UnitiQute; logical and sane upgrade advice

I added a pretty old 250. Made great difference for not too many beans. More control, more weight, more pace. I do also have an Nsub

The SuperUniti is a pretty good all-in-one box on its own (better DSP and analogue volume control than the NAC 172 XS) and hits well above its station in price.  The demo / trade-in discount helps as well.

Just a bit of advice-make sure that it is fully updated to 3.22 s/w or beyond before you pick it up! 

hi Damon, I've read your post and get the feeling you are after 'more' and not increased sq'. Owning both a qute2 and SU guess which one is going in the dedicated listening room. It's the Qute2. The SU can rattle all that china and glass that can't be moved but a separate power amp. (200) can do the same for less and give your Qute a break and a little sonic boost too.

Remember sonic advances do not necessarily equal more enjoyment so get a side by side demo, the SU can be a little too revealing of sonic imperfections in your library! The Qute just delivers fun in spades.

Wow, superb replies all around! Thanks- beer's on me. 

Good points about the other upgraded components in the SU, and as well, I've heard from several others that the UQ has a certain musical 'happiness' that perhaps some other units don't have. 

In the SQ vs 'more' field, I was unsure about how to phrase that point. I do want more capability, but also grip, extension, control, musical space... I guess that would be SQ? 

The 250 is about 7 years old (so not a really recent item). I suspect that a SU would be as far as I would likely ever go, given my other limits in terms of space and having a wireless leg in the signal path.

Or, perhaps a power amp for a modest amount, then a 172XS, though I don't see a lot of love for the 172 XS here. 

I wish there wasn't a 10% price increase coming on April 1st. The Canadian dollar is shrinking a bit, and at my capacity, that 10%, plus taxes, would be a few beans too many. It may push me back towards the used market, though I appreciate the dealer help and investments in carrying this gear. 

I was listening to Mogwai - TheHawk Is Howling yesterday eve and the SU / PMC combo delivered spine tingling crisp bass and also a delicacy (uncongested soundscape) at 41 vol. with 90dB efficient speakers at nearly 4m distance. Mick Karn, Squarepusher et al all sound vital so I'm sure it will make your playing even better!

Hafler3o,

Totally excellent references. Mick Karn is a genius too far for me, but I know that sound very well. As you have the UQ and the SU, is your recommendation for 'sane' to add power to the UQ? I know it would allow the UQ power supply to simply deal with the pre and the DAC/ streaming work, and that is apparently a good way to get the delicacy you mention. 

If you like the power upgrade, I would have more options, and they would be easier on the wallet as well. 

Thanks for staying up so late into the cool, costal night to contribute. I spend a summer in Douarnenez some years ago; a very nice part of the planet. 

Hi Damon, I can only comment on the addition of a Nap100 to the Qute2 and that was definitely worthwhile, I has that for some months before selling as the Qute went into the bedroom for late night ambient sessions. The Nap was overkill, although rated 50 wpc the real world power figures are higher. I know others have used the Qute as a streamer 'head' and added other quality Naim bits to good effect. I don't know anything about price hikes or new/sh naim kit in Canada so maybe no good advice there, but I notice you are a Mac user, have you considered the DAC V1 with NAP100? No need to touch the speakers, the Neats are very nice!

I'd go for the SU if you want the power and drive. Sure, something like and NDX, 282, 250 etc will be better, but do you want to get into the world of upgrades, adding power supplies, Powerlines, hilines and the rest? I've had Naim systems of all sorts for 30 years, from 42/110 to 552/300, and now have 'just' an SU, and it's great. Give it a Powerline, and it's all you need. 

Thanks haffler3o & HungryHallibut,

Sane, logical suggestions on both sides. It is choosing among several good options; no bad choices in the Naim world.

The DAC V1 is clearly a great DAC, but I would give up the streaming and iRadio. Getting a wired connection to the system, or running a headless mac would be more complicated than I'm ready for. Or I could keep the UQ and add the DAC and NAP. Your experiences with the NAP100 are very much appreciated. 

RE the SU, it is very tempting and I think it is a lot of performance in one convenient box; I do not want to start trolling for endless upgrades or power supplies, and the SU pretty much makes accessorizing unnecessary. 

I would suggest adding a Supernait 2. This will give you the power you seek, and a considerable amount of finesse that I don't think you would get from the 172 + 200 (less money also). The UQ could then remain in service as your streamer / DAC.

I would go the SU route if you wanted eventually to move the UQ to a 2nd system.

If you keep your eyes posted on a popular Canadian hifi resale site, SU's are available with some regularity and even the occasional SN2 comes up periodically.

alan33,

Indeed, very parallel. Possibly being February kids we're sonically aligned. Mr Zipperheadbanjo as well. We're showing signs of spring, but the week ahead looks wet- I guess that is spring on this coast. 

Good point about not being 'unhappy, just interested'; that might be behind all the upgrades we've read about over the years here. Like you, I am very pleased and dedicated to the sound I get from Naim equipment, so my focus for modifications is along that path. 

ZHBanjo; thanks for jumping in. I see that an integrated would leave the UQ as just a streamer and DAC, and that power and pre functions would be upgraded with a Supernait 2. Through your profile I found the thread on the UQ + NAP 100 vs DAC + amp thread; I did not see that in my pre-thread search. Good suggestion, and I appreciate it, especially your consideration that the SN + UQ might be better than the 170 + NAP 200.  I am also perusing our Cdn resale site, as you suggest. 

In spite of the options, I am feeling less lost and confused than I was three days ago, and I thank you all for your contributions. Don't stop;  just thought you should know I'm making progress. 

I have the Qute and added a NAP100 - and it makes a difference. The NAP just makes the sound more complete. However, it isn't a revolution. It's a (relatively) cheap upgrade to achieve a (relatively) small gain. Adding still more power seems, to me, unlikely to give you what you want. I'm a fan of the Qute, but my guess is that's your limiting factor. 

My personal choice would be the same as HH's - keep it simple and get an SU.

Hi Solid Air,

Thanks for the post. Following your profile I looked at some of the other related threads I found. Your point about modest gains for modest cost is well-taken, and realistic . I think that what I want to get will be a factor of all parts of the system; streamer, DAC, pre & power sections. Just adding power won't likely be the best way forward. And the UQ really is an excellent, all-in-one package, and I don't see much logic in trying to out-think the Naim designers. 

At this point, and after only one glass of wine, I'm feeling that the SU is the most appropriate step for me. I don't think that I will want to make a move now that sets me up for (the temptation of) future upgrades or additions. ZHBanjo's point about the Supernait is very good, but I suspect that I'd end up haunting stores and used markets for updated DAC's & streamers; I'm too easily lured into scheming and shopping and 'what if-ing', and that won't end well. 

At this moment, I'm thinking of benefiting from HH's years of audio extravagances and sticking to the one box system that upgrades all the parts equally. Budget is a big factor, and there is plenty of competition for these frivolous funds. 

I have a Qute 2 and added an Exposure 2010s (power) that I had at home. I thought I was just proving to myself that the Qute was quite capable on it's own and didn't need any help driving the Duevel Planets.

Hmmmm, 7 months later and I won't be returning the Exposure to my second system any time soon.

I guess the short answer is: experiment with Power Amps, see if you like the difference.

Well for what its worth my first entry into Naim is my SU that's it with a Powerline and a pair of Sonus Faber Liuto Towers. I read lots on the forum I listened to it at the dealers and was extremely happy.

Two years later nothing has changed I am still happy although dealer says I should try a 250

You will be pleased with the SU... it's everything that you like about the Qute to the power of 10. One thing to keep in mind is that a Powerline really does make a very significant difference to this device, so if you can swing for one out of the gate, consider it. Otherwise... perhaps a little upgrade for down the road.

Will you keep the Qute?

Thanks ZHB and Xenasys,

The SU certainly satisfies the 'simple' question, and as I do think it is the logical upgrade (can I really be serious) it will be my anticipated path, I think. 

I would likely sell the UQ, as I'm barely a legit player in the Naim world in terms of costs. Possibly not, but I don't think I need two systems. 

I didn't know what a powerline was, but just looked it up. I won't be kidding if I say that I do not see how a power cord can cost $1,000.00. I just don't. It can't, but, I'll also grant that you both feel that it does make a difference and that it is worth it. 

My UQ is plugged into a socket that is dedicated; it is the only plug on this circuit going back to the breaker panel; that may be of some value, but I can't hear a difference between that outlet and any other in the house. The wiring is fairly new. 

Funny because I was having a chat with the local dealer and he was recommending an isotech power supply and isotech power (mains) cable. He too, put out that much cash from his own pocket to have one, so I'll say that I'm willing to be persuaded. But wow....

He also suggested some Audioquest ethernet cables, so that would also be interesting to look into. 

Argh! I've gone off-topic on my own thread, and now I'm talking about upgrades again! 

The SU will be a huge step up from UQ without the powerline so no worries there. At some point, find a dealer who will let you home demo one and try for yourself. Or not, if you're longterm goal is to avoid temptation :-)

If you did want to pick one up in the future, you should be able to wrangle one from a dealer for around $800 (tax in), or can pick one up on the used market around the 400-500 mark.

Yes... $1,000 powercables. Welcome to the world of high end audio. My dealer has individual power cables (and other interconnects) that cost in the 5-6K range. Now that is truly nuts :-)

I wouldn't mix power supplies / power chords from other companies with Naim gear.

A dedicated socket is definitely the way to go.

With respect to ethernet cables.... I just use a shielded CAT 7 grade ethernet cable.... $20 from any electronics store.

Excellent news! But I do hope the color of the $20.00 cable matches the living room rug... 

Good point about a home trial of the powerline. Just better not to mention any price info around the dinner table. 

Funny that you have the SU and a NAP 250.2; I guess the dark side of the force is powerful indeed. But as Oscar Wilde said, 'I can resist anything except temptation'. 

Logical and sane upgrade advice? From this forum? 

Visiting this site is both symptom and cause of upgraditis!

UnitiQute is great, buy more music and enjoy. 

(Says the man who was quite happy with CD5/112x/FC2/150x and now has CDX2.2/XPS2/252/SC2/300)

Most definitely good advice, standard power cord or Powerline, no mains 'conditioning' products, ever. The Powerline (UK version has the fancy mechanical decoupling at both ends, other territory versions I'm not so sure) can make a significant difference, especially if the kit is not optimally positioned. Some find the difference somewhat disconcerting. The only reason I don't have one is that I knew a move to the continent was coming and two months on from that move I'm still chopping off UK plugs, it's so mind-bendingly boring I have to psych myself up. 

Again veering off-topic from my own thread (or maybe not).

I just got a suggested upgrade of an Isotek, power conditioner, and one of their AC/ power cable, apparently made for Naim gear. The Premier AC. Neither are cheap, but would do with any future Naim gear, certainly. 

You feel that a power conditioner is not recommended? Would it not be providing 'better' or 'cleaner' power, just as a Naim power supply does? Not exactly, but something similar in terms of getting rid of other, external electrical noise? 

Maxi Me; yes, you're correct. I'm just digging myself in deeper with every post. Pitiful indeed.