Naim UnitiQute

[John Duncan]

Andrew Everard:Have already put my name on the list for a review sample as soon as available.

And where can I do that (despite it being too bloody big)?

 

[plastic penguin]

JohnDuncan:Andrew Everard:Have already put my name on the list for a review sample as soon as available. And where can I do that (despite it being too bloody big)?

I assume from your response it's deeper than the Primare?

 

[John Duncan]

plastic penguin:I assume from your response it's deeper than the Primare?

And the shelf...

 

[plastic penguin]

JohnDuncan:plastic penguin:I assume from your response it's deeper than the Primare? And the shelf...

That's a rascal. You'll have to invest in a new rack.......

 

[John Duncan]

plastic penguin:
JohnDuncan:plastic penguin:I assume from your response it's deeper than the Primare? And the shelf...

That's a rascal. You'll have to invest in a new rack.......

I'd have to invest in a new house that had space for a rack

 

[plastic penguin]

JohnDuncan:plastic penguin:

JohnDuncan:plastic penguin:I assume from your response it's deeper than the Primare? And the shelf...

That's a rascal. You'll have to invest in a new rack.......

I'd have to invest in a new house that had space for a rack

Would this help, John?

http://www.standsunique.com/productrange/support/hifi/compact.htm

Or this....

http://www.standsunique.com/productrange/support/hifi/midi.htm

I have the compact rack and it's superb, adding clarity even to my miserly set-up.

 

[Anonymous]

FrankHarveyHiFi:

This isn't something somebody is going to buy as their main system. This will be purchased by owners of current Naim equipment, whether it be a normal 2 channel system, or an existing Uniti owner who wants to extend the system to another room.

You're right - and wrong. Firstly, many people will buy it as their first piece of Naim equipment now it's in this price range, and then gradually (Naim hope) move up the ladder. Secondly, as you point out, many existing Naim users (myself included) will see it as a non-faff way of getting streaming, internet radio, plug-ins and good quality DAC inputs in one unit. All the more reason, therefore, why Naim should have included a LINE OUT - this seems a big mistake on their part here.

 

[Frank Harvey]

It has a pair of phono pre-outs (as well as a digital output too).

I still don't think this will be the sort of system that people will buy as a main system, partly due to it's price.

 

[True Blue]

FrankHarveyHiFi:

It has a pair of phono pre-outs (as well as a digital output too).

I still don't think this will be the sort of system that people will buy as a main system, partly due to it's price.

People are paying £800 for Sonos, so why not a bit more for NAIM??

 

[Frank Harvey]

All most people need are a ZP90 and a CR200 remote - about £540, which is a lot less than the Naim. And many people don't even need to buy the remote if they download the iPhone/iPod iTouch app, which then makes the addition of Sonos £279.

People paying £800 are those using the ZP90 and CR200 in their main hi-fi system, and the ZP120 controlled by an iPhone as a second zone - just add a few hundred quid for speakers. So effectively they're getting two zones for £1k - again, quite a different price.

 

[Ajani]

FrankHarveyHiFi:
It has a pair of phono pre-outs (as well as a digital output too).

I still don't think this will be the sort of system that people will buy as a main system, partly due to it's price.

The real issue I'd have with buying it as my main system, is the low power (30 watts)... if it was the standard 50 watts (so a Naim Nait 5i with Streamer/DAC/Radio) then it would be a great (and cheaper) alternative to a Naim Nait 5i/CD5i Combo (for those of us who don't use CD players)....

As it is, I'd rather wait for them to release a version without amplification and pair it with a Nait 5i...

But overall I must say that I am very impressed with the way Naim has embraced computer/streaming audio...

 

[Anonymous]

it has preamp outputs so you could use it with naims power amplifiers which would solve the power problem

 

[Frank Harvey]

You've never encountered Naim watts have you?

Chances are, it'll sound just as loud as a good 50 watter, and drive most speakers up to a grand quite easily (Arcam Solo Mini style).

 

[Ajani]

FrankHarveyHiFi:
You've never encountered Naim watts have you?

Chances are, it'll sound just as loud as a good 50 watter, and drive most speakers up to a grand quite easily (Arcam Solo Mini style).

I have no doubt that Naim 30 Watts would be sufficient for many applications... But I'd much rather have Naim 50 Watts!!!

 

[Ajani]

one off:it has preamp outputs so you could use it with naims power amplifiers which would solve the power problem

Yes, but that makes it far more expensive... and in that case I'd still rather wait for a cheaper (amp free version) to be released and pair it with a Naim Amp....

 

[Frank Harvey]

Ajani:I have no doubt that Naim 30 Watts would be sufficient for many applications... But I'd much rather have Naim 50 Watts!!!

Then a Uniti it is then!

 

[Frank Harvey]

Ajani: Yes, but that makes it far more expensive... and in that case I'd still rather wait for a cheaper (amp free version) to be released and pair it with a Naim Amp....

But if it's primarily designed to be an add on second zone, there won't be a non amplifier version, unless Naim plan or need to extend the streaming thing further.

 

[plastic penguin]

I have some really serious issues with this Qute. My comments from yesterday were pretty flippent and mostly tongue-in-cheek.

The gizzards of the Uniti is basically the Nait 5i and CD 5i. What hi-fi, and one or two retailers, said that the sound quality is just shy of the amp/cd combo. Traditionally, when companies give you a less expensive version of a previous incarnation, it usually means a strip-down version. Most of this normally comes with sound quality, plus a few features.

My point is, if the Uniti is based on Naim's entry-level stuff, does this mean the Qute is even further stripped down version of the Nait 5? If so, then it'll be intersting to hear WHFI's findings, once Naim deliver a test model.

 

[Anonymous]

Bet it sells like hot cakes. Even moreso if Naim come up with a small speaker to match it.

 

[Anonymous]

Not for me but Naim are on fire!

All I want is a 5i with a DAC built in. And KNOBS! (Or at least a blasted volume knob)!

Going to be an interesting year for hi-fi, and technology in general i think 🙂

 

[Ajani]

Pmaninit:

All I want is a 5i with a DAC built in.

That would work!!!

 

[Ajani]

FrankHarveyHiFi:

Ajani: Yes, but that makes it far more expensive... and in that case I'd still rather wait for a cheaper (amp free version) to be released and pair it with a Naim Amp....

But if it's primarily designed to be an add on second zone, there won't be a non amplifier version, unless Naim plan or need to extend the streaming thing further.

Hopefully they will expand the streamers eventually... A UnitiQute minus the amplification (assuming they use at least a CD5i quality DAC) would be a great altenative to the CD5i for computer audio fans... and it would be upgradeable by adding the Naim DAC, so there would not be the need for a more expensive version...

 

[Ajani]

plastic penguin:

I have some really serious issues with this Qute. My comments from yesterday were pretty flippent and mostly tongue-in-cheek.

The gizzards of the Uniti is basically the Nait 5i and CD 5i. What hi-fi, and one or two retailers, said that the sound quality is just shy of the amp/cd combo. Traditionally, when companies give you a less expensive version of a previous incarnation, it usually means a strip-down version. Most of this normally comes with sound quality, plus a few features.

My point is, if the Uniti is based on Naim's entry-level stuff, does this mean the Qute is even further stripped down version of the Nait 5? If so, then it'll be intersting to hear WHFI's findings, once Naim deliver a test model.

Yep there is the sad possibility that the Qute won't sound as good as the Uniti, but I'm still hopeful that maybe, removing the CD Player and lowering the power has allowed them to produce something as good as or better than than a Nait 5i... If that's the case, then even the 30 watts would stop being a dealbreaker for me...

I can't wait to see some reviews on the Qute... Everytime I see a pic of it, I start becoming more and more tempted...

 

[plastic penguin]

Ajani:plastic penguin:

I have some really serious issues with this Qute. My comments from yesterday were pretty flippent and mostly tongue-in-cheek.

The gizzards of the Uniti is basically the Nait 5i and CD 5i. What hi-fi, and one or two retailers, said that the sound quality is just shy of the amp/cd combo. Traditionally, when companies give you a less expensive version of a previous incarnation, it usually means a strip-down version. Most of this normally comes with sound quality, plus a few features.

My point is, if the Uniti is based on Naim's entry-level stuff, does this mean the Qute is even further stripped down version of the Nait 5? If so, then it'll be intersting to hear WHFI's findings, once Naim deliver a test model.

Yep there is the sad possibility that the Qute won't sound as good as the Uniti, but I'm still hopeful that maybe, removing the CD Player and lowering the power has allowed them to produce something as good as or better than than a Nait 5i... If that's the case, then even the 30 watts would stop being a dealbreaker for me...

I can't wait to see some reviews on the Qute... Everytime I see a pic of it, I start becoming more and more tempted...

I can't wait, either. Just like to add that if it is depleted slightly of sound, that should bring it within the radar of other, cheaper brands, like Arcam Solo.....

 

[Anonymous]

30W is way too weak IMHO ... you would have to have to be very careful with what speakers you select