2. digital
  3. 193079-132145

Unitiqute 2 failing - what to do

I have a set of Harbeth P3ESR hooked up to a unitiqute 2...and it has been a beautiful marriage. I love the NAIM sound but their user interface is awful (at least on my device) and there are so many little glitches with the UQ streaming that I am not even going to start into it.  After an email to Naim (not the first) they say they no longer support the UQ2.

So, I purchased a B/S NODE (132 - the new one) and hooked it up (analogue) and none of the Harbeth greatness is coming through.  I may try a digital connect and/or improved analogue connectors but It's so bad I can't see it making up the lost ground.   The sound change is drastic...not subtle.  

Without sinking $3K into another "all in one" type streamer any recommendations? 

thx in advance

movingeast
arafiq's avatar
arafiq
1,699 posts
 

I had the same experience with Naim. Their product failed within 3 years. Sad part is they didn’t even bother to return my emails or offered any kind of advice. I don’t recommend Naim to anyone. They were yesterdays news running on past - 20 year old- reputation. 

See if you can find a used Aurender A1000. 

mike_in_nc
1,161 posts
 

Sorry about your Naim. What power amplifier are you using between the Node 132 and the Harbeths? Part of the Naim?

The new Node Icon is reported to have a considerably better DAC. I have not yet heard it, but perhaps you can exchange your 132 for that and give it a try.

I also have a pair of P3ESR, and I run them with a powerful (300 wpc) SS amp. That amount of juice probably isn't necessary, but I like the results.

movingeast OP
2 posts
 

I have the NODE connected to the Unitiqute2 (it's a streamer/dac/pream/amp allin one) via analogue (just the connects that come with the Node for now).  I have an old LINN LK 140 SS amp that I was thinking of swapping for the Unitiqute to see how that sounded.  The Linn is a lot of muscle for those little speakers but they may shine.  I will report back on that.

NAIM produces great sound but they did a poor job of migrating their products to streaming.  The user interface was glitchy from the beginning but I loved the sound so I put up with some of the BS.  I will probably only use this little Harbeth set up for one more year so don't want to sink money in.

More to discover