Only using Qute as PreAmp??

Brubacca posted:

 I'm sure I'd love a Nac-N 172, but at $3,700 USD and even $2,000 used it is too much money for me. 

The 172 has just been discontinued, so keep an eye out for used ones, as prices may fall.

Brubacca posted:

I am basically using my Qute for its pre-amp section. I have external amps (not Naim) and external DAC (not Naim)

it seems silly to leave the Qute doing this long term. 

Should I look for a Older NAC (like a 112 and Flatcap?  Is the Qute doing much for me at this point?  Maybe Since my other gear is from another manufacturer it makes sense to look at a different Pre-amp. 

I don't say this to go against naim, but does it make sense to just have a Naim PreAmp in the system? I just can't afford the Naim gear I want.  I'm sure I'd love a Nac-N 172, but at $3,700 USD and even $2,000 used it is too much money for me. 

Desperately wanting to stay somewhat in the Naim family, but give me honest opinions please. My speakers would need at least a NAP200 which is not in the cards unless someone generous wanted to donate one to me. 

I agree it makes little sense leaving all other UQ facilities unused apart from preamp use

I have done the same and any separate Naim preamp/psu will perform better. allthough its a nice little box and a more exact volume showing than a simple potmeter

No doubt the UQ is OK, and it will perform better than many other brands out there, - its not the final solution.

As above, the 172 is discontinued, along with other entry level separates

It seems Naim are clearing up product portfolio

I assume recent discontinued products sold in low numbers and customers choice are directed against integrated or new Uniti solutions.

i would have thought it would be possible to try an older pre-amp (62? 72?) with little risk. You could move it on again with little or no loss if it didn't work out.

Hmmm

qute is a very cable unit

persinally I would use it with smaller speakers as a standalone

other naim preamps like 62 and 72 require a separate hi cap powe supply 

Actually since posting some things have changed a bit. I was looking at upgrading speakers that would not have worked with the Qute internal amps. Now I am looking at a pair of 96dB efficient speakers which I think will work nicely with the Qute Amplifier. So at that point I'll be using the pre/amp and amp section which makes me feel much better. 

Brubacca posted:

Actually since posting some things have changed a bit. I was looking at upgrading speakers that would not have worked with the Qute internal amps. Now I am looking at a pair of 96dB efficient speakers which I think will work nicely with the Qute Amplifier. So at that point I'll be using the pre/amp and amp section which makes me feel much better. 

Well it depend on room size and how high SPL you play ?

I have fine experience with 89-90+ db speakers in a smaller room but not rock high level

Room is 12ft x 18ft x 10ft ceiling. Normally not loud. 

Not living in UK so no idea how large these measurements are

1 foot (ft)  = 12 inches.

1 inch =  2.54 cm.

Brubacca posted:

Room is 12ft x 18ft x 10ft ceiling. Normally not loud. 

(For B-Lund, 3.66x5.5x3.05m)

But what is loud or not loud to one person may be different from how perceived by another, and what counts more is the sound  level of peaks not average - it doesn't take much of an amp with even the most inefficient of speakers to give reasonable average sound levels, but peaks may drive the amp into clipping and sound bad, or even damage the speakers. Also of consideration is not just the size of the room, but distance between speakers and listener, and how absorbing the room is.

96dB/W/m speakers are pretty efficient, and would theoretically require an amp output only one quarter the power of 90dB/W/m speakers for the same sound pressure level under the same listening conditions (room etc), and 1/8the the power of 87dB/W/m speakers.

I found an online peak spl calculator. Those 96dB efficient speakers would have a peak SPL of 107dB at my listening position. 

An an average peak listening level would be mid 80dB range. 

Theoretically my system will reach 107 dB at mynlistening position with just one speaker running, 110 if both are reproducing the same, plus a touch for room reflections. That is with an amp capable of 500W before clipping, and I when playing rock music very loud I have hit that point, or on some peaks on classical music played atbrealistic levels. The former might have an average level maybe 10-20 dB lower, and be both uncomfortable (and unwise) sitting at the listening position for any length of time  at that level, however for classical things with a wide dynamic range it is more likely to be achieved occasionall, the one notable ecording being the Talarc 24/96 recording of Tchaikovsky's 1812, when anything less than would hit that peak is quieter than I would normally want to play the rest of the piece.

in other words, whether 107 dB maximum peak at the listening position is adequate depends on your choice of music and listening preferences, but may very well be adequate for a lot of people. Of course, it all depends on how the amp and speakers are behaving in practice on those peaks...