UnitiQute 2 versus Nait 5i plus DAC for streaming from iMac
Posted by: Esther on 16 December 2013
Hi, this is my first post but I have been a Naim user for 11 years and currently own a CD5, a Nait 5i and a pair of 25 year old B&W DM220i speakers. I have a very large cd collection and after recently moving house and as yet to unpack the Naim system I have found that I am currently listening to my music by streaming iTunes and Spotify from my iMac via an Apple TV to a temporary set up in my lounge (Cambridge Audio amplifier and small bookshelf speakers next to the TV).
I am really enjoying the ease of streaming and also not having my home cluttered up with CD's but I am obviously missing the much better sound of my CD5 and Nait 5i but am now thinking of either selling these two and buying a UnitiQute or keeping the Nait 5i and adding a DAC which would allow me to continue to stream via the Apple TV and Airplay. I note that the Unitiqute won't stream either Apple Lossless files which would mean me having to rip a lot of cd's again, or Spotify (why!!?)
If I didn't need to buy the UnitiQute and could achieve a decent streaming set up with the Nait 5i I could put the money towards new speakers.. the B&W's are huge and I am sure could be bettered now... so I would be very grateful for any thoughts on the pro's and cons of both solutions. Also.. what DAC? ( I know the answer is the Naim DAC V1 but I can't afford it right now so a good alternative please).
thanks