Spotify connect and bluetooth!
Posted by: dayjay on 06 November 2014
Hi Ryan -
Assuming AirPlay is coming to Uniti and network players, will it too only be supported on new hardware?
Did I miss something? I just read Apt-X and Spotify connect was coming... Is AirPlay coming too?
Airplay is only on mu-so today. Given today's announcement, along with prior statements of direction (including one from Naim's MD), it is reasonable to assume that Airplay remains on their roadmap for Uniti and network players.
FYI - all new AirPlay-certified devices now require Bluetooth support, in addition to Wi-Fi Direct capability. This is a consequence of the changes made to AirPlay discovery in iOS 8 (which uses Bluetooth and then connects via Wi-Fi Direct rather than an existing infrastructure network.
That offer is available now in Europe and actually tipped me over the edge in to buying the Sonos Connet. Due to Qobuz's financial issues I wasn't sure I wanted to commit to another 12 months.
Oh Dear! I did not know this! It's a real shame. I wonder what is behind the troubles...
http://www.lesechos.fr/journal...6674.php?xtor=RSS-38
Hi All
DAB/FM is now standard on all New Uniti products. Previous to this update only UnitiLite did not feature this as standard. It now does.
Bluetooth hardware upgrade is not viable, this requires not only a new chassis but new PCB, Antenna, Rear Panel etc. so quite an intensive hardware change, more of a rebuild than simple upgrade, therefore not a cost effective option.
Like Hook. Yes I'd love to know where this leaves Airplay?
Hi Ryan -
Assuming AirPlay is coming to Uniti and network players, will it too only be supported on new hardware?
Did I miss something? I just read Apt-X and Spotify connect was coming... Is AirPlay coming too?
Airplay is only on mu-so today. Given today's announcement, along with prior statements of direction (including one from Naim's MD), it is reasonable to assume that Airplay remains on their roadmap for Uniti and network players.
FYI - all new AirPlay-certified devices now require Bluetooth support, in addition to Wi-Fi Direct capability. This is a consequence of the changes made to AirPlay discovery in iOS 8 (which uses Bluetooth and then connects via Wi-Fi Direct rather than an existing infrastructure network.
With Airplay now part of HomeKit I was wondering what Naim's approach could be. With Broadcom and Ti now offering unified (Homekit, Airplay and Bluetooth) chips it's possible that they could turn up in future products.
I wonder if Naim have any plans for the additional features of HomeKit control and interaction with other devices and software. I know a few people are waiting on Apple's (MFi) Made-for-iPhone/iPad/iPod conference in China next week to get some answers.
Assuming AirPlay is coming to Uniti and network players, will it too only be supported on new hardware?
http://www.naimaudio.com/news/...-and-spotify-connect
Airplay is only on mu-so today. Given today's announcement, along with prior statements of direction (including one from Naim's MD), it is reasonable to assume that Airplay remains on their roadmap for Uniti and network players.
Yep, as. I understand it, Apple's implementation is to achieve high data transfer rates with minimum power consumption, for example between iBeacons, mobile and desktop devices, and the Apple Watch.
Not sure how power hungry Aptx is ? and how Aptx manages compression (of the tranmission, presumably) and still offer CD quality SQ....
Spotify? No longer care. Have turned off my subscription in favor of Tidal,
Just curious. Would you care to elaborate?
Also... How do I listen to Tidal on a Naim streamer without the use of a dedicated computer or hard-wiring a iOS device ? I've been to the (really nice) tidal website but could not find an answer
I run Tidal on an old iPhone 4 running iOS. It is directly connected to my NDS's front USB port. Not very elegant, but it works fine. It is a bit "split brain" having the naim app for iRadio and UPNP and system automation, but then having to switch to a hard-wired iPhone for Tidal via USB. Would prefer everything I need one iPad.
If Apple supported aptX on iOS, then Bluetooth would allow me to unify all these functions on one iPad. Spotify sounded ok via non-aptX Bluetooth, but with Tidal I can hear better sound using USB. In the past, I have tried using two different generations of Apple Airports, but had too many dropouts and gave up on that device. Bluetooth, by comparison, has been much more reliable.
Unfortunately, I suspect I am at a dead end with my Naim NDS in terms of seeing additional wireless functionality, so may be looking soon at Sonos Connect. Connect is only $350 here in the US, and Deezer and Sonos are planning a nice launch here soon -- $120/year for Deezer's 35 million tracks. I would then only use the naim app for system automation.
ATB.
Hook
I got an email through about there being a Spotify offer on until end of November that said if you buy any Spotify device then you will get 10% off and a years free Deezer subscription. The associated code was "xmas10". It said it was a loyalty thing but worth checking out, don't know much more than that about other restrictions
In my view, the great thing about this is that if Naim can add Spotify support just through a firmware update (i.e. no hardware change required) then it opens up the possibility of them adding high quality streaming services like TIDAL and Qobuz in the same way.
Not sure if this has already been posted but if you take out a 4G Vodafone mobile contract you get Spotify Premium included in the UK.
In my view, the great thing about this is that if Naim can add Spotify support just through a firmware update (i.e. no hardware change required) then it opens up the possibility of them adding high quality streaming services like TIDAL and Qobuz in the same way.
+1 my first thought as well.
Why do the people always claim for something: Naim always give to existing customers a possibility to upgrade !
Naim products have a very long life cycle ! Look around to most of other Hifi producers who launch a new product range every 1 to 2 years ! Most of Naim products stay on the markets for decades.
The tuner is dab, dab plus and fm
What about the ND range?
Is there no Spotify firmware upgrade for them?
SJB
What about the ND range?
Is there no Spotify firmware upgrade for them?
SJB
It says in the sticky post above that its on its way as a free upgrade.
What about the ND range?
Is there no Spotify firmware upgrade for them?
SJB
It says in the sticky post above that its on its way as a free upgrade.
So it does, It's not clear from the website I thought but maybe I'm simply not paying enough attention!
SJB
Uniti & ND series both use the same firmware, currently 3.22
So it seems logical that ND's will get Spotify
HOW MUCH?
But what about Qobuz? Spotify is ok for the car and when out and about with headphones, but is verging on poor to the point of irritation on the Naim system even with their 320kbps stream (which I fail to understand why it sounds as poor as it does, and I am not alone reading the web). Qobuz in terms of sound quality is streets ahead.
If I am happy with the mid-fi mush of Spotify, am I going to be the person that buys premium audio replay equipment such as Naim? I can't square that one..
Simon
I am beginning to suspect naim are never going to win this battle.
Too right Gary, but it wont be a no-score draw, a lot of puff & bluster & a few own goals & some send offs.
As for me I am not gonna play anyhow, I don't see the point in buying this kind of service, 320kbs or 16/44 or whatever. I prefer to broaden my music horizons with stuff I would never think of playing, I get this from iRadio with RP Naim Linn & Auntie Beeb-3
I really look forward to Spotify Connect on my Unities. Mostly for my wife and kids but also for discovering new music before buying it on CD or high-res download.
I personally don't care for BT but I think it's good that Naim offers it in the Uniti-series. Also shows that Naim keep improving their products.
AirPlay and support for Tidal/Wimp would be nice for me but right now Spotify is more important.
Good work Naim and thank you!
Mike have you tried the Qobuz classical music playlists? They have been great for broadening my music horizons.. at the expense of yet further CD spend 
But what about Qobuz?
Qobuz is in the french equivalent of Chapter 11.
Yes Simon, & it is very good, however most of my daytime listening times are coupled to the need to work on other things & tends to be background. Hence FM & iRadio works best for me. If something attracts me, I can quickly find out the detail from www or the iPad display & if I want another listen & then go to places like Qobuz & select a listen on that specific piece.
That said I do find I pick up on more recommendations that I end up buying from other places, a group of jazz friends that are also keen on classical, baroque, organ & the more serious end of rock. That tends to lead to live concerts & my home location is blessed more that most outside the big cities. Then I can't but mention the Naim forumites in the Music Room (wish they would stop "replying with quote" & copying & re-copying & & & adinfinitum the album art tho')
Does anyone know if the Spotify Connect upgrade will be made available to the original Uniti's? The latest firmware update listed for the NaimUniti is 3.17 so we're falling behind a bit.
Spotify is ok for the car and when out and about with headphones, but is verging on poor to the point of irritation on the Naim system even with their 320kbps stream (which I fail to understand why it sounds as poor as it does, and I am not alone reading the web).
If I am happy with the mid-fi mush of Spotify, am I going to be the person that buys premium audio replay equipment such as Naim? I can't square that one..
Excellent point Simon.
I am an equally HUGE fan of Spotify as I am of Naim... and as I said earlier, it is a bit of a dilemma for me. A nice dilemma though. The concept of Spotify et al IS the next best thing since sliced bread but yes, when piped through a decent system, the limitations of 320Kpbs show... the rest of the time? (Which in my case is 90% of the time when I listen to it in the car, train, walking, I can't tell. It sounds great)
Some might say, drop Spotify and move to Tidal. Right now I cannot afford the £20 a month. My current strategy is my own music (lossless on NAS) via Naim and Spotify everywhere else.
The reason I am so excited to experience Spotify Connect on my ND5 XS is because my experience of Spotify on Naim so far has been via Airport Express streamed from my iphone using Airplay (!). I have hopes that Connect will improve the experience a little...