Confused by upgrade options...

Having owned UQ2 previously and currently using Bluesound Node2 in a second system, in your shoes I would look to upgrade the entire front end as putting in a better amp such as XS/2 may be a little wasted if you stick with AAM/Node2 as a streamer, both of which to me are only on a par with the streamer/DAC section of Qute.

I would lean towards SuperUniti. If you want to add more upgrade options later, then instead you could go for an XS amp with Elac Discovery which would be a good system and give you a sensible upgrade path to a very nice streamer-DAC later such as ND5XS2, if you felt the need.

Thanks. 

Star/Nova - See budget, even selling the qute these are way over. I don’t have cds anymore so star would be a waste too  

Re: Streamer. Does the actual streamer make a difference? Or is it purely the dac? If so, I’m hoping to get a second hand chord mojo/2cute/Hugo depending on availability/cost. 

Yes, the streamer makes a difference. I’d get to a dealer and try some options. Maybe the Node and a Chord against a Naim streamer, both with a Nait XS. You can read opinions on here until you are blue in the face and you really won’t be any the wiser. 

JME, Was there something about my suggestion of Focal Aria 926 that you didn't like?!

They'd make the most of your existing set in a 4x5m room imo.

Streamer does make a difference and I've found most DACs need a decent streaming source to achieve their best. Although it may limit upgrade options, a combined streamer DAC has benefits, not least getting rid of 'cable nervosa'. Quality of output from the source should be considered at least as important as the amp quality.

In this case, I don't see AAM/Bluesound Node 2 as any real upgrade from the Qute, even with a Mojo added. Elac Discovery to me should be a small but clear step up, and ND5XS or ND5XS2 would make a really nice system with any XS amp.

A SOTM SMS200/MicroRendu/Allo Digi1 with a Naim DACv1 would also make a very good quality streaming source, but with those transports can come 'power supply nervosa' so I would still lean towards either SuperUniti, or XS/2 amp and good streamer-DAC to get much from your current speakers than you hear right now..

Christopher_M posted:

JME, Was there something about my suggestion of Focal Aria 926 that you didn't like?!

They'd make the most of your existing set in a 4x5m room imo.

I’m not convinced a large £2,000 speaker on the end of the little Qute is a good idea. As JME has the 906, the 926 would simply be more of the same. It may be worth trying, though I suspect uncontrolled bass and more muddle might be the result. 

Thanks all. 

Completely missed the speaker recommendation tbh. It’s certainly worth a try, but as HH eludes to, might not solve my issue unless the amp can grab it by the unmentionables. Also Swmbo is unlikely to allow them in the lounge, although a similar footprint to 906, they are visually a lot more substantial. 

I’m going to try and hear some stuff this weekend to narrow down options. I could use qute as streamer only for a bit too.

thanks 

Actually, quick question if anyone knows. If using the uq as streamer only, can I still use it’s dac for the optical out of the tv? 

Yes. You can use all inputs of the Qute but not the volume control  

jme posted:

With fairly well produced music this sounds pretty good. When I move to anything fast paced it seems to get a bit muddied and lacks dynamics on passages I know well. I do like a bit of rock and metal from time to time and it seems to struggle with the pace.

'come on guys, you all know that a SuperNait 1 is a better candidate to bring dynamics in rock / metal music compared to the most shy XS.

Its a little less smooth than the XS, but who cares with rock? Not everyone is listening to string quartets all day ...

JME, its a little difficult. I really like the SN1 but I have it in a 45m2 room which is accoustically alive. Smoothness is part of my room. Smoothness is not something you can expect from a SN1 though a Hicap DR will improve it. Since your roomsize is about half the size of mine and packed with things, the XS might indeed be the right amp. Personally, I was and still am very happy with a simple streamer into the dac of my SN1. I mostly use it to listen to 17th century rock / metal music: the pipe organ.

Ardbeg10y posted:

......17th century rock / metal music: the pipe organ.

:-))))

Haha. Thanks again. Will try what I can and try and get an idea of the differences and then take a punt. 

I cant say I’m much clearer, well, maybe a little. However, from what everyone has said, I can’t see there being a ‘wrong’ decision, just without a proper demo it might no be the definite optimal choice for the room, but I can hopefully get either one sounding great with correct source/speaker choices. 

jme posted:

Thanks. 

Star/Nova - See budget, even selling the qute these are way over. I don’t have cds anymore so star would be a waste too  

Re: Streamer. Does the actual streamer make a difference? Or is it purely the dac? If so, I’m hoping to get a second hand chord mojo/2cute/Hugo depending on availability/cost. 

Really ? You say "I’m looking at s/h costs. SN is approx £1400 ish. XS2 approx £1300 ish and XS approx £800. " which add to £3500, which is around a  Stars cost.

You wouldn't need an external DAC, though you'd need a phono pre amp - Rega have highly regarded ones at ~£100 and £200 and of course there are others.  It'll save you space and from reviews the sound isn't a compromise compared with your suggested kit. Worth an audition if only to rule it out surely ?

Well yes, but he’s not actually intending to buy three amplifiers. 

Thanks. 

They are all separate integrated amps, so they aren’t in addition to each other. 

As noted near the top. I have two phono stages already so that isnt a requirement. 

I could demo though. 

hungryhalibut posted:

Well yes, but he’s not actually intending to buy three amplifiers. 

ah yes,  sorry, I'd  just spent 5 hours watching training material - brain fried, obviously didn't click out of idiot mode.  Still, 2 days to come without seeing a PowerPoint slide to recover...

TallGuy posted:

hungryhalibut posted:

Well yes, but he’s not actually intending to buy three amplifiers. 

ah yes,  sorry, I'd  just spent 5 hours watching training material - brain fried, obviously didn't click out of idiot mode.  Still, 2 days to come without seeing a PowerPoint slide to recover...

You have my simpathy. I tried to complete some idiotic courses this year, it relates strongly to the days I've been active most on this forum. Worst thing is computer voice over.

JME,

Any news with your proposed UQ2 upgrades? I’m curious as I too have a UnitiQute2, so also considering the many options. My thoughts are currently similar to your idea No 1). Although a variation on your No 4) is also an option I’d considered. To me, the following seem logical cost effective steps.

…UQ2 + NAP200. The UQ2 used as Pre / Streamer initially.
…NAC-N 272.2 + NAP200. The UQ2 sold or used elsewhere.
...NAC-N 272.2 + XPS + NAP200. Simple. Not too many boxes.

Ideas are in anticipation of the direction Naim take with their NAC-N range, so I’ll not be making any quick decisions. If the current 272 is the last NAC-N incarnation, then I’ll keep plans fluid, which will still be easy. Temporarily use the UQ2 as a source into a Supernait2 and then add an NDX2 as funds permit, or plunge for an NDX2 from the off and use that as a source into the UQ2. So many options only a dem will help clarify!

Just a couple of ideas rattling around my noggin. Please keep your thread updated with progress as it would be good to read how you move forward.

Yeti,

Thanks, will do. With so many options it’s difficult to know what direction to go in. 

It is, I think, even more difficult when funds require second hand purchases as it makes demo impossible unless you’re willing to take a chance and sell on. But, then you might buy something and be happy enough that you don’t try further options which might, for the money, be better. 

I called my nearest dealer but they didn’t have anything I wanted to listen to available. There is another dealer further away but I have a baby due in a couple of weeks so will have to hold fire for now. 

I do love the simplicity of one box, but two would also be fine. I am sorely tempted to pick up a pre Bluetooth superuniti and be done. I could even keep the qute and move it into my study with some iotas to replace a Nad D3020 I use with headphones.

Will let you know.

J

A tricky choice. With a pending new arrival (congratulations!) then the simplicity of a SuperUniti could just be the ideal choice for a couple of years while the new Naim streaming platform matures and develops. The SU prices on the secondhand market are now very tempting indeed. I'm sure your local dealers would quickly get on the case and look for minty examples. Personally I really value the Uniti Bluetooth option as I stream podcasts from iPhone / iPad (works flawlessly) as an alternative to music. A pre bluetooth SU is going to be cheaper though. In time, you could even add a NAP and start the SU system expansion that way. 

Agree re the UQ2. If funds permit, just hold on to it and use elsewhere. I’m quite the fan of this little box. It has to be one of the best bang for buck units Naim have made.

Likewise, I’ll be making secondhand purchases to move forward. As mentioned, more than likely secondhand NAP / SN2 first off, then a NAC-N or streamer to match. Lots to think about.

Certainly interesting to compare notes as there are so many options for UQ2 owners. 

Thought rather than create a new thread I’d just use this. 

Out of interest. If running a qute into nait as source. Can you just use one remote or do you need to use both nait remote to select qute then qute remote to select which source/input on qute? 

I suppose could use nait remote plus naim app too?

thanks. 

jme posted:

Thought rather than create a new thread I’d just use this. 

Out of interest. If running a qute into nait as source. Can you just use one remote or do you need to use both nait remote to select qute then qute remote to select which source/input on qute? 

I suppose could use nait remote plus naim app too?

thanks. 

With an integrated amp (or separate preamp) you would need to control volume etc. with its own remote. If it’s a long term option, you might consider a power amp instead of an integrated so that a single remote would do everything. 

If running a Uniti Qute as a source into a NAIT, you could either just set the UQ volume to a certain level and then control system volume from the NAIT.  Or, if you just want to have the one controller doing most all, you could connect the Qute into an input on the NAIT with Unity Gain enabled, thus bypassing the volume control on the NAIT. Volume control for that input would then be governed by the Qute. I'm not sure which would sound best, as I've never tried it myself, but could be interesting to experiment.

Thanks, much appreciated. 

Yes, I wondered about the latter, but if I understand correctly that would bypass the nait preamp. Looking at Xs xs2 or supernait I would have thought they would have better preamp sections than the qute?