Need HiFi for digital music

[uniquexme]

Juz sold off my 3 years old entry level set :

- Marantz 6003 CD player connected to ipod touch via usb

- Marantz 6003 Integrated Amp

- Mordaunt Short Aviano 2 speakers

The reason I choose 6003 is becoz it supports iPod. Frankly speaking I dont think I loaded more than 5 cd into this player.

I want to upgrade to a new set without CD player. I have read on internet whereby Mac Mini is good as it can act as media player. But some commented its waste of money if I dont currently own one. My concern is if I add say ipod or mac or any laptop sound outlet via headphone socket to an amp, will the quality of the music be affected compared to via usb (made for ipod)? I also reaad about DAC but I have no knowledge on it.

My supplier friend recommend me this setup:

- Naim CD5i mkII CD player

- Naim Nait 5i mkII Integrated amp

- ProAc Studio 115 bookshelf speaker

What do u guys think about this setup BUT without the cdplayer. Thus I need help on recommend me a digital player that is good quality n can connect to the amp via the source input? Does an ipod or a mac mini or acer laptop give different sound output?

One last question is there any good quality headphone socket to RCA cable?

Pls give me some advise as I m stuck.

 

[nopiano]

Instead of the Nait and CD5 duo, you could get a UnitiLite and treat the CDP as a bonus for when you need it. Then you only have one box. And can get a NAS with the money you save.

Or there any number of other streamers to choose from, though none as neat as the all-in-one.

 

[Juzzie Wuzzie]

Or Apple Airport Express into a 5i-2 and use Airtunes?

Or ipod via Russ Andrews GQ-24 (or equivalent) directly into 5i-2?

Or the UnitiLite!

 

[Overdose]

- Naim CD5i mkII CD player

- Naim Nait 5i mkII Integrated amp

- ProAc Studio 115 bookshelf speaker

What do u guys think about this setup BUT without the cdplayer. Thus I need help on recommend me a digital player that is good quality n can connect to the amp via the source input? Does an ipod or a mac mini or acer laptop give different sound output?

One last question is there any good quality headphone socket to RCA cable?

Pls give me some advise as I m stuck.

Not bad. I use a Mac mini and have no issues.

 

[lpv]

I can tell what i did. Macbook Pro as main source of music connected by optical cable to Rotel RA-11 ( with built in DAC) and Kef Q300 speakers

 

[ID.]

I use an iPod Classic as my main source. I use an Onkyo ND-S1000 as the dock to take a digital signal from the iPod which if feed into the DAC section of my RZ-1. Sounds as good to me as playing CDs. Not sure how to go about getting a digital feed from iPods with the new connectors. Airplay and Apple TV might be options there.

 

[uniquexme]

Instead of the Nait and CD5 duo, you could get a UnitiLite and treat the CDP as a bonus for when you need it. Then you only have one box. And can get a NAS with the money you save.

Or there any number of other streamers to choose from, though none as neat as the all-in-one.

I reviewed the UnitiLite you recommended. Its kind of cool n I believe I have found what I long looking for. So with this UnitiLite, all I need is a pair of speaker, and no amp required rite? I guess with ProAc Studio 115 it pretty much fall within my budget.

Sorry to ask. I only know NAS is a stack of harddisk. So may I ask how do u guys pick the songs without any screen? I think best combo would be connecting a laptop or mac mini. May I also ask how to connect mac mini / laptop to this UnitiLite? Via the headphone socket?

 

[uniquexme]

Or Apple Airport Express into a 5i-2 and use Airtunes?

Or ipod via Russ Andrews GQ-24 (or equivalent) directly into 5i-2?

Or the UnitiLite!

All these Apple Airplay, do we need fast broadband connection in order to use it? Coz m in overseas outstation and we only have EDGE connection here. Does it utilize the actual broadband or adhoc mode?

 

[uniquexme]

Or Apple Airport Express into a 5i-2 and use Airtunes?

Or ipod via Russ Andrews GQ-24 (or equivalent) directly into 5i-2?

Or the UnitiLite!

All these Apple Airplay, do we need fast broadband connection in order to use it? Coz m in overseas outstation and we only have EDGE connection here. Does it utilize the actual broadband or adhoc mode?

 

[nopiano]

Instead of the Nait and CD5 duo, you could get a UnitiLite and treat the CDP as a bonus for when you need it. Then you only have one box. And can get a NAS with the money you save.

Or there any number of other streamers to choose from, though none as neat as the all-in-one.

I reviewed the UnitiLite you recommended. Its kind of cool n I believe I have found what I long looking for. So with this UnitiLite, all I need is a pair of speaker, and no amp required rite? I guess with ProAc Studio 115 it pretty much fall within my budget.

Sorry to ask. I only know NAS is a stack of harddisk. So may I ask how do u guys pick the songs without any screen? I think best combo would be connecting a laptop or mac mini. May I also ask how to connect mac mini / laptop to this UnitiLite? Via the headphone socket?

Yes, amp based on the Nait is built in. There is a basic screen but the best way is to use the iPad or iPod app. They call it nStream.

I'm not expert enough to advise about the Mac Mini, but I believe others use it as a NAS or server or whatever (?), indeed Linn offer one loaded with all their Hi Res downloads as an incentive to buy a Linn DS. Will it not connect in to your (W)LAN?

More here:- http://www.naimaudio.com/hifi-products/unitilite

 

[uniquexme]

Instead of the Nait and CD5 duo, you could get a UnitiLite and treat the CDP as a bonus for when you need it. Then you only have one box. And can get a NAS with the money you save.

Or there any number of other streamers to choose from, though none as neat as the all-in-one.

I reviewed the UnitiLite you recommended. Its kind of cool n I believe I have found what I long looking for. So with this UnitiLite, all I need is a pair of speaker, and no amp required rite? I guess with ProAc Studio 115 it pretty much fall within my budget.

Sorry to ask. I only know NAS is a stack of harddisk. So may I ask how do u guys pick the songs without any screen? I think best combo would be connecting a laptop or mac mini. May I also ask how to connect mac mini / laptop to this UnitiLite? Via the headphone socket?

Yes, amp based on the Nait is built in. There is a basic screen but the best way is to use the iPad or iPod app. They call it nStream.

I'm not expert enough to advise about the Mac Mini, but I believe others use it as a NAS or server or whatever (?), indeed Linn offer one loaded with all their Hi Res downloads as an incentive to buy a Linn DS. Will it not connect in to your (W)LAN?

More here:- http://www.naimaudio.com/hifi-products/unitilite

To use the app nStream, I assume we need to connect to a wifi for both the UnitiLite and iPod or iPad?

 

[nopiano]

To use the app nStream, I assume we need to connect to a wifi for both the UnitiLite and iPod or iPad?

As far as I know, yes.

 

[stevebrock]

I really think you should look at the Unitilite - its crying out for you and buy some qualitty speakers £700-1000 and then you will have a very credible & neat system!

Dont see the point in shelling out for a £900 CDP

 

[Dommer]

If you're not going to play any CD's. then I would reccomand the all in one Naim UnitiQute, it's got a front USB port for attaching your iPhone or iPad as well as USB keys. This is the easiest way to quickly listen to your music. It also has FM/DAB and Internet radio. You can also hook up a laptop or computer however you should do this with an optical cable (your laptop needs to have an optical out) most Macs, apart from the MB Air, have the optical built into the headphone out.

The third option and the one I use, is to buy a NAS drive. Set it up on your home network. (This does requre a bit of networking knowedge) You will need a router connected to both the NAS and unitiQute. You then store your music on the NAS and stream it to the unitiQute. You can control it with the qute's remote or with the n-stream app installed on an iPhone or iPad (yes a wifi connection is required when using the n-stream app). No computer is needed after you do the initial network setup and copy your music to the NAS.

If you do think that you might occasionally play a CD, then the unitiLite would be a better option.

 

[uniquexme]

Yes. I have concluded my set. Naim UnitiLite with ProAc Studio 115. M waiting for quotation now from my friend. Any recommended speaker cables? M really glad for all the helps here as I have been looking something like this since the 1st day I bot my Marantz. But somehow there are not many ppl into digital music here. Else I would be wasting money on this new set juz like my old set.thank you to all pro here.

 

[uniquexme]

If you're not going to play any CD's. then I would reccomand the all in one Naim UnitiQute, it's got a front USB port for attaching your iPhone or iPad as well as USB keys. This is the easiest way to quickly listen to your music. It also has FM/DAB and Internet radio. You can also hook up a laptop or computer however you should do this with an optical cable (your laptop needs to have an optical out) most Macs, apart from the MB Air, have the optical built into the headphone out.

The third option and the one I use, is to buy a NAS drive. Set it up on your home network. (This does requre a bit of networking knowedge) You will need a router connected to both the NAS and unitiQute. You then store your music on the NAS and stream it to the unitiQute. You can control it with the qute's remote or with the n-stream app installed on an iPhone or iPad (yes a wifi connection is required when using the n-stream app). No computer is needed after you do the initial network setup and copy your music to the NAS.

If you do think that you might occasionally play a CD, then the unitiLite would be a better option.

I have read the review on UnitiQute, seems nice and cheap but sorry to say cant accept the design of it. Since I have a mbp n 1 extra windows laptop, I would try both when my hifi arrived. As for NAS n networking I still hv not much knowledge. Or I might also try connecting 1TB 2.5" HDD directly to UnitiLite USB port paired with nStream app.

I dont think m able to use wifi connection as like I said if it uses the actual broadband speed then I will not be able to use due to the slow connection of EDGE here. Unless it uses adhoc then I might try.

Anyway thank you guys for helping out. It really saves me alot of money n time searching. Have a nice sunday!

 

[uniquexme]

How does the inbuilt music player for UnitiLite works? Similar to itunes whereby we can sort by artists/albums? Or it juz run by filename?

 

[Overdose]

How does the inbuilt music player for UnitiLite works? Similar to itunes whereby we can sort by artists/albums? Or it juz run by filename?

The best option for you would seem to be locally stored media, ie on a hard drive or computer.

I use my Mac mini into my ADM9s, direct connection via optical out from the Mac. If buying a Mac mini, either try to find a refurbished model with optical drive, or you will need to buy an external drive for ripping purposes.

Another option would be to use an external HDD and a Sonos Connect. Remote in both cases by a portable Android or Apple device, ie tablet/phone.

Using the above solutions would leave you with an interface that you are used to.

 

[Dommer]

If you're not going to play any CD's. then I would reccomand the all in one Naim UnitiQute, it's got a front USB port for attaching your iPhone or iPad as well as USB keys. This is the easiest way to quickly listen to your music. It also has FM/DAB and Internet radio. You can also hook up a laptop or computer however you should do this with an optical cable (your laptop needs to have an optical out) most Macs, apart from the MB Air, have the optical built into the headphone out.

The third option and the one I use, is to buy a NAS drive. Set it up on your home network. (This does requre a bit of networking knowedge) You will need a router connected to both the NAS and unitiQute. You then store your music on the NAS and stream it to the unitiQute. You can control it with the qute's remote or with the n-stream app installed on an iPhone or iPad (yes a wifi connection is required when using the n-stream app). No computer is needed after you do the initial network setup and copy your music to the NAS.

If you do think that you might occasionally play a CD, then the unitiLite would be a better option.

I have read the review on UnitiQute, seems nice and cheap but sorry to say cant accept the design of it. Since I have a mbp n 1 extra windows laptop, I would try both when my hifi arrived. As for NAS n networking I still hv not much knowledge. Or I might also try connecting 1TB 2.5" HDD directly to UnitiLite USB port paired with nStream app.

I dont think m able to use wifi connection as like I said if it uses the actual broadband speed then I will not be able to use due to the slow connection of EDGE here. Unless it uses adhoc then I might try.

Anyway thank you guys for helping out. It really saves me alot of money n time searching. Have a nice sunday!

You will not be able to use the USB input on the qute or Lite to attach a Hard drive directly. (You can try but I believe it won't recognise anything but FAT or FAT32) it's made to accept USB keys and ipad/phone only. Also you can't attach a computer to the USB input directly.

If you want to go this route, you're better off going for the new Naim V1 DAC and NAP100. It's the best option if you want to keep your music on your MBP, use itunes to control everything and use a USB connection.

If you use the USB input on the unitiLite then you will only be able to search your music via folders. If you set up a NAS with your music, then you can use the n-stream app very much like iTunes and search via Artist or Album or Genre, or playlist... And so on.

 

[uniquexme]

If I cant attach external HDD to UnitiLite, I really need to find out whats the largest USB thumb drive on the market before buying. I have considered using Naim DAC with a laptop but somehow Naim DAC is way over my budget. (Twice the amount of ProAc studio 115).

I wonder Naim UnitiSystem on deck screen is able to display chinese file names. Hehe.