HiFi help required

[digger_R]

I've been away from the world of hifi for a long time and things seem to have moved on quite a way with digital media.

It's about time my current got a revamp, my all in one Onkyo system is being given away, so I'll be left with a pair of HHB Circle 5 passive studio monitors and a new ipod classic 160GB.

Intention is to use the ipod as the main digital source as I hardly ever listen to CDs now. A bonus would be some form of internet radio support but not essential.

Ideal would be a one box solution but I'm (slightly) open to a two box solution. My idea so far has been to get something like a Arcam Solo mini but I wasn't massively impressed when listening to it.
For the amp stage, I'd like the system to take the Ipods digital input (assuming a higher quality audio file is being used).

Can anyone give some pointers - budget is anywhere from 500-1500 GBP

thanks

[matt3001]

I think your problem is easily solved.

http://www.naimaudio.com/hifi-products/pdt-type/un...

Very little will touch this for the price.

If you stretch to a bit more, you would be wanting one of these.

http://www.naimaudio.com/hifi-products/dac-v1

and a second hand one of these...

http://www.naimaudio.com/hifi-products/nait-5si

TomTom audio have a great used section. DAC-V1 is a bit too new to get used yet.

[Cheib]

matt3001 said:

I think your problem is easily solved.

http://www.naimaudio.com/hifi-products/pdt-type/un...

Very little will touch this for the price.

If you stretch to a bit more, you would be wanting one of these.

http://www.naimaudio.com/hifi-products/dac-v1

and a second hand one of these...

http://www.naimaudio.com/hifi-products/nait-5si

TomTom audio have a great used section. DAC-V1 is a bit too new to get used yet.

I have been looking at Naim digital streamers DAC's and they do look like a great one box solution for what the OP wants. The iPhone App looks great too.

The Naim gear is fully Apple compliant so bypasses all the inboard electrics and basically just uses the music stored on the iPhone like it's a hard drive. i.e. It does a much better job.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfeYjYqyaB4&nor...

Edited by Cheib on Friday 9th August 15:59

[digger_R]

Fantastic advice - The Uniti & UnitiQute/2 look just the ticket - as you mentioned there are some reasonable looking prices in the Tom Tom store.

In the used store there are the following two items:

Naim UNITI (2010) for 1495
Naim UNITIQUTE (2011) for 895

Can anyone comment on the differences between version 1 & 2 of these products?

[Cheib]

digger_R said:

Fantastic advice - The Uniti & UnitiQute/2 look just the ticket - as you mentioned there are some reasonable looking prices in the Tom Tom store.

In the used store there are the following two items:

Naim UNITI (2010) for 1495
Naim UNITIQUTE (2011) for 895

Can anyone comment on the differences between version 1 & 2 of these products?

Can't help you there as I am still reading up on it! There's a forum on Naim's website though so I am sure they can help. Or just ring Naim or Tom Tom.

Most dealers sell ex-demo stuff off at a discount

Brand new machine at a discount http://hifilounge.co.uk/index.php?route=product/pr...

Cheaper used Uniti here

http://www.audiot.co.uk/products/naimuniti-6125.as...

and an ex-demo Unitiqute for £750

http://www.zinc-hifi.com/naim-audio-hifi?product_i...

Seems like Tom Tom are to used Naim gear what Hexagon are to used M Cars.....

[matt3001]

digger_R said:

Fantastic advice - The Uniti & UnitiQute/2 look just the ticket - as you mentioned there are some reasonable looking prices in the Tom Tom store.

In the used store there are the following two items:

Naim UNITI (2010) for 1495
Naim UNITIQUTE (2011) for 895

Can anyone comment on the differences between version 1 & 2 of these products?

Think of the two as an evolution of a 1. A 997 compared to a 996.

Both are cracking products, just the latest one will be that little bit better. I would only go for a uniti if your speakers need plenty of juice, if not save the cash and get a uniqute.

Actually, one thing to check. I don't think that the uniqute has the DAB radio, but could be mistaken.

Customer service at TomTom is fantastic as well. If you are based in the North West I have had a lot of my stuff from Synergy AV in Congleton who are top blokes as well.

[digger_R]

matt3001 said:

Think of the two as an evolution of a 1. A 997 compared to a 996.

Both are cracking products, just the latest one will be that little bit better. I would only go for a uniti if your speakers need plenty of juice, if not save the cash and get a uniqute.

Actually, one thing to check. I don't think that the uniqute has the DAB radio, but could be mistaken.

Customer service at TomTom is fantastic as well. If you are based in the North West I have had a lot of my stuff from Synergy AV in Congleton who are top blokes as well.

Thanks,

I don't listen to radio other than in the car so I wouldn't miss the DAB feature.

Can you give an idea how to gauge how hard my speakers are to drive? Here's the spec sheet for my monitors, Is it just the impedance I should be looking for?


Transducer System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ported 2 way monitor loudspeaker.
Drive Units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . LF: Custom 200mm (8") polymer cone,
high compliance long throw rubber surround.
25mm (1") high temperature aluminium voice coil and antimagnet.
HF: Custom 28mm (1.1") ferro-fluid cooled soft dome
with rear damping chamber. 28mm (1.1") high temperature
aluminium voice coil and antimagnet.
Frequency Response . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48Hz - 20kHz, +/- 3dB.
Sensitivity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87dB 1W/1m.
Suggested Amplifier Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 - 200W.
Impedance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Ohms nominal.
Power Handling (Programme) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120W.
Crossover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pro-grade components on fibreglass PCB,
critically damped, 2.6kHz crossover.
Connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Binding posts.
Dimensions (HxWxD) . . . . . . 420mm x 255mm x 300mm / 16.5" x 10.0" x 11.8".
Weight . . . . 10.0kg (22.0lbs) each (net), 20.4kg (44.9lbs) packed in pairs (gross).
Finish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Durable black paint finish.

[matt3001]

Have posted something on the Naim forum as I am not familiar with your speakers. The guys on there will be able to advise a bit better.

http://forums.naimaudio.com/topic/can-a-uniqute-2-...

[matt3001]

Should be able to drive them comfortably....

[digger_R]

Great, thanks for the help. I'm going to try and demo one next to a Linn. I've been informed by a hifi expert on another forum I use that the Naim sound is typically quite 'forward' and as I've never heard any of thier kit I will definitely demo it before committing to buy....

[Riff Raff]

digger_R said:

Great, thanks for the help. I'm going to try and demo one next to a Linn. I've been informed by a hifi expert on another forum I use that the Naim sound is typically quite 'forward' and as I've never heard any of thier kit I will definitely demo it before committing to buy....

I have a Naim system in the Living Room. It's not quite what you are looking at - an ND5 XS for streaming into a Nait XS into a pair of B+W 805's. That said, I wouldn't expect it to sound dissimilar to what you are looking at. (Although I haven't got a Scooby about your speakers).

I'm really impressed with it, and it compares very favourable with my main system which is Audio Research based. To the point where I'm thinking about ditching the AR and replacing it with some Naim amplification. I have a Naim HDX in that system as a music server, and that feeds the ND5 in the other system.

I'm not sure what 'forward' means, but if I were asked to describe my system, I'd say 'musical'.

[matt3001]

Yes you should definitely have a demo. Take your speakers if possible.

Wouldn't necessarily say its 'forward', Naim is typically known for its musicality, and whilst I don't buy most of the audiophile nonsense that gets spouted, when I compared to other brands it just someone sounds a bit more impressive with a great rhythm.

[Cheib]

Has anyone got experience of Naim streamers with a Meridian processor by chance ? I know Meridian do a similar product but I like the look of the NDX. I believe Naim by reputation is supposed to be one that needs careful pairing.

I nearly bought a Naim system when I got my current set up but whilst brilliant for 2 channel music the 5 channel side of things wasn't at the races compared to the Meridian.

My system is a Meridian processor, Dynavector Amp and B&W 802D's.

Looking to replace my Copland CD player with a streamer/network player.

[matt3001]

Cheib said:

Has anyone got experience of Naim streamers with a Meridian processor by chance ? I know Meridian do a similar product but I like the look of the NDX. I believe Naim by reputation is supposed to be one that needs careful pairing.

I nearly bought a Naim system when I got my current set up but whilst brilliant for 2 channel music the 5 channel side of things wasn't at the races compared to the Meridian.

My system is a Meridian processor, Dynavector Amp and B&W 802D's.

Looking to replace my Copland CD player with a streamer/network player.

The Naim source components (such as the NDX) are much more versatile when pairing than the amp/speaker combination. But some of that is audiophile nonsense anyway. Worth borrowing one of your dealer.

I would also look at the Naim DAC, a MacMini and the iPad Apple app.

[Riff Raff]

Cheib said:

Has anyone got experience of Naim streamers with a Meridian processor by chance ? I know Meridian do a similar product but I like the look of the NDX. I believe Naim by reputation is supposed to be one that needs careful pairing.

I nearly bought a Naim system when I got my current set up but whilst brilliant for 2 channel music the 5 channel side of things wasn't at the races compared to the Meridian.

My system is a Meridian processor, Dynavector Amp and B&W 802D's.

Looking to replace my Copland CD player with a streamer/network player.

I'm not quite sure what a Meridian processor does, but I can tell you a bit about the NDX. Basically, mine is connected into the home ethernet network, and it just 'sees' any devices on it. For music, it will find any UPnP server. In my case that's a Naim HDX and my NAS (which has Twonky Server on it). As it happens, I don't really have any music stored on the NAS - It's just there to back up the 2TB disk on the HDX, to all intents and purposes.

The streamer will also play internet radio if you have a live internet connection, and you can plug an iPod into the USB socket on the front. I have used that, but not often. The streamer does loads more things than that, but it's best to read the manual which you can download from the Naim website.

The great thing about the Naim gear from my perspective is that I'm no IT geek. I plugged it all in, and it just worked.

I started off with the HDX which I bought years ago, and the rest of the kit when I had all my CD's ripped on to that and decided I ought to try streaming that somewhere else other than my main system.

To say I'm pleased with the result would be an understatement.

I'll edit the post just to say you can connect the NDX to your network wirelessly. I don't do that, as wireless is a bit flaky in my house due to the layout. ISTR that it says somewhere in the manual that it's best turned off if you aren't using it, so mine is.

Edited by Riff Raff on Tuesday 13th August 17:25

[Cheib]

Thanks Gents. The Meridian processor is an AV processor or in 2 channel mode a pre-amp...it's a G68.

I think I'll have to try and get hold of a Naim streamer for trial. They really seem to have got this product nailed. Some of there all in one systems look like fantastic value for what you get.

[Riff Raff]

Cheib said:

Thanks Gents. The Meridian processor is an AV processor or in 2 channel mode a pre-amp...it's a G68.

I think I'll have to try and get hold of a Naim streamer for trial. They really seem to have got this product nailed. Some of there all in one systems look like fantastic value for what you get.

OK. That sort of processor.

The only issue I can see really is one of a proliferation of remote controls. I can't see what the problem feeding a signal from a Naim streamer into a pre-amp would be. For the available outputs on the NDX check the manual.

The streamer can be controlled either from the front panel, a Naim remote, or an iPad app.

I tend to use the iPad app when streaming music, because it's easier to scroll through the music library. And you can control the volume and mute the sound if you have a Naim pre-amp. That won't work with the Meridian obviously.

I use the dedicated remote when listening to internet radio (and that's what my wife uses too, because she hasn't quite got the hang of using the iPad).

[Cheib]

Riff Raff said:

The streamer can be controlled either from the front panel, a Naim remote, or an iPad app.

I tend to use the iPad app when streaming music, because it's easier to scroll through the music library. And you can control the volume and mute the sound if you have a Naim pre-amp. That won't work with the Meridian obviously.

I use the dedicated remote when listening to internet radio (and that's what my wife uses too, because she hasn't quite got the hang of using the iPad).

Thanks.

I have a question about the App. I assume it works on wi-fi ?

Any idea how away you can be from the Naim streamer? I ask because as well as using it for my main system I'd like to take a feed off it for my a somewhat antiquated Systemline multi room system.

Basically I'd like to be able to control the Naim streamer via the App when I am upstairs or even outside as we have a garden "zone".

[Riff Raff]

Cheib said:

Thanks.

I have a question about the App. I assume it works on wi-fi ?

Any idea how away you can be from the Naim streamer? I ask because as well as using it for my main system I'd like to take a feed off it for my a somewhat antiquated Systemline multi room system.

Basically I'd like to be able to control the Naim streamer via the App when I am upstairs or even outside as we have a garden "zone".

AFAIK, the iPad app effectively talks to the router, which in turn links to the streamer over, in my case, the wired network.

Have a shufti at the manuals on the Naim website, plus there are links to the official Naim forums there. There are loads of helpful things on the knowledge base too.

[Cheib]

Riff Raff said:

Cheib said:

Thanks.

I have a question about the App. I assume it works on wi-fi ?

Any idea how away you can be from the Naim streamer? I ask because as well as using it for my main system I'd like to take a feed off it for my a somewhat antiquated Systemline multi room system.

Basically I'd like to be able to control the Naim streamer via the App when I am upstairs or even outside as we have a garden "zone".

AFAIK, the iPad app effectively talks to the router, which in turn links to the streamer over, in my case, the wired network.

Have a shufti at the manuals on the Naim website, plus there are links to the official Naim forums there. There are loads of helpful things on the knowledge base too.

Perfect, I think the App that controls my Virgin Cable Box works in the same way. That's made me very happy

I've signed up for the Naim forums....waiting to be granted access!