A Half-way house is perhaps the Best ....so many decisions !

Can I assume that you propose to add streaming to your listening options? otherwise a Uniti2 compared to the newly serviced pre/power combination with the half decent CD player you already own seems to be an unusual step (unless a box count reduction is also a consideration) Further, retaining the Hi-Cap is an odd decision as there is no means of using it with a Uniti. Go back to basics and think about what you are trying to achieve. Consult your dealer and where possible, directly compare your proposed acquisition(s) with what you currently have (preferably at home)

Hi Richard. Thank you for your response. You raise a number of good points !

Perhaps I should explain that I started off looking to upgrade my source (all other as they are) and was thinking CD5XS then I was introduced to streaming but with a CD option as well in the Uniti. Maybe I have been somewhat overwhelmed and should take a step back and re-consider my options as you say.

Box reduction is on the horizon as well it has to be said but I really want to retain good SQ if I go for 'all-in-one'. The Uniti2 was, IMHO, pretty impressive, I have to say.

Will I have issues if I just stuck with my CD5i + 42/140 + Hicap and went for the ND5XS, is that correct ? Headphones use would be nice as well. Any suggestions there ?

Although the CD5XS is a very good player, the bottleneck would be your 42 pre-amp. In order to achieve the maximum result with such a fine source, you would need to consider at least a NAC62 (+ Hi-Cap) but preferably a 72 (+Hi-Cap) with your 140. The problem that arises here,however, is that having just had your 42 serviced, unless you were very lucky, you would need to factor in the cost of a service for the replacement NAC. I therefore repeat, if you have a good Naim dealer in your locality, consult him on your options and in each case, compare what you have with any proposed change during any demonstrations you undertake. Ultimately, try out in the remainder of your own system at home. It is the only way to be sure you are going in the right direction. 

Keep the CD player and get a SuperUniti? Sell the rest.

It should be easy enough to try out and see if you like. I don't use headphones enough to tell you anything useful. I can say we have 1000+ CDs and have not played one since the Naim streaming devices turned up. I can play CDs through a DVD player, sounds fine as a plan B. There's also cheaper downloads and streaming services to consider if you are so inclined!

Streaming is great, I do it myself but just bear in mind that you will need either a computer or some other form of server and ideally a wired network in order to utilise a streamer of any kind.

I am not sure how much you are willing to spend, but 172x or what the latest 172 is called could be an option since you own a power amp? Then you could start streaming and if you like it sell on the cd at a later date.

If you’d like to choose streaming path, Uniti2 may be a good crossover to start with. Yet, you have myriad of options out there.

On the speaker department: I had LS40’s before. They are exceptional in their price bracket. But they needed some stiff power, heavy and sturdy stands, being well clear of rear wall etc to really shine, IME. If you plan to stick with them I’d suggest careful amp matching as well.  

To get into streaming:

The Uniti2 will answer all your needs, and if you like the sound it's the simplest option. There's no point in keeping the HiCap though. 

If you get the SuperUniti instead you'll benefit from better SQ, but it costs more and it doesn't include a CD, so you'll have to either keep your current one or buy another. 

Or you get get a 172xs, keep the CD and the 140. Probably your cheapest option and overcomes the 42 bottleneck . . . but not a revolution in SQ perhaps.

So a lot depends on whether you really want a CD player. When I first moved to streaming I kept mine, but found I never used it. Streaming was sooooo much easier with no loss in SQ. Rather than just sit there, I sold it. So if you really need a CD then a Uniti2 sounds ideal, but if not then consider a SuperUniti or the 172sx/140 option.

I'd go for a SuperUniti. Keep the CD player for the interim, while you rip your CDs to a NAS, and then sell it. The SU is miles better than the Uniti2, and if you can live without Bluetooth (which I imagine is highly likely!) you could pick up an exdem non-Bluetooth model ex dem at a good price. Alternatively you could add a streamer, but then you'd have five boxes, which doesn't sound like what you want.

The KEFs aren't normally considered boomy, so the problem will be related to resonance in the room or stands. They're a bass reflex design so very dependent on positioning.

I suggest you start by moving them away from the wall and see whether that helps. Also away from any corners or alcoves, and try toeing in. You could experiment with filling the stands as well, and then using spikes or blu-tac to fix the stands to the floor. Different stands could make a difference, as could different speaker wire (what are you using now?) 

If none of those work you'll need to think about the room itself - carpet, wall coverings, etc, or sound proofing under the upstairs carpet. Or very bass light speakers (eg Linn Majik 109s). Or move house. Or a different wife of course, but I'm assuming that's non-negotiable :-)

DBPoweramp is best for ripping I've found. There's no quicker alternative than to just do it. It only takes a few minutes per CD - you don't have to 'play' the whole thing. I took the decision that every time I wanted to play one I'd rip it instead and then play the ripped version . . . and sometimes I just sat there for an evening ripping CDs while my (much) better half watched Call the Midwife. I have about 400 or so CDs and it wasn't too painful.

NAC A5 is good stuff - I wouldn't change it. If it's from the 80s are you sure it isn't NAC A4? Not sure of the dates. Either way it should be fine, I wouldn't change unless it's corroding or something.

The rough consensus on NAS servers is Synology or QNAP. They're very similar and both are good. Very, very narrowly I'd get a QNAP and run Asset on it. For disks get WD Red. Hard wire the connections with Cat6 ethernet (it's not expensive) and get a switch such as from Netgear (also not expensive) to go between the NAS and the streamer. Job done. You'll never go back.

Btw, I agree with HH that the SuperUniti will give you excellent SQ and has the guts to drive the LS50s. The Uniti2 is great too, though not a match. You might also listen to a NAC 172xs with your 140, which will likely be roughly equivalent to the Uniti2, although it is a different sound, and cheaper.

See if you can borrow one from a dealer and use it for a few days. I've had mine for getting on for two years now, having sold my CDS2, 82 and 250, and really like it: it's just so simple with no wires all over the place. One really good thing is the internet radio, which on a good channel (such as the rather dodgy sounding but excelent Audiophile Baroque) sounds very good, as does the built in FM tuner for radio 3 and 4. You can also use spotify, if that floats your boat. 

I have LS50's powers by a rebuilt 110 and they were a bit boomy until I got a pair of really solid metal welded stands, filled halfway with sand. They are quite close to the rear wall (and one in the corner) so the half bungs in the rear ports also helped. I think they are fantastic (and looking) sounding speakers though I know many are torn by them. 

Continuing my personal bug-bear to the point of boring everyone rigid . . .

This is the problem with bass reflex designs - they're designed to provide more bass in a smaller box, which makes them a good choice for smaller rooms. But they're so sensitive to their environment that you end up either suppressing the port with foam or putting up with resonance in the room. They sound great at the dealer, but in the real world they're hard to get right. I recognise this doesn't apply to all (eg Gurus) but for sure some do suffer from this.

Rtod,

You may want to consider a used or demo Unitiqute. I've seen them as low as $700 but generally in the $1000 - $1500 range. I'm pretty sure the pre-amp stage is on par with the 42, and it can take care of all your streaming needs. I use one as a source only to a DAC V1. So if you preferred to hang onto the 42 you could use it that way. Yes, it's got redundancy, but then you can always sell it on or move it to a different room (i.e. office) if you upgrade. 

Best of luck,

CP