UnitiQute 2 or SuperUniti?

Posted by: ChrisByrd on 03 October 2015

Hello,

 

I'm new to this forum so please be gentle 

 

Last week I listened to a demonstration of the Unitiqute 2 through my own speakers (elderly Opera Callas's which still sound wonderful) and was really impressed with the sound.  So impressed in fact, that I almost committed myself before the dealer asked if I'd like to hear the SuperUniti.  The difference was immediately obvious.  In the first movement of Shostakovich's 8th symphony the basses had more depth and growl, the high strings at the climax were less edgy and the whole soundstage seemed  bigger.  

 

I've read a lot on this forum about both units and know a lot is down to personal taste, and I guess I'm trying to justify the extra cost to myself, but can anyone who knows both or either comment on what they're like to live with in the long term? I mostly listen to classical music, but also some jazz and rock.

 

Cheers

 

Chris

 

P.S.  One thing I didn't get to compare was the headphone output - does anyone know how these compare?

Posted on: 16 October 2015 by spacey
Originally Posted by ChrisSU:
Originally Posted by Mike-B:
 

 Unmanaged switches like GS105 need to "learn" the network they are attached too, although it will eventually work it out for itself,  its best to have the switch connected network powered on & running before the switch is powered up.

I've never found this to be necessary - I just connect and disconnect stuff from the powered-up switch as and when I want, and it makes the connection more or less instantly.

Or if there's an IP address conflict

Posted on: 16 October 2015 by Mike-B
Originally Posted by ChrisSU:
I've never found this to be necessary - I just connect and disconnect stuff from the powered-up switch as and when I want, and it makes the connection more or less instantly.

True Chris,  I did say it will work it out for itself,  especially so with simple networks & few components,  but this is the correct procedure & its just the right thing to do.    

I am also a stickler for a system reboot with a sequenced power up in the right order, the switch last,  is good for purging connection confusions. 

Posted on: 16 October 2015 by ChrisByrd

Thanks again, all, and for the powering up tip Mike-B.

 

I've found that if I move my extender to the same room as the SU and MacBook Pro (which is standing in for a NAS for the time being), it's too far from the router.  So, I've also ordered a 20 metre ethernet cable to run from the loft to the switch.  I'll figure out how to tidy it up once everything is working .

 

BTW, the reason for the router being in the loft is because the main socket for the phone line is up there.  This goes back to our very first dial-up modem and when my wife used the (converted) loft as an office.  Moving the socket seemed a good idea at the time, but BT now want £160 to move it back.

Posted on: 17 October 2015 by Mike-B
Originally Posted by ChrisByrd:

  Moving the socket seemed a good idea at the time, but BT now want £160 to move it back.

 

That does seem a bit of a rip-off especially as it should take less than 1 hour.

I had mine moved (£130 at that time) & as it happened it worked out a reasonable deal as it involved removing the external house wiring to 3 extensions & installing a new cable to the new position.  It took 1.5 hrs so I felt it was reasonable value.  Even more so as the engineer was Cardiff based & travelled up that morning to do my job & 3 others in my area before returning to Cardiff - 105 miles !!!! - no wonder they want £160.

Posted on: 17 October 2015 by Mike-B
Originally Posted by Mike-B:
Originally Posted by ChrisSU:
I've never found this to be necessary - I just connect and disconnect stuff from the powered-up switch as and when I want, and it makes the connection more or less instantly.

True Chris,  I did say it will work it out for itself,  especially so with simple networks & few components,  but this is the correct procedure & its just the right thing to do.    

I am also a stickler for a system reboot with a sequenced power up in the right order, the switch last,  is good for purging connection confusions. 

Hi again,  the attached link is to a U-Tube video on LAN switch functionality.

The switch in the video is an FS108,  its an 8 port unmanaged type & functionally the same as the GS series discussed in this thread

-  FS = Fast - GS = Gigabit

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtTkW6pFxls

 

Posted on: 17 October 2015 by ChrisByrd

£130 is a little more reasonable, but probably won't be necessary as I've managed to get wired up.  The cable to the loft is fairly unobtrusive and I should be able to hide it almost completely.  The SU connected to the network without trouble, though the MacBook thought about it for a while before connecting - it also needed a reboot.

 

Sound quality is even better, and I'm looking forward to listening to my small but growing collection of high resolution downloads.

 

Thanks again for all the help.

Posted on: 17 October 2015 by ChrisSU

Glad to hear you got it sorted. Wired is the way forward!