Uniti 2 vs 272 + 200

Is this for your main system, or is that the olive stuff? What are your speakers, and what is the olive stuff? You could put it in your profile...

My system is: CDS\XPS, 52\Supercap , 2 X 135's, Spendor SP100. I'm listening to music from my PC, in streaming and also from vinyl.

It gives me plenty of satisfaction for more than 10 years.

I have moved in a Condo downtown and I can't play it loud. So there is no use to keep that system.

So, I want to have a smaller system but no compromise on quality,

You get what you pay for....so a 272/200 will sound loads better than a Uniti 2. There are quite a few options out there, so it would be easier to come up with suggestions if you have a budget in mind, and an idea of how many boxes you have room for. 

Do you still want a CD player, or will you just rip your CDs and store them on a NAS? 

My CD's are alreadey all ripped on a NAS (5 TB) in original format (AIFF).  It takes more space than AAC or other compressed formats but quality is there. NAS are cheaper than a HIFI storage unit.

All my components are linked in a wireless mode and also with Ethernet (Cat 7 cable) with an optical fibe entry (up to 940 MBPS). In fact everything is connected in IP, HDTV included. Digital world is  based on IP.. Audioquest have excellent Cat 7 cables.

I have realised,  specially if you listen to your music from your NAS or from streaming providers, that Ethernet connection with high quality cables is as important as connections with high quality interconnect cables and is really an improvement over wireless; stability, interference, ..

Sorry for my long intro..   to answer to your question, with all my CD's ripped in original format, I don't really need a compact disc reader...

But, I want a unit with DAC capabilities and of course Ethernet entry..

If I were you, I'd go for 272, XPSDR and 250DR. You should notice little drop in quality from what you have now. 

Clearly the 272/200 given the options. The uniti2 don't cut it in comparison with what the 272/200 can deliver.

One factor you may consider is the space you are using this for. If it is only for a small space and mostly casual listening, uniti2 may be a good choice in terms VFM.

What is the quality of the Uniti 2 compare to 272|200 ?

Thanks

P.S. 15 cm of snow today in Quebec City, minus 6 C; I've been skiing for two hours. Absolutely wonderful.

Salut Rossie,

The Uniti 2 is not as good as the 272/200, which is not as good as your 52/SC/135s...

If I were in your situation, I would not give up the 52/SC as it is a superb preamp. Downsize the power amp perhaps to fit the condo.

Jan (fondeur depuis 40 ans)

With the 52/SC, I need a separate box to access the streaming music, the MAC TV or same kind of unit, and I need to have a separate DAC, bluetooh options ...

I agree that the 52/SC is a wonderful combo, I have used it to listen music from CD's and from my Digital Recorder and my Revox for years.

But "The times they are a changin..." as Dylan said.

I have to change my system due to personnal constraint; at the same time, I'm looking at the way the availability of music evolves: we are not buying CD's anymore; we are not buying music (ex. ITunes), we are more and more paying a montly fee to listen to music anywhere, anytime, with very different units (HIFI system, PC, IPhone, IPad,...). I don't think that the 52/SC is the best solution to support all that evolution.

But as I said, I want to be able to follow that  evolution but I don't want to loose quality and pleasure to listen to music.

Maybe I'm wrong, that's why I'm asking advices...

Of course the Uniti 2 won't sound as good as a separates combo but it still may be good enough for you to enjoy. I went from a 52/sc/135s/CDS2/xps system to my present Superuniti via a Uniti and wouldn't go back. I love streaming and hate CDs (always have really) but I still have my LP12/Troika.

The key experience for me was at a hifi show where Naim had several rooms , one playing a full 500 series system and the other the newly launched Uniti. Although the sound of the 500 system was "better"  I spent more time in the Uniti room  because the music was better and it sounded somehow more fun to listen to. For me the availability of a massive streaming library far outweighs the loss in hifi quality but I guess if you have a small range of favourite music you like to listen critically to then you'll be happier with separates. I have my vinyl for when I'm in that mood (maybe 10% of the time).

When you say MAC TV, is that an Apple TV box?

If you want a single box, you'd be better off with a Superuniti, which is better than a Uniti 2, and doesn't have a CD player which you don't want. 

If you don't mind having 2 boxes, either a 272/200 or 272/250 would be nice. If you intend to keep the same speakers, I suspect a 250 would drive them much better. You could also consider NDX/Supernait. 

If you can cope with 3 boxes, keep your XPS as this gives a very big improvement with a 272. It can also power an NDX. 

I think you should look (and listen) hard at the SuperUniti. It will cost you about the same as a 272 and in my experience where I have one in my second system, it's a very musically satisfying and relaxing unit. You would save the cost of the NAP 200. I would expect the SuperUniti to sound similar to a 272/200 but of course you can't do a power supply upgrade (which might be seen as an advantage!

best

David

ChrisSU posted:

When you say MAC TV, is that an Apple TV box?

If you want a single box, you'd be better off with a Superuniti, which is better than a Uniti 2, and doesn't have a CD player which you don't want. 

If you don't mind having 2 boxes, either a 272/200 or 272/250 would be nice. If you intend to keep the same speakers, I suspect a 250 would drive them much better. You could also consider NDX/Supernait. 

If you can cope with 3 boxes, keep your XPS as this gives a very big improvement with a 272. It can also power an NDX. 

Apple TV Box

Not sure I would agree with @David Henson about the SuperUniti. I haven't done a side by side comparison, but I was very impressed by the 272, which seemed a huge step up to me, while the SU was better than what I had at the time, but not a revolution. That's hardly a criticism if the SU, which is very good, but there is price difference and you do get what you pay for.

Also, more specifically,  the SU has a robust, fairly forward sound that seems more suitable for big spaces and big volumes than the OP has in mind. 

If you have the choice financially and don't need big volume,  a 272/200 seems an excellent choice. Match it with speakers that work well at lower volume and you'll be a very happy chappie. 

One of the most significant changes I found when moving from the SU to a 272/250DR is that the latter is massively more engaging. I'm drawn into the music in a way I never was with the SU. Of course, I didn't realise what was missing at the time, but once I'd changed I realised what others meant when they said the SU is somewhat boring. It's great at the price, and I'm not criticising it, but the 272 with a suitable power amp is simply miles better. 

Hungryhalibut posted:

One of the most significant changes I found when moving from the SU to a 272/250DR is that the latter is massively more engaging. I'm drawn into the music in a way I never was with the SU. Of course, I didn't realise what was missing at the time, but once I'd changed I realised what others meant when they said the SU is somewhat boring. It's great at the price, and I'm not criticising it, but the 272 with a suitable power amp is simply miles better. 

+1 To me, any 272 or NDX based system is a big step up from the SU. 

Hungryhalibut posted:

One of the most significant changes I found when moving from the SU to a 272/250DR is that the latter is massively more engaging. I'm drawn into the music in a way I never was with the SU. Of course, I didn't realise what was missing at the time, but once I'd changed I realised what others meant when they said the SU is somewhat boring. It's great at the price, and I'm not criticising it, but the 272 with a suitable power amp is simply miles better. 

Of course a 272/250DR is a lot more money than an SU, so it should be a lot better.  Anyway I will soon be able to opine myself as I have an SU and a 272/250DD although the 250DR is waiting to be connected and will then need to run in....

I use my SU in a small space and it's great..

best

David