Naim- Is AirPlay coming or not?

Patrick

I really think you need to spend more time reading my posts.  Who is complaining?

Yes - my Klimax sounds and works perfectly well through my 552 system.  My kids can come in and play me new music through the system with their iPhones.  No complaints.

No complaints with the UnitiQute - I do not own one so I cannot complain.

I am contemplating the future purchase of one and am trying to determine if it meets MY NEEDS.  After all it is my money I will be spending on it.

My needs are a second system for downstairs in which my wife and kids will be able to use their iPhones to easily send music to.  That is what they have asked me for.

They do not want to control the system with a computer - they do not want to use JRiver - they want to use their iPhones.

I will choose the system which fulfills my needs.  No complaints from me - just researching and looking for answers.

Best

Gregg

I have been using a KDS with my Naim system for the past year.  Airplay streaming Spotify, Mog, Pandora and music stored on any iDevice (iPod,iPad,iPhone) works seamlessly.  My wife and kids have no problem at all coming into my listening room with their device and in a matter of seconds letting me hear something:

Daughter (who runs into the room as I yell - "careful near the LP12")

"check out this new song by Passion Pit"

two seconds later it is playing on my system from her iPhone

It simply WORKS

Thinking if using Spotify with a ND5 xs or NAC-N 172 xs means, using a PC, find a way to control Spotify remote (there is a app avaliable) and use toslink from the computer to the Naim.

Okay, a computer as media Server I need running anyway, but it is not necessary to have it in the same room.

The low price WD TV Live or other Hardware has something like Spotify as plug in or others support airplay.

It's a pitty and possible reason not to buy a Naim. (While there are other resons against Linn)

No, not a joke.  

Not talking about apt-x, which is low quality and lossy.

Am talking about "apt-x lossless", which works great up to 24/96.

Google the CE Pro white paper if you are interested in learning about it.

If you want Airplay or Sponify or whatever - plug a Mac or (if you must - Windows PC) into your streamer. Indeed Airplay comapibility is as simple as buying a £100 Apple TV and plugging it in via optical. Given the limitations of Airplay you are hardly going to notice any SQ issues.

Building in these competing standards is unnecessary IMHO. Keep the architecture of the streamer simple - build in a good sac with excellent DSP - thses fleeting standards can be plugged in if the sustomer wants it.

Simples

Tog

I do have to agree with Tog. I've been using an AppleTV device in just this way, for Spotify and other things from my iPad into my SU, and it works well. The SQ isn't that bad, for non-critical listening.

I don't have to do that with my Klimax DS and I don't want to have to do it with a Naim streamer.  Another downside which needs to be considered while I look to build my second system.

Gregg, 

We understand the Klimax can do it, but Naim streamers can't. Perhaps AirPlay is viewed as too low quality to be considered for a Naim product?

Your a Mac man, is this not also part of the company philosophy? Quality over convenience? Is this not why, to some degree, Apple is respected as a company?

You are starting to come across as a Linn 'Agitator'

Jason

Jason

Who me - Linn agitator - no!  There still is a 552/500 fronting the LP12 and DS so you know where my allegiance lies 

I need a small system for downstairs, unobtrusive (wife) which she and the kids can stream Spotify and Pandora too and I can use to listen to my uncompressed FLAC files.

Yes Airplay is low quality.  With that said almost all of the music being consumed today (iTunes is the largest seller) is low quality.  Those are the market realities so manufacturers need to realize that they have to address them.

Frankly the debate over AirPlay SQ is secondary. The fact is, the Naim MD said a long time ago that his streamers would have it. They haven't, nor has the company given us any clue when they might. Even though I'm getting round it by using an Apple TV device, which works fine, I'm irritated by he company's behaviour in this matter.

I disagree Gregg, did Apple buckle under the pressure of market realities...no they invented markets, so that mantra is a double edged sword. 

As I said, 'Quality over Convenience'...I don't know, but I do understand your frustrations in lite of the premature announcement.

I know you have Naim in your set up, I'm just teasing. I just find it slightly amusing that you are all over the Naim Forum complaining because Naim does not fit your 'personal' approach to streaming. This frustration will drive you away

Jason

"It's expected that the upgrade price for NaimUniti and UnitiQute will be in the region of £250, and Naim plans to offer both of these systems in either a standard version, or at a premium price with the new board and 24-bit/192kHz capability.

The premium versions will sell for approximately £175 more than the standard ones, making a 24/192 UnitiQute, for example, around £1600.

The new board also adds 802.11n Wi-Fi capability to the systems, in addition to the current b/g (although Naim still says wired networking is preferable in terms of stablity and reliability of signal). The new board also makes them, Stephenson says, 'AirPlay ready - at least in terms of processing power'.

Pressed for clarification, he said he expects products fitted with the new board - and of course the new ND5 XS and SuperUniti - to gain full AirPlay capability during the first quarter of next year, this being implemented via a simple firmware upgrade at that time."

Source: Whathifi.com 15.11.2011

http://www.whathifi.com/news/m...reaming-player-range

Thanks, Totemphile. Quite.

Jason

A bit unfair if you ask me.  I simply started a thread looking for information from Naim.  I do not expect their products to fit my "personal" approach.  I simply would like to get an answer from them in light of comments made a while ago that Airplay would be coming (as kindly posted above by Totemphile).  If they can confirm that it is coming then that is one additional checkmark on the UnitiQute side while I analyze which product to purchase.  If it is not coming let me know and I will make my buying decision.  I don't expect them to implement Airplay for me - just simply indicate what the technical specifications of the product are or will be.  I will then determine if the product "fits" me.  

It is somewhat akin to "the amplifier puts out 30 watts or 100 watts" - it will let me know if my speakers will work with it.

Gregg,

C'mon man, you are seriously making too much of Naim's silence.  Just get the Linn.  It is a kitchen system after all and your decision won't bankrupt Naim or help build Gilad's new house... 

Ben

Hi Ben

How are things going?

I'm done posting on this thread however based on the number of other posters it appears that I am not the only one curious to know the answer.

Best

Gregg

PS  Are you going for the Kandid?

Gregg,

All is well here!  Survived the winter, getting ready for spring.  I hear you loud and clear but I think you know my take (hint - L__-K___ will be more than fine for you...).  And if Naim comes out with Airplay, you can always make the switch then.  As for the Kandid, no, not yet, I have a pretty new Akiva so I'll ride it the next 2-3 years until it is time to make a change.  

I'm extremely interested what will be the next Naim streaming and/or dac device.  If it is the DAC2 or NDX2, I may go for that...

Cheers,

Ben

Gregg , the UnitiQute would have worked well as 2nd system if Naim adds airplay as they stated. It is convenient for others to use iphones to playback their personal music.

For your needs maybe the lower 2 models from Linn with built in amplifiers would work well in kitchen as secondary system. I know they list it under for DSM & DS.

Hope you find suitable solution for your needs.

Dan

Hi, Gregg,

I appreciate your insights and experience.

I admit I would find AirPlay on Naim products an advantage, especially as we would have the usual assurance that Naim "did it right".  I expect that the chief benefit would be auto-source-selection on detecting incoming AirPlay content.  SQ might be improved, but it is not a given.  

Not having to add the AirPort Express dongle would be nice, but, in my experience, my "customers" (family) couldn't care less if our nDAC is or is not an AirPlay device; for now, they get that it is a separate source into the DAC.  In fact, if it weren't, it might be more confusing to them.

Different, perhaps, with Uniti and NDx . . . 

Nick

At the projected cost I think we all will need to have good listen to the Kandid before proceeding. Lots of cartridges to consider at that price point. That said I am looking forward to a demo. Unlike Ben my Akiva is coming up on 4 years old.

Matt

I dont know.... it sounds like you are complaining.  But maybe its just how I am reading it.

Yes Airplay is good for kids.  We are in full agreement there.  If you need it for your kids obviously a Naim streamer is not for you.

That said, isn't all of the music/pics/video you want to Airplay to your hifi on your computer?  It is just sitting there waiting for a UPNP server to make it available to everything from your HDTV to other PCs, from Macs to iOS devices both at home and away?  This can include all online radio stations, Pandora, Spotify, iTunes etc...

Your kids could stream to their iPods and you could stream music to the kitchen while cooking while the wife streams a movie and your friend waits for dinner listening to the 500 series. Your oldest kids is at a friend's house and streaming music there over there.

All from the same server and drive(s).

How is this not better than Airplay?  

ohhhh  and stream in full hires/HD.

This is what I dont understand about the woodie for Airplay.

-Patrick

PS - I exclusively use iOS devices.

Have to agree with Patrick on this one.

A well set adjusted UPnP Server will HD stream audio & video to all your IOS devices - Airplay is far more limited and places Naim at the rather capricious mercy of Apple.

If you really need it add an Apple TV.

Tog

I agree with bot Tog and Patrick.. I do indeed have an ApplTV, that connects to the NDAC and through system automation, even the word AirPlay comes up on my NDX through my config...

Having said any visiting ipods / iPhones that we want to connect, we use a lead that we keep in a cupboard by the Naim and insert it into the front of the NDX; its easier and simpler to use in practice and doesn't require faffing around with wifi keys etc..

Simon

AFAIK most of the network functionality in the Naim streamers depend on BridgeCo chips (apparently acquired by smsc.com). There seem to be three network media processors offered by smsc.com and only the latest model (875) supports Airplay. According to some reviews e.g. the ND5 uses a 860 chip which does not have Airplay functionality.

So unless supported by the BridgeCo chip there seems to be no AirPlay possible.

I should add that the Naim streamers do sound extremely well. And if Airplay is really that important is another question.

Some of the Peachtree DacAmps have a space inside them where you can add an Apple TV. 

Perhaps Naim could do the same. 

Tog