Unitiqute 2+ Hugo vs. Ndx + Hugo
Posted by: laurence on 12 January 2015
A friend of mine, who is not member in the forum asked me,
if his Unitiqute 2 would sound nearly the same combined with a Hugo
than a Ndx+Hugo. So is the streaming quality (without the DAC) of
the Unitiqute 2 nearly the same as from the Ndx ?
Would he hear a difference or would the difference (soundwise) be only marginal ?
(He has no possibility to compare them in the near future, so any advice is welcome!)
Can't comment on the UQ2 but I can say that the NDX into NDAC sounded better than an ND5XS into NDAC, so differences between digital outputs can be an issue between naim components.
G
Can't comment on the UQ2 but I can say that the NDX into NDAC sounded better than an ND5XS into NDAC, so differences between digital outputs can be an issue between naim components.
G
How much difference was tgere Graeme? I've often wondered how mhch better an ndx would sound into my hugo conpared to my uq2 and whether it was worth the extra cost to upgrade
Can't comment on the UQ2 but I can say that the NDX into NDAC sounded better than an ND5XS into NDAC, so differences between digital outputs can be an issue between naim components.
G
How much difference was tgere Graeme? I've often wondered how mhch better an ndx would sound into my hugo conpared to my uq2 and whether it was worth the extra cost to upgrade
To me, the ND5XS is not as refined - a bit rougher if you like, more compressed and smaller scale. I felt with the NDAC & 555PS it was like a 'turbocharged mini' - unbalanced and just a bit crude.
I might be oversensitive mind...
G
Can't comment on the UQ2 but I can say that the NDX into NDAC sounded better than an ND5XS into NDAC, so differences between digital outputs can be an issue between naim components.
G
How much difference was tgere Graeme? I've often wondered how mhch better an ndx would sound into my hugo conpared to my uq2 and whether it was worth the extra cost to upgrade
To me, the ND5XS is not as refined - a bit rougher if you like, more compressed and smaller scale. I felt with the NDAC & 555PS it was like a 'turbocharged mini' - unbalanced and just a bit crude.
I might be oversensitive mind...
G
I guess I'll just have to have a listen at some point, its just that the qute through my hugo sounds so good its hard to imagine how much better it will be
Can't comment on the UQ2 but I can say that the NDX into NDAC sounded better than an ND5XS into NDAC, so differences between digital outputs can be an issue between naim components.
G
How much difference was tgere Graeme? I've often wondered how mhch better an ndx would sound into my hugo conpared to my uq2 and whether it was worth the extra cost to upgrade
To me, the ND5XS is not as refined - a bit rougher if you like, more compressed and smaller scale. I felt with the NDAC & 555PS it was like a 'turbocharged mini' - unbalanced and just a bit crude.
I might be oversensitive mind...
G
I guess I'll just have to have a listen at some point, its just that the qute through my hugo sounds so good its hard to imagine how much better it will be
I know of atleast 1 regular here who rates the digital out on the UQ2 highly dayjay, so the NDX may be no better.
G
Hi Laurence,
what is the rest of the system (amp and speakers). If would expect that - if there is a difference anyway - this difference is of lower impact on an XS series system than on a top-notch classic Naim system. I am interested in the answer two (my systems is all xs based with Allae's)
iver
Hello Iver
The system is Nap 250 and SL2 , but "only" a Unitiqute 2.
So if I summarise all the posts, I am not shure,
when a Hugo is used between streamer and pre amp,
a ND5XS or NDX or even a NDS will improve the sound,
if they are all used without their own DAC ,
so if the quality of the s/pdif output, is so much better
as from the Unitiqute 2 .
I am interested in the answer to this query also..