UnitiQute + 3rd Party DAC - (how) does it work?

I think the Qute unlike the Uniti has a digital out which allows it to act as a streamer into the nDac and then into either a Pre/Power or Integrated. Presumably like a cheap NDX but you would need an nDac to see a dfifference

The Uniti would need a dac feeding into it via analogue and thence act as an integrated amp or as a preamp (something it does rather well) - MacMini > M2Tech dac > Uniti  for example. This would also work for the Qute but you would probably have spent enough to justify an NDX by then.

The Qute's dac should be streets ahead of the Mission which is v old - a Cyrus Dac X + maybe but the differences will be minimal. The Uniti/Qute dacs are very good I would spend the money elsewhere - NAP 200 for example.

You can mix and match, perhaps even gain some sonic improvements but the point of these streamers is to take you away from the "box quest" and give you the chance to seamlessly listen to your music on high quality gear with the minimum of fuss.

Tog

First of all, thanks much for your quick and competent replies.

Have to admit I'm more confused now. :-) Re sound quality I'd love to definitely give it a try - always loved the sound change my old Mission DAC5 produced.

So, connection-wise, I think I have all the in/outputs and cables to do this: Qute Digital Out -> Digital Cable -> Mission DAC Digital In -> Mission DAC Analogue Out -> Cinch Cable -> Qute Analogue In

But I wonder where my actual music (streams from NAS to Qute via WLAN, separately from the DAC) comes into play here, if at all? My NAS won't be directly connected to the DAC.

Does the Qute will know
1. Oh, there's music coming via UPnP to me"
2. "Oh, and a DAC is connected to me in my Digital Out and back in my Analogue In"
3. "Well, thus I have to disable my internal DAC, and leave the music I got from NAS to that DAC via my Digital Out and get it back from DAC via Analogue In". Only then I will play the music

-> Will it work at all?

On my remote control I'm currently (no external DAC) used to pick "UPnP (PC)" as source. And here I have the tag menus (album, artist etc provided by NAS server) to scroll through. With the external DAC now attached as described above, I'd need to pick "Analogue" on my remote control - and maybe would theoretically hear some music but no chance to initiate / select the music as no album/artist etc menu?

"Is there a way I can make my DAC do the D/A converting job instead of using the Qute's internal DAC? Like:
Qute Digital Out -> Digital Cable -> Mission DAC Digital In -> Mission DAC Analogue Out -> Cinch Cable -> Qute Analogue In
(but then I'd have to listen to the music choosing the Analogue input and here actual music files from NAS via UPnP input would miss, right)."

If one wants to be picky aleg the OP was asking for advice on how to use their dac instead of the Qute's internal dac - using the analogue in will make the OP's streamer redundant. I think discussion of the dig out is quite reasonable in the circumstances. Especailly given that M_B uses a NAS as a source.

Tog     

M_B

So, connection-wise, I think I have all the in/outputs and cables to do this: Qute Digital Out -> Digital Cable -> Mission DAC Digital In -> Mission DAC Analogue Out -> Cinch Cable -> Qute Analogue In

This is a different question than in your original post.

This second question won't be possible IMHO because the Qute can only select one input to process, so that is either the digital input or the analogue input. Both inputs as you ask in your second question won't be possible IMO.

-
aleg