Naim Unitiqute questions from beginner

[Aslan]

I am looking at buying the Naim Unitiqute and have a few questions. I am seriously considering this because it has internet radio and has an optical connection for my DVD player, satellite tv and X box. Sounds really perfect for my needs, especially as I will not have space for a 5.1 system. I am slightly worried that it does not have a cd player and it only has a 30 watt amp. My budget can not really stretch to the more expensive Uniti. Is 30 watts considered very low for an amplifier? Or will it drive most speakers? I understand it has a lot to do with speaker sensitivity. I currently have a pair of old mission m51 speakers. If I am to later add a cd player to the unitiqute system, would it sound better than playing uncompressed music through an iPod or computer? Or would there be little or no difference whatsoever? What files should I be using for playing music through an iPod? Is wav the best and easiest? A classic iPod with 160gb memory is quite cheap and should be more than enough to store my whole cd collection in wav format. I would not mind buying one just to have it permanently connected to the Unitiqute. Or would I be better off investing in a cd player or other hard disk device to use with the unitiqute? The price difference between the Unitiqute and Naim's entry level cd player and amp set up is not that big and I can just about stretch to it. Would this set up sound a lot better than a unitiqute? A dealer I visited in Hong Kong thinks I am a bit mad to be considering the Unitiqute as opposed to the Naim cd/amp system. He has not said it out loud but I can tell from his reaction. I don't mind a slight loss of quality in the unitiqute compared to the cd/amp combo as features such as Internet radio and digital connections would more than make up for it for my requirements. But would it be a big loss in quality? I would be most grateful for any comments or advice, thank you.

 

[AL13N]

The Marantz M-CR603 has all the features you want, includes a CD player, and has (slightly) more power at 40 Watts. It also costs considerably less.

I'd recommend revisiting the dealer and listening to the Marantz and UnitiQute side by side. Mention to them your Mission M51 speakers so they can set up both systems with speakers of similar characteristic.

Good Luck

 

[John Duncan]

Good point re: the Marantz.

However, if you're set on the 'Qute, I wouldn't worry about a CD player: the USB slot on the front of the UQ bypasses the DAC in an iPod and should give you sound on a par with many a midrange CD player. indeed, I can't really tell the difference between an iPod plugged into the front of a Uniti and the built-in CD player...

 

[chebby]

I wish Naim had simply 'lopped' off the CD player from the NaimUniti and left the amp as it was (basically a 50wpc Nait 5i-2) for the UnitiQute.

But no, they had to go and complicate things by using a different 30wpc amp section for the UnitiQute. There must be so many potential customers thinking... "hmm, but is 30wpc really enough?", whereas the question never arose with the NaimUniti.

Yes it is probably enough - assuming you don't want volumes levels that will shake light fittings and are not trying to fill a vast room with 'realistic' concert levels - if you use reasonably efficient/sensitive ported speakers. (Say 87db - 90db)

The Marantz M-CR603 is no NaimUniti (or UnitiQute) but it is closer in quality - for its price - than is polite! Difficult to quantify, but I really don't think the 'Uniti and the 'Qute are £2000 and £1000 'better' (respectively) than the M-CR603*. I don't know what the relative price differences are in HK.

(*My old system, until 6 weeks ago, was a Naim Nait 5i-2 and CD5i-2 with NAT05 tuner - and I have heard both the NaimUniti and UnitiQute - so I have a 'benchmark' to base that on although it is a personal opinion only.)

However you really must hear the 'Qute and the M-CR603 for yourself. I can confirm that a USB connected iPod (iPhone in my case) sounds excellent in both cases, and I am only using 256K AAC VBR rips from my CDs.

 

[Aslan]

Thanks guys for your feedback.

Sorry for not having any spaces between paragraphs in my post, I did put them in, do not know what happened. It must make my post really boring and difficult to read.

The Marantz certainly looks like good value for money but I think I have made my mind up on getting the Unitiqute. I have always wanted to have a Naim system but I have no idea why.

Can not wait to go and get it.

 

[Anonymous]

Wish you a happy time with the Qute.

Don't look at spec sheets. Qute is simply a class of its own. 30W should be fine for more sensitive speakers. And you know what? It sound FANTASTIC.

 

[roger06]

But no, they had to go and complicate things by using a different 30wpc amp section for the UnitiQute. There must be so many potential customers thinking... "hmm, but is 30wpc really enough?"

Well the one I demoed last week had no problem driving a pair of Dynaudio Excite 32 floor standers... but yes, maybe not enough if you really want to annoy your neighbours!

 

[Aslan]

Thank you for all your comments and suggestions.

I am having 2nd thoughts on the Qute and was just wondering whether I would be better off buying a seperates system consisting of an airport express (or similar) + DAC + Stereo Amp?

For example, Airport Express (GBP83) + Arcam rDac (GBP300) + Naim Nait 5i amp (GBP850) = GBP1,233

The Unitiqute is priced at GBP1,425. Not much of a price difference.

I do like the Qute but I am put off by the 30 watt amp (I appreciate it probably is enough in reality) and the fact that it does not have a volume knob on the body. The Qute also comes with FM tuner and DAB which I will have no need for.

Would a seperates system such as something similar to what I listed above be much better and flexible than the Qute? Or would it all go horribly wrong when put together leaving me regretting not getting the Qute in the first place?

 

[Anonymous]

The qute is stonkingly good and so small . If 30wpc is enough then get it.

Also, there is a volume on the front - the 'Naim' logo is a mute and volume + - ( although I never ever use it ) .

That's just my opinion.