NAP 200 + Unitiqute 2 - no changes in sound

When you demoed it at the dealer I assume it made for a good enough improvement to persuade you to go ahead and purchase, so what was different?

Adding a better power amp is not always or even often an automatic improvement - it can just as likely be a backward step as the source or pre section is more exposed.  However, it's worth looking at what differences there are in the setup and connected kit to try to ascertain why it's not working as well as it did during your demo.  Also bear in mind that the NAP200 is fresh out the box so needs a little time to fully come on song.

Hi. As part of my upgrade path I added a NAP200 to my Unitiqute2 and found a difference. The soundstage was much bigger and more depth. When I replaced my Unitiqute2 with my NAC172XS I didn't notice too much difference, but still love the sound that they both bring. Speakers are Kudos X2 along with a LP12 and Primere R32 phono amp. 

Dmitriy posted:

Hello,

I'm in stupid situation : added nap 200 to Unitiqute 2 and hear  no difference in sound. Maybe small changes but no huge upgrade at all. 

My wife also says that UQ2 is has more life in sound. Something goes wrong )

QU2 + PMC twenty 22+Spotify.

cables: Nac A5, SAEK 6000 (for qute) and standard  power cord for NAP 200

connected NAP 200 with custom cable (old naim CD cable with RCA)

You do have the speakers connected to the NAP200 rather than the Qute ? 

(silly question but just wanted to check)

this is used amp and  home demo. Just i want to understand why there is no difference between 30 amp of UQ2  and 200 nap. A lot if naim users describe significant improvements with external amp to UQ

james n posted:

Dmitriy posted:

Hello,

I'm in stupid situation : added nap 200 to Unitiqute 2 and hear  no difference in sound. Maybe small changes but no huge upgrade at all. 

My wife also says that UQ2 is has more life in sound. Something goes wrong )

QU2 + PMC twenty 22+Spotify.

cables: Nac A5, SAEK 6000 (for qute) and standard  power cord for NAP 200

connected NAP 200 with custom cable (old naim CD cable with RCA)

You do have the speakers connected to the NAP200 rather than the Qute ? 

(silly question but just wanted to check)

i disable speakers option  in UQ when use NAP 200

Have you gone into the UQ settings and set speakers to 'none'?

Edit: ah, you have.

Ok - just wanted to check. As Richard mentions above, give it a couple of days but if you really don't hear an improvement then look on it as money saved 

Is Spotify your only source?  That may be the limiting factor.  

Try a CD or some FLAC files directly plugged into the Qute2 via USB.

OK, sorry thought it was new.  If used, how used? How old?

I added a Nap 150 to my Qute too but it wasn't until I added a Nac 122x that I heard a real difference I then traded in the Qute for an ND5XS and had a real improvement again.

yes I forgot to add. I haven't been listing to Spotify, but FLAC files on a NAS drive....maybe this is why I hear more of a difference.

With your PMC 20.22, I would have thought you would really benefit from a beefier amp. I only heard the UQ2 once and that was with ProAc Tablette, which I think is far more appropriate for the little UQ2 than your PMC 20.22. Feeling_Zen, for instance, had a 250DR to drive the less demanding 20.23!

Where do you see your Naim journey going? Towards a proper Separates system? If not, I would rather climb up the Uniti ladder than adding a NAP200. Maybe a used SuperUniti? With the new Uniti range (slowly) approaching, there are quite a few good deals out there! 

You are still hearing the same sound as before because you ARE hearing the same sound as before,you only added more power to it,if you have difficult to drive speakers,it should play louder,with more control,but the pre amp section of the UQ2 is what you are listening to.

adding dac v1 to system  would be the right way?

No quarter posted:

You are still hearing the same sound as before because you ARE hearing the same sound as before,you only added more power to it,if you have difficult to drive speakers,it should play louder,with more control,but the pre amp section of the UQ2 is what you are listening to.

Not quite. Turning the power amp section in the UQ off changes the power supply and presumably magnetic situation inside the UQ.

I tested this quite easily when I added a 150x to my UQ and toggled the no speakers setting on the UQ a couple of times - it clearly sounded better when switching to the no speakers setting.

Doesn't help the OP much if he can't hear a difference regardless, but it was clear in my case.

Dmitriy posted:

adding dac v1 to system  would be the right way?

No, you should try to find the reason for the problem with the 200 first. If you have an old 200, what condition is it in? Find out it's age and see if it needs a service.

Are you sure the 'custom cable' you have is up to the job? Maybe try to listen to an alternative check that it's OK.

Do you have an equipment stand? The Qute will not be happy if it is sitting on top of the 200.

I have found the problem - music content\quality )

i was testing with 320 kbps MP3 and listen spotify pop charts, but when i tried orchestra+flac the difference was founded. Without nap 200 music was like a porridge )

Thanks to all for replies !

Old rule -- rubbish in, rubbish out. I am no longer using Spotify but Tidal. Will return though to Spotify when CD quality is offered. Hopefully soon...

Enjoy your NAP200 until the upgrade bug bites. NAC202.... 

i'll try to add  dac v1 and close marathon for a while  

Adding a V1 doesn't really make sense. What are you hoping to achieve? 

Dmitriy posted:

i'll try to add  dac v1 and close marathon for a while &nbsp

If not the Separates route, then maybe a 272!?

better dac + preamp  = better soudn quality. I'm wrong ?

You are still feeding it with the Qute though. As Timo suggested you'd be far better doing nothing until you can afford a 272. If that is too expensive, try the 172 instead of the Qute instead. 

HungryHalibut, purely out of curiosity: 200 plus 172 equal, better or worse than SuperUniti? If you happen to have a view -- probably.   

Cheers!

I've never heard a 172/200 so cannot comment. Sorry.