NaimUniti 2 vs UnitiLite + NAP200

[ErwinC]

Just curious

but what would result in the better sound: a NaimUniti 2 or a UnitiLite used as preamp/streamer plus a NAP200? I know there is a price difference but assuming both setups cost the same, what setup would give the best value for money?

 

[chebby]

Just curious but what would result in the better sound: a NaimUniti 2 or a UnitiLite used as preamp/streamer plus a NAP200? I know there is a price difference but assuming both setups cost the same, what setup would give the best value for money?

I think the combined price of a NAP-200 + UnitiLite would actually be more than the cost of a Naim SuperUniti.

The SuperUniti would my choice with your budget.

 

[ErwinC]

I think the combined price of a NAP-200 + UnitiLite would actually be more than the cost of a Naim SuperUniti.

The SuperUniti would my choice with your budget.

Agreed, but i currently have a UnitiLite and can buy a NAP200 for a good price. I asked for the above comparison because i also know how the Uniti 2 sounds.

 

[Sospri]

Audition theSuperunity, simple.........

 

[ErwinC]

Audition theSuperunity, simple.........

It is not my intention to upgrade to a SuperUniti or Uniti 2. I am happy with my UnitiLite and did not plan to change anything but i just saw a NAP200 for sale for a very good price and was wondering if adding a NAP200 would be a cost-effective upgrade and bring the UnitiLite in the same as league as the Uniti 2. When i bought the UnitiLite i also auditioned the Uniti 2. For me the Uniti 2 was not worth the price difference although i did find the Uniti 2 slightly better.

 

[Sospri]

Your question might get a better response on the Naim forum, I have always found them very helpful............

 

[rainsoothe]

Audition theSuperunity, simple.........

It is not my intention to upgrade to a SuperUniti or Uniti 2. I am happy with my UnitiLite and did not plan to change anything but i just saw a NAP200 for sale for a very good price and was wondering if adding a NAP200 would be a cost-effective upgrade and bring the UnitiLite in the same as league as the Uniti 2. When i bought the UnitiLite i also auditioned the Uniti 2. For me the Uniti 2 was not worth the price difference although i did find the Uniti 2 slightly better.

maybe he meant that the unitilite+nap200 sounds like a superunity so you should audition it in order to get the feel of it? just a guess

 

[rainsoothe]

Audition theSuperunity, simple.........

It is not my intention to upgrade to a SuperUniti or Uniti 2. I am happy with my UnitiLite and did not plan to change anything but i just saw a NAP200 for sale for a very good price and was wondering if adding a NAP200 would be a cost-effective upgrade and bring the UnitiLite in the same as league as the Uniti 2. When i bought the UnitiLite i also auditioned the Uniti 2. For me the Uniti 2 was not worth the price difference although i did find the Uniti 2 slightly better.

maybe he meant that the unitilite+nap200 sounds like a superunity so you should audition it in order to get the feel of it? just a guess

 

[lindsayt]

Your question might get a better response on the Naim forum, I have always found them very helpful............

Me too. Whatever the general consensus is over there, do the opposite for best results.

The guys on the Naim forum can't spend your money quickly enough for minimal sonic benefits.

 

[Sospri]

Your question might get a better response on the Naim forum, I have always found them very helpful............

Me too. Whatever the general consensus is over there, do the opposite for best results.

The guys on the Naim forum can't spend your money quickly enough for minimal sonic benefits.

The OP asked what would sound better between 2 scenario's which may be a minimal sonic benefit, so why the attitude ?

 

[Jota180]

The pre amp in the Unitilite likely falls short of maximising the NAP200 whereas the Uniti 2's pre/power combo will be a better match.

The forum admin on the Naim forum has said he'd rather take a less expensive, but price matched Naim set up than a NAP 500 on the end of a cheap Naim pre amp. Basically his opinion is you're wasting money matching cheaper pre's with expensive powers.

What speakers does this have to drive?

 

[iceman16]

I agree with the more sonic benefit of upgrading a pre amp than a power amp on Naim. IME I would rather go for a 282/200 than a 202/250. Hope this will give you some idea.

 

[ErwinC]

What speakers does this have to drive?

B&W CM5 S2 or PMC twenty.21 or ATC SCM11. First have to do some listening. Currently a pair of B&W 685 S2, very good speakers for the money.

 

[zipperhead]

Yes... adding a 200 will give a boost to your UnitiLite... assuming of course that it has a preamp out (I assume you have verified this). I think that the UL/200 combo would likely outperform a Uniti 2, but you should probably audition to see for yourself.

I added a 250.2 to my SuperUniti to great effect.... astounding effect actually. It's a whole different beast entirely. Adding the 200 would also give you the option to try passive bi-amping. Note that I did try this with my set up but didn't get along with the sound.... others though swear by it. I'm sure it has alot to do with your speakers.

Adding the 200 also opens up possibilities moving forward... i.e. moving slowly to separates and pressing your UL into service as a second system.

 

[lindsayt]

Your question might get a better response on the Naim forum, I have always found them very helpful............

Me too. Whatever the general consensus is over there, do the opposite for best results.

The guys on the Naim forum can't spend your money quickly enough for minimal sonic benefits.

The OP asked what would sound better between 2 scenario's which may be a minimal sonic benefit, so why the attitude ?

So, why did you point him towards the one area of the Internet where he is least likely to get good advice on the 2 choices he's considering?

As for the "attitude", would you like to visit a Naim dealer with me, where we will compare my £150 amplifier against a £35,000 Naim NAC 552 / NAP500 combination to hear for yourself why I find it impossible to take anything said on the Naim Forum seriously.

 

[ErwinC]

Yes... adding a 200 will give a boost to your UnitiLite... assuming of course that it has a preamp out (I assume you have verified this). I think that the UL/200 combo would likely outperform a Uniti 2, but you should probably audition to see for yourself.

I added a 250.2 to my SuperUniti to great effect.... astounding effect actually. It's a whole different beast entirely. Adding the 200 would also give you the option to try passive bi-amping. Note that I did try this with my set up but didn't get along with the sound.... others though swear by it. I'm sure it has alot to do with your speakers.

Adding the 200 also opens up possibilities moving forward... i.e. moving slowly to separates and pressing your UL into service as a second system.

Thanks for the useful feedback.

Yes, the UL has a preamp out and you can disable the internal amplifier. If you do this, the preamp section of the UL has a big power supply.

 

[Sospri]

Your question might get a better response on the Naim forum, I have always found them very helpful............

Me too. Whatever the general consensus is over there, do the opposite for best results.

The guys on the Naim forum can't spend your money quickly enough for minimal sonic benefits.

The OP asked what would sound better between 2 scenario's which may be a minimal sonic benefit, so why the attitude ?

So, why did you point him towards the one area of the Internet where he is least likely to get good advice on the 2 choices he's considering?

As for the "attitude", would you like to visit a Naim dealer with me, where we will compare my £150 amplifier against a £35,000 Naim NAC 552 / NAP500 combination to hear for yourself why I find it impossible to take anything said on the Naim Forum seriously.

Ah I see, a Naim hater........

 

[lindsayt]

No, I'm not a Naim hater at all. From the NAP250 upwards they make good sounding amplification, including the Superline which is a fine sounding phono stage.

But they are not the only company in the history of the 20th and 21st centuries to make fine sounding amplification. There are quite a few other amps that sound at least as good as Naim's best offerings. The difference being Naim pricing new and second hand, which is far too high for me to recommend them.

I can't find it in my heart to hate a brand that makes some good sounding amplification, just because of the pricing. Good luck to Naim if they can find enough customers to stay in business.

However, go to the Naim forum and it's an exercise in spending as much money as you can, collecting as many Naim boxes as you can. The hugely blinkered general opinion on that forum is that there are no valid alternatives to Naim, sound quality wise. Which is just total brainwashed, baa-baa sheep nonsense.

A wise person. A well informed person will aim to get the best sounding system he can for the least amount of money spent in the short and long term.