Unitiqute V Unitiqute 2

I've just made an order for the NAP100, I should have it deliverd sometime next week, and once I have it setup with my unitiQute for a few days, will post back with my impressions if anyone is interested.

Yes, interested. Thanks. 

Hi, I was just wondering if you did post your impressions of the Nap 100. I am also looking to add a Nap if it is likely to be a worthy upgrade.

anyone dissatisfied with the Qute driving power should make sure they have tried it with the 'Loudness' set to Yes - IMO it improves it considerably, and in all areas

Thanks to both Brilliant and DomTom for their comments, which now mean that I will be on the lookout for a NAP100.

I got a NAP100 under the tree this christmas, to add to my Unitiqute 2 and Proac Studio 130's. I can agree with DomTom on the improvement. I found the bass to go a little lower but also seem to have a bit more punch to it. I feel the bass hitting a little harder than it did on the qute alone. On the higher end the instruments and vocals seem a little more clearer with better seperation. I am more than happy with the upgrade and would agree that its worth it.

I am wondering what the next step would be. I am still not sure that a powerline is worth the £450 upgrade. I am using Black Rhodium Twirl speaker cable and wondering if moving to NACA5 would be a worth while upgrade...any thoughts?

Simon

Powerline's improvements are more fundamental than adding a 100 IMO. Personally i don't think adding a power amp does anything except add a bit more punch, but with a reduction in terms of  it's delightfully lyrical presentation. Of course if you have a pair of speakers that are a difficult load such that they only work with the extra grunt, it begs the question, was the Qute the right choice in the first place.

I'm using a pair of Atlas Eos power cable for the Qute and the NAP100. I find the system sounds cleaner and has better detail with the Atlas cables. I've not tried Naim's powerlines but I'm sure they would make a significant difference, at over 3 times the price of the Atlas cables, they better ;-)

Unitiqute version 1 with a rebuilt NAP 110 chrome bumper (Xmas present from my wife) running though Tannoy DC6 Revolution speakers. I would say that it's better, but with trade-offs. I find the bass to be much improved. and the whole system just sounds more natural. That said, it does lose some of the toe-tapping quality and detail/imaging that makes the UQ so special (and actually sometimes so fatiguing, at least for me). But overall I'd say a good improvement, and at $600 for a recapped/rebuilt 110 a good value. It esp improves low volume listening where it makes it much fuller sounding. 

I am having a problem with the interconnect though. I ordered a Chord Cobra RCA-DIN from my dealer and it sounds great, but picks up a lot of RF, to the point that it's quite noticeable in a silent room, or silent passages of music. I know it's not the amp as they loaned me a home made kludge of a 20' DIN -RCA cable they use to run from room to room. It sounded awful but no RF. Anyway, they are going to work with me on finding a solution. The next generation of Qute should have a DIN out for sure. What are others using as an interconnect?

Hi

I am just using Chord Crimson RCA to RCA, which my local naim dealer gave me when i bought the NAP100, since it comes with a DIN to DIN cable.

I am wondering if a upgraded one or an RCA to DIN cable would be better. The Crimson seems to work fine at the moment.

Simon,

No idea about RCA-DIN vs RCA-RCA though everything you'll read on here says the DIN is the way to go. Maybe talk to your dealer about it. But only your ears can tell (and your pocketbook). With the 110 I had no choice as it's DIN only. 

We are only about 8 blocks from some big radio towers so my dealer says it's most likely why I'm getting rf noise though hard to explain why the home made cable didn't. Maybe a defect with the Chord cable earthing? The amp is quiet just on it's own (using NACA 5 I might add) but once the cable is plugged in there's the rf noise. Starnge.

Thanks DomTom. Unfortunately I don't have an antenna plugged into the qute. I think I'll have to come up with a cable that's better shielded (though really don't want to spend more than the Chord). Or just live with the noise as once the music's pouring through it sounds fantastic. 

Hi DomTom,

Whilst I am still looking for a Nap, I too use a co-axial cable for the radio, how do you listen to DAB? Do you use internet radio?

I note there have been some positive comments on the use of a Powerline, but would the benefits of a mains cable really equal a Nap?

I talked to my dealer and he had me move the cable around behind the stereo, and voila that did the trick! I found one pretty neutral spot where its kind of wedged between the wall (i.e. not hanging) and now it has to stay there. The next step would be having rf choke put on the NAP but that would have been more $. 

My dealer said not to bother with the Powerline on the Unitiqute, that the upgrade vs the cost wouldn't be that great compared to using it on higher end Naim gear, or going with a NAP. Of course only your ears can tell you that. 

Great news on the cable.

Its funny how dealers give different opinions. My dealer in Glasgow (infact both Naim dealers in glasgow) told me that the NAP 100 would make my system better. I think the reason is that i have floorstanding Proac that are hard to drive and the extra amp would help. I have to say that i think it has helped the sound. Not a huge amount, but the bass is deeper and sharper, and the overall soundstage seems better. I can hear the different instruments much clearer.

I may try new powercables to see it make a difference, but not spend the £450+ that naim want for the powerline. It does seem a little expensive to add onto a Q2.