Introducing Uniti, our revolutionary new streaming platform.

Posted by: NaimAudio on 03 October 2016

NAIM_UNITI_HERO_and_RANGE_20160929-4

Dear Forum members,

Today we announce our most revolutionary streaming platform yet. Inspired by our unfaltering passion for music and enabled by more than 40 years' of tireless innovation, we introduce the new Uniti range. Comprising the Uniti Nova, Uniti Star and Uniti Atom all-in-one players and the Uniti Core hard disk server, Uniti's brand new state-of-the-art technology enables you to experience music like never before. Rip and store entire collections, play or stream music from any source, at the touch of a button, all with the deep, immersive sound only a Naim system delivers.

Our Research and Development team in Salisbury had to fundamentally deconstruct every historic design and technology decision we had ever made to challenge themselves and go further, especially in terms of sound quality. It’s a true ground-up development, all hand-built in Salisbury, with our core principles at its heart. We looked at every single aspect of the product proposition, the electronic architecture, the mechanical enclosure, the user experience and the approach to manufacture and assembly.

The result? A clear step change in every single aspect of the products, a true achievement of excellence. We hope you enjoy this exciting new product range and look forward to hearing what you think.

Discover Uniti: https://www.naimaudio.com/uniti

Best wishes

Naim

[Edited: 13.01.2017]

The new Uniti range is our biggest release in over fifteen years and we are really proud of all the work that has gone into crafting this revolutionary new product range. Due to the technical complexity of Uniti we have faced more challenges than we initially anticipated and we still have some features to refine to ensure the products that reach you are of the highest possible quality.

 We are currently processing certifications for AirPlay, GoogleCast, TIDAL, Bluetooth (aptX HD), WiFi, HDMI and Spotify Connect  and beta testing our latest software; the team is working extremely hard to ensure that the products stand up to the level of quality you have come to expect from Naim.

 As such we have made the difficult decision to delay shipping Uniti Atom until May with Uniti Star and Uniti Nova following in June.

 We have been reviewing all customer feedback from the Uniti Core servers shipped in 2016, and made the decision to stop shipping after Christmas, to ensure we have fixed any software issues before shipping en masse. We are expecting a firmware update next week, and an over-the-air update will be available via the app for those who have already received their Uniti Core servers.  Shipping will re-commence next week as soon as the firmware is available and tested.

We know the delay is frustrating and sincerely apologise for it. Thank you for your continued support and patience while we put the finishing touches on your Uniti.

Posted on: 19 November 2016 by Crabby

Hi Phil 

Does the new uniti range especially the Atom require a minimum speaker cable length ? 

Thanks in advance 

Posted on: 21 November 2016 by ndx202-
DrMark posted:

If they have created a Statement level streamer then they better have some Statement level firmware/software to go with it...

Streaming supliers also pay for licences . eg Tidal have a few .  These licences are for all the goodies that make up a quality signal.

it's like having a great tv that can do hd and a lot more without having it  unless you pay for it. Then I imagine anyone with a Statement system would not be to worried about the cost of quality streaming. Everyone is cashing in.

Posted on: 22 November 2016 by Bouba

Hi all, 

Sorry if this has already been asked but I was just wondering whether the Atom or the Core (or maybe both) can directly stream from an Apple time capsule. 

I'm aware the current Qute is unable to do that so I'll imagine that ain't possible for the new range either, am I right? the TC using an SMB protocol. 

Posted on: 22 November 2016 by iliria
Bouba posted:

Hi all, 

Sorry if this has already been asked but I was just wondering whether the Atom or the Core (or maybe both) can directly stream from an Apple time capsule. 

I'm aware the current Qute is unable to do that so I'll imagine that ain't possible for the new range either, am I right? the TC using an SMB protocol. 

Bouba, pardon my ignorance but do you mean stream using the wifi network that the TC has created or stream from a device connected to the TC? The reason I ask is because I am interested in this topic because the wifi in my household is provided by the TC.

Posted on: 22 November 2016 by Phil Harris
Bouba posted:

Hi all, 

Sorry if this has already been asked but I was just wondering whether the Atom or the Core (or maybe both) can directly stream from an Apple time capsule. 

I'm aware the current Qute is unable to do that so I'll imagine that ain't possible for the new range either, am I right? the TC using an SMB protocol. 

Hi,

Outside of a purely Apple network environment the Time Capsule provides rather basic / poor NAS functionality in addition to fairly simple router functionality.

If there is music on the shared folder then the Core will be able to index it. The Core would need to be physically wired (via Ethernet) to the Time Capsule to read the files on it as Core is hard wired Ethernet only not WiFi.

An Atom would be able to connect to the Time Capsule's wireless network but it would not directly access music held on the Time Capsule as the Core is a UPnP client (requiring a UPnP server at the "head end") and the Time Capsule does not provide UPnP server capabilities (it's not part of Apples grand plan for word domination).

Best Regards

Phil

Posted on: 22 November 2016 by Bouba

Many thanks for this thoughtful explanation. 

This confirms what i thought. I'm deeply involved into Apple environment (2 macs; 1 map; 2 TC; iPhone, etc.) 

I had to buy a separate Synology Nas to enable the streaming capabilities of my Qute2 as Apple won't adopt UPnP and I completely forgot about that limitation. 

I was just wondering if somehow Naim had find a way to override that limitation, but I fully understand now this is not a Naim issue but rather an Apple one. 

However, it's rather a good news that the Core would index and play music from the TC, but giving that the core itself can store music internally useless to attach it to a TC. 

Anyway, many thanks for your reply; appreciate it and will now place my order consequently. 

 

Posted on: 22 November 2016 by ChrisSU
Bouba posted:

Many thanks for this thoughtful explanation. 

This confirms what i thought. I'm deeply involved into Apple environment (2 macs; 1 map; 2 TC; iPhone, etc.) 

I had to buy a separate Synology Nas to enable the streaming capabilities of my Qute2 as Apple won't adopt UPnP and I completely forgot about that limitation. 

I was just wondering if somehow Naim had find a way to override that limitation, but I fully understand now this is not a Naim issue but rather an Apple one.  

There's nothing to stop you putting a 3rd party UPnP server on your Mac if it suits you. I'm not 100% certain it would see music on a TC, but I can't see why not. Of course, as you already have a NAS on your network, you could always copy the music on your TC to that, which I suspect would be a neater solution. 

Posted on: 23 November 2016 by Phil Harris
Crabby posted:

Hi Phil 

Does the new uniti range especially the Atom require a minimum speaker cable length ? 

Thanks in advance 

Hi,

Our recommendation for all of our amplifiers is a minimum of 3.5m of NAC-A5 or 3m of SuperLumina.

The Uniti range may be more forgiving of loadings but our recommendation for a minimum of 3.5m of NAC-A5 for best performance still remains the same.

Cheers

Phil

Posted on: 23 November 2016 by gert

In which way does the performance suffer if the cable is too short? (I am asking because I am using a 3m audioplan cable with my uniti.) Does it have an impact to the bass (too few) or trebles (too much) somehow?

Posted on: 23 November 2016 by Mike-B

Look up the forum FAQ on speaker cables.   Specifically re the Audioplan cables;  I have a buddy who tried them on his 252/250 & the amp got hot & cut out.   They are very unsuitable for Naim amps as the capacitance is way too high & inductance low.   

The LS4 MKIII is 316 pF/m & 0.13 µH/m,     LS6 MKIII is  even worse @ 398 pF/m & 0.07 µH/m

Posted on: 23 November 2016 by Phil Harris
gert posted:

In which way does the performance suffer if the cable is too short? (I am asking because I am using a 3m audioplan cable with my uniti.) Does it have an impact to the bass (too few) or trebles (too much) somehow?

The amplifiers can be made more susceptible to instability if used with an unsuitable load and if this happens then this can manifest itself in a number of ways - anything from a skewing of audio performance, the sound becoming hard and glassy perhaps to the amps themselves running excessively hot.

The Uniti range is more 'forgiving' of speaker cables but we do still recommend a minimum of 3.5m of NAC-A5 - the 'sweet spot' for performance in my opinion generally being between 5 and 9m in length.

Cheers

Phil

Posted on: 23 November 2016 by iliria
Phil Harris posted:
gert posted:

In which way does the performance suffer if the cable is too short? (I am asking because I am using a 3m audioplan cable with my uniti.) Does it have an impact to the bass (too few) or trebles (too much) somehow?

The amplifiers can be made more susceptible to instability if used with an unsuitable load and if this happens then this can manifest itself in a number of ways - anything from a skewing of audio performance, the sound becoming hard and glassy perhaps to the amps themselves running excessively hot.

The Uniti range is more 'forgiving' of speaker cables but we do still recommend a minimum of 3.5m of NAC-A5 - the 'sweet spot' for performance in my opinion generally being between 5 and 9m in length.

Cheers

Phil

Phil, would you be able to give the spec and minimum requirements in terms of cables needed to be used with the Uniti range for those of us whom can't afford or are reluctant to buy cables that cost as much as the units themselves?

Posted on: 24 November 2016 by Bouba
Eloise posted:
iliria posted:
Eloise posted:

Most people would connect the pre-outs from their AV to one of the analogue inputs of their Naim.

Pardon my ignorance but what would be the purpose of that? In fact why would one need an AVR at all?

The AVR gives you multi-channel but tend to be compromised when it comes to 2 channel music performance.  If you use the pre-out from the AVR into your Naim (via a input configured for fixed level) then you can have the best 2 channel performance while sharing the speakers (and likely superior amplification) with the front 2 channels for your multichannel system.

 

I just have a quick question regarding the above. How would you connect all together the AV receiver and the Naim and set an AV bypass to be able to share the front speakers for both AV and pure hi-fi? and what about the other speakers (front center, and rear speakers) in a typical 5.1 set up ? 

forgive my ignorance but I'm precisely plan to buy a AV receiver and If I could use and share part of the naim kit and speakers for both applications that would be really nice and save both space and money. 

Phil confirmed the above and said that the bypass can be set as an input option on the Uniti but i really can't figure out the whole connect together. I did understand that the Preamp output of the receiver could be connected to the naim kit analogue input, but i don't get it when it comes to speakers connections where do you connect each set of speakers (front pairs and rear pairs and the center, I suppose the rear and center will connect to the receiver and the front to the naim) ? 

But will that configuration also work if i decided to bi-amp the front speakers (using for example an atom for the highs and my current NAP 100 for the lows) 

I don't know if my questions make sens (and please forgive my very poor english) but I would very much appreciate detailed explanation or a drawing/pattern or something to really understand how to integrate the naim kit within the AV set up 

Many thanks  in advance to all

 
Posted on: 24 November 2016 by Richard Dane

Bouba, you just connect the main front L+R pre-out on the AV receiver/processor to an analogue input on the Uniti.  You then select unity gain/fixed volume for that input.  It now means that on that input the Uniti now handles the front L+R channels of the surround setup.  Overall volume for the surround system is controlled from the AV receiver/amp.

Posted on: 24 November 2016 by Bouba

Hey Richard, 

Many thanks for your reply but it's still not clear to me where the various speakers shall be connected ? Front to the naim uniti and the rest to the AV receivers ? Did I get it right that when you say surround system you mean the other speakers ? these shall still be connected to the AV receiver right ? and the front shall be connected to the uniti, is that right? 

Will this also still allow to bi-amp the fronts using both the Atom and NAP 100? 

Sorry about the numerous questions, I just want to make sure i don't mess up things when it'll be time to connect all these components together

Posted on: 24 November 2016 by Richard Dane

Yes, basically the front L+R speakers are the ones connected to the Uniti.  You can still bi-amp here if you so choose with Uniti and NAP100.  For your regular 2 channel music this is what you use.  The other surround (and centre, if you choose to have one) speakers are connected to the AV receiver/processor.

Posted on: 24 November 2016 by Bouba

Okay, I just found this https://forums.naimaudio.com/to...o-and-av-integration 

very helpful and if i do understand well explanations from Dungassin, the front speakers will be connected to the Atom, as in normal stereo set up, and the center and rear speakers shall be connected to the AV receiver. 

 

Posted on: 24 November 2016 by Bouba

Thanks Richard,

and ooh this is really really great and allow to save both money and space. Really great that Naim thought that the uniti may also be used that way.

Posted on: 24 November 2016 by Bouba

can somebody suggest an AVR allowing to do this: I was thinking about the Denon AVRX2300 or even the lower model AVRX2200, as I think (as far as i can see it on their rear panel and specs) both have a pre-out output 

Posted on: 24 November 2016 by Phil Harris
iliria posted:

Phil, would you be able to give the spec and minimum requirements in terms of cables needed to be used with the Uniti range for those of us whom can't afford or are reluctant to buy cables that cost as much as the units themselves?

I know that NAC-A5 isn't a "cheap" speaker cable but at the same time 7m of NAC-A5 also isn't anywhere close to costing as much as even an Atom and would normally fit quite nicely as an appropriately priced cable to use - however the electrical 'specs' for NAC-A5 are:

C = 15pF/m

L = 1.0uH/m

R = 10mR/m

Cheers

Phil

Posted on: 24 November 2016 by Richard Dane
Bouba posted:

can somebody suggest an AVR allowing to do this: I was thinking about the Denon AVRX2300 or even the lower model AVRX2200, as I think (as far as i can see it on their rear panel and specs) both have a pre-out output 

Bouba, the best idea here would be to start a new topic in the Home Theatre Room.  That way this thread will remain about the new Uniti range and your question will hopefully be more visible in its new thread.

Posted on: 24 November 2016 by iliria
Richard Dane posted:
Bouba posted:

can somebody suggest an AVR allowing to do this: I was thinking about the Denon AVRX2300 or even the lower model AVRX2200, as I think (as far as i can see it on their rear panel and specs) both have a pre-out output 

Bouba, the best idea here would be to start a new topic in the Home Theatre Room.  That way this thread will remain about the new Uniti range and your question will hopefully be more visible in its new thread.

Bouba, if you decide to start a new topic as suggested please let me know as i am also in the same boat as you and interested in this idea.

Posted on: 24 November 2016 by Bouba

Thanks Richard for the suggestion I will for sure start a new thread about the above asap and Iliria you are welcome to contribute of course 

Posted on: 24 November 2016 by wiwa

Atom, Star or Nova.

The Atom is good for small rooms they said, but what is a smal room.

My livingroom is 36 m2 ; is the Atom (with pmc speakers twenty5;23) strong enough

Or is the Star or Nova a better choise

 

Posted on: 25 November 2016 by yeti42

My order is in for a Core but as far as I know I'll have to buy a hard drive to go in it. Is there any advantage in a SSD, say a 2tb crucial mx300 against a spinning disk, perhapse a WD red at around fifth of the price for 3tb?

For backup is a usb drive or two sufficiant or do I need a NAS?