Recommendation please UQ2 vs Ulite

Welcome to the forum Kenneth,

UnitiLite, in a heartbeat. 

It's a Naim thoroughbred, and will run circles around something cobbled together with the Rotel amp.

I prefer it to the UnitiQute : fuller more authoritative sound, CD player, front panel controls.

Both the Qute and the Lite have a preamp output that you can use for powering a subwoofer.

Jan

I own the UnitiLite and Dac V1.  The UnitiLite is a bit of a dead end without a digital out.  The cdp in the Lite has been problematic for many people and I am not particularly fond of it.  I had better results using my Exposure CDP [ok I know thats a 2500$ cdp so maybe its not a fair comparison]  Honestly, you are going to start streaming everything so why pay extra $ for a cdp that will get very little use.

If you upgrade in a year or two you'll have no use for the Lite but you can continue to use the Qute as a streamer.

Personally.... I might try the 100 50w amp with the V1 via USB.  Also, you can get a Logitech SBT for ~500$ to stream to the V1.

But Jan is my doctor and she knows more about these things.  I just know that I had the Lite for a month before I realized I wanted something better.

Last point....  The Lite is really really thin.  It looks kind of sexy.

Whatever you do.... put 3 stillpoints under it and you will be amazed.  Nobody around here believes me but I've got them under all my components now.

+1 for UnitiQute.

You have just bought the V1, so you must have liked it. Have you tried it with a NAP100, its natural partner? Strangling it with a Rotel is hardly helping.

If the V1/100 improves things, you may be ok. 

I don't really understand why people get a V1, which is a USB DAC, and then add a streamer. It's just odd.

I'd also try a used ND5XS with a used Nait 5i.

Do you plan to upgrade in the future? If so, don't get the Lite. If not, get it. Being non- upgradable, save from adding a power amp, can be a massive advantage. It's the main reason I got my SuperUniti.

For what it's worth, as you already have the Sonos and DAC-V1 as a first option I would try:

Sonos -> DAC-V1 -> NAP100 -> audition new (more efficient) speakers (e.g. PMC, Neat). My understanding is the B&W PM1's are very good but power hungry (84dB spl 2.83V, 1m). See how you get on with this set-up before looking to spend more money.

If your CD player hasn't got a digital output you can buy a good S/H one for a few hundred pounds.

Confused by all the different advice?

Enjoy the music.

Hi,

I think this statement is very correct. My goal was to improve the sonos quality by using my old amp and PM1's, so by adding a DAC with volume control would be the solution.

I think the link (sonos to dac) is not that great , thats why I am looking into finding another streaming solution.

Looked into Pioneer N-50 etc etc but with more and less good results. So my dealer proposed Simple Audio roomplayer but I kind of was tired matching brands and I liked the quality feeling of my naim product.

So thats why I looked into finding a good naim solution with streaming and if possible an amp to drive the pm1 but still with a reasonable budget.

I have no plans to replace my PM1 because I love them, thats how all this started.

I appreciate all your comments and I am leaning forward to just buy an UQ2 to solve my sonos + volume controller problem. Not sure the extra 20 watts from the lite gives the reason to go for it but loosing digital out. I do like that it has front controls though.

So I am still not convinced one way or other, thats why I humble ask for your input

Best regards,

Kenneth

Hi Kenneth,

As you state in your OP, you are planning two systems.

The V1 goes on a computer for headphone listening.

For the second system, either of the UnitiQute or UnitiLite will provide very engaging music. If you plan to build on this system, your options are then to add a power amp to the Qute or the Lite and, in the case of the Qute, use its streaming section into an external DAC. The latter leaves you with a redundant DAC and amp in the Qute. The UnitiLite does not have a digital out. The CD sections on some early units were problematic (skipping, refusing to read new discs ; this is now fixed). I use the CD function occasionally and have found it very useful for times when my home network has been buggy. We (my wife and I) use the front panel controls more often than the nStream app.

We see the " limited " upgradability of the UnitiLite as an advantage, as HH has pointed out above.

But as always, you really have to listen to both at your dealer - then at home - to decide which one is a better fit.

Jan

I go with this advice. I've owned both Lite & Qute and the Qute is a more persuasive music-maker to my ears.

It quite simple. Some people don't have, or want to be locked into, Apple apps and devices but Naim is promising them an andriod app sometime soon. When that day comes maybe they'll start considering Naim streamers. In the meantime they'll enjoy playing their sources through their Naim amps, whichever model suits their needs, ears and pocket.

Regarding the DAC-V1 in particular, if you don't require analogue inputs, it's not just a DAC it's a very versatile digital pre-amp.

IMHO

I originally started with a Sonos Connect into a Schitt Bifrost DAC (okay not a V1 but a good budget DAC with rave reviews) into a Nait 5i and was quite underwhelmed by the sound quality compared to the CD 5i. I then discovered the Unitiqute (version 1 new for a discount) and was blown away by the difference in sound quality not to mention the one box aspect of it. I though about the Lite but really have no reason anymore to play cd's and maybe for the odd disc the Oppo will work. I also have our Sony TV hooked up via Toslink to the UQ for streaming internet video and it sounds great. 

I'll probably add the NAP 100 at some point though it might be overkill for my setup but as others say it can always be sold or repurposed - the amp inside the Lite can't. Plus I love the small face form factor. 

NAP100 is an ideal partner. Another very good option would be a Nait XS or 2. Haven't heard the latter though...

Qute, if you want to stream and crave nStream.

Otherwise, V1 is meant to be tops. 

I'd trust Wat on that!!

https://forums.naimaudio.com/to...34#31133010825094634

Good luck!

Thank you all !

 I really appreciate the insight but I think I go with the Qute.

Based on the comments it seems to be a viable option and it will cost less.

/Kenneth

Very good choice Kenneth, let us know your thoughts.

At 30 watts per channel vs. 50, you may find that difference significant with your particular speakers.  I hope that it's possible to audition both in your home with your speakers.  That would certainly be best. (Assuming people have talked you out of keeping the Rotel in the mix )

Dont think I have the possibility to audion, not really used to that. Coming from a different background

No one mentioned NAC-N 172 XS so I felt my Rotel was out of the question, even if I could use it from the Qute.

The reason I am leaning towards Qute is that 2 people that had owned both and recommended Qute so I think that is very valid arguments.

If I know my self I proably own them both later

I agree with Bart re: your PM1 speaker power requirements. You really need to audition first but it's your money.

There was fairly recently a long thread titled "source first or speakers first". You seem to have choosen the later route for buying an audio system. Have a read of the thread and you may find it helpful before spending (dare I say wasting) more money. IMHO.

ok wow that was intense thread(the one referenced) ... So I guess I am a speaker first kind of person. I am slowly learning though but yes, I value the speaker more than the source.

So I came from mclaren hometheater a longtime ago , then moving into "simple" listening like sonos,spotify,ipod you name it. I was happy with Sonos but then I came in contact with PM1 , first love ... Had to get it so Sonos:connect with variable output to amp/speaker. It was good, but not like that first love I felt when I heard it in the store(connected to NAD M2). So I thought maybe the variable output(bit reduction) needed to be fixed so I looked for DAC with volume(preamp). Found Naim after a friend suggestion. Still not that great.

Then I started investigate the source, left Spotify and went for FLAC 16bit on NAS. still not happy ... 24 bit was not possible with Sonos. So after all this I just wanted to move on, have FLAC on NAS and one solution with our without the amp.

So this is why i started the tread, I wanted streamer with preamp for a reasonable price. I am not in your league regarding music , more inte Trance so thats why I think the dealer would go crazy if I ever demoed anything

Have to say that the DAC connected to my computer with Momentum headphones is awesome. Works in Games too

/Kenneth

Have to say that the DAC connected to my computer with Momentum headphones is awesome. Works in Games too

 

/Kenneth

I would hope so. You've effectively got a £1,250 headphone amplifier! Just seems a waste to me that you're not utilising more of the DAC-V1 functionality. IMHO.

Originally Posted by KstSwe:

Have to say that the DAC connected to my computer with Momentum headphones is awesome. Works in Games too

 

/Kenneth

I would hope so. You've effectively got a £1,250 headphone amplifier! Just seems a waste to me that you're not utilising more of the DAC-V1 functionality. IMHO.

True. I just can't find any combination of Naim streamer where the DAC would make any sense. It all overlaps. If I knew what I know today I would have chosen a different route. I did get an Pioneer N-50 instead of sonos connected to the DAC, it was perfekt. Then the display died after 2 days and the control app was horrible so thats why I ended up here. I want something that works and have quality. You all seems to be very happy so I am slowly joining your club ....

Just swap the V1 for a Qute and be done with it. Or save up for a SuperUniti, which is (hopefully) all you'll ever need. 

And give him more grunt for those speakers of his. IMHO.

I don't know for sure, but I'm concerned that his speakers need more umph than the Qute.

I'm sure you are right. That's the trouble with mullets; they need feeding.

I never expected to open all this questions. now I guess I am back at the drawing table again.