Would I benefit from a NAP 100?

Have a look in the forum search. Some say yes, some say no. You’ll have to try it and see. But if the shop thinks it’s pointless, and they would say different if they only wanted to make money, that is probably the best advice you’ll get. 

When I used a UQ then added a NAP100 it brought a nice lift in performance but took some of the fun away from the UQ.

The 100 stayed though as it made the overall music play back more enjoyable. 

another issue I'd have if I added the NAP is that I couldn't feed the sub I'm using (the twenty 21s need help lower down) via the pre outs

I ran my UQ as preamp with a Nap and a BK sub

I Used special custom specific cable ordered from Flashback

2Rca out from UQ 

Din4 to Nap and 2rca to sub - all in one cable with around 1.2 mtr to poweramp and 3.5-4 mtr to sub

Works great and fair priced, delivery few days max

I'd suggest that the 21s don't need help down there from a sub. What they need is more welly than either a Qute or a 100 can provide. Try a used non DR 200. 

I'm with HH on this one. I had a UQ2 and NAP100 running a set of PMC FB2's. Not quite the same, but I think the 20.21's will benefit from extra power/grip. I expect you would hear a small improvement by adding NAP100 but getting up to a 200 would be a better match. 

NAP100 is very good, but I heard it as a little veiled and slightly rolled off at both frequency extremes relative to higher level amps (my direct comparisons were with NAP200 and Odyssey Khartago).

Of course system synergy always plays a big part. When I heard the UQ2 with Guru Juniors and QM10-2's (with and without NAP100), I was pretty floored by the sound. Bags of fun and everything feeling in its right place (any combination of those 4 items is stellar so I would just choose based on budgetbut leave QM10 to last).

TL;DR  get a home demo comparison of NAP100 v NAP200/alternative if you can, failing that take your speakers to the dealer to at least hear the relative differences between the options.

Imo a 200 is too expensive to use with UQ, if your looking at s/h Nap 150/155, 140/180 even an old 250 etc.

Nap 100 is in some way great on the right speakers which may not be TL.

Just mentioned the sub because OP allready use

Have I just got too good a speaker for the UQ2? I did get them cheap (relatively) as they were ex demo.

I only use the sub when I'm playing at low volume - the speakers only come into their own at mid - loud volume.

Dear chap -

I noticed a similar "lack of grip = lack of bass" effect when running Kudos S10 (also purchased used at an attractive price) off of a Qute v1 versus a SuperUniti. Some might feel even the SU isn't enough, but I'm liking it and will explore a Nova upgrade "soon" (one box preferred chez moi). This was my first personal experience with something more expensive / better not sounding as good as a lower spec piece due to the oft-mentioned "system synergy"; my usual experience has been that better stuff sounds better (even if it's not "as much better as possible" due to the limiting component).

So, while I'm not familiar with your speakers, I agree with your "not enough amp" feeling per your last msg. I also feel like adding "just a beefier amp" (the 100 as you suggest) might not do it for you, as the rest of the package in the SU and Nova bring a lot to  the party beyond just current delivery. Opens up an turkey different can of worms, of course! 

Regards alan

you don't turn it up to 11 then?

TO me the dealer is right,

100 won't whereas a 200 will.

My suggestion: before you add a caravan that costs more than the car that pulls it, listen carefully, and without biases, to an Atom.

You may discover that the swap/trade could make you spare one box and some money.

Best,

Max

I wouldn't do it for this reason

The UQ does not have a DIN output, and uses RCA outputs.

You'd have to use a pretty good RCA to DIN cable made by Naim or Chord cables to bring the fun back, by which time you've spend a minimum of 100 GBP for little benefit. Maybe the Chord Clearway (100 GBP) could do the job actually.

Now if you are talking about Uniti which has a proper DIN output, yes by all means.

analogmusic posted:

I wouldn't do it for this reason

The UQ does not have a DIN output, and uses RCA outputs.

You'd have to use a pretty good RCA to DIN cable made by Naim or Chord cables to bring the fun back, by which time you've spend a minimum of 100 GBP for little benefit. Maybe the Chord Clearway (100 GBP) could do the job actually.

Now if you are talking about Uniti which has a proper DIN output, yes by all means.

Have you tried a UQ/100 or just speculating?

Flashback have a RCA/DIN interconnect which looks exactly like Chord Chrysalis/Naim's own

No idea if its the exact same cable though

Perol posted:

Flashback have a RCA/DIN interconnect which looks exactly like Chord Chrysalis/Naim's own

No idea if its the exact same cable though 

Not the same cable at all.   However the best FlashBack cable is the "Premiere" range; this is a coax pair made by  FlashBack & looks like no other brand - & you get a choice of coloured sleeves.  

I used a flashback cable cost about £30 and this beat a chord cable I purchased that cost around £80. When i used the chord i tbought things were held back but the flashback restored this. 

I'm just asking for other opinions to combine with my own. Isn't that the point of a forum?

Yep and it's nice when those who have tried these combos spend time and contribute to this thread.

HiFiman posted:

analogmusic posted:

I wouldn't do it for this reason

The UQ does not have a DIN output, and uses RCA outputs.

You'd have to use a pretty good RCA to DIN cable made by Naim or Chord cables to bring the fun back, by which time you've spend a minimum of 100 GBP for little benefit. Maybe the Chord Clearway (100 GBP) could do the job actually.

Now if you are talking about Uniti which has a proper DIN output, yes by all means.

Have you tried a UQ/100 or just speculating?

 

I’ve tried it. I don’t see why this is such a big deal to open a question 

some of the Fun of the UQ goes away to my ears

Perol posted:

Flashback have a RCA/DIN interconnect which looks exactly like Chord Chrysalis/Naim's own

No idea if its the exact same cable though

 

It surely is NOT. Only naim and chord had enough quantity of the genuine Lavender cables 

i know cuz I tried a few of the flashbacks

They sound nothing like the real naim cables or the mighty Chord chrysalis

I would advise members to save up and buy genuine Naim cables day and night difference 

analogmusic posted:

I wouldn't do it for this reason

The UQ does not have a DIN output, and uses RCA outputs.

You'd have to use a pretty good RCA to DIN cable made by Naim or Chord cables to bring the fun back, by which time you've spend a minimum of 100 GBP for little benefit. Maybe the Chord Clearway (100 GBP) could do the job actually.

Now if you are talking about Uniti which has a proper DIN output, yes by all means.

I disagree on the RCA/DIN argument.

I started out with a UQ2 as my introduction to Naim. This led me to look towards the 272 & 250 combination in the future and to get there in stages, I added the 250 to the UQ2. I used a Chord Cobra RCA - DIN cable and the combination worked fantastically. I was still having "fun"! Later I added the 272.

Whilst I agree the Naim cables are good, there are many very credible alternatives out there such as Chord and Flashback, which in my opinion offer a better price/performance balance. 

No they don't, the flashback cables I bought, in my opinion, were a complete waste of money once I heard the genuine Naim ones.

They're lying unused in my drawers, waiting for the day my wife will thrown them out.

analogmusic posted:

No they don't, the flashback cables I bought, in my opinion, were a complete waste of money once I heard the genuine Naim ones.

They're lying unused in my drawers, waiting for the day my wife will thrown them out.

Funny that as you use Vertere?

What you fail to understand Analogmusic, is this is a very subjective hobby and opinions and personal tastes vary wildly which makes it so interesting. A good case in point is that you don't even agree with your own opinions hence the Vertere cable in your profile.