Uniti Progress Update

My dealer was asked not to access the Nova firmware until yesterday (even though he had Nova on Thursday) just in case the servers crashed as they were expecting a lot of Atom owners updating their kit. Perhaps it's linked?

I just picked my preordered Nova up.  And first thing it did was download new firmware this morning.  Apparently all to do with certification was not approved until yesterday so they needed to wait before releasing to the public.

HDMI is also included despite online support manual saying it's optional.

Initial impressions are it was worth the 9 month wait.  Dynamically so much better than the ND5 streamer and XS2 AMP I was borrowing with my PMC 25-23s.  It's like the dynamics have gone to a whole new level.  Now for some serious running in, but to say I am already happy is an understatement!

Naim all is forgiven it looks like you made something very special.....

That's great news John, have my demo booked for next thursday, keep us posted as you enjoy the burn in.

Big John posted:

I just picked my preordered Nova up.  And first thing it did was download new firmware this morning.  Apparently all to do with certification was not approved until yesterday so they needed to wait before releasing to the public.

HDMI is also included despite online support manual saying it's optional.

Initial impressions are it was worth the 9 month wait.  Dynamically so much better than the ND5 streamer and XS2 AMP I was borrowing with my PMC 25-23s.  It's like the dynamics have gone to a whole new level.  Now for some serious running in, but to say I am already happy is an understatement!

Naim all is forgiven it looks like you made something very special.....

 

 

Wow that' a concise no messing type of no nonsense review I like. Waiting for my Nova dealer said will confirm Tuesday, darn Bank Holiday ; )

Still watching this space Richard in terms of an update......Naim have got to sort out their communication! Too late now for Nova , but there are others who have orders for Atom hdmi and Star, Facebook seems to be more important than the forum?

UPDATE: so been listening now for nearly a day. Openness, transparency, detail, drive, dynamics, the sound is fantastic and has got better and better. That "Naim sound" description, we all so often use is best compliment I can give it. I still cannot believe I am not listening to separates. I would have to listen to some classics again, but my previous XS streamer and amp are left behind. Only negatives are I have noticed what I think is a bug with unit not always showing cover art when woken up via the IOS app. Also on a more general note, I was surprised that the functionality via the remote and unit front screen was so limited. I.e no Network Server or Tidal Home screen Icons from which to browse with. Also no fast forward or reverse within a track and no iPhone USB support. I sent Naim a note on the cover art bug and certainly like to understand if there any future plans to update functionality to be more on par with the older Green screen Uniti and streamer separates.  But the later has in no way distracted from my purchase experience so far.  I am still on the honeymoon.

Glad you are enjoying the burn in and noticing the improvement, and will be an interesting journey. No power supply upgrades as Naim say the noise floor is much lower with this new circuit design. The only upgrade is a power amp? I did hear Nova and 272/250, the latter did seem to have a little more control perhaps, but not night and day difference worth a few thousand extra IMO. So just enjoy and thanks for the update.

Big John posted:

... Also no fast forward or reverse within a track.....

Congratulations on your purchase Big John, sounds like you are having a lot of fun and enjoyment this weekend, and I'm sure it will get better over the coming days/weeks.

I noticed one comment you made about the Seek2Time function. Do you not have this possibility on all tracks and formats?

I know it is not possible with mp3 files on Classic streamers (eg. NDX), was it an mp3 file or FLAC/WAV?

Chris, no do not have this possibility via uPnP Server, which for me is a Synology NAS drive.  Functionally at the moment I would say new Uniti actually a slight step back at the moment compared to for example NDX and other green screen Naim streamers.   At the moment it does feel like two different streamers depending on whether you use the IOS app or the remote control.  Remote control is very limited as for example you cannot select tidal or uPNP network servers.  I should imagine this will change over time but its something to look out for.  I definitely feel like a laboratory rabbit at the moment.  Luckily the drug is showing such great promise on the sound front and already surpassed what I was probably expecting as an all in one unit.

Big John posted:

UPDATE: so been listening now for nearly a day. Openness, transparency, detail, drive, dynamics, the sound is fantastic and has got better and better. That "Naim sound" description, we all so often use is best compliment I can give it. I still cannot believe I am not listening to separates. I would have to listen to some classics again, but my previous XS streamer and amp are left behind. Only negatives are I have noticed what I think is a bug with unit not always showing cover art when woken up via the IOS app. Also on a more general note, I was surprised that the functionality via the remote and unit front screen was so limited. I.e no Network Server or Tidal Home screen Icons from which to browse with. Also no fast forward or reverse within a track and no iPhone USB support. I sent Naim a note on the cover art bug and certainly like to understand if there any future plans to update functionality to be more on par with the older Green screen Uniti and streamer separates.  But the later has in no way distracted from my purchase experience so far.  I am still on the honeymoon.

 

 

Your teasing us with your enjoyment ; )

Seek/cue, felt shame Naim left it out but if your saying the Uniqute had it, then that's just pure stupid. I have just been using the flaky app (stable at the moment on Android and IOS) to cue.

The app experience does mess up the experience, but the hardware delivers.

That works for loyal customers to the brand, but assuming Naim has/is growing, newbies will be less forgiving and they will see a high ration on returns.

I know Richard mentioned the difference Atom to Nova, but again I think the marketing blurb, flash presentations only convert more watts, surely Naim (unless it's something propriety) could say a bit more to do it the justice it deserves (hopefully I can confirm soon too).

Anyhow keep the updates coming.

Gazza posted:

I did hear Nova and 272/250, the latter did seem to have a little more control perhaps, but not night and day difference worth a few thousand extra IMO.

That's the interesting comparison, I think. It'd be daft to expect the Nova to beat or even equal the 272/250. But it should be better than a Superuniti, and the key question will be where exactly it falls between those two alternatives.

Earlier in the thread, there were concerns re the optional hdmi on the Nova. I think I have located the source of the problem. When you access the Nova support page, under one of the tabs "Getting to know your Uniti Nova" it provides a run through of all inputs/controls for the front and back of the machine.

The hdmi connection is labelled as optional, the dab/fm connection is not. It is clear that someone has simply transposed the labels here as, of course, it is the dab/fm that should be optional. But that would explain the rumour that has sprung up.

There should be no concerns HDMI is optional on the Nova.  My Nova just arrived with it included.  Can confirm DAB is optional as this blanked off as expected.  It does appear to be a typo and the product web page is accurate.

Look the beastie, can,t wait until Thursday  for my Nova, speaker demo

Are you using the hdmi or are you using digital optical for the TV sound?

Using the HDMI and sounds so much better than the old sound bar I was using...

Display issue which mean unit goes blank after unit comes out of standby when using the IOS application is a real pain in the rear though now.  It got steadily worse and already dropped a couple of emails to Naim Uniti support for help.  I guess any potential order now may take a while to come through.  This will hopefully give Naim time to find a fix before you get yours.  Also having borrowed an ND5 for a couple of months when comparing to my New Nova despite the fantastic sound and looks of the unit, I do feel on reflection overall functionality (USB device support, lack of unit menu options from remote, track fast forward/ rewind)  is a step back.   Again hopefully this will change overtime and think the Core Server issues are well documented in this forum before being improved on so expect Nova to be no different. 

Thanks John, it's so disappointing Naim have dropped the ball......my coreplays music fine, it's the back office functions such as restore, USB hdd identification, back up etc are just hit and miss, well, documented from the launch. I hope with Nova and Atom they up their game. But glad the music is fine.

Big John posted:

Arghhhhhh, so after buying Naim NACA5 with Naim plugs at both ends for my Atom, realising it was a waste and had them redone with the Atom ones, now buying the Nova and the are the 'normal' way !!!

Obsysian, I feel your pain, but it's all a question of space. At least your Nova plugs will now fit any of the big naim amps... 

Richard, no selling allowed on the forum, ho, ho.........

Gazza posted:

Glad you are enjoying the burn in and noticing the improvement, and will be an interesting journey. No power supply upgrades as Naim say the noise floor is much lower with this new circuit design. The only upgrade is a power amp? I did hear Nova and 272/250, the latter did seem to have a little more control perhaps, but not night and day difference worth a few thousand extra IMO. So just enjoy and thanks for the update.

 I wasn't sure from your comment whether you tested the Nova with a 250. Which version of 250 was used? Apologies for the grilling! I am pondering between Nova and 272. If the Nova was competing on its own against the 272/250 - that is very impressive!

It was in a dealers, so was a 250 dr. The fairer comparison would be  adding a 200 or 250 to the Nova, the prices would then be comparable.

Gazza, did your dealer give any advice on support tables for the Nova? Do they need proper supports or could I use normal furniture? (I suspect I know the answer, but I think it would look great on an aluminium Noguchi table.)