Naim votes 'remain' for Classic Series

Claus-Thoegersen posted:

nigelb posted:

Emre posted:

nigelb posted:

Emre posted:

So why did they bother with it in the new line at All? There must be a reason for it, I think it is not about usability but  just modern look

For the classics it is something they can add without chancing the case and look, make the classics little bit less classic and relaunch it without upsetting the old guys like us

Because, I presume, being essentially lifestyle products, MuSo and Uniti need to compete with other, funkier looking lifestyle competitor products. If this is the case then the Uniti range was certainly in need of a fresh design and at the same time move over to the new platform.

I am not arguing one way or the other re a change to the Classic design. I merely commented that having an authoritative statement that the design will not be changing, most on this thread proceeded to speculate how the design will/might change.

Yes I agree maybe exception of core, it is not a lifestyle product

The Core is part of the Uniti range, not the Classic range. Anyway, servers are best kept away from Classic black boxes, on sonic grounds. If the Core is physically separated from Classic boxes there should be no design clash.

 

In that case the bnc spdif out should have been removed.

Claus

The UnitiServe and Core are designed primarily to be used as UPnP servers and hence can be kept away from Black boxes (using Ethernet). Some may choose to use the spdif out which is entirely a personal choice.

Hmm . . . it seems like this conversation is moot, if Naim are really committed long term to the classic designs. But I must be honest and say that if that is their decision then I think it's a bad one.

Running two completely distinct design languages is hard for such a small company. Everything militates against it: ease of production, skills, supply chain, brand recognition, customer journey, etc etc. Installing new platforms into old boxes demands changes anyway - e.g. fixing points, mini-USB - and that's before one starts considering the colour screen and generally more modern look of the Uniti range.

So how to match the need to evolve with their statement that the classic range won't be changing? 

Well, firstly, the need to sell the current classic range, probably for a while, means it would be unwise to do anything other than promise longevity. To acknowledge it's due to be replaced would be to slow down sales, and that's a bad idea. 

And secondly, the term 'classic' may be relevant. The obvious first candidates for change are the streamers and pre/streamers. So when they get the new platform, they get a version of the new design (front facing) and perhaps they get new names. At that point they're no longer  considered 'classic'. 

I hope so. While I recognise there's a lot of love for the classic look, I think it's time to move on.

Solid Air posted:

Hmm . . . it seems like this conversation is moot, if Naim are really committed long term to the classic designs. But I must be honest and say that if that is their decision then I think it's a bad one.

Running two completely distinct design languages is hard for such a small company. Everything militates against it: ease of production, skills, supply chain, brand recognition, customer journey, etc etc. Installing new platforms into old boxes demands changes anyway - e.g. fixing points, mini-USB - and that's before one starts considering the colour screen and generally more modern look of the Uniti range.

So how to match the need to evolve with their statement that the classic range won't be changing? 

Well, firstly, the need to sell the current classic range, probably for a while, means it would be unwise to do anything other than promise longevity. To acknowledge it's due to be replaced would be to slow down sales, and that's a bad idea. 

And secondly, the term 'classic' may be relevant. The obvious first candidates for change are the streamers and pre/streamers. So when they get the new platform, they get a version of the new design (front facing) and perhaps they get new names. At that point they're no longer  considered 'classic'. 

I hope so. While I recognise there's a lot of love for the classic look, I think it's time to move on.

I think there is an intermediate option which is that the new streaming platform gets shoehorned into the existing case but without the new screen. This is not really a problem as most people will probably use iPads, etc to control their equipment. However, your point about two design languages is important as there is no matching design route forward from Uniti series via the classic amps as there is now, despite them providing the means to do this. I think this is a mistake and I'll be interested to see how they resolve it.

I was thinking of going this route but won't make any move now until it is clear how they intend to implement the new streaming platform in the Classic series.

daren_p posted:

I for one would be happy without a major re-design.............  I'm also in the camp that think the classic line looks exactly that, much more classic looking & will likely continue to age much better then the new Uniti range.  

I concur .... but then again I would not have precipitately abandoned the chrome bumper look 

Solid Air posted:

Hmm . . . it seems like this conversation is moot, if Naim are really committed long term to the classic designs. But I must be honest and say that if that is their decision then I think it's a bad one.

Running two completely distinct design languages is hard for such a small company. Everything militates against it: ease of production, skills, supply chain, brand recognition, customer journey, etc etc. Installing new platforms into old boxes demands changes anyway - e.g. fixing points, mini-USB - and that's before one starts considering the colour screen and generally more modern look of the Uniti range.

 

Harder maybe but not impossible. Running 2 or more concurrent aesthetics is totally normal. Of course we know the big brands from the far east do it (the hifi seperates tending to adhere to timeless classic designs that last decades, with the lower end stuff getting massive face lifts every 2 years) but smaller ones do to. 

Linn even run 3 types of aesthetic exluding the Kiko. In fact the few similarly small companies that just run with one generally don't have a multi segment lineup anyway. 

I have no idea what may be up Naim's sleeve. However, keeping the claasics with the current design or revamping the styling would not surprise me either way.

I imagine the designers didn't approach the new appearance randomly, so perhaps other matching things are to come. 

And, of course, if they judged there to be two different markets based on appearance, there would be nothing to stop them making two versions of the same thing, simply formatted into the different cases, though that would be unusual.

 There are also retrofit upgrades to consider.   Naim might want to do a further round of these upgrades to an adoring fan base who might not want a change of look for their kit – perhaps the volume control? 

Innocent Bystander posted:

I imagine the designers didn't approach the new appearance randomly, so perhaps other matching things are to come. 

And, of course, if they judged there to be two different markets based on appearance, there would be nothing to stop them making two versions of the same thing, simply formatted into the different cases, though that would be unusual.

In talking to the designer two weeks ago I was informed that two of the many reasons for the new designs being different from the ongoing Classic and 500 series designs is to 

a) to help differentiate the the sub product brands so as to avoid/reduce portfolio confusion and confusion on SQ differentiation ( the aim is to encourage customer direction  to Classic to 500 to Statement ... in obviously diminishing numbers)

b) recognition that the new uniti products will appear largely to new markets and customers who don't have ahistory or experience of quality audio replay, and are likely to consider lifestyle domestic aesthetics very important and unlikely to mount the equipment on dedicated racks or supports. The new uniti boxes are more general purpose furniture friendly and designed for nothing to be placed on top.

There are other considerations too, such as the Zigbee remote and wifi inbuilt antennas, and careful heat management.. there is a lot of dense circuitry with heat to dissipate.

However we might see aspects of the new Uniti products appear in future Classic series models, such as the new embedded streaming architecture and state of the art colour displays. I also made a request on the networking interfacing side.. it's going to be reconsidered, I will have to wait and see if it's adopted in the future 

Simon

One thing that the new styling will not encourage is the incremental upgrade path from Uniti to Classic. Adding a power amp to a Superuniti, for example, gives a nicely matching 2-box system from which you can continue to upgrade, or not. 

Should we understant that the Uniti Core, and the former UnitiServe for that matter, are not really to Classic or 500 series standards? So much for so many demonstrations and set-ups with NDS, 552 and 300. When will Naim update or revise the N01and HDX then?  

Chag -

Chag, as I understand it the Core is a suitable music server at the "core" (sorry) of whatever Naim streaming system you have, from a single Mu-So right up to a house full of NDS' and Statements, and everything in between.

Chag... posted:

Should we understant that the Uniti Core, and the former UnitiServe for that matter, are not really to Classic or 500 series standards? So much for so many demonstrations and set-ups with NDS, 552 and 300. When will Naim update or revise the N01and HDX then?  

Chag -

I don't think that you should understand that at all. My understanding is that Naim regard the Core as a step forwards in sound quality and several other respects too and is certainly suitable for partnering the NDS.  It had to match the rest of the new Uniti range in external design terms for obvious reasons. But you  won't see a classic version of the Core any time soon (if ever) as they have their hands full getting the new Uniti range out. 

Best

David

Chag... posted:

Should we understant that the Uniti Core, and the former UnitiServe for that matter, are not really to Classic or 500 series standards? So much for so many demonstrations and set-ups with NDS, 552 and 300. When will Naim update or revise the N01and HDX then?  

Chag -

Its really more about the Uniti series (with in built in  amps). The standard is high as with all things Naim, there will be a difference, according to Naim,  in the SQ performance envelopes expected between the Uniti / All-in-one products  and the Classic series and above ... not least because of the component spacing and isolation/decoupling wihich is very much part of the Naim DNA we are told.

Chag... posted:

 When will Naim update or revise the N01and HDX then?  

I doubt Naim ever will ...

If Naim ever does change the appearance of the Classic series, how would you feel if you were this guy ?

badlands posted:

If Naim ever does change the appearance of the Classic series, how would you feel if you were this guy ?

 

What's the waiting Time for those new DR Amp Upgrades?

I think we will be stuck with the Classic Series look for a while!

It's always about the $$$$$'s

JMHO

Allante93!

ChrisSU posted:

One thing that the new styling will not encourage is the incremental upgrade path from Uniti to Classic. Adding a power amp to a Superuniti, for example, gives a nicely matching 2-box system from which you can continue to upgrade, or not. 

Exactly the point I tried to make earlier (and clearly failed). It seems really odd to do this as I was contemplating adding a 250DR to my Uniti2 with a view to getting an N272 with the new platform upgrade at a later date. Now I have no idea how to make this move. I appreciate that Naim do not communicate any change until it happens but in my case this means no change from me either until their future design direction is clearer.

I took the plunge a couple of weeks ago and ordered a 250DR. I'm somewhat reassured that there seems to be a good chance that if/when the new streaming platform comes to the Classic range it will look ok.

Klout10 posted:

Chag... posted:

 When will Naim update or revise the N01and HDX then?  

I doubt Naim ever will ...

+1   I very much doubt Naim will ever update the HDX as I would guess sales are negligible. Also, the Uniti Star with an external hard disk kind-of fulfils that function. Likewise the NS01 and Uniti Core.

Solid Air posted:

Klout10 posted:

Chag... posted:

 When will Naim update or revise the N01and HDX then?  

I doubt Naim ever will ...

+1   I very much doubt Naim will ever update the HDX as I would guess sales are negligible. Also, the Uniti Star with an external hard disk kind-of fulfils that function. Likewise the NS01 and Uniti Core.

That's what people were saying about the Unitiserve until a couple of weeks ago...

Not me - but true, of course. I'm only guessing. Ultimately these are economic decisions based on the volumes Naim think they can can sell, and we don't know that. But they've hardly been putting those products at the forefront of development or marketing lately, have they? 

A belated reply on this, apols for the bump.

I was told something similar to the OP last year when we bought a 252/300 and was considering an NDS. It then occured to me that it probably wouldn't be too hard to add a dual colour LED so you could choose either a green or white Naim logo. In that way there is some sort of similiarirty between old look and new look. Just a thought!

Fashion changes ,from CB passing through olives to the current line easily never felt something missing but just happier.

 Style endures, not a logo or else, wishin Naim to keep on with it and avoid any compromise.

So for me :  Leave  

if that means what has ever meant.

Hungryhalibut posted:

But then again the website still shows a range of three speakers. 

But not the "in wall" speakers if these ever materialised ?

Was it LS01 or something ?

b_lund posted:

Hungryhalibut posted:

But then again the website still shows a range of three speakers. 

But not the "in wall" speakers if these ever materialised ?

Was it LS01 or something ?

IIRC the in-wall speakers were a Naimnet thing, so would never be on the Naim website and weren't something generally available except through Naimnet installers.  As to how many are still out there (if any), I have no idea.