NAP 200 + Unitiqute 2 - no changes in sound

Hungryhalibut posted:

Doesn't that mean that the signal is going straight from the Qute to the power amp, and that the addition of the preamp is largely pointless? Surely it would be better to set the volume of the Qute and use the full functionality of the preamp?

True. You're just passing the Qute through to the poweramp in this setup.

Setting the volume of the Qute to 0 will mean no sound, there's no fixed volume output on the Qute unless you've got a DAC in the mix.

I'd rather be able to use the Naim App to control the Qute completely. I use my pre for vinyl replay. And yes, I know a 172/272/ND5XS/NDX would be a better solution than the mish mash setup I have.

Gavin's suggestion might be a better option for the OP?

Timo posted:

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

Cheers!

I listened to these options quite extensively, and ended up torn between the two. I would say they sound quite different, but I'm not 100% sure which is better - I plumped for the 172/200 because it had a smoother, slightly more (to my ears) mature sound, whereas the SU was more bouncy and eager. But I liked both very much. Only your ears can decide - always true, but perhaps particularly so in this case.

I think ultimately my decision was as much to do with a view of the future - the SU is great as a destination, and the 172/200 is great as a destination or as part of the journey. I decided the time may come where I upgrade, so the 172/200 was the right one to get. However, I'm in no rush, and I certainly won't upgrade to a 272 until the new Uniti platform has been applied to the pre/streamers.

according to the posts 172xs's preamp  is much better then UQ2. 172+nap 200 win the Superunity often, don't think UQ can.  Maybe problem is  in the interconnect RCA-DIN...try to make good cable for example form chord Cobra vee 3.

My bad - I was thinking of using the UQ as just a streamer into the Dac V1 via spdif. From experience that's a waste - my microRendu and LPS-1 power supply just trounce the UQ as renderer - but you need a DAC in the way. 

Hello !

One month experience: while connecting UQ2+nap 200 i found that sound became smoother and more transparent but not punchy, attack is blurred a little. I think it can be the problem of power option of NAP. UQ2 is all in one solution and it's power section is complete, on the contrary nap 200 is ready to be upgraded with power supply. My opinion is that punch is hidden in external power supply. Any idea ?

Hi. My experience is similar to most others' (including yours) here. Had bare UQ2, then UQ2+nap100 (for a longer period, and imo the nap 100 isn't negligible). But still thought I was missing something. I then tried nap200 on the UQ2 and it just sounded bad (diffuse and lifeless, worse than bare UQ2). Also tried nap 155xs, didn't like it. Then tried the 172xs, and everything changed. Still didn't like the nap 155xs, but nap200 is a great partner. So in conclusion it's just bad matching between the UQ2's preamp and the nap200.

 I think adding dac-v1 is a waste, and by trading in or selling UQ2 you can get nac n172 xs. Try to demo that, preferably with Naca 5 or Tellurium Q black speaker cable (the TQ would go better with pmc I think). 

The nap200 doesn't lack punch at all, in a correct setup.

Yes, agree with Rainsoothe - the 200 with the 172 is an excellent combination - a really balanced and musical pairing. 

I never tried UQ with my 200 as I'd sold the UQ before I got it. Certainly, the 100 was great with the UQ - a stunning little amp. But the 200 is a step up, and I suspect the UQ preamp just isn't good enough to do it justice. 

Uniqute 2 + NAP 200 may not be the best combination as you need better control for the NAP 200. For this reason, you need a NAControl.