UnitiQute2 stutter using desktop Tidal/Spotify but not through Naim mobile app

Posted by: jscivias on 13 November 2017

Hi everyone,

I'm a Naim newbie who recently acquired UnitiQute 2. When I control Tidal/Spotify using the Naim mobile app I hardly ever get stutters and pauses, but when I use Tidal/Spotify desktop this happens so often, almost with every song. Does this have to do with bluetooth issues, or is it because my wifi is too slow? sometimes I see the wheel turning on my tidal app especially when I play a tidal master quality album.

When I control TIdal via Naim mobile app on my phone, is this not using bluetooth connection? is this why the connection rarely gives me issues whereas when I use the desktop... (a new macbook btw so I don't think it has to do with the computer?).

Thanks in advance for your help

Posted on: 13 November 2017 by ChrisSU

When you use Tidal in the Naim app, it plays directly over your network from router to streamer. The signal doesn’t travel via your phone, which is just a controller. This is not the case when you use the Tidal app and Bluetooth, which is not the most robust wireless connection, so it doesn’t surprise me that it stutters.

Posted on: 13 November 2017 by jscivias

Thanks Chrissu, that makes total sense - wasn't sure if the ethernet cable was doing its work. So the app is really just a remote... Wired is the way to go :-)

Posted on: 13 November 2017 by ChrisSU

Yes, a proper wired Ethernet connection is best. WiFi, when properly implemented, can also work well. Bluetooth is more limited, fine for hands free calls in the car, but that’s about it in my experience.