Superuniti or NaitXS/ND5 for smallish study

Posted by: Steve Vaughan on 28 May 2012

Hi newbie here first post. I am looking for high quality streaming and Internet radio in my study. I have heard and liked the superuniti, but am now put off a little with the lack of powered phono stage facility and tape out, as I play and record records to 24bit/96k using a handheld Olympus LS10 digital recorder via its line in. I can acommodate the two boxes of the xs series. The ND5 doesn't have fm/dab as standard, but I read it is not too hot anyway, and I have an old analogue tuner I can dig out for the occasional radio 3 prom concert or radio 2 rock concert may want to record. I have a ReadyNAS duo raid NAS, and lots of FLAc files, from both CD and vinyl. Speakers are Usher S-520, these will be replaced by probably PMC 21 or 22. Anyone got any thoughts on this?

Cheers

Posted on: 28 May 2012 by naimUnT

Hi Steve, I can relate to your observation that the SU lacks a powered phono. Having moved up from a Uniti (which does have a powered phono), I guess one way of looking at it is the guys at Naim did not want the SU compromised in SQ by having yet another transformer or regulator in its already tight chassis. This is only a problem if you decide to keep to a Naim phono. If not, there are many decent phono preamps out there that be combined with the SU.

Posted on: 29 May 2012 by Al Gonzo

Hi Steve,

I poised a similar question Nait XS plus ND5 XS or SuperUniti? on May 12 that you might find of some interest. I already have the Nait XS in a small study. I am going for a demo on Friday to listen to both options. On a feature basis, the XS/ND5 gives you more analogue inputs and a tape output and power for a phono stage but the ND5 has less digital inputs than the SU but the SU is one box and then the XS/ND5 has more upgrade options ... anyway I will report back after the listening, the important bit. Cheers Al

Posted on: 29 May 2012 by Steve Vaughan

Thanks for your comments. I have decided to go for an ND5XS; question is now whether to go NaitXS /Flatcap/Stageline or NAC152/NAP155/Stageline.

Let me know how your demo goes Al.

Posted on: 01 June 2012 by Al Gonzo

Hi Steve, just posted my demo write up (Nait XS plus ND5 XS or SuperUniti?). Suffice to say I was suprised at the marked differences to my ears and decided on the ND5 XS.

Cheers,