New kit - All-in-One vs Separates ??

Hi and seasons greetings etc. 

I think you need to answer 2 questions - how much space do I have and budget?

I personally have never been unduly influenced by the direction the Industry is going in.  My preference has always been to enjoy to the fullest my vinyl and CD collection, and FM so have declined the streaming options.

But the one box solutions offer an increasingly viable option and although I haven't heard the new Uniti series I have been very impressed by the old series.  I can also see how having at least your digital collection available at the touch of a screen. 

Might something based around a N172 with matching NAP be a compromise. 

Good luck. 

Lindsay

Sounds like you're wedded to the Keilidhs.  I had a pair for many years but I think speakers have moved on a bit since then.  Budget allowing, it might be worth checking out different speakers while you're auditioning the Nova.

If you have an enormous CD and LP library I can imagine you appreciate the music and how it sounds. 

Of course - Naim all-in-one solutions are fantstic. But nothing really beats a decent pre-power combo.

I can imagine a set where you enjoy the best of CD and streaming and vinyl: n272 + nap 250 + CDX2 + some power supplies could be a good start.

Adam

Adam Zielinski posted:

I can imagine a set where you enjoy the best of CD and streaming and vinyl: n272 + nap 250 + CDX2 + some power supplies could be a good start.

Dear Adam, you mention 'a good start'. I know people who whill never be able to pay that money :-)

If I would bring in that gear in my house, I would be in serious trouble with my wife. You are without any shame telling the guy to bring in 5 boxes! And hey, the 555ps is prefered.

(all true, by the way)

I assume that having the Nova and Core as 'a good start', the option remains to add a Phono Stage and / or decent CD Player.

Ardbeg10y posted:

Adam Zielinski posted:

I can imagine a set where you enjoy the best of CD and streaming and vinyl: n272 + nap 250 + CDX2 + some power supplies could be a good start.

Dear Adam, you mention 'a good start'. I know people who whill never be able to pay that money :-)

If I would bring in that gear in my house, I would be in serious trouble with my wife. You are without any shame telling the guy to bring in 5 boxes! And hey, the 555ps is prefered.

(all true, by the way)

I assume that having the Nova and Core as 'a good start', the option remains to add a Phono Stage and / or decent CD Player.

That is why I used a word 'could' implying a hypothetical possibility.

Without a known budget I thought I might as well start from the high C

A word on Core - it needs a full system to be useful - at least a dac and an amp. So I'm not sure this would fit the bill here.

Perhaps Uniti Star? It will be a one box solution, which will also rip the CDs.

ynwa250505 posted:

Having emigrated to Canada last year...

Good move

You don't really need the Core, as the Nova can rip your CDs from an external USB drive, saving them to a storage device of your choice.

There, just saved you $3500 (well minus the cost of the USB drive and storage)

Jan

Some people start , is some peoples end  so depending on the budget and box count you need to wait till to thar you can compare new line with a 272 based system.

Nova seems like a perfect solution on paper, we will see the SQ!

FWIW

I have a Qute sometime added my Nap150x 

Nice gear, one could get used to the sound and Keilidhs will fit in.

But performance of good separates, SuperNaits etc. Is indeed better

I'd be surpriced if new range Uniti changes that fundamentally

OP could even get a Brio amp making instant affordable vinyl listening possible 

I would suggest that you should audition the new range when available against a 272 based system obviously budget and box numbers will play a part of this, your dealer will also be able to demonstrate the streaming qualities of such systems this could negate your need for a CD player,

Just take your time and have fun on which ever route you take.

Noogle posted:

Sounds like you're wedded to the Keilidhs.  I had a pair for many years but I think speakers have moved on a bit since then.  Budget allowing, it might be worth checking out different speakers while you're auditioning the Nova.

+1.  I had the same speakers and bases. It was difficult to part with them as I'd had them many years and linked the look of them. I had to spend more $$$ than expected to make the replacement worthwhile but I'm very glad that I made the switch as the outcome was a significant improvement.

Hi everyone,

Many thanks for the responses - it is much appreciated and makes interesting reading - rather than respond (where a response is warranted) separately, I have collated a number of responses below;

The Strat(Fender):

Space is not an issue - here in Western Canada, most properties have basements (for recreational purposes) and my basement is cavernous and the Fraim needs to be filled anyway. Budget is more difficult (surprise surprise). I was thinking around £5/6k, but have now reconciled myself to more - but exactly how much more is still not clear - there is a point at which expenditure exceeds the ability of my ears to appreciate the outcome. However, my previous kit lasted 20 years (I bought it in 1995) and was still sounding great when I sold it, so an increased budget amortised over a lengthy period, allied to the pleasure it gives me, is probably a good investment. I think my point of diminishing returns will be around £10k. Or it better be!

Noogle:

Yes, it is fair to say that I am emotionally attached to the Keilidhs - I haven't explored other options as I was so satisfied with them. Can you tell me; what persuaded you to abandon the Keilidhs and what other speakers did you consider and why?

Adam Zielinski:

That's definitely a high-powered suggestion! However, I was planning to abandon playing CDs, (though I'll still buy them), and simply rip everything, so the CD player would be replaced by some form of NAS - the Core, I am thinking ...

Yes, the Core alone won't do much - hence the Core + Nova.

The Star certainly has a serious amount of functionality - but is there too much for a single box? I don't know - not heard the SQ. Hence, again, the Core + Nova provides some separation and all the functionality that I am looking for - but again, not yet heard the SQ ...

Jan-Erik Nordoen:

Yes, great move! Fantastic skiing, biking, golfing et al. I can't see where the Nova has a ripping capability. Yes, it will accept ripped files from USB & SD, but I had presumed they would be ripped on a PC - so I included the Core for ripping & storage. Have I missed something?

Thanks again everybody ...

Hi,

From the What HiFi website ; I've underlined the relevant bit :

While the Uniti Star has a built-in CD-ROM drive for ripping and playback, the Atom and Nova offer the option of plugging in an external USB CD-ROM drive and using that to rip to an external hard drive connected via the other USB socket. The Star and Nova have the added benefit of a SD card slot.

Jan

Noogle posted:

Sounds like you're wedded to the Keilidhs.  I had a pair for many years but I think speakers have moved on a bit since then.  Budget allowing, it might be worth checking out different speakers while you're auditioning the Nova.

Yes, it is fair to say that I am emotionally attached to the Keilidhs - I haven't explored other options as I was so satisfied with them. Can you tell me; what persuaded you to abandon the Keilidhs and what other speakers did you consider and why?

@ynwa250505 it looks like Noogle has not yet been in a position to reply to your question so I'll jump in with my 2 cents.

Our Keilidh speakers were changed as part of a once in many years, upgrade from a legacy Linn system to a new 272, XPS, 250. Not so good sibilance was the first reason for changing them. They were first generation with the supposedly not so good tweeter. I considered fitting new tweeters but after reading conflicting reports on how effective this was, decided to buy new speakers. Auditioning revealed what I like to describe as improved articulation. It was much easier to understand the words being sung and bass was better defined too.

It wasn't so much that our Keilidh speakers did a bad job, but to our ears, others could be better. 

While I agree with those saying speakers have moved on and improved. I still have a soft spot for the Kabers and their little brother the Keiledh's. You could still certainly build a nice system around them. Many fond hours listening to the Kabers for me..

My son has a UnitiQute2b in his dorm and it sounds great with a pair of Blumenstein Audio Thrasher speakers.    He streams music from his laptop.   My 500 system lacks only a DR of the 552 to be complete, and it sounds great, but I could happily live with the UQ2b.   I am sure the new Core, etc. are an uptick from the UQ2b.  

With the passing of Christmas this year, and I happier than ever with the sound of my CD's and vinyl.  Given the rapid progress with digital streaming, I am going to hold off taking up streaming in a serious way for a while longer. 

I bought my former 300 from a Naim guru who was using an original Qute to drive the 300 through a pair of nSats, so there are many combinations that sound good in the Naim world.