naim muso....despite being 2 yrs old, still a commendable product?

I have a muso   I like it and use it as my main system because in my living room there just is not the ability to have speakers.  I also have a real system in another room.  There really is no comparison  The MUSO is nice but does not really come close to what most of us would consider high fidelity.  If you can fit speakers, looks like you are set source wise, I'd try and get a decent second hand integrated amp for $500 and a set of bookshelf speakers for say $800

Where are you located Canali?  I'm in Calgary and am currently trying to decide my next move; either upgrade or possibly simplify my life with a Muso.

We listen to Muso for TV and occasional streaming or iPod but not much else.  It is great for what it is once you get it to do what you want.  You can turn it up and fill a room.  It will complement your headphone rig and you can be happy with it.  My advice would be to get a UnitiQute2b.  B if you like bluetooth.   It also has FM which is a nice feature.  Or you can get the older S/H unit without Bluetooth.  Bluetooth is better than you think with Naim.  With the right speakers it will rock the house in stereo.  My son has this rig ( with Blumenstein Audio speakers) and I can vouch for it.  

$1300 for a 2 y/o Muso sounds a little steep to me.  I have seen them for 25% off new on occasion from dealers.

I recently responded to the Comments section of a Naim survey about it by saying "At $599 (US) the Muso would be a 'must buy,' at $999 it could be a good value for certain customers, but at $1499 it is outrageously overpriced."  While some (many?) might argue, I stand by that opinion.  While the Muso does many wonderful and convenient things, the sound quality just does not match the price, in my view.  I bought mine for the kitchen table where I just don't have room for separates: its sleek lines and low height keep it from being intrusive.  It will play loud, and with some music the quality is more than acceptable.  Still, if you have the room, a system of say the new AudioEngine powered speakers coupled to an Auralic Mini would give you the same basic feature set (network streaming, Internet radio, USB,  iOS control app, etc.) at a much lower price with much improved overall sound quality.  Again, in my opinion.

Since you already have sorted out your Dac + Source (computer), you have the opportunity to get the thing which is Naims core competence: a world class amplifier.

All you need is a good s/h or ex-demo Nait (or indeed a UQ). Pair it with some speakers and for the same money you outperform the Muso by at least 400%.

I would do it again for the same needs. Separates are out of the question in the locations we have our MuSos and QB.

thanks, guys for your imput....decisions....

If you have the space I personally would go UQ2 and speakers if it's your main source of music.  I think Muso is great as a second system in a bedroom or kitchen or your only interested in background music but a Qute will kill it for real listening 

dayjay posted:

If you have the space I personally would go UQ2 and speakers if it's your main source of music.  I think Muso is great as a second system in a bedroom or kitchen or your only interested in background music but a Qute will kill it for real listening 

Well ya.  But qute and speakers is not gonna be 1300.  Dollars, pounds, quid or lira.  Ok, maybe lira

I use my QB in my garage and have also used it in the kitchen.
It is an amazing sound for the size and price but, as others have said, only you can tell if you'd be happy to use it as a separates system.
I love my QB and friends who hear it cannot believe their ears. Several are considering buying one as a "main system" in their own homes but, they are not coming the position of having previously owned a top-end hi-fi.

You really should if at all possible, go and have a listen for yourself.

"so would you guys would bought the naim muso (or qb) and do it all over again...or buy separates?"

They are very different propositions. Even non seperates of the same overal cost as the muso can outperform it by quite a bit. But that is not really the point. If you only have enough space for the footprint of a muso or a qb then there is not a lot that can touch them for performance in that footprint and price point. But if you can accomodate stereo speakers and position them reasonably well then there isn't much point looking at the muso range. And the more expensive Uniti Qute2 and a budget pair of speakers can simply blow it out of the water.

Honestly, if it was about space and I needed something elegent to put music in a dining room I'd snap up a muso in a heartbeat.

If it was simply about sound for the money, I'd spend the same retail amount as a muso on something like a NAD streamer, integrated, small speakers and twist the dealer's arm for a good deal on speaker stands. If I could get a deal on a Uniti range item for the same money, even better.

Being fortunate enough to own both Muso and UQ2, my opinion is that I would not choose the former as my only system, particularly for the sitting room, were there any other affordable option. The Muso, as others have said, is a great bit of kit for background music and soundbar duties, but serious hifi it is not. The UQ, on the other hand, teamed with reasonable (not necessarily expensive) bookshelf speakers will always outperform it. 

As ever, you pays your money.........!

GregU posted:

dayjay posted:

If you have the space I personally would go UQ2 and speakers if it's your main source of music.  I think Muso is great as a second system in a bedroom or kitchen or your only interested in background music but a Qute will kill it for real listening 

Well ya.  But qute and speakers is not gonna be 1300.  Dollars, pounds, quid or lira.  Ok, maybe lira

It might be if you buy used, there are some bargains about and I would guess there may be more as the new devices arrive.

Auralic Aries Mini (includes 1 year free subscription to Tidal HiFi), $499 US

AudioEngine A5+, $399

You do the math.  There's also a Naim-like upgrade path with a linear power supply for the Mini @ $269, and the ability to add a hard drive internally making the unit essentially an all-in-one player: DAC, streamer, USB input, Internet radio, and NAS.  

Sorted.  IF you have the room.

Timmo1341 posted:

Being fortunate enough to own both Muso and UQ2, my opinion is that I would not choose the former as my only system, particularly for the sitting room, were there any other affordable option. The Muso, as others have said, is a great bit of kit for background music and soundbar duties, but serious hifi it is not. The UQ, on the other hand, teamed with reasonable (not necessarily expensive) bookshelf speakers will always outperform it. 

I have the MuSo and my son has the UQ2b (with Blumenstein Thrashers now upgraded and more expensive).    The MuSo is the perfect soundbar and third Naim system.  I could shed all three Naim systems I have and live happily with the UQ2b system my son has.    (The UQ2b also has FM which would upgrade my MuSo to get.)   The UQ2b plus speakers and cable does cost 2 1/2 x what the MuSo does.    The UQ2b system could not fit comfortably in my TV room and the MuSo sounds perfect in this small room.  

The best thing about Naim, besides the sound, in my opinion, is the incremental upgrade path and the benefit of the journey.  

The products last and sound great.  My best friend just bought a Nait2 Olive on Audiogon and could not be happier.

The benefit is tangible and substantial at every turn, and the secondary market is robust.   Naim has a lot in common with Porsche in my opinion.  

Just buy the nicest you can afford and enjoy it, and upgrade as you can.