Moving from an Akurate DS/0 / LFD combo to Superuniti

I'd seriously keep in mind the update question. (See other threads)

Linn are way ahead of this in comparison to Naim. May not be a deal-breaker now - but might be in five years time.

About 18 Months ago I was in the market to purchase a Unitiserve, a UniQute for another room and a Naim Dac. I did some research and came up with 3 options:-

1. Naim kit

2. Linn streamers - ADS and KDS

3. MacMini that is tweaked for audio and only running iTunes

All getting music from A Qnap NAS. I ended up with the Naim DAC and the Mac Mini joining the res of my all Naim system (282, 250.2, CDX, Allae speakers, Hicap, XPS2).

Reasons for rejection:

Naim:

1. Something about the sound was not right to my ears.

2. control point software did not hit the mark, it did not even have playlist which I thought was a basic facility.

3. Qute was too expensive for background/lifestyle music in the dining room.

4. The update process. Have a look around the forum at all the threads on updating them.

Linn:

1. Too much for my budget but sounded great through the same Naim gear I own. (Perhaps one day)

2. Needed an easy way to rip my thousands of CD's and get them to the NAS.

Why the Mac Mini + Naim DAC won:

1. Sounds great through Naim DAC.

2. Small foot print and can sit in rack and run "headless".

3. Easy to update.

4. Easy to setup to rip a CD then eject when done.

5. iTunes can be enhanced by plugin like BitPerfect, Pure Music etc

6. Can be used to stream movies as well.

7. More future proof and flexible

If I had an ADS I think I would keep it. Can you take it to your dealers and try it with the SuperUniti and Kudos speakers or better still try it at home.

Agree with 4) on Naim.

I honestly think this is not a minor issue anymore.

Others disagree. But it will lose Naim sales.

Why the Mac Mini + Naim DAC won:

1. Sounds great through Naim DAC.

2. Small foot print and can sit in rack and run "headless".

3. Easy to update.

4. Easy to set-up to rip a CD then eject when done.

5. iTunes can be enhanced by plugin like BitPerfect

6. Can be used to stream movies as well.

7. More future proof and flexible

If I had an ADS I think I would keep it.

+1 ... I agree 100% 

I've had all 3 options that Spartacus mentions and a few months back i'd have said stay with the Linn solution. The latest n-stream update brings a lot of the features that Linn users take for granted to the Naim streaming solutions. If the Superuniti does it for you sound quality wise then it's a superb one box solution and fully controlled via the iPad. 

James

thanks for the feedback everyone. I actually had an somewhat optimized Mac Mini (SSD internal drive, music lived on a usb powered external disc, was used only for audio playback, no wifi, etc) running Amarra that was connected to a Weiss DAC2 via firewire before I heard the Akurate DS. The Linn DS was clearly better sounding that the Mac Mini + Weiss. That's when I switched to a streaming solution. this was less than a year ago.

Yes, spent some time reading about the update process and lack of control point features. it does seem like Linn are somewhat further ahead in this area. It's really simple to upgrade/downgrade firmware.

I'll take your advice and either take the DS with me when or try to loan a SU or SN to try out. this will give me a chance to play with the n-stream software. I could save some money and purchase a Supernait, given that you all suggest I keep the ADS streamer.

Oh I forgot one thing on the Mac Mini... The Apple "Remote" App is great..

At some point in the future if bank interest rates and other investments pay a bit more I might be able to get a Linn streamer. One can only hope.

But as always I will audition what is available at that point in time and choose what gives me the sound I like at a price I can afford to pay outright... See thread on financing your hifi purchases.

loved the "remote" app. worked well with the iPhone when I was not screen sharing with the MacBook Pro. 

I agree with the part about "choose what gives me the sound I like at a price I can afford to pay outright". I had to sell the Weiss, Mac Mini, external drives to help fund the purchase of a pre-loved older ADS. I could not afford the older version otherwise. The newer ADS is out of my price range. Luckily, I was able to get about 70% of the value of the Weiss, which made it easier to fund the new item.

I'll never say never but I hope to be done with having to speak to my bank's loan officer to explain why I need  to borrow money to upgrade to mono blocks and better support shelves!

Before I purchased my SU I heard quite a lot products at my dealer. I have also compared it against Linn products as another customer wanted to hear the ladder upwards...

I heard DSi which had enormous "high sound resolution" but compared to the SU no punch - a bit to less sound to my ears which bored me.

The Akurate DSM (i did't heard the DS - well a long time ago I did but I can't remember/have no comparison) was above the SU for me - with whatever akurate amplifier. However it was not that way beyond like the price difference, same with NDX and all related naim boxes I head with that (pre combo 282? and some ?cap). And with Naim too many boxes for me. The Klimax DSM was extremely superior to the SU, but unfortuately completely out of my price range. I can fully understand everybody who can afford and goes for KDSM.

Then my first thought was to get a Nait xs or better a Supernait and a Linn renew DS. But finally the sanity won and I took the SU.

If I was you I would take the ADS to the dealer or the Supernait and SU at home to compare that. I would probably stick to the existing ADS with an Naim amplifier. Until now, the Linn app works much better than nStream anyway. So I'm still regreting a little bit giving up the renew DS thought.

With the A&KDSM procuct range I also heard the mac mini at the dealer. It was not bad, but when the input is changed to the streamer the sound increase was simply impressive - going bac to the mac mini was not enjoyable anymore in comparison. The mac mini was not connected to the DSM directly. There was a M2Tech like bit perfect USB dongle in between.

I couldn't

"although it seems that Mac users cannot apply updates without running Windows applications on the Mac"

A Mac solution is in development as I understand it and will be beta testing shortly. Will not be an issue soon.

SU is a fantastic piece of kit. I have a Mac Mini connected to it but stream (connected I can get Spotify).

Enjoy the audition.

Neil

Borrowed a new SU from a dealer yesterday. the shop informed me that it normally takes 2-3 days for the SU settle in and seeing that it was a brand new demo unit, it still needed some break in time and that in their opinion, it would perform at about 60% or so of it's full capacity. seeing I only could keep it for the evening, I did not waste any time getting home.

Installation was straight forward, connected via ethernet cable from the router to the SU. installed n-stream on the iPad and was up and running. Did not spent to much time on the menu and advanced settings options of the SU but did take the time to connect my ADS to the SU via the analogue inputs (powered off)

First impression was that it sounded too bright but that was quickly fixed when I slightly modified the placement of the speakers and gave it an hour or so. It was however, immediately evident that the SU was quick, dynamic and offered a wide soundstage when paired with the Kudos. 

3 hours in, I had now listened to a wide array of music (lee hazelwood, massive attack, lana del ray, esquivel, johnny horton, frank sinatra, goldfrapp, air, the ventures, ben folds, mel torme, etc) and the SU just kept getting better, firm command of bass, exciting, dynamic and engaging. perhaps it's the Naim/Kudos combo but music just flowed out of this box.

It was now time to listen to the ADS as a source connected to the SU. Initial impressions - the ADS was cleaner sounding and offered a level of detail that the SU did not have. BUT is was not as exciting in some odd way. It made the SU sound a little dull. It was very musical but there was something missing from the mix. perhaps the words "polite" and "analytical" come to mind. 

In regards to control points, the n-stream was easy to use and fast, liked how it connected to the Rovi database for additional info. playlist function was easy to use. a split screen option would be nice for future updates in order to see library on one side and either playlists or list of tracks playing on the other. Compared to Linn's Kinksy, it does seem to lack some feature but in no way a lesser product.

After 6 hours (and almost 2am local time), shut it down and went to bed. The SU left a very positive impression on me. This kit is a very capable streamer and integrated amp. I never felt any fatigue when listening and never wanted to turn it off. And if I was this engaged with only 60% of full capacity, I can imagine that once the unit has had a few road miles on it, it will be even sweeter.

There's something special in the way it delivers music that now has me seriously considering selling off the ADS to help fund the purchase of a SU.

Only thing I did not get to do is play music from a memory stick via the USB input, would have been nice to try this. Guess I'll have to wait until I get one of my own...

Another reason to add the list of things I liked about the SU. This is good news.

If the Uniti and Qute are anything to go by you'll get just as great a sound with USB sticks (Lexar 128GB echo mx for me) from the SuperUniti. As one box systems you can't really go wrong. Don't be put off by the updating scare stories. Ususlly down to operator error. As an example I upgraded a Uniti and a Qute to 3.16 with only a wireless link to the router (not recommended by Naim I hasten to add) without any problem. And a dealer can do it for you if in any doubt.

Some people on this forum would have you believe that automated updating is simple .Nikon, Canon, Google, Apple, Adobe, Microsoft, Fuji, Sony, number of UK banks - all have had problems. Not quite sure why they think Naim can waltz in and create Nirvana overnight. Still they set the bar so high in other areas I guess expectations are unreasonably high.

The missing factor on the Linn? It's at the bass end where notes just don't resonate as richly as you get on Naim.  Go for the SuperUniti. It'll remain upgradeable and supported, which I cannot say for a number of other hifi manufacturers. And if the price for that is a slightly steadier pace of change then so be it.

Andy

Interesting Ernie. I don't use a USB dongle, I had heard this said before about the USB dongles. I connect straight into a Naim DAC using a Chord optical cable. My DAC also has an XPS2 power supply. I would however like to try a Wire world Supernova 6 optical cord. I have heard it is good.

Great report. I'm glad that you managed to try it in your own listening environment. That's what its all about. Sounds like you have made your choice.