Looking for a budget amp for our 2nd small overnight appartment. It will likely need room correction so streaming is planned for a wiim ultra. This means that that part of an Atom is superflous and I could get something cheaper.
I am thinking of a Unity Q (shoebox is better in an ikea kallax) or a dac v1 combined with a nap 100 i have in storage. But the dac in the v1 might be old and inferior to the wiiim output - with modern budget dacs winning over old ?
As I understand it, you have a source and just need an amp. To me, reusing the v1 and adding a NAP100 seems appealing but I’m probably less convinced of the absolute need for room correction yet. And the speakers haven’t been mentioned.
Perhaps all you really need is an old Nait2 and the WiiM.
But yes, I would want clarification of all three:
Actual budget.
Speakers
Are you married to the idea of room correction? What is it about the space that is so problematic that you think you’ll need it?
If you’ve not chosen speakers yet, then you have ample freedom to choose something that will work well in the space including some on-wall options.
Budget: i want to investigate saving money from the Atom level sine the budget is up in the main appartment and seem to be increasing .
Room correction/wiim: worked wonders in the squarish room in the main appartment with rhe wiim working a lot bettet than Linn dsm3. Simmilar problems in the 2nd apt. I also like the wiim software, the possibility to sync song texts via an apple TV being key for singing practice. Wiim in the main system means one software for my wife to learn.
Shoebox nice due to tight spaces and ikea kallax.
What I have and also can be sold:
an atom which in sweden is easy to sell bringing in 1500 gbp
nap 100 = 300 gbp and slow sale
Guru Q10 brining in 1000 gbp but a slow sale
The Gurus fit the kallax nicely but will sit low which increases the benefit ofchaving room correction. Itbis ”my wifes appartment”. And I like them. And they go deep (28 hz) = room correction.
So the idea us to offloasd the atom and possibly the nap 100 and hook something cheaper in shoebox size after the wiim. The room is small so no great powerneeds.
The wiim is great as a transport and good withbfixed analogue output. With variable volume output okish. And i need volyme to bebon remote control which excludes naitv1 and nait 2.
This is the background to look at a dac v1 (with the nap 100) or uniqute.
Okay, then I would (as this is a second system and the idea is to keep it simple), just go for an analogue integrated amp in shoebox size. Maybe look at the following
Cyrus (new and second hand)
Nytech
Nait2 or even Nait50
TEAC (their 500 series integrated shoebox is quite cute)
There are other shoeboxes but the above all drive a wide range of speakers.
It sounds like with the WiiM and room correction using the v1 would be using it just for the sake of using it and not letting it go to waste rather than it being the most elegant solution.
The UQ is very good indeed and if not for the screen issues I am sure it was destined for Nait2 cult status.
But it is likely to have screen issues (though if set up correctly, you will never need the screen - certainly my screen died over 5 years ago and I have never needed it). It does seem somewhat of a waste though since you won’t be using it for any of it’s streaming capabilities. OTOH, you might find it bare makes a good enough system without the WiiM in which case you would have a single box system for peanuts that is seriously good.
As the WiiM seems to be something you are committed to, I might then just consider the non Naim options. I mean, does it really need a Naim badge on it?
For me its a bit confusing what your looking for, maybe I need to re-read.
If you have Atom just use this, its mighty fine.
But much more expensive than a UQ, which in itself is fine too, more limited in streaming services as older platform.
Both Atom and UQ have line level input and can be connected to a separate poweramp, not that this is a biggie in my opinion.
If you have the Nap 100 its ideal for a DacV1, but no analog line level input if I recall.
I agree in the Wiim build Dac is not on level with the better ones, its ok for the asking price.
I have my Wiim Pro connected optical to my N172XS preamp-Dac upstairs, and no doubt Naim do something right with Dac implementation. The N172XS is partnered with my Nap 155XS, which provide my TV sound to another level.
I can even listen to Beethoven streamed from Wiim, while looking at TV, Curling in Milano fx, no need for speaker comments as I don’t understand the rules anyway.
The Unitiqute is an older design than the V1, with more components that could fail, and limited support from Naim due to parts availability, so the V1 would be a safer bet, and it’s a good performer. Given that you already have the NAP100 which was designed to match it, that would be my choice.
I’m not sure why you say this, the little UQ is fine but with dated streaming platform. - not an issue if you use Spotify or Tidal, at least to my knowledge - not much streaming experience here.
I haven’t compared, and it would likely depend on source into V1, you indicate Wiim.
Pure amplication Atom vs V1/Nap 100 could be an interesting game, others may comment, my guess the two-box win.
Depends - UQ1 needs the updated streaming board for Tidal, Spotify, and internet radio; not all have them. A UQ2 would be better. But again, check the screen for a replacement.
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