

Innocent Bystander posted:

Certainly worth trying the TT on Zenith , both with and without Gustard (or other). I auditioned TT against HUgo+Gustard with my MM/Audiv source and TT was better, though time precluded trying with the Gustard also before the TT.

As for MicroRendu, many of the reports suggest it is very good, though more attention needed like power supplies - if I were coming to it new now I'd certainly look into it, and Ihave been following the discussions with interest, not ruling it out as a possibility for the future.

My journey that started with ND5XS ended up with MM/Audiv into Dave, so far without Gustard, though some time I will get round to seeing whether the Gustard makes any difference. But I don't recommend listening to Dave unless you can stretch to it.

 

Forget the DAVE. Ha. No chance for me.

Can I askt though, i have found with the Hugo in the system (replacing the Qute) there is a lot less bass / grunt / attack. 

Have you noticed any difference in beefiness as you've gone from Hugo to TT to Dave?

I only have an XS2 though. I am conisdering a SN2 and some beefier interconnects / speaker cables.

Funnily when I had a 2Qute+TP PSU and Chord Rumour budget cable I had loads of bass depth. Now I have Hugo and Odyssey I have a lot less bass.

Cheers

Adam

I can't say I noticed anything particular with the bass either when I was comparing DACs at a dealer through Bryston amp and Facr 12s, or at home through Bryston amp and PMC EB1i speakers, nor did I notice any deficiency in Hugo's bass compared to ND5XS when I first made that change, then through Musical Fidelity P270 and IMF RSPM speakers. All these speakers give full, deep bass, and the amps have plenty of grip on them and reserve power, so they should show up any real deficiencies of the source at that end. I don't know if speakers or amps with less capability in the bass might show up, say, a shift in the balance as a reduction in bass, or if more demand across the spectrum might somehow reduce the ability to articulate the bass.

what I did find with Dave was a remarkable increase in clarity and physical depth, to the extent that even as I've been writing this I've stopped a few times because the wow factor has drawn my attention away from the screen!  To me TT also had an increase in clarity over Hugo which togeth with some practical considerations would have been enough to sell it to me, though nowthing like Dave.

Cheers

Sounds like Dave's the one for you! Ha

Finding this thread hard to follow. The title is regen-vs-gustard-vs-micro-rendu. Not many comments regarding the latter.

OK, like the microRendu the Zenith has ethernet in, USB out. So they basically do the same thing. What about software? the mR has a number of output modes including Roon and SqueezeLite for those, like me, who are still addicted to the Squeezebox experience.

At least one reviewer claimed that he obtained equal or better sound quality with the mR vs the Melco. So it should be at least in the Zenith ballpark sound wise. As for user friendlyness, what software do you use to control the Zenith? For me that could be a deal maker/breaker for any potential Squeezebox replacement.

Iconoclast posted:

Finding this thread hard to follow. The title is regen-vs-gustard-vs-micro-rendu. Not many comments regarding the latter.

OK, like the microRendu the Zenith has ethernet in, USB out. So they basically do the same thing. What about software? the mR has a number of output modes including Roon and SqueezeLite for those, like me, who are still addicted to the Squeezebox experience.

At least one reviewer claimed that he obtained equal or better sound quality with the mR vs the Melco. So it should be at least in the Zenith ballpark sound wise. As for user friendlyness, what software do you use to control the Zenith? For me that could be a deal maker/breaker for any potential Squeezebox replacement.

That's probably my fault. I'm a bit erratic. On a big learning curve. I set it up get feedback between the three. Now I have ordered two of them (Regen/LPS and Gustard) to try myself so I am.posting feedback for what it may help.

The MR will work with the Zenith too (using the Zenith as a (very expensive) quiet NAS. Seems insane, but it is very quiet, compared to a Mac.

I use iPeng on an iPad to access and play my music stored on the Zenith. It's cheap (£6), easy to use, bug free. Quite happy with it. It could look a bit more modern, but it reads the files and plays ultra fast and has all the album.artwork and albums.organised well.

Cheers

ThatsNotMyNaim posted:

Iconoclast posted:

Finding this thread hard to follow. The title is regen-vs-gustard-vs-micro-rendu. Not many comments regarding the latter.

OK, like the microRendu the Zenith has ethernet in, USB out. So they basically do the same thing. What about software? the mR has a number of output modes including Roon and SqueezeLite for those, like me, who are still addicted to the Squeezebox experience.

At least one reviewer claimed that he obtained equal or better sound quality with the mR vs the Melco. So it should be at least in the Zenith ballpark sound wise. As for user friendlyness, what software do you use to control the Zenith? For me that could be a deal maker/breaker for any potential Squeezebox replacement.

That's probably my fault. I'm a bit erratic. On a big learning curve. I set it up get feedback between the three. Now I have ordered two of them (Regen/LPS and Gustard) to try myself so I am.posting feedback for what it may help.

The MR will work with the Zenith too (using the Zenith as a (very expensive) quiet NAS. Seems insane, but it is very quiet, compared to a Mac.

I use iPeng on an iPad to access and play my music stored on the Zenith. It's cheap (£6), easy to use, bug free. Quite happy with it. It could look a bit more modern, but it reads the files and plays ultra fast and has all the album.artwork and albums.organised well.

Cheers

Is this at all Naim related?

Adam Zielinski posted:

ThatsNotMyNaim posted:

Iconoclast posted:

Finding this thread hard to follow. The title is regen-vs-gustard-vs-micro-rendu. Not many comments regarding the latter.

OK, like the microRendu the Zenith has ethernet in, USB out. So they basically do the same thing. What about software? the mR has a number of output modes including Roon and SqueezeLite for those, like me, who are still addicted to the Squeezebox experience.

At least one reviewer claimed that he obtained equal or better sound quality with the mR vs the Melco. So it should be at least in the Zenith ballpark sound wise. As for user friendlyness, what software do you use to control the Zenith? For me that could be a deal maker/breaker for any potential Squeezebox replacement.

That's probably my fault. I'm a bit erratic. On a big learning curve. I set it up get feedback between the three. Now I have ordered two of them (Regen/LPS and Gustard) to try myself so I am.posting feedback for what it may help.

The MR will work with the Zenith too (using the Zenith as a (very expensive) quiet NAS. Seems insane, but it is very quiet, compared to a Mac.

I use iPeng on an iPad to access and play my music stored on the Zenith. It's cheap (£6), easy to use, bug free. Quite happy with it. It could look a bit more modern, but it reads the files and plays ultra fast and has all the album.artwork and albums.organised well.

Cheers

Is this at all Naim related?

The police are here! Yes it is actually.

Originally I bought a pair of Proacs, a Chord 2Qute and a Nait XS2. I paired this with my iMac. It sounded crap for the 4k I'd spent.

So I ended up trying lots of different cables, amps and dacs. Always coming back to the Nait mainly (but changing to Hugo also). Missing the rhythm of the Nait. Eventually I added an exotic cap to my Nait - that can't be mentioned here. That actually was a red herring. It smoothed things (and 'improved' some things) and made the distortion/sharpness less obvious. I thought it was the answer. It wasn't. As I had lost the Naim sound that I liked.

Experimentation (and advice) ending in what I consider now to be a clean, quality input has changed the outlook. (Cutting out the direct USB). 

This journey has ended with me reverting back to my bare Nait XS2 (and loving it) and now I am finally feeling confident to look into the Supernait 2 for more clout. And possibly an NDX. I now have a clean and clear sound free of digital hash and harshness. 

I win. Naim win. Satisfied?

Too much arrogance here at times.

ThatsNotMyNaim posted:

Hello Mayor,

No problem. Do let me know what you think generally when you get time. If you have any experience of other SPDIF formats into the Hugo / DAC also by comparison that would be interesting to hear.

Innuous Zenith > Supra 2.0 USB cable (I've tried many, cheap and expensive, and this is the nicest/most natural for me) > Gustard U12 > Stock Hugo optical > Hugo.

I also tried the Chord Silver Plus which is popular hear but I find it bright/jangly/over detailed.

I'm tempted on more expensive convertors now or even NDX.

Cheers

Adam

Thanks Adam, I'll report back. 

I've read a few times that coax is the better connection on Hugo so I'm tempted to give that a go but just unsure where to start with a decent coax cable. Unfortunately a stock one isn't supplied with the Hugo unlike optical.

I agree with you re: the sound of the Chord USB Silver Plus. 

NDX into Hugo does receive high praise,  however I think a more elegant solution could now be the new Uniti Core with its dedicated SPDIF out :-)

Mayor West posted:

ThatsNotMyNaim posted:

Hello Mayor,

No problem. Do let me know what you think generally when you get time. If you have any experience of other SPDIF formats into the Hugo / DAC also by comparison that would be interesting to hear.

Innuous Zenith > Supra 2.0 USB cable (I've tried many, cheap and expensive, and this is the nicest/most natural for me) > Gustard U12 > Stock Hugo optical > Hugo.

I also tried the Chord Silver Plus which is popular hear but I find it bright/jangly/over detailed.

I'm tempted on more expensive convertors now or even NDX.

Cheers

Adam

Thanks Adam, I'll report back. 

I've read a few times that coax is the better connection on Hugo so I'm tempted to give that a go but just unsure where to start with a decent coax cable. Unfortunately a stock one isn't supplied with the Hugo unlike optical.

I agree with you re: the sound of the Chord USB Silver Plus. 

NDX into Hugo does receive high praise,  however I think a more elegant solution could now be the new Uniti Core with its dedicated SPDIF out :-)

Hi Mayor,

I've got a Chord Shawline RCA RCA coax on order from an online store. Trial 60 days. However be careful with the Coax. Some don't fit and you need the adapter / extender that comes with your Hugo. Better to find one with a thin sleeve at the end (ie not bulky casing). They will fit. I'll report back when it arrives.

Thanks for the Uniti Core heads up! I've not even seen that. Head buried!

Cheers

Adam

ThatsNotMyNaim posted:

 

Too much arrogance here at times.

I'm certain the forum appreciates your self-criticism.

Adam Zielinski posted:

ThatsNotMyNaim posted:

 

Too much arrogance here at times.

I'm certain the forum appreciates your self-criticism.

Thank you for your valuable additions to the thread. Your advice and help is appreciated. I'll be certain to consult you in future. 

Some people on these forums really don't seem to like any suggestion that anything other than Naim might give better SQ, or similar but cheaper, and they do tend to show their arrogance, even sometimes getting abusive. Maybe they simply don't want to hear that they could have benefitted from doing something differently. 

Naim doesn't prohibit these discussions, and I am sure internally At least Naim would acknowledge that sometimes some products from other manufacturers may be better than theirs, of course resulting in scrutiny and consideration of their own direction of development- and it is even possible that Naim learns from these discussions to the future benefit of people wanting exclusively Naim. 

The people who Show their arrogance on here probably won't even recognise that they are arrogant, though as usual it is clear to others. Best thing is simply ignore it

I'm trying!

I'm sorted now anyway. And relatively box free.

The Gustard / server long term will be replaced by a Naim Uniti Core I think provding the SPDIF output on that matches or betters this little Gustard (£1700 vs £150 you hope so).  Meaning one less box.

That'll leave me at:

Uniti Core (WAVs) > DC1 Coax > Hugo > RCA DIN > XS2/SN2. 

I hope that's Naik enough for the Adolf's of this world.

Innocent Bystander posted:

Some people on these forums really don't seem to like any suggestion that anything other than Naim might give better SQ, or similar but cheaper, and they do tend to show their arrogance, even sometimes getting abusive. Maybe they simply don't want to hear that they could have benefitted from doing something differently. 

Naim doesn't prohibit these discussions, and I am sure internally At least Naim would acknowledge that sometimes some products from other manufacturers may be better than theirs, of course resulting in scrutiny and consideration of their own direction of development- and it is even possible that Naim learns from these discussions to the future benefit of people wanting exclusively Naim. 

The people who Show their arrogance on here probably won't even recognise that they are arrogant, though as usual it is clear to others. Best thing is simply ignore it

I agree. Owning one piece of Naim gear should be enough to post on this forum. If Naim were best at everything we wouldn't have mixed systems. Unfortunately they're not - at least within a given price range. I painfully realized that when I plugged a set of headphones into my newly bought Nait XS 2. Please take this as constructive criticism and not Naim bashing.

To me failure to recognize this is real arrogance and demonstrates a form of denial which will inevitably lead to the demise of ''the club'' as we know it. I've seen it happen on other forums where discussions where ''controlled'' to promote local audio dealers. Internet purchases, DIY, etc were quickly snuffed by moderators. That forum still exists but gets about 3 posts/day mostly from newbies who have the misfortune of stumbling upon it looking for advice or from a few brain dead followers asking if ''USB cables really make a difference''

Sorry to OP for the off topic rant.

ThatsNotMyNaim posted:

I'm trying!

I'm sorted now anyway. And relatively box free.

The Gustard / server long term will be replaced by a Naim Uniti Core I think provding the SPDIF output on that matches or betters this little Gustard (£1700 vs £150 you hope so).  Meaning one less box.

That'll leave me at:

Uniti Core (WAVs) > DC1 Coax > Hugo > RCA DIN > XS2/SN2. 

I hope that's Naik enough for the Adolf's of this world.

I have basically the same system as you: Nait XS 2, Proac 115, DAC with coax input only. I'm still looking at a microRendu + USB DAC or Gustard. Price aside the Uniti Core could be interesting in that it's a proper one box solution for source. Supposing that the sound meets expectations it would still need to equal or better the software experience of the microRendu.

PS - what other speakers did you audition before picking up the 118s? I was considering moving towards the 118s as they're supposedly better than the 115s. It's probably more of a lateral move but I might be tempted nonetheless...

Iconoclast posted:

ThatsNotMyNaim posted:

I'm trying!

I'm sorted now anyway. And relatively box free.

The Gustard / server long term will be replaced by a Naim Uniti Core I think provding the SPDIF output on that matches or betters this little Gustard (£1700 vs £150 you hope so).  Meaning one less box.

That'll leave me at:

Uniti Core (WAVs) > DC1 Coax > Hugo > RCA DIN > XS2/SN2. 

I hope that's Naik enough for the Adolf's of this world.

I have basically the same system as you: Nait XS 2, Proac 115, DAC with coax input only. I'm still looking at a microRendu + USB DAC or Gustard. Price aside the Uniti Core could be interesting in that it's a proper one box solution for source. Supposing that the sound meets expectations it would still need to equal or better the software experience of the microRendu.

If the Uniti Core sounds better than the Gustard + Zenith then both of those are going and I'll never bother with anything else for a long time. SPDIF BNC output from a high quality Naim product sounds like a dream. USB is not for me. I'm fed up trying. Never sounds natural. I've tried a lot of stuff. The Regen/LPS arrives soon but I'm not holding my breath. Wish I had of know about the Uniti Core 2 weeks ago. I wouldn't of bothered with the boxes. Clean box + SPDIF. Done.

I've emailed Naim about performance of Uniti Core > DAC vs the same but with an NDX sandwiched in the middle with DC1 cables either side. Be interesting to see what they say.