"Source First" into UQ amp = Wonderful Music

Posted by: CharlieP on 04 June 2016

As I noted in the thread on 250DR Upgrades, I have shipped my 250.2 off for the DR upgrade.  So I am now playing music with my UnitiQute (24/192) doing service as power amplifier.  I new I would still enjoy music this way, as I hold the UQ in high regard for making music fun.  Still, I was not fully prepared for how good it would sound when fed from a fairly good source.  It sounds positively marvelous!  Anyone hearing this would surely be persuaded of the benefits of "source first."  (But of course, it helps that the speakers are pretty good.)

The "source" in this case is:  Audirvana+ on MacMini -> nDAC/555PSDR ->(HiLine) -> 282/Supercap ->(Din4 to dual RCA -> Analog In of UnitiQute -> CP Dynamics speakers.  I set the volume of the 282 at about 9:00, then control volume with the UQ (remote or Naim App).  

I can't be sure, but I am inclined to say the 282, Supercap, UQ sounds more enjoyable in many ways than the 282, dual olive Hicap, 250.2 with which I lived until a couple moths ago.  The speakers are 4 ohm, with a dipping impedance to 3 Ohms or a bit less. They definitely benefit from better "grip," but behave gracefully without it.  The bass sounds more convincingly real with the 250, with better timing, compared to the UQ.  Driven by the UQ, the bass is a little "plummy" (for lack of better word), but pleasantly so - I can imagine some listeners might even prefer that on some recordings.

I am sharing my experience to:  1)  Compliment Naim, singing praise for the UnitiQute; and 2) to reinforce the notion of "source first."  If one has a balanced system, and wishes to trade "up" over a period of time, then it surely can make sense to start at the source end of the system.

Charlie

Posted on: 04 June 2016 by gary yeowell

I'm a real beliver in the UQ charlie, l love mine, either as a source, or all in one. 

Posted on: 04 June 2016 by CharlieP

Yes, the UQ is a little wonder.  It does very well as digital streaming source.  Using it as a one box system, it plays enjoyable music.  Now I find that its amp really sounds fine, in a fun way.

Posted on: 04 June 2016 by dayjay

I'm a firm believer in source first, and you have really demonstrated it here, but I'm also a firm believer in the UQ which is a truly brilliant little device and superb vfm.

Posted on: 04 June 2016 by The Strat (Fender)

I can remember going into a branch of Audio-T quite a while ago and hearing a UQ with Neat Iotas.  Sublime. 

Posted on: 04 June 2016 by CharlieP

My system a couple of years ago was  nDAC/XPS2, 282/(2) Hicap, 200, when I traded the 200 for 250.2.  It is now  nDAC/555PSDR, 282/Supercap, 250.2.  If I had that to do again, I would seriously consider adding the Supercap first while I still had the 200.  

Posted on: 04 June 2016 by joerand

Off topic but I have to say that's a debonair new avatar Charlie. Lookin' good

Posted on: 05 June 2016 by feeling_zen

The UQ/2 is blessed with a larger dose of Naim magic than most. My main system is also 282/SCDR/250.2 based (albeit different source) but my UQ2 in the office running a truly cheap n cheerful pair of Qacoustics accounts for 90% of my listening time and it just grooves so well that I could live with it as my only system quite easily.

Whoever cooked up the UQ definately had their Wheetabix/RedBull/Double espresso that morning.

Incidentally, my 250.2 also went to Naim last week for DRing.

Posted on: 05 June 2016 by HiFiman

UQ imho just gets down to business and plays music, I have owned multi box naim systems over the years and there's always that itch what if I have a better PSU, Pre etc

My main system now is UQ Mk1 with 192 board, UQ is probably Naims biggest bang for buck.

 

Posted on: 05 June 2016 by CharlieP
joerand posted:

Off topic but I have to say that's a debonair new avatar Charlie. Lookin' good

Thanks, joerand.  That is me making a point near the end of my keynote address to the International Modal Analysis Conference, a few years ago.  But, don't be fooled.  You will not likely see me in a tie again until one of my daughters gets married.  

Posted on: 05 June 2016 by hungryhalibut

International Modal Analysis Conference, that sounds fun! Whether it was as much fun as the Fifth Congress of European Ichthyologists I once attended in Stockholm I'm not sure. Do Modal Analysts have fun? I'm sure they are more jolly than accountants. 

Posted on: 05 June 2016 by CharlieP
Hungryhalibut posted:

International Modal Analysis Conference, that sounds fun! Whether it was as much fun as the Fifth Congress of European Ichthyologists I once attended in Stockholm I'm not sure. Do Modal Analysts have fun? I'm sure they are more jolly than accountants. 

HH,

Surely engineers will be more jolly than accountants, especially when it is time to split the bar bill.  But admittedly as nerdy.  Modes and their prediction and identification are a fascinating subject, with applications to bridges, airplanes, automobiles, spacecraft, golf clubs, as well as loudspeakers and racks.  The Fifth Congress of European Ichthyologists sounds a bit fishy to me.