NDX > Uniti2 now what?
Posted by: spurrier sucks on 11 March 2017
ive recently acquired a s/h NDX and have it connected to my Uniti2. I'm still a bit shocked by the improved sq. it's a much fuller sound from the NDX to keep it simple. My question is what next? With the Uniti line getting an overhaul it is expected that the classic series will as well I assume. Since my U2 basically has no value s/h now I'm looking for some advice. What would you do? Keep the NDX/U2 and pick up a s/h SN2 or just keep the U2. Wait for the classic line overhaul and enjoy the NDX for now? Sell the NDX off, keep the U2 and wait for the new classic line? I know there is no right answer I'm just curious about opinions.
why new classic line ?
Isn't the actual ,great? In a sense it has been revised ,see new PSU's tech.
Massive leap forward in sound
Not perhaps complete classic line e.g. SN was just revamped. However, I would not be surprised for renewed NDX in the near future…
keep the NDX and U2, and then enjoy the music. New classic line? I doubt that very much. 250 DR and SN2 are new products, Naim don't change unless there is something substantial to improve. And then some keep saying the older olive and CB sounded more Naim like to them... see what I mean?
Source first, as you can hear. Doing nothing is the best option sometimes.
Oh - but do you use NACA 5 ? those Naim plugs are quite tricky and I've got the polarity wrong on the amp side many times, and then it sounds off to me.
An approach by quite a few people has been to use a Hugo with the NDX, effectively replacing its DAC, even though it does mean redundancy of the DAC in the NDX. It may be worth auditioning the Hugo, as it seems that a majority of the people who have reported trying it seem to prefer it, though not all.
If you did that, a logical thing to consider as a further step might be a Uniti Core, which could feed the DAC direct, then replacing the NDX entirely - but personally I would wait to do that latter step as it seems from some of the discussions on tnis forum that the Core has some teething problems, and it may be better to let it all get ironed out first, and assess what others think. If not a Core, there are other rendering stores (Melco, Innuos Zenith, and some other more 'DIY' ones that require a bit more setting up but can achieve as good for less) which all have the advantage of avoiding streaming music files across a network in a main music replay system.
My guess is that the next new Classic series boxes we'll see will be streamers based on the new platform we've seen on the Uniti range. As you've already got an NDX, I'd replace the Uniti with a better amp, then you will begin to discover just how good your new streamer really is. A Supernait would be a good step in that direction.
Budget? I would get dedicated amplification. Anything from a Nait XS upwards.
Good luck.
Lindsay
analogmusic posted:keep the NDX and U2, and then enjoy the music. New classic line? I doubt that very much. 250 DR and SN2 are new products, Naim don't change unless there is something substantial to improve. And then some keep saying the older olive and CB sounded more Naim like to them... see what I mean?
Source first, as you can hear. Doing nothing is the best option sometimes.
Oh - but do you use NACA 5 ? those Naim plugs are quite tricky and I've got the polarity wrong on the amp side many times, and then it sounds off to me.
I do have NACA5 and a Powerline. I've taken that off the U2 and put on the NDX for now.
Seems like im good with the U2 for now until I can pick up a SN2. I then have the option of adding a DAC to the NDX if I want a different presentation from that later. Seems like it's all good then except for the waiting. Plus I'll have a U2 for the bedroom or another room in the future I guess.
The Strat (Fender) posted:Budget? I would get dedicated amplification. Anything from a Nait XS upwards.
Good luck.
Lindsay
I had a budget of trade the U2 for SN2 but didn't take into account the value or lack of value for my U2. Think I'll wait on a s/h SN2 or possibly a NAP 200 to add to the U2 then a NAC 202 later.
SS,
You have the beginning of a nice two-zone setup there. That's what I did -- but my Zone2 only has a UQ2 versus your better Uniti2.
My findings align with yours -- the NDX into my UQ2 demonstrates clearly the superiority of the NDX, and reveals unexpected untapped potential of the UQ2 as an integrated amp.
I'd keep both, and add a SN1 (for its buffered Tape Out) to Zone1.
The new stuff looks great; but it is hard to beat the older gear for VFM. And the performance is as "wow" as it ever was.
Nick