UnitiLite - NEAT Motive SX2 replacment

What's your budget, and do you really need a CD player and a streamer?

I do like the idea of a CD player but tbh i never user it on the Unitilite. I still have a stash of CDS so it more of a mental "What if" scenario to have a cd player.  The budget is 3-4k. 

Would a suitable solution be to add AMP such as the NAP 200?

One box or multiple boxes?

If you are strictly one box then you have 2 options from Naim (if you want a CD Player); either NaimUniti or a UnitiLite.  If you can either move to everything streamed, or willing to accept a separate CD player; then you could look at SuperUniti.

Alternatively move away from the one-box line and you have a lot of possibilities.

Personally at that budget ... I would look at the SuperUniti to replace your UnitiLite; and add a Pioneer BDP170 to spin discs.

As for the NAP200 ... I added one to my old UnitiQute and it offered a good improvement ... but I always knew it was a step on a path to my current NAC272-N + NAP200 setup.  I'm not sure I would advise it as a one-time upgrade.

Of course ... as always ... you need to demo and try!

Thanks for the response. Its all good food for thought.

For 4k plus the sale of your Unitilite, you could probably get a good used 200 and a 272, that would blow your UL out of the water.....

That's what I would get too - an exdem 272 and a used 200, which is easily doable for £4K. As you didn't play the CDs before you don't need to play them now. The Superuniti will be a lot better than the Lite, but the 272/200 will be miles better than the Superuniti for not a huge amount more money. 

Yes, the SU is still a great option for the money, but.....

There aren't too many used 272s around yet as it hasn't been around for long enough. The reason I suggested a used 200 is that there is little or no benefit to a new 200DR if paired with a 272, as the DR bit won't be used, so you could save £1k by buying a second hand one.

Why the change? What size room? What speaker cable being used currently? What is it about the current system which has given you the upgrade bug? Perhaps the answers to these questions can help us understand the need in order to fulfill the requirement.

Frank.

HI Frank,

16' 7" x 13' 6" (5.05m x 4.11m) UPVC double glazed bay window to

front, wall mounted gas fire with wood surround. 

Im using NAIM NAC A5 cables.

I was contemplating the upgrade as Im assuming the high end models will take the sound experience to the next level.

Nice sized right room! You can go a long way in the HiFi world with a room like that. Your system is a good system as it is. The higher end systems do give more. Apart from the obvious improvements in resolution, scale and dynamics, they often improve in more subtle areas such as rhythm, nuance and finally engagement.

If you haven't been using your CD player at all, it does seem a shame to spend money on a better one to not use it, be it a separate item or as part of an all in one Uniti2. Therefore the obvious solution is a SuperUniti o a 272/200 (250?) if you want to go 2-box, or even an ND5XS/NaitXS2 if you want to go truly 'separates'. All these would suit the SX2s in different ways. You could then focus more on the server side of the solution, allowing you to explore the world of Innuos, Melco, Roon, Asset, etc. 

Frank.

Hi Frank,

what would be useful for me is to have a matrix between the versions so I could see were the technical enhancements lay between the products, do you know if this exists?

I agree, the CD player is redundant so would look at a SuperUniti or the 272/200 set up. No one has mentioned it so I  assume my speakers would be good enough with either of these options?

The Server side of the system is on my list. I use the Android app to connect to a Synology NAS. were the music is stored as FLAC. The connection is over Ethernet as i found the Wifi couldn't handle FLAC.  The NAIM app is ok at best. A bit un-involving IMO

The Synology is all you need. I'd suggest that you set the media server to transcode to wav, as this will sound better. Be aware though that it will not transcode gapless albums properly, so if that's an issue for you you can load MinimServer, which transcodes everything with no problems. 

The Motives are good speakers and will be fine with the SU or a 272/200, though in time better speakers will bring rewards. 

So far I  have secured a customer trade in N12 and have got a reasonable trade in price for my Unitlite. So the next stop is the search for a NAP 200.  Is there anything i need to be aware off with the pairing of the N12 and NAP 200?

What, pray, is a N12?

The N12 is the classic Typo.. lol

I meant the N272 

If you're looking for a used 200 it should come with the correct lead, just connect it to the 272 and use it with the Naim app in the same way as the Uniti. If the 200 is old, it might benefit from a service, so bear this in mind if you see an older one at what appears to be a bargain price. 

If you're not already using a proper rack, the new gear will really benefit from one.

If you're buying through a Naim dealer, they should be able to help you with all this, so make them earn their money! Good luck.

Its a late 2002 model NAP 200 with SNAIC 4 cables

I'd be wary of a 2002 one, unless it's been serviced in the last few years. How much are we talking about? Or is there another typo?

£900 with the cables

Monkadill posted:

Its a late 2002 model NAP 200 with SNAIC 4 cables

Get the serial number from the seller, and Naim will be able to tell you if it's ever been serviced or repaired by them. If it hasn't, at that age, it will need a recap. Either Naim, or Class A in Sheffield, can do this, then it will sound as good as new, but check the cost and consider if this is good value compared to a newer unit. There will always be another one for sale, so if in doubt, leave it.

Thanks for the advice, thats helpful to know.

I've just looked online and found a 2011 model for £1,095. Given that you can always get £100 or so off that's £1000, so £100 more for one that's nine years younger and which won't need getting on for £300 spent on a recap. I know which I'd rather have. 

I've also found a 2009 one for £950, again with a bit of scope for discount I'm sure. Drop me a line if you need any help. 

Sorry, been out of the loop for a while. The Neats are revealing and should show a very handy upgrade like you're making rather well. The 272/200 can obviously reveal much more in future. However, the next thing to look at would be the MinimServer on the Synology. I hear that this is a VERY worthwhile thing to do on the Synology servers.

Frank.