I would be very grateful for any answers the forum can provide to the following:
I bought a second hand Naim UnitiQute (the original one, 30WPC into 8ohm) to act as a network player and DAC for 24/96 files off a NAS drive and also streaming Spotify (Via Apple TV). I want to use the UQ as my main hi-fi where the speakers are floor standing Tannoy Precision 6.4’s (8ohm and / Recommended Amp 20-200w).
I understand that the UQ may not be designed for this type of set up but thought the amp in the UQ could be beefed up with a power amp to help drive the speakers (I do like to play loud and they also get used for parties) so I was considering buying a second hand NAP 100 (Naim power amp) in due course. However, as I have a Marantz PM KI Peal Lite which can be used in power amp mode I thought this would be suitable to use in the interim.
Having set up the system as described above (UQ pre outs to Marantz power amp) I found there was no difference whether I ran the UQ through the Marantz or if I just ran the UQ to drive the speakers directly.
Is this what I should have expected? I thought a power amp would have added some oomph! Driving the speakers louder at a lower source volume and also improving SQ at mid and higher volumes.
If I run the UQ straight to the Tannoy’s will this be too much for it if played loud for long periods?
Would the NAP 100 be the right power amp option for the Tannoy’s?
Another issue is that by using the pre outs on the UQ and having the Marantz in power amp mode, I lose the ability to hook up the sub-woofer (the Marantz disables the pre outs in power amp mode) and presumably if I go down the route of the NAP 100 (or any other power amp) then, will I lose the pre-outs and so the sub-woofer again?
Thank you very much for your advice,
Alex
I bought a second hand Naim UnitiQute (the original one, 30WPC into 8ohm) to act as a network player and DAC for 24/96 files off a NAS drive and also streaming Spotify (Via Apple TV). I want to use the UQ as my main hi-fi where the speakers are floor standing Tannoy Precision 6.4’s (8ohm and / Recommended Amp 20-200w).
I understand that the UQ may not be designed for this type of set up but thought the amp in the UQ could be beefed up with a power amp to help drive the speakers (I do like to play loud and they also get used for parties) so I was considering buying a second hand NAP 100 (Naim power amp) in due course. However, as I have a Marantz PM KI Peal Lite which can be used in power amp mode I thought this would be suitable to use in the interim.
Having set up the system as described above (UQ pre outs to Marantz power amp) I found there was no difference whether I ran the UQ through the Marantz or if I just ran the UQ to drive the speakers directly.
Is this what I should have expected? I thought a power amp would have added some oomph! Driving the speakers louder at a lower source volume and also improving SQ at mid and higher volumes.
If I run the UQ straight to the Tannoy’s will this be too much for it if played loud for long periods?
Would the NAP 100 be the right power amp option for the Tannoy’s?
Another issue is that by using the pre outs on the UQ and having the Marantz in power amp mode, I lose the ability to hook up the sub-woofer (the Marantz disables the pre outs in power amp mode) and presumably if I go down the route of the NAP 100 (or any other power amp) then, will I lose the pre-outs and so the sub-woofer again?
Thank you very much for your advice,
Alex