Unitiqute V Unitiqute 2

Troika,

The amp is the same, the DAC is a newer one but I don't think the changes are otherwise noteworthy. I don't feel that upgrading is necessarily a cost effective option unless you're thinking the Qute is missing a little 'je ne sais quoi'.  My Uniti gained some extra detail and a bit of bass oomph from a HiFi Racks podium stand. So trying something like that  (they do a Cyrus size model that should fit the Qute nicely) or a Powerline may be worth considering as alternatives. Still plenty of mileage in the original Qute. Let us know if you demo any of the options.

Andy 

Consider a NAP 100, definite sonic gains on the end of a Qute2, and as AndyPat suggested... but a more beautiful half-width solution is the Custom Design Milan IMO (I do own some Hifi Racks kit btw).

As for a straight swap between 1 and 2 I doubt there is much in it to be raved about.. the Qute is amazing already, at the price.

Thanks Andy, I'm running it through my Linn Kabers with a Linn Sizmik sub woofer. I was hoping the new Unitiqute might add a bit more of an airey sound and give a bit more space mid range. I did consider adding a NAP 100 if the Unitiqute 2 is pretty much the same. I am going to pop along to Audio T in the morning and discuss a demo with them. I'll let you know what I find.

I take your point about the stand, thats an interesting find.

Powerline sounds like something I might look at.

Thanks for your suggestions.

Thanks Hafler, thats definately swaying me more to the NAP 100. Where do I begin looking for a custom design Milan rack?

Put Custom Design Milan Compact into a search engine and it will give you a few leads. Having just looked at it I can see what Hafler is talking about. That is one good looking bit of furniture in the narrower shelf width.

Andy

Custom Design is the name of the manufacturer (they're based in Newcastle) with luck you might have a dealer nearby (I'm assuming you live in the UK), otherwise there are a number of dealerships with online presence that may be able to help...

That is some really nice looking furniture, thanks. Luckily for me, there's a dealer in Didcot about 15 miles away from me. Looks like I've got a busy day ahead.

FWIW the NAP100 makes a difference to the Qute1. It certainly isn't a revolution, but there's just a bit more of everything good. It may not be worth the extra £650 for that small improvement though.

Depending on your speakers, bi-amping may do even more . . . but I'm getting some Gurus so not really an option for me.

Alex

Are you waiting on some Juniors Alex?

Are you trying to kill the Qute? The Kabers need serious welly, and in my view a far better set of electronics overall. I'd suggest some more appropriate speakers - maybe something like the Juniors, which are reputed to be an ideal match. With the £650 for the 100, and the sale proceeds of the Kabers (£250 maybe) you'd be there.

Kabers are great, but in the right context.

Hi troika, whilst I haven't done a direct comparison between the 2, I do own a Qute2, but from what I understand, I wouldn't recommend the difference worth an upgrade.

The money might be better spent elsewhere.

Hi again Alex.

Have you heard the Juniors? 

I heard them several months ago at TomTom. They were absolutely fantastic and belied their small stature. I paid for a pair several months ago and the Walnut/Black version finally arrives next month (white version now available I believe). Powered by UQ2. It has ben a long wait but I know what I am getting.

Neil

       Hungryhalibut, I understand where you are coming from with this, I was driving the Kabers with a NAP 140 and my CDX before and the Kabers were sounding clear and bright but lacked bottom end hence the Sizmik. Who makes the Juniors? I havent heard of these, I need a demo

I had the demo of the Naim 100 with the Qute & Qute 2 and have now decided I dont need the Qute 2 but could benefit a lot from a NAP 100 so I ordered one. I'm keeping my eyes open for a powerline on ebay because although the sound seems improved, it doesn't seem to be £450 worth of improvement.

Thanks or your advice

Yes, agreed the NAP100 is an upgrade, and also it isn't dramatic. But I'm glad I got one. 

The Guru Juniors are new and a little hard to get hold of at the moment. Search on Google and you'll find the dealers. A brief demo so far suggests very good things, and they match my need for wall mounting. Longer demo soon. The downside of them is you can't bi-amp if you want to use the NAP that way.

Hi Troika, just wondering where you found the NAP100 for £450? I have the original Qute and am looking to add the NAP100. I had a test sample of the 100 when it first came out and it made quite a difference driving a pair of KEF100s, especially in the low end. Unfortunately Naim wanted it back.

With Christmas coming up, I started thinking about the NAP100 again, I have been quite good this year. Just don't tell the missus ;-)

... Or did you mean the Powerline for £450?

Hi,

I would be interested in hearing your views when / if you get a NAP100 as I have a Qute into a pair of Spendor 5se's and whilst I appreciate the 'one box' idea of the excellent Qute, having moved from a multi-box system, I am getting itchy about a meaningful improvement.

I have been trying to gather what other people's judgements are on this addition, it in some case comments have been made that the addition of the NAP is slightly retrograde with the Qute.

Of course it's always subjective and auditions are essential. But my personal view is the NAP firms up the bass, tightens the sound generally and seems to help bring out the rhythm. It's not a massive change but, for me, it was worthwhile.

It's power that's missing. The Kabers need a 250.

I haven't heard my Qute2 through the NAP 100 but I had an Exposure 2010s (power) that I was using to bi-amp Pro-Acs. Long story short. Qute2 into the Exposure Power amp to Duevel Planets (Qute set to speakers: "off") sounds better than the Planets direct from the Qute2.

Comment: worth experimenting with decent power amps, not necessarily Naim (oops, am I allowed to say that on here? )