DAC-V1 and UnitiQute2, DAC quality

Sorren,

I have the Qute (1) and the headphone amp is very good. I may not be getting the best out of my Sennheiser HD800s using it but I certainly wasn't getting the best out of the Qute with AKG K702s, 240s or Audio Technica AD700s. Quality headphones need some hours on them to achieve their full dynamic range, so does the Qute, but I seriously doubt you'll be disappointed once you've done some listening.

Sorry can't comment on the DAC-V1

Andy 

Thanks Andy. That's just what I was hoping for. I only have AKG K550s but I'm very happy with the sound and the detail they're bringing out even through my laptop's headphone socket.

Hi Sorren, when I got my Qute2 and V1, at the same time, I much preferred the sound from the Qute2 (via Grado PS1000). Although now that the V1 is run in, it has opened up hugely with a tighter bass. I always found previously that the V1 was very closed with a bloated bass, and always preferred the open and more lighter sound that the Qute2 gave. It is fair to say that there is quite a big difference between the two, in favour of the V1 (but shouldn't this be the case, taking into account the intended purpose of each unit).

Considering all that the Qute can do, with its very reasonable price, I believe it just can not be bettered by any other product within the Naim range, at ANY level. For the cost of a V1, you could have a second Qute, and change for some more music, and have two very good headphone systems in different areas of the home.

Good luck.

Thanks Justin. I'm really looking forward to Christmas Eve 

Is the very big difference you are seeing down to the DAC or the headphone amp with your PS1000's (which I would expect given it's better headphone out)? Which is the better DAC through speakers? I have been led to believe that the DAC quality between the V1 and the Q2 is about the same (i.e no advantage adding a V1 to a Q2 to get a DAC upgrade).

The V1 has asynchronous USB input.   The headphone out on the UnitiLite was awful compared to V1.  I'm not sure how the ul compares to the Qute.

I am sorry if hijacking thread for a moment. Justin, I feel the same for my 2.5 months old V1. Could you please tell how much for it to get tighter and open up?

thanks

So no definitive verdict on V1 DAC vs. Q2 DAC?

Excuse me Sorren, while answering the questions.

Hi pslosarc, I can understand your thinking regarding headphone out or Dac being the difference. I think this comes down to personal preferences, as there is no definite answer. Let me explain. To my ears (via headphones) I prefer the sound  of the V1, as it still offers the open sound that the Qute2 gives, but with a lot more texture, and refinement to the sound, and is less fatiguing over extended listening. The sound is bigger with more scale, and just easier on the ears, however it has to be considered that the Qute does not disgrace itself with its own headphone out. Very impressive considering it is one of its many features. 

With speaker listening, every now and again I swap/add the boxes, i.e., if I have been listening to Qute only, I will add in the NAP100, and then the V1. Having had the V1 connected to the iMac via USB (better than via Qute with Dc1) I was using the Qute/100 combo into ART speakers in the lounge. This  had been used in this way for about a month. When taking out the 100, and just using Qute on it's own, whilst there was a drop in refinement, things were suddenly so much more "live" with a slightly wider soundstage. If I add the 100/V1 back in, then things become a lot fuller with a great deal more refinement, but with a smaller soundstage. Much easier to listen to for longer periods, or with the volume turned up, but to me, losing some enjoyment factor. The Qute has taught me a very important lesson with this hobby of ours, that generally whilst more expensive products bring with them "better" sound, this does not equate to more "enjoyment" of music, and this surely is what it is all about. So as a definitive answer, yes the Dac in the V1 is to my ears "better" but via speakers, but with speakers only, if I could only have one, it would be the V1 that would be up for sale.

Hi Lightkeeper, coincidently it was around 2.5 months, however mine sat on the spare bedroom floor for probably 3 weeks, as I just couldn't get on with it initially, much preferring the Qute2. I even took photos to advertise it for sale. All I can say is that is worth giving it chance to "come good" as it is a great piece of kit.

Thank's guys, some very interesting reading and don't worry if it gets off topic a bit, it's all good. 

Very nice read Justin. Thanks a lot.

Thanks Justin, where I'm coming from however is that I use the Q2 into my 252/300 into Obelisks. I also have a Headline/Hicap connected to the 252 for headphone listening (so don't use the headphone socket on the Q2 at all). What I am eager to know is If I add a V1 into the mix, will I get better sound quality via. both speakers and headphones. This would come down to the pure fact of whether the V1 DAC is better than the Q2 DAC. Unfortunately, I can't seem to get a definitive answer on this specific query.

By the way, I know the obvious answer is to trade up to a Superunity or other full width streamer, but for me my CDS3 still sits proudly atop my Fraim stack, for now, negating that as an option.

Qute V1? I need one of those it should be easy enough to determine which of the two has the best DAC.

In terms of replacing the CDS3, we'll I'm waiting for the next iteration of naim products to match the cosmetic beauty of the '3

Pslosarc, that is exactly my point, a lot of the time "better" is not "better" particularly when personal preferences are taken into account. To give you an answer though, I'm sure if you spoke to Naim, they would tell you that the V1 Dac is superior. I would agree that is the case, but simply prefer the Qute if listening via speakers. It's a bit crude in comparison but it's the only device that makes me feel part of the act. It puts the FUN back into music, and regardless of sound quality, I've not owned many pieces that do that, including Naim Dac & Weiss DAC202.

I have the same feeling with my speakers, the ART Neo8 are absolutely fantastic speakers, that are so natural with great dynamics and soundstage. However when I wheel the little Motive 2 in to the equation, they instantly put a smile on my face. True they don't sound as good but, to me it is about the musical connection not the slight improvements in sound. It amazes me to see people constantly upgrading things, never seeming to be happy, I think they are chasing sound improvements not musical connection. How many times have we heard music from a really cheap, crude system, but instantly connected with the music being played? I had that moment last week, walking into Tesco's, with a small midi system which was balanced on a milk crate. Even if that system had been changed to a full 500 system, it wouldn't have enhanced the connection with the music.

I believe it takes a lot more care and thought (and self control) to put a system like this together, rather than simply keep throwing money at a never ending upgrade. Especially when it all ends in selling everything to get a simplified one box solution!! 

But hey, other peoples mileage may vary.

Well the V1 also has fixed out so you don't need to worry about the volume control.  That might be an improvement vs. the Q2.  In my experience, the V1 sounds best when using the USB connection.  Even through bnc I have to believe the v1 sounds better than q2.  Why not just sell the q2 and get an NDX?  I know the V1 sounds better than ND5 and a popular understanding is that the NDX sounds better than V1.  So the question becomes: Is the  q2 dac better than the ndx dac.  The answer has to be no.  I mean what's the difference between q2 + v1 and  NDX 2 * 1/2 = 1 full shelf.

as far as headphones are concerned, the V1 has the best amp I've heard to date.  I have a SN2 HiCapDR which has the fancy new headphones amp.  With my HD800's,the V1 through USB is significantly more enjoyable than any of the following: UnitiLite, Nd5/Sn2, ND5/dc1/v1/sn2.  I just got a new hiline din4 -> RCA so maybe that'll help the nd5/v1combo

Maybe the V1 is optimized for USB (it should be), and in that respect it betters the Q2 DAC. The reason I don't get an NDX is because no room on the Fraim. With the CDS3 I get both sources for speakers and headphones, and through the HD800's CDS3 sounds awesome.