Unitiqute 1 vs 2 (sonic improvements)

I have a UQ1, still 3.17, that is now in the office having been replace by a microRendu in the main rig. I recommend trying an aftermarket power cable - don't break the bank, but a good $100 or so cryo copper cable can give you a nice little bump in sq. Same with a better ethernet cable. 

I was planning on selling my UQ but when I thought about the loss I would incur... now I have the 'office' Mu-so doing nothing. Too much hifi - I need more time to actually listen to it!! 

Hungryhalibut posted:

A lot of people say adding a 100 to a Qute makes it worse. I wouldn't bother. Perhaps try a Superuniti instead. 

I thought the Superuniti sounded boring I wouldn't bother

Adding NAP 100 to UQ2 takes away UQ2's feistiness a little in my setup and room. NAP 100 brings in a tad more body but almost decimates a couple things on the way.  Are not they cut from same sonic cloth? Possibly..

I needed Nap 100 due to speaker choice. Never tried RCA to RCA connection between the streamer and pwr amp though. I/C is Naim's own RCA to DIN.

"Perhaps try a Superuniti instead"

"perhaps it would be worth having a listen to one of the new devices when they come out or, as HH suggests, bite the bullet and move up a rank or two."

I'm kinda 'forced' to stick to the Unitiqute as I fear to buy anything with a Naim logo on it, that has a toroidal transformer bigger than the one inside the UQ, due to transformer hum in my room.

About 2 years ago I tried 3 Nait 5si's and they all suffered badly from transformer hum. The first one very loud and constantly, the second and third every now and then (several times a day though) varying in loudness and length, but when the humming starts it was easily audible throughout the room. Tried a few so-called CD offset blockers/killers, which perfectly killed the hum, but unfortunately also the music. :-(

If I didn't had the humming issues I'd now probably still have the Nait 5si (as I loved it sonically) or a Nait XS(2). 
Apart from the humming issues I think a SuperUniti would be a bit overkill for my needs/room.
I'm listening to music on a fairly modest volume level. (noisy appartment) 

Regarding the new Uniti devices. I really don't like the looks of the new Uniti range. 

Alco posted:

Apart from the humming issues I think a SuperUniti would be a bit overkill for my needs/room.
I'm listening to music on a fairly modest volume level. (noisy appartment) 

I thought my Superuniti performed really quite well at low volumes. I wonder if the extra power, and the extra grip that gives on the speakers, makes more powerful amps a better option for low volume listening. It did hum a bit though, but I had a little NAP 90 that was worse. My current 200DR doesn't hum at all. It's a lottery!

I thought the Nap100 was a very good addition to my UQ2, and was totally worth the investment - even if the uq sounds great on it's own.

Rainsoothe, I agree - I originally auditioned the 'UnitiQute2 bare, then with a NAP100 and finally a NAP250.2 the dealer had taken in as a trade in against a 250DR. With both NAP additions I felt there was a worthwhile improvement, and of course an ideal step for future system building if that is the desired objective. But as has been said, the beauty of the Qute range is their excellent performance independenlty of add on upgrades. Win win situation perhaps.

Qute 2 is a small sonic upgrade over the Qute 1. Whether it's worth the money is debatable, but there is a clear difference. I believe some components are different between the two versions, so it's not just a software or capability thing, it is a slightly better sound.

However, if you really want a Qute 2, I suggest you wait until some trade-ins come on to the market at, probably, much less money than now, as people upgrade to the new Uniti range. Or better still, if you can afford it, get one of the new range yourself.