Unitiqute Vs Unitiqute 2

I think you will find that they are the same power output. The UQ2 has the board that also allows it to handle 192kHz files but that also opened the way for all the more recent firmware functionality, e.g. Spotify and Tidal. You can pay for an upgrade to a UQ to add the board that gives you this UQ2 functionality but it's not a cheap modification and it's back to Salisbury to have it done so better to buy a UQ2 over a UQ. Bluetooth was added comparatively later, so only some UQ2s (maybe the last year or thereabouts of production) had Bluetooth and this can't be retrofitted. Unless you actually want to use the Bluetooth, the best value is probably a late UQ2 without Bluetooth.

best

David

I actually see unitiqutes on sale with 192 khz capability - it is a sticker on the back which specifies that. And the qute is cheaper than the qute2 by 300 to 400 dollars. So any real reason to buy the qute2 over qute.  BTW my main use for it is to play FLAC from my harddisk. I don't use services like spotify or even own a ipod/iphone etc.

If it's got the sticker, it will have been modified by Naim or one of its approved agents in markets outside the UK. You can also email Naim with the serial number and they can confirm when it was built and whether they have seen it since, but as you are obviously outside the UK, they probably wouldn't know which ones have been modified and which haven't.

I am not aware of any reason why you (with your intended use) should pay 400$ extra for a UQ2 over a modified UQ with the 192 board, but maybe someone else will confirm that when the Forum wakes up. E.g. @Richard Dane knows most things...

best

David

My buddy up the road has both UQ & UQ2, a quick call told me its hard to see any differences, the UQ2's firmware upgrade port is a mini-USB, the original UQ has a RS232,  I guess thats the obvious clue.     

The FM/DAB tuner module is changed to FM/DAB/DAB+, I guess that might be different with some overseas specs.   PCB changes which he says are important but hadn't a clue about – I looked up & see this all relates to the digital section has resulted in four-layer PCB & component changes.  

Outside whatever the changes are the UQ2 has a 32bit/192kHz Burr Brown DAC & can process all the usual file formats, WAV, FLAC, ALAC, MP3, AAC etc. over wireless or (better) ethernet from NAS, PC & Mac.   Also play iPod/pad/phone & USB from the front panel USB port.   

From what i read/hear some qute themselves were 192khz at the time of production. Below bulletin from Naim prior to the release of the qute2 indicates that (i think) :

https://www.naimaudio.com/news...o-streaming-products

BTW when was the qute2 released? So from 2012 any qute prior to the release of the qute2 should be 192 khz?

mike-b, thanks so much for your input. so is there a difference in the DAC chip between the qute and qute2?

vtpcnk posted:

mike-b, thanks so much for your input. so is there a difference in the DAC chip between the qute and qute2?

Sorry I really am not that familiar with UQ's to answer,  suggest you have a search around the forum & www.  I replied because I had read your post but was not expecting to contribute as I'm a UQ dumbo;  then as a coincidence I had someone who has one knock on my door & I asked him.

Mk1 qutes came in two revisons early ones 96khz later 192khz. Early 96 could be upgraded to 192 with a quick board change.

I have owned both Mk1 versions purchased from new. MK1 that's been upgraded will have a sticker on the back showing 192.

MK2 Qutes 192khz from the off then changed to Bluetooth versions

So 4 different models.

Also all Mk1 qutes have the rs232 ports but very early mk2 versions had an rs232 before the change to usb

so whats the difference between mk1 with 192 and mk2 without bluetooth but with rs232?

Different DAC, output wattage is 30 on all qutes. Only heard the mk2 but I would surprised if the difference between the mk1 192 and mk2 192 is that great.

PS the mk1 192 version sounds fantastic with the right speaker. 

Watch out though screens if left on will fail.

oh, u r supposed to switch the unit/screen off?

i thought with naim amps u left them on all the time?

and if i switch the screen off after every listen, wont the on/off switch fail over a period of time?

Most people set the unit to switch off the display after a while. Mine turns off after ten seconds. 

if i stop playing music on it, it reverts to showing the time. is this right?

or is there a way to switch off the display if inactive?

appreciate the insights.

You can tell it to go blank after a set time, or to switch to showing the time. You really want the display on as little as possible. It looks better anyway. 

ok thanks, i will try to set the settings to off after some time of inactivity.

HiFiman posted:

Different DAC, output wattage is 30 on all qutes. Only heard the mk2 but I would surprised if the difference between the mk1 192 and mk2 192 is that great.

PS the mk1 192 version sounds fantastic with the right speaker. 

Watch out though screens if left on will fail.

My UQ2 is on about 16 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year since early 2014 and the screen is always on. It's still going strong.