T+A music Receiver or SuperUniti?
Thu, Dec 29 2011, 7:12PM
AE has published interesting review of these two bits of kit in the last couple of months. But, despite referring to the SuperUniti in his T+A review, he's made no attempt to make a judgement on which is the better buy. I realise that the Music Receiver has the useful CD drive unfortunately missing from the Naim, but they are nevertheless very similar in functionality, power, price etc. So, Andrew, which do you prefer? (and a Happy New Year!)
Mon, Jan 2 2012, 4:19PM
#2
RE: T+A music Receiver or SuperUniti?
As in your previous, less specific, comment about the reviews, I think you are again basing far too much on conjecture, and suggest you try listening.
And to the OP, my subjective, personal preference would be for the SuperUniti, but of course YMMV. That's why it's important to listen for yourself – I'd never suggest anyone buy a product unheard purely on the strength of a review.
Tue, Jan 3 2012, 11:40AM
#3
RE: T+A music Receiver or SuperUniti?
Thanks, Andrew. I wouldn't dream of buying without trying, but the reality is that it will be virtually impossible to audition these two units in the same place at the same time. And in different places at different times, any difference between them may well be swamped by different room acoustics, speakers, and my own fallible aural memory.
It so happens that my local Naim dealer does not stock their speakers, preferring a Danish brand with Naim electronics. I would have liked to have heard the SuperUniti with the Ovator S400s that you mentioned as a good partner. Have you heard the combo? And would it be pushing my luck to ask you to flesh out your reasons for preferring the Naim to the T+A?
Your help is greatly appreciated!
Tue, Jan 3 2012, 12:29PM
#4
RE: T+A music Receiver or SuperUniti?
Yes, have heard the SuperU with the S400s, and it sounded very good, albeit within the limitations of a show demonstration.
Why the SuperU over the T+A? Well, while I was very impressed indeed with the T+A, and in particular with its sense of endless power, the SuperU just sounded to these ears a bit more 'together' and 'of a piece', whereas the T+A was a shade more analytical and 'technical'-sounding.
Tue, Jan 3 2012, 6:40PM
#5
RE: T+A music Receiver or SuperUniti?
Many thanks, Andrew. I've just read Tony Williams' very positive report on the little PMCs with the SuperUniti in the January issue, and clearly some version of PMCs will also be worth serious consideration.
Anyway, your help much appreciated.
Thu, Jan 5 2012, 4:49PM
#6
RE: T+A music Receiver or SuperUniti?
YVW!
Thu, Jan 5 2012, 6:04PM
#7
RE: T+A music Receiver or SuperUniti?
bhg wrote
The higher powered amplifier I would guess provided a better listening experience to the expert audiophile.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Don't forget that amplifier power requirements are dependent upon loudspeaker sensitivity and that a 3dB difference equates to a doubling or halving of amplifier power. I get excellent results from a 10 watt amplifier with 91dB 'speakers. If I went to 88dB 'speakers then I'd need 20 watts or if I went to 85 dB, 40 watts and so on.....
Thu, Jan 5 2012, 9:01PM
#8
RE: T+A music Receiver or SuperUniti?
Somewhat true, but doesn't how easy the speakers are to drive, ie mainly the impedance curve, also play a part? But you make an interesting point. I had been uncomfortable with 'just' 30 watts per channel from the original Uniti, but the 80 of the Super 'feels' ok. This may say more about me psychologically than anything that really matters to making a decision, since as you say speaker efficiency is just as important!
Fri, Jan 6 2012, 12:18AM
#9
RE: T+A music Receiver or SuperUniti?
pgraber wrote
Somewhat true, but doesn't how easy the speakers are to drive, ie mainly the impedance curve, also play a part?
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Yes, indeed it can, particularly with transistor amplifiers which will usually produce considerably more watts into 4 ohms, the average impedance of most bass/midrange units today, than into 8 ohms. I use valve amplification however with output transformers with 4 & 8 ohm taps and if the transformer is properly designed the output watts will be the same at both impedances and the impedance curve will have less effect than with a transistor amp. In practical terms however I have been unable to distinguish any difference in output power or sound quality with the different taps.
Mon, Jan 9 2012, 11:01AM
#10
RE: T+A music Receiver or SuperUniti?
Oddly, there's a review of a T+A unit with the same name in the new HiFi News, which seems to cost about the same as the one AE reviewed but exclude the amplifier section (even the preamp module is extra), though it does offer balanced connectivity. Not quite sure what is going on here.
Fri, Apr 20 2012, 12:49PM
#11
RE: T+A music Receiver or SuperUniti?
Hi, if you want to experince the Super Unity and the T+A Music Reciver or Player/Power Plant combination contact the UK distribitor info@acousticbrandslimited.com and it could be arranged.
Both are strong but as for the AM or DAB tuner - well not much on AM and DAB siganl protocol has now changed so FM is still best. Having the CD is key when comparing and for the money there is more detail in the T+A - that is what most UK reviewers call clinical.
Good luck with your quest.
Fri, Apr 20 2012, 2:34PM
#12
RE: T+A music Receiver or SuperUniti?
Actually I bought the SuperUniti a couple of months ago. Though I'd never heard the T+A, I was sufficiently convinced by the combo of the SU and the Audiovector Si3 Supers (which, incidentally, are reviewed in the May Hi Fi News) to take the plunge. And I'm very pleased I did, I'm really enjoying the system, and the odd 192/24 download. So most grateful to AE that his rave review pointed me in the right direction.
Fri, Apr 20 2012, 4:32PM
#13
RE: T+A music Receiver or SuperUniti?
Good to hear you're enjoying it, pg – always good to get such feedback.
To pgraber.
I also read with interest AE’s
review of the T + A Music Receiver until I realized this unit was priced at ₤2690
and I started to compare it with the Marantz CM 603 at ₤500. Apart from the
amplifier, which is rated at 2x 90 versus 2x 60 W for the cheaper receiver I
could not find any convincing argument to justify a more than a fivefold price
differential between them.
The T + A does include a few more
connectors, but not all that significant unless 2 USB and 2 digital optical connectors
are essential. Interestingly the Marantz tuner includes AM/FM/DAB whereas the T
+ A only FM.
Clearly the analogue section offers
the opportunity for the designer to refine the audio quality, however, is the
upstream digital section all that different to the Marantz. Both include Ethernet,
USB, Bluetooth facilities, CD player etc. At the risk of being repetitive a
digit is a digit etc.
The performance evaluations by AE
used the PMC GB 1 speakers. The conclusions were very favourable in both cases.
The higher powered amplifier I would guess provided a better listening
experience to the expert audiophile, but is this huge price differential justified.
To what extent is the appreciation of a good recording of the Mahler 4 or Simon
and Garfunkel greatest hits affected?
My guess is, it’s probably
impossible to make a subjective best buy recommendations between high end equipment
since without quantifiable measuring methodology reviews will always be
subjective and personal.
bhg