Unitiqute +/- NAP100
Posted by: DC71 on 01 December 2015
Having recently sold my NAP100 and while waiting for a new amp delivery, it's the first time I've had a chance to listen to the qute2 on its own for an extended period so I thought I'd post some thoughts for anyone who's considering either product.
The qute2 is an excellent introduction to the Naim world, and will probably work to fill even a large space with suitably efficient and easy to drive speakers. I also don't think it would be shown up when paired with amps and certain speakers at double its price, given some judicious matching.
The downside of course is that 30w power means less flexibility in what speakers can be driven and how well the sound will fill larger rooms or go to moderate/higher volumes.
The NAP100 adds in this flexibility on speaker options, room size and volumes, but only to a certain extent. It is a gem of an amp but don't expect wonders, it's still more suited to high efficiency easily driven speakers.
It also added more solidity, better sound staging, imaging and more natural tonality/harmonics in my space with my fairly low efficiency wharfedale jade 3's (stereophile measured 83.5 rather than the advertised 86db)
I've hugely enjoyed the qute2/NAP pairing for the last 2 years and think the Jade3 speakers have potential for great sound in my space, but they need more power and grip to show their full potential.
I thoroughly recommend both of these units. And fingers crossed that I don't get any urge to upgrade the qute or change speakers once I have the new amp in place..
The qute2 is an excellent introduction to the Naim world, and will probably work to fill even a large space with suitably efficient and easy to drive speakers. I also don't think it would be shown up when paired with amps and certain speakers at double its price, given some judicious matching.
The downside of course is that 30w power means less flexibility in what speakers can be driven and how well the sound will fill larger rooms or go to moderate/higher volumes.
The NAP100 adds in this flexibility on speaker options, room size and volumes, but only to a certain extent. It is a gem of an amp but don't expect wonders, it's still more suited to high efficiency easily driven speakers.
It also added more solidity, better sound staging, imaging and more natural tonality/harmonics in my space with my fairly low efficiency wharfedale jade 3's (stereophile measured 83.5 rather than the advertised 86db)
I've hugely enjoyed the qute2/NAP pairing for the last 2 years and think the Jade3 speakers have potential for great sound in my space, but they need more power and grip to show their full potential.
I thoroughly recommend both of these units. And fingers crossed that I don't get any urge to upgrade the qute or change speakers once I have the new amp in place..