New to the world of hifi, Naim... need advice!

Posted by: hypostatic on 20 September 2012

Hi everyone, 

 

I'm completely new to the world of hi-fi audio, and I'm on a limited student budget, so bear with me! I'm wondering if you can give me some feedback on the system I'm putting together. I've done as much research as my time permits, and won't really have a chance to discuss this with a dealer. 

 

-UnitiQute with NAC A5 speaker cables and Shunyata Venom-3 power cable

-Monitor Audio BX2 speakers (connected with a jumper - I don't know how to make an F connection)

-SVS SB12-NSD subwoofer (possibly 2)

 

I have my PS3, Wii, Xbox 360, and Apple TV connected to my Samsung LED. I want to connect the TV to the UnitiQute with a fiber cable. All of the video equipment is plugged into a Wiremold L10320. I plan on plugging the UnitiQute directly into the wall with a Shunyata power cable. My Macbook Pro and all of the video equipment is connected to an Airport Extreme router with wifi. All of my music is on my computer.

 

I have three equally important goals: 

 

1) to have all audio from the TV (tv, movies, games, YouTube) play on the speakers. I use the TV almost entirely for sit-coms and Discovery Channel. I watch a couple of Blu-Ray movies a month (I know that without HDMI I'm not getting hi-def audio from my Blu-Rays). Does this setup function for that purpose?

 

2) to play music (mostly soft jazz & piano… Top 40, Hip Hop, etc. during parties) through the UnitiQute. All of my music is digital. Much of it has been purchased through iTunes. My CD collection of jazz, classical music, etc. has been ripped into the Apple lossless format. I won't be ripping anything into FLAC.

 

3) to create a system that is upgradeable to separate components when I start working, and use the UnitiQute for streaming. 

 

As I understand it, I have 3 control options: 

 

1) Hook up Macbook Pro directly to UnitiQute with optical, control music with the n-Stream app (high quality; very stable; need long cable; iTunes playlist)

2) Stream music from Macbook Pro UPnP server over network, control with the n-Stream app (middle quality; possible server issues; difficult; no iTunes playlists)

3) Hook up UnitiQute to Apple TV, control with Remote app on iPad (low quality; very stable; easy; iTunes playlists)

 

I would appreciate any advice! I was very happy to learn about the price drop a couple days ago! I'm wondering if this is a sign of an impending AirPlay model…

Posted on: 22 September 2012 by hypostatic

Anyone? Just looking for some advice on the setup.

Posted on: 22 September 2012 by GregU

Hmm

 

Just about everyone here knows more than me.  You may be having trouble getting responses as it's kind of hard to follow what you are doing and there are a lot of questions there.  You may want to parse it down to a few specific things.  I think your best bet SQ wise is to run an optical from your MBP to the qute.  If you are running iTunes you can just control it with the remote ap.  Not sure if the qute will accept ALAC but you can download software that will convert ALAC to WAV on the fly (XLD I think)

 

As for video...ug, you got a lot going on there.  I recall members saying in another thread the best bet was just to run a digital out from the TV to whatever box you are using.  So can you run a s/pdif cable out from TV to the Qute?  

Posted on: 22 September 2012 by Eloise
First off: you should be able to run the digital output from your TV into an input of the UnitiQute. Your only issue will be if the TV outputs Dolby Digital - some do but most can be configured for PCM or Stereo or some similar mode. Now: configuring music for your UnitiQute. My assessment of your 3 options would be to put them (in terms of sound quality) Apple TV << Mac via Optical << UPnP streaming - though setting up streaming is the most difficult option. Now if you can either spend some money, or scrounge an old PC, I would investigate the VortexBox Linux server. Alternatively if you have some time then investigate MinimServer and Serviio as UPnP servers which will run on your Mac (or the VortexBox). These (VortexBox or Minimserver/Serviio) would then be controlled via the nStream app. Your alternative is a long optical connection from the Mac - this is controlled by the Apple Remote app. Either either option, if you have an Apple TV I'd connect that to the optical connection of the UnitiQute as its great for casual listening via AirPlay. Eloise
Posted on: 22 September 2012 by naimUnT
You seem very knowledgeable for your tender years! I'm quite a Luddite (comparatively) but I think the Mac optical into Qute would possibly sound the best overall! The UPnP is already very, very good and should allow you to play your iTunes that way. I use Asset but Twonky and a few others should work too!! As for the accessories, avoid the Shunyata cable and Wiremold strip. I've tried a Shunyata and it killed the Naim sound. Just use the stock power cable direct to wall. Speaker cable should be NACA5 for recommended synergy (at least 3.5 m each side). For practical reasons, I use QED79 but if you can, stick to NACA5.
Posted on: 22 September 2012 by Russ

hypostatic: I am truly more of a dinosaur than Gregu and a far worse Luddite than naimUnT--and I have no experience with the NAC-A5, but this link will show you the direction others on the forum have pointed me to in terms of "tidying up" any slack cable you may have--so I will pass it on although I have not yet personally tried it.  (I will though.)

 

https://forums.naimaudio.com/di...ent/1566878604226526

 

Best wishes,

 

Russ