System Advice Needed

It could be that a £300 turntable isn’t really up to the task of playing nicely with a Unitilite and a £2,000 power amp. 

Whe I upgraded to a 250DR a colleague was interested in my NAP200 (non DR) and tried it at home, pairing it with his Uniti.

He decided not to buy, feeling that the poweramp was too good for the Uniti and it upset the balance.  He could hear that the NAP200 was better but found the Uniti on its own to be more musically satisfying.  It’s possible you are finding the same as the Uniti is more capable than the Unitilite.

It is suprising that the non hifi version of Tidal is improved though. I don’t find the hifi version of Tidal particularly good through my Naim streamer and streaming lossy Tidal is going to be worse.

TK - when you listen to Vinyl was the volume set at broadly the same level as for digital and has that changed with the NAP200 in place?

Regards,

Lindsay

Please do not take any notice of the buying hi-fi advice...it is mostly all in jest !!

Lindsay,

Before the NAP, I would listen to the digital at around 25 and the vinyl at around 40.

With the NAP, I would say digital still 25 and vinyl 35.

Mike

TK421 posted:

Yesterday I added a 2012 NAP200 (non DR) to my system (see profile) which I purchased used from a dealer in Scotland. I was so excited to be getting my second black box words can't describe.

Now I must point out that I had never heard the combination, let alone a home demo. Anyway, got it all connected and switched on. Firstly, I noticed the NAP200 humming (not through the speakers) but I wasn't prepared for this and was a little surprised.

Previously without the NAP there was no doubt that the vinyl produced a more vibrant and pleasing sound than the streaming of Tidal (£9.99 p/m version), which to me always seemed flat in comparison.

24 hours on and the streaming of Tidal has definitely overtaken the vinyl. Tidal no longer sounds flat anything but.

Have I broken my system? or have I just upset the balance I previously enjoyed?

I have read with great interest the post on 'Tips for buying Hi-Fi' especially as money burns a hole in my pocket!

Do I need an old fruit box to restore the balance?

So, just to be clear.....both vinyl and streaming sound better with the NAP 200 in place ?

But the improvement in vinyl is not as big as the improvement in streaming ? And you are now really enjoying the streaming ?

I guess I am confused.

I did speak in person to the dealer in Cardiff from whom I purchased the speakers and the TT (at different times) and he told me without any hesitation that adding a NAP200 would make a HUGE difference.

I appreciate that it may take a few days for it to warm up but so far I wouldn't say that I can hear a huge difference other than that which I have previously described.

Perhaps my TT is just not up to the job any longer. The vinyl doesn't sound worse it just hasn't changed.

Also, I am pleased that the streaming has gone up a notch.

It's my fault as I really should have auditioned in the first place. A lesson learnt.

Don,

I think vinyl remains the same as before, but the streaming has definitely improved - vocals are clearer and the bass is tighter.

Yes I am enjoying the streaming.

Mike

Usually the best way round when it comes to upgrades is source and pre amp before power amp perhaps what you are hearing is the unitilite relieved of power amp duties sounding better as a lone pre/streamer.