Qute+NAP100 (+V1) vs UnitiLite

You talk about 'the' Qute+NAP100+V1 combo as if it were a natural offering. The Qute is designed as a standalone product, it has 4 digital inputs. You can add a power amp to the Qute (100 to 500!) if you like but it is not a requirement, the V1 / NAP 100 are more 'partners'. Getting a Qute/V1/NAP100 just covers the same bases too many times, and is not optimal from a spend point of view. A NAS is recommended for the Qute as that's it's real strength, as a streaming 'all-in-one'. Get a NAS and forget the CD, I have!

Indeed, if you have a Qute/NAP100 you don't need a V1. Obviously the V1's headphone amp and (to an extent) DAC is better than the one in the Qute, and it includes asynchronous connection where the Qute does not. But other than that the functionality is repeated.

For the same money as all three boxes you could have a Uniti2 which is a better solution (and has enough digital inputs), or if you stretch just a bit more you could have an ND5XS/NaitXS2. The ND5XS has 3 digital inputs.

Regards,
Frank.
All opinions are my own and do not reflect the opinion of any organisations I work for, except where this is stated explicitly.

I got just that combo Qute/V1/NAP100 – the above mentioned is more that true - redundancy in too many regions. Have asked similar questions here on how other people are using these three boxes together. The Qute alone is a all-in-one with a focus on streaming gem which MIGHT benefit from the NAP100 when more power is needed or when someone wants to bi-amp speakers. V1+NAP100 are perfect partners when used with a Mac/PC. Combining these two win-win scenarios did not improve the situation - in my case user simplicity vanished (two remotes, inability to control the V1 via N-Stream, etc).

Cheers, Lorenz

PS at the moment the V1 sits in it's box and might find it's way to the bay...

Rather than three boxes and built in redundancy, think about the SuperUniti. One box, add a NAS and off you go. It's much better than the UnitiLite or the uniti2.

Thanks Guys for all your comments, appreciate them. You have confirmed my own inner thinking that a Qute+NAP100 is sufficient for my needs. But for the same money as this combo I could purchase a UnitiLite instead with what appears to be the same capability and cost; but with an additional CD player capability; or not?  Am I missing / overlooking something in my thinking ?  ( A SuperUniti would be a nice alternative but is twice the expense; so I rule that out).

the qute is simply the qutest of all these black boxes ;-)

Don't underestimate the UnitiLite...

https://forums.naimaudio.com/to...itilite-under-review

Indeed, I've been in the position of owning both Lite and the Qute2. Q2 is the one for me, it just seems to make more out of less!

Thanks for sending me the thread of Jan-Erik's review in which he gives the thumbs up to the Lite over the Qute.  The only snag is he was comparing the earlier Qute and not the new Qute 2 of which looks to have the same DAC (Burr Brwon PCM 1793) as the Lite and the Uniti2; but the spec sheets from the NAIM product website don't make this completely clear - I'll need to ask them directly I guess.

Dac chip in UQ2 may be PCM 1793 as most of their recent digital players/all in ones employ this Burr Brown type.

Is it possible to use two NAP 100s with UQ2 as monoblocks, each driving one speaker? I know it's OTT but this may be a solution I'm looking for.  

Thanks.

Using two Nap 100 as monoblocks would be fun but is it possible?

Tog

No. There is no inbuilt facility in the NAP, and if the units are hardwired then the input impedance of the power amp falls below the minimum spec. required in the pre-out of the UQ2.

This is what I have been afraid of. But just wanted to double check. Thanks.