Introducing Uniti, our revolutionary new streaming platform.

Why assume that an external PSU will work better for core? It isnt a switched mode supply like UQ or HDX

INNOCENT, JON; your replies make very good sense indeed. Still. 

Chag -

Chag... posted:

Since we are at it Phil, may I ask why Naim has not designed the Core, which we know will serve as a universal ripping & storing server across the board, above and beyond the new Uniti range, with an external PSU for all enhanced SQ purposes? 

Chag -

This is a key selling point. Thank god. Put an excellent PSU in the box and avoid the proliferation of gads of extra PSU boxs that cost as much as the device they are powering. I like the KISS principal, a one box solution with excellent performance. I am not at all convinced that with the technology currently available in terms of regulation, noise filtering etc that an external box would be at all necessary for this type of device.

Chag... posted:

Since we are at it Phil, may I ask why Naim has not designed the Core, which we know will serve as a universal ripping & storing server across the board, above and beyond the new Uniti range, with an external PSU for all enhanced SQ purposes? 

Chag -

Hi Chag,

The UnitiCore has been designed with an internal linear power supply and is primarily intended as a ripper / storage device / server. The HDX (which was designed as a high end playback device) had provision for an external PSU for the analogue audio sections but the UnitiCore has no analogue output.

Cheers

Phil

jon honeyball posted:

Why assume that an external PSU will work better for core? It isnt a switched mode supply like UQ or HDX

Remember that the HDX (and the NS0x servers) actually do have twin power supplies in them by default - a switch mode to power the processing hardware and drives and a linear supply for the analogue audio circuitry.

Phil

Phil;

Many thanks for taking the time to address my question. I probably misinterpreted a few posts I have read on the forum and the fact that the UnitiServe had come with an external but switch-mode power supply. 

Best regards,

Chag -

Phil Harris posted:

jon honeyball posted:

Why assume that an external PSU will work better for core? It isnt a switched mode supply like UQ or HDX

Remember that the HDX (and the NS0x servers) actually do have twin power supplies in them by default - a switch mode to power the processing hardware and drives and a linear supply for the analogue audio circuitry.

Phil

You are of course completely correct. As always

apologies for my terminological inexactitude :-) 

Surely all naim  streamer users would like MQA to be implemented in the Naim app so we can all enjoy the high  res music it brings,what I've read you don't need a MQA dac as the tidal app does it for you so come on Naim get with the times 

Hifi nut posted:

Surely all naim  streamer users would like MQA to be implemented in the Naim app so we can all enjoy the high  res music it brings,what I've read you don't need a MQA dac as the tidal app does it for you so come on Naim get with the times 

Maybe those who stream online. But that depends on how good it actually is, because it seems from the discussions on the MQA thread that the unpacking results in artefacts that mean it is not as good as from non-lossy compression, so the take-up might be limited, and possibly most of interest to those where bandwidth prevents streaming uncompressed high def music from sites that provide it. And the implementation needs to be in the firmware of each individual streamer, because the app is just a control device.

NaimAudio posted:

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.

I was at the Bristol show last Friday and was impressed with the sound from the Nova ,was wondering what difference would a power amp make 555ps? thoughts gentlemen.

loved the Naim sound and set up  on the Dynaudio stand, just over 30k worth but made go ooh

If you are contemplating adding an external power amp and a power supply then you would be far better buying a NAC N272 than a Nova.

You couldn't use the 555PS with a Nova or a Naim power amp anyway.

best

David

O k

Thank you 

David, not quite right, as Naim say 'in true Naim style' you can upgrade the Nova with an external Naim poweramp if you wish using its preamp outputs. The off board power supply is not an option, but as we heard much care has gone into the power supplies for the new Uniti series. Proof is in the hearing / comparison, but I suspect the Nova will give the 272 a run for its money, and from what we are starting to glean the new Uniti streaming architecture looks significantly advantageous over the current  272/172 and standalone streamers.

Anyone heard the new uniti range at Bristol ? 

@simon, please elaborate on your comment ref new streaming architecture. Keen to know what update you have 

latest i heard is atom may hopefully and rest in June 

cheers 

[@mention:49577344233114397] the new Uniti use different technology and approach for streaming which gives more flexibility for new streaming interfaces such as ChromeCast. Additionally the ability to 'suck' the content from the source and then play effectively from memory should replay help with isolating SQ differences from ethernet cables, media servers etc and also give far more robustness to internet streaming and wifi playback. Additionally I understand a lot of the experience from the current network players and devices with digital displays has been applied to significantly reduce internal electrical noise so as to give top flight SQ from a compact box.

Simon-in-Suffolk posted:

David, not quite right, as Naim say 'in true Naim style' you can upgrade the Nova with an external Naim poweramp if you wish using its preamp outputs. The off board power supply is not an option, but as we heard much care has gone into the power supplies for the new Uniti series. Proof is in the hearing / comparison, but I suspect the Nova will give the 272 a run for its money, and from what we are starting to glean the new Uniti streaming architecture looks significantly advantageous over the current  272/172 and standalone streamers.

Simpn

 I didn't say that you couldn't use a power amp with a Nova, just that I thought a 272 would make more sense.

But I agree that the new streaming platform is potentially very interesting and if streaming from the Internet (as distinct from streaming from a home server) is important to someone, I can see why the choice of a Nova rather than a 272 might make sense. 

Best

David

Simon-in-Suffolk posted:

[@mention:49577344233114397] the new Uniti use different technology and approach for streaming which gives more flexibility for new streaming interfaces such as ChromeCast. Additionally the ability to 'suck' the content from the source and then play effectively from memory should replay help with isolating SQ differences from ethernet cables, media servers etc and also give far more robustness to internet streaming and wifi playback. Additionally I understand a lot of the experience from the current network players and devices with digital displays has been applied to significantly reduce internal electrical noise so as to give top flight SQ from a compact box.

Much appreciated Simon 

anyone heard the atom and other big brothers in Bristol ? 

Crabby posted:

Much appreciated Simon 

anyone heard the atom and other big brothers in Bristol ? 

I did...

Phil Harris posted:

I did...

Coy boy...lol

Care to comment for the impatient among us, Phil? There's an angst filled thread (new vs old-ish) where folk are keen for scraps and reviews and info on the design and philosophy updates as much as the sound. 

For my part, I am very interested in joining the next tech wave on the "pre replay" side: I think the new advanced platform offers (much) more than the existing one  already and puts us back on track for a pleasant series of future additions as the landscape evolves (as we enjoyed already with multi-room, Spotify, DSD, Tidal, etc.). The user experience has improved significantly and the extra horsepower will enable further gains over time. I compared against another premium manufacturer a week or so ago and was astonished at the difference in maturity between interfaces - I like the Naim path and am an advocate for returning to the "forgotten" inputs (like USB) to improve the music search and selection process (ok some of that is app-side but on-board capacity would also make life smoother in this area). 

As well, I'm eager to benefit from the trickle down and product line specific engineering benefits - from the volume control to the display to the connectivity and, of course, to the anticipated gains in sonic performance due to the improved electronic isolation and power amp supplies. 

Some feedback on side-by-side experiences would be nice, noting of course you are a "company man" as well as an enthusiast. Atom vs Qute, Nova vs Super...of course. But Atom (which you have described as punching way above its weight) vs Super is also very much of interest - especially since these two are likely to find themselves competing on price (new vs used of course). 

Your impressions and reviews would add to the excellent but very limited information we get from those few forum members who have had a chance to demo. More so if you've spent time in a "real" listening environment (like at home rather than a show or at work). 

Also of interest would be info on dates and the order of roll out - are the delays mainly to ensure a smooth launch with known-good firmware and app...hence production and availability concerns are not (really) on the table? Or should May and June be treated with skepticism and expectations management...especially for those who see Atoms hitting the shelves and start the four-week countdown to (Star and) Nova? How about non-UK (okay, I don't care about rest of world, how about Canada): any chance the entire summer will go by in a haze of anticipation and disappointment (weather and holiday plans and the Blue Jays' relief pitching aside of course!)?

I like the humour and cameraderie here. I fully understand the quality control elements that drive the difficult decision to delay launch / shipping. I feel like I'm being a good team player and avoiding the flame tendency that creeps into every online conversation when the substance has been chewed over and speculation is all that's left. I'd love to hear your real thoughts and impressions, your inside perspectives, and indeed your totally biased advice!

Gauntlet thrown - ha ha. Let's share a little more of what's known with the line of customers shuffling their feet at the door!!

Regards alan

ps - An Ottawa event or demo would also be nice if you're listening Manu!!!

edit: 1000th reply! Shows a bit of interest building here!

edit: spelling

I don't think my own opinions count ... after all I'm going to say that I think it's wonderful aren't I?

Phil

Phil Harris posted:

I don't think my own opinions count ... after all I'm going to say that I think it's wonderful aren't I?

Phil

I thought I was clear enough that a biased opinion would be welcome. It's not like this place is full of haters to begin with: it's a friendly forum for mostly people who already love what you're doing. 

Some specific weaknesses with what has been reported so far, however, are in the choice of speakers used for demos. Nobody - except you? - has heard an Atom on less exotic speakers than the Sopra (1 and 2), as an example. Some comments on this "mullet" (I don't even know what that did is, tbh) are not favourable ... how did you conclude that the Atom is a real winner for price and size? With the Sopras? Or with speakers those looking at an all in one in its price category are (more?) likely to own or buy?

How about the Nova and the Sopras? Any thoughts on the few less happy observations from Bristol? Room? Underpowered and floppy woofers? Your own comparative thoughts welcome!

Same goes for the cross-level analysis. I expect that only Naim staff have had a chance to hear original vs new Uniti gear head to head. Go on, tell us how amazing the sonic improvements are, why we should all be jumping up and down, how every new model offers as much "more" than its obvious peer that it would be better to compare new vs one model higher up from the old range...

Shill away, you know you want to! Or get a pal who haunts these halls less than you do and pass on the invitation to feed the curiosity of the forum  

Regards alan

ps - Resoect: I won't push again to avoid putting you on the spot if that's not where you want to be. 

There are some impressions of the Nova from myself and others on the Bristol Show thread.

alan33 posted:

I thought I was clear enough that a biased opinion would be welcome. It's not like this place is full of haters to begin with: it's a friendly forum for mostly people who already love what you're doing. 

Some specific weaknesses with what has been reported so far, however, are in the choice of speakers used for demos. Nobody - except you? - has heard an Atom on less exotic speakers than the Sopra (1 and 2), as an example. Some comments on this "mullet" (I don't even know what that did is, tbh) are not favourable ... how did you conclude that the Atom is a real winner for price and size? With the Sopras? Or with speakers those looking at an all in one in its price category are (more?) likely to own or buy?

How about the Nova and the Sopras? Any thoughts on the few less happy observations from Bristol? Room? Underpowered and floppy woofers? Your own comparative thoughts welcome!

Same goes for the cross-level analysis. I expect that only Naim staff have had a chance to hear original vs new Uniti gear head to head. Go on, tell us how amazing the sonic improvements are, why we should all be jumping up and down, how every new model offers as much "more" than its obvious peer that it would be better to compare new vs one model higher up from the old range...

Shill away, you know you want to! Or get a pal who haunts these halls less than you do and pass on the invitation to feed the curiosity of the forum  

Regards alan

ps - Resoect: I won't push again to avoid putting you on the spot if that's not where you want to be. 

Hi Alan,

I have no problem giving my opinions but they are my opinions and may not tie in with anyone elses...

The Exec Lounge at Bristol show is always a difficult one to tame due to the size, it's "offset" layout and the wall of glass taking up the whole of one side of the room however I thought that the Nova was sounding fairly decent in there as they had it set up and, if I were looking for a one box system at around the £4k mark, the Nova would definitely be on my shortlist. It does a good job of driving decent speakers and we've come into a fair bit of flak not only for using the Nova with Sopra 2's at Bristol but also for using the Atom with Sopra 1's at the Indulgence show last year as running them on Sopras has been seen by some to be giving them an unfair advantage.

My own view on running them on Sopras is that athough the Sopras are a "better" speaker than might normally be expected to be used with the Atom and Nova they are also more revealing and as such allow more of the Atom / Nova to be heard with less of it being masked by the speaker and as such I think both units gave a very credible showing given that neither were in an ideal environment (there is only so much that we can do to tame rooms in the time that we have whilst setting up and we did have numerous bass traps spread about the room there as anyone who went into the demos would have seen).

Personally the unit that "floats my boat" the most is the little Atom - from what I've heard of it then yes, it isn't as good as the Nova and I do agree with that but it kicks the outgoing Qute (a long-time personal favourite bit of Naim kit of mine) into a cocked hat.

Ultimately, any demonstration will be at the mercy of the environment and shows / events will always be correspondingly more compromised - sometimes you hit lucky and the kit you have brought "gels" with the room and sometimes no matter how hard you try then you can't get a room to sound good with the kit you have to hand and the time that you have ... shows and events can only ever be a guide to how something sounds and IMO I thought the sound that I heard in the Exec Lounge was pretty good and gave enough of an insight into what the Nova can do and whether it's worth pursuing a 'proper' demo with a dealer when it comes out or whether it's just not your cup of tea.

Cheers

Phil 

Phil - 

My thanks for taking the time to share your opinions. I appreciate your thinking and like the comment that a very revealing speaker puts the source/amp out in the open. I'm sure it is a challenge to turn a hotel bed room or exec suite into a credible listening room, but I tend to agree with you that a first impression even under difficult circumstances can paint enough of the picture for you to know whether you'd like to go back or prefer to look elsewhere.

In case you haven't been following all the gossipy bits, I'm eager to see Atom and Nova over here in Canada. I have Qute and SuperUniti and will move up and forward as and when. Perhaps our new free trade deal will take some of the trans-Atlantic sting out of the equation. Your impressions have filled in a few moments of the waiting. Plenty of us out here rooting for you guys to amaze and delight once again. Best wishes and thanks again.

Regards alan

 

Personally the unit that "floats my boat" the most is the little Atom - from what I've heard of it then yes, it isn't as good as the Nova and I do agree with that but it kicks the outgoing Qute (a long-time personal favourite bit of Naim kit of mine) into a cocked hat.

Cheers

Phil 

Thanks for sharing your opinion Phil. It has put me, some what at easy, to know that by ordering the Atom, and selling my Qute/NAP100 I've not made a big mistake. Can't wait till it's finally in my lounge!