Introducing Uniti, our revolutionary new streaming platform.

pixies posted:

Not sure if it's been asked already, but will Google Cast be coming as an update for me to use via my NDX or is this a function for the new streamers only ?

I don't think it's been asked but it's one of those questions I can't tell you the answer to as we're not allowed to discuss what may or may not be on the roadmap for future developments (as I've said here before)...

Phil

All the Naim sonic virtues were very much in attendance and although we did not hear any direct comparisons, the Atom sounded much more grown up than the Qute 2 with far greater resolution and eloquence underpinned with greater drive and power.

At times it was heard to believe that we were actually listening to an entry level, one-box payer such was its confidence and refinement.

cheers

james@tomtom

Phil Harris posted:

jukemark posted:

For an updated 272...

I believe that Richard was meaning that you can always wait for 'the next version' of something as there will always be a point where the current version of something is superseded - it's just how long you want to wait for "what might be".

Phil

Exactly.  Thanks Phil, I couldn't have explained it better myself.

tom tom audio posted:

All the Naim sonic virtues were very much in attendance and although we did not hear any direct comparisons, the Atom sounded much more grown up than the Qute 2 with far greater resolution and eloquence underpinned with greater drive and power.

At times it was heard to believe that we were actually listening to an entry level, one-box payer such was its confidence and refinement.

cheers

james@tomtom

Thanks James - the tenner is in the post!

(...and you didn't even mention the packaging. )

Phil

Phil Harris posted:

pixies posted:

Not sure if it's been asked already, but will Google Cast be coming as an update for me to use via my NDX or is this a function for the new streamers only ?

I don't think it's been asked but it's one of those questions I can't tell you the answer to as we're not allowed to discuss what may or may not be on the roadmap for future developments (as I've said here before)...

Phil

OK thanks Phil. Will just sit tight and see what happens. Fingers crossed of course!

Simon-in-Suffolk posted:

robert- posted:

I have a feeling the new classic range of nac's will all have screens and streamers built in with a big dial on top.

God, I hope not... but I don't think so... the higher end in Naim benefits from separation, physical decoupling and space due to good old fashioned physics. Just look at the NDS and 252/552 innards... but  that is not to knock at all the attractiveness and appeal of these new all in one devices.. I am sure they will sound enjoyable.... it's a shame however they only have one DIN source input ... come on Naim could we at least not had two or even possibly three?.. I couldn't see a seperate  line out for recorder/headphone amps either... but I might have missed that  .. it could be nesting in the DIN input...

Agree about the NACs. 

Perhaps the streamers and DACs may benefit from updated hardware and software (the assumption here is that the new fourth-generation, 40-bit SHARC DSP processor and Burr Brown DACs, and streaming modules in this new Uniti range are better).

Jude

My eyes like the new units, now my ears are waiting...

Geoff C posted

My eyes like the new units, now my ears are waiting... just need a willing wallet and you are home and dry.

Geoff C posted:

My eyes like the new units, now my ears are waiting...

I know you'll regard it as "Ah but you should say that" but I really like the new look and I think it will 'age' nicely too ... it's nicely "monolithic" and built like the proverbial outhouse.

Phil

I was talking to someone who saw them yesterday and they said that they look really fantastic - far better in the flesh than in pictures. So it all sounds very good. 

Don't get me started on that gorgeous packaging Phil or that brilliant remote

tom tom audio posted:

Don't get me started on that gorgeous packaging Phil or that brilliant remote

Does this mean I have to give you another tenner?

Phil

So what will this do to the values of existing uniti serves ?....and more to the point why did my u.s decide to fail the 2 weeks before the new product line is revealed. ?   Or ..not sure !

Phil Harris posted:

John Bailey posted:

Mike-B posted:

John Bailey posted:

I take your point Mike but Naim have been less than outstanding when making software updates available to Unitiserve , HDX or NaimNet customers. 

As I understand it their hard/firm/software capabilities are at the limit & are not able to go further.

If that is the case then understandable. But, I've never seen that stated on these pages and my enquiries to Naim resulted in a "no comment" response. 

The UnitiServe and HDX servers themselves are all based on the original NS01 which was released and available in the market before I joined Naim so they've been out for about 10 years which is a long time for a tech product to remain "current" nowadays ... the original units didn't support Internet Radio or ripping to FLAC or expanding capacity using network storage or parallel MP3 copies or storage of downloaded music on the units themselves or UPnP serving and have gone from 400GB to 500GB to 1Tb and to 2Tb of storage so they definitely have been updated to keep them relevant and current over the years .

I know it might seem frustrating if you ask a question about future developments and receive what you see as a "No Comment" answer but we really are not allowed to discuss anything that we could be working on or planning until - like today - an official announcement is made and then we are able to discuss it.

Phil

Phil,

NaimNet servers and the HDX were launched in 2008 and UnitiServe in 2010 – so 8 and 6 years ago respectively.

Whilst it is indeed true that the devices have been updated over time, the last significant update was in 2013 – three years ago, since when many units will have been purchased. Coincidentally this dropping of development seems to tie in with the start of development on the new platform.

It’s quite understandable that technology moves on and becomes obsolete but IMHO customers have good reason to expect a degree of ongoing development to protect their investment and keep their units reasonably contemporary within a few years of purchase – particularly at the prices Naim charge.

Before I bought my HDX (new in 2011) I had already used a Sonos – which has continued to be regularly updated with new features (like streaming services) despite its age and low cost, which as a result has made it a much more satisfying purchase.

I fully appreciate it does not make sense to comment on new product (Osborne effect) but it does make sense to listen and communicate with existing customers in respect of managing expectations as to not do so just risks poisoning their relationship with the brand. And I don’t think its unreasonable for customers to hold companies to account when they feel less than impressed.

On a positive note the new products do look good and its clear that bringing them to market has been a huge effort which I hope pays off and is to be congratulated. It’s heartening to see that Naim has moved the ripper platform on when most would not have done so, and I’m so pleased Roon will be made available at some point. So much to look forward too. 

I have an HDX.... And there wont be a software upgrade for it moving forward.

The motherboard in there is *ancient* technology. Investing R&D time on it for new features is pretty pointless, because it simply doesnt have the horsepower. Look at how continual ripping can cause it to get *way* behind on its processing queue if you want everything transcoded to FLAC. 

To be honest, they have taken the platform as far as it is going to go. It does what it says on the tin, and does a pretty good job. Yes, there are things I would like changed/improved, but I have to be pragmatic and recognise that the cost/benefit argument puts it completely out of court. They are nice-to-haves, like better handling of damaged discs. Apparently the new box will do better. 

Also "t’s quite understandable that technology moves on and becomes obsolete but IMHO customers have good reason to expect a degree of ongoing development to protect their investment and keep their units reasonably contemporary within a few years of purchase – particularly at the prices Naim charge."

No, we dont. If some new whizzy streaming service came out tomorrow, we have no right to expect support for it on HDX or UQ. None. 

I bought my SuperUniti a year ago.  If I'd known that Naim was working on a new range of streamers, I might have held off - and missed a year of the intense pleasure the SU has given me.  Naim has said the updated Naim app will work with existing streamers, so it should be good for a few years yet.

Personally, I think Naim has handled this well, and the new range is a genuinely exciting development, which gives them much more flexibility for the future.

I'm way more annoyed that I can have my 250/2 DR'd but not my 135s...

jon honeyball posted:

I have an HDX.... And there wont be a software upgrade for it moving forward.

The motherboard in there is *ancient* technology. Investing R&D time on it for new features is pretty pointless, because it simply doesnt have the horsepower. Look at how continual ripping can cause it to get *way* behind on its processing queue if you want everything transcoded to FLAC. 

To be honest, they have taken the platform as far as it is going to go. It does what it says on the tin, and does a pretty good job. Yes, there are things I would like changed/improved, but I have to be pragmatic and recognise that the cost/benefit argument puts it completely out of court. They are nice-to-haves, like better handling of damaged discs. Apparently the new box will do better. 

All fair comment Jon. 

jon honeyball posted:

Also "t’s quite understandable that technology moves on and becomes obsolete but IMHO customers have good reason to expect a degree of ongoing development to protect their investment and keep their units reasonably contemporary within a few years of purchase – particularly at the prices Naim charge."

No, we dont. If some new whizzy streaming service came out tomorrow, we have no right to expect support for it on HDX or UQ. None. 

Well with respect, and to a certain degree, we shall have to agree to disagree on that one. 

John Bailey posted:

jon honeyball posted:

Also "t’s quite understandable that technology moves on and becomes obsolete but IMHO customers have good reason to expect a degree of ongoing development to protect their investment and keep their units reasonably contemporary within a few years of purchase – particularly at the prices Naim charge."

No, we dont. If some new whizzy streaming service came out tomorrow, we have no right to expect support for it on HDX or UQ. None. 

Well with respect, and to a certain degree, we shall have to agree to disagree on that one. 

 

 

it would be fascinating to have a show of hands for Feature X, and the for the factory to price it up. I really wonder how many people would put their hands in their pockets at that point. 

I prefer the classic looks by miles, it is far better design, the new ones are just contemporary designs that will look old soon

jon honeyball posted:

John Bailey posted:

jon honeyball posted:

Also "t’s quite understandable that technology moves on and becomes obsolete but IMHO customers have good reason to expect a degree of ongoing development to protect their investment and keep their units reasonably contemporary within a few years of purchase – particularly at the prices Naim charge."

No, we dont. If some new whizzy streaming service came out tomorrow, we have no right to expect support for it on HDX or UQ. None. 

Well with respect, and to a certain degree, we shall have to agree to disagree on that one. 

 

 

it would be fascinating to have a show of hands for Feature X, and the for the factory to price it up. I really wonder how many people would put their hands in their pockets at that point. 

I think you're confusing rights to upgrades (no actual right) with [this] consumers expectation in the modern world of software driven products. 

Pity about the 135's but then again they have been out of production for a very long time. Unlike the HDX, UnitiServe, NS01...

I reckon the new design may prove less shocking if olive were the actual classic ?