Atom review

Well, after using the Atom some more today, I found that the AirPlay does work properly and films do sync with audio played on the Atom. So that's the good news. The bad news is I now found at least 10 other very annoying issues with the Atom which I don't want to go into detail here just yet. I will be contacting naim support to see if they can enlighten me on these issues and perhaps solve a few.

At the moment I don't want to keep the Atom, if these are not resolved.

DomTomLondon posted:

Well, after using the Atom some more today, I found that the AirPlay does work properly and films do sync with audio played on the Atom. So that's the good news. The bad news is I now found at least 10 other very annoying issues with the Atom which I don't want to go into detail here just yet. I will be contacting naim support to see if they can enlighten me on these issues and perhaps solve a few.

At the moment I don't want to keep the Atom, if these are not resolved.

What are they? I think I would struggle to name 10 big negatives with the Atom, genuinely interested what they are.

ssmith posted:

DomTomLondon posted:

Well, after using the Atom some more today, I found that the AirPlay does work properly and films do sync with audio played on the Atom. So that's the good news. The bad news is I now found at least 10 other very annoying issues with the Atom which I don't want to go into detail here just yet. I will be contacting naim support to see if they can enlighten me on these issues and perhaps solve a few.

At the moment I don't want to keep the Atom, if these are not resolved.

What are they? I think I would struggle to name 10 big negatives with the Atom, genuinely interested what they are.

 

I don't want to say just yet, as it might be I've just missed something obvious.

Wjat I can say is It's nothing to do with the sound quality. Which is very good and getting better as the Atom warms up.

Oh dear - is it really that bad? What about all those delighted Atom owners - there must be some out there surely? Is the end really in sight for my beloved Naim? On another note my Core is truely wonderful - I must be in more than an N of 1 here - no?

Ravenswood10 posted:

Oh dear - is it really that bad? What about all those delighted Atom owners - there must be some out there surely? Is the end really in sight for my beloved Naim? On another note my Core is truely wonderful - I must be in more than an N of 1 here - no?

Absolutely, I really like it. Sounds great, uses the same App as before so no change from the old uniti range. Sure there is still room for improvement, but 10 things that are a deal breaker that can't be mentioned I find surprising. 

ssmith posted:

Ravenswood10 posted:

Oh dear - is it really that bad? What about all those delighted Atom owners - there must be some out there surely? Is the end really in sight for my beloved Naim? On another note my Core is truely wonderful - I must be in more than an N of 1 here - no?

Absolutely, I really like it. Sounds great, uses the same App as before so no change from the old uniti range. Sure there is still room for improvement, but 10 things that are a deal breaker that can't be mentioned I find surprising. 

Right, okay maybe l'm just thick, and you can let me know what the options "..." Button on the remote does as mine doesn't seem to do anything.

Also how do I select what I want see on the front screen? Full album, album info or just the clock?

How do I choose to repeat or shuffle an album or track without using the app (seems that the new remote is practically useless now.)

Maybe someone else using the Atom can tell me if you're able to use the play/pause button on the remote or unit to stop iRadio from playing, or is there another button I need to use?

Like I said, It's probably something I've overlooked, so I'd rather ask naim support first.

Okay now the Atom is turning on and off from standby on its own every 30 seconds or so... Could be a poltergeist or something.

Perhaps I'm just unlucky and received a faulty unit, hence all the issues.

after the uniticore bugs, now the atom...and after nearly 10 months wait.  The uniticorn range!

The atom is very good indeed. Just that some quirks and "bugs" is spoiling the show.

DomTomLondon posted:

Okay now the Atom is turning on and off from standby on its own every 30 seconds or so... Could be a poltergeist or something.

Perhaps I'm just unlucky and received a faulty unit, hence all the issues.

Are you using Android?, if so check you have the latest version of the App. Also is the Atom is it on the latest firmware.

I could be wrong but iradio is a stream that can't be paused and this is the same as the old uniti range it can only be muted or disconnected.

I don't use the remote so not sure of functionality with it. 

Ravenswood10 posted:

On another note my Core is truely wonderful - I must be in more than an N of 1 here - no?

Have you done a backup? A restore? An import from various LAN locations? Reformatted a drive? Have a network with more than one NAS? Have you ripped a CD and been told it is fine? Have you perused the log file? Tried editing the metadata for classical music? Sorted multiple copies of the same thing by format and bitrate? Tried to increase contrast on screen, or use the built in IOS/Android support for people with sight issues? Put a hard disc in it and wondered if its good for it to be spinning 24/7 even when in "power save"?

ssmith posted:

DomTomLondon posted:

Okay now the Atom is turning on and off from standby on its own every 30 seconds or so... Could be a poltergeist or something.

Perhaps I'm just unlucky and received a faulty unit, hence all the issues.

Are you using Android?, if so check you have the latest version of the App. Also is the Atom is it on the latest firmware.

I could be wrong but iradio is a stream that can't be paused and this is the same as the old uniti range it can only be muted or disconnected.

I don't use the remote so not sure of functionality with it. 

Thanks ssmith, yes using android with latest App and Atom is on latest firmware, update Saturday when I got it.

the SU was able to stop the stream by pressing it's STOP button. But as the new Uniti no longer has a stop button, I'm trying to figure out how to stop the stream with the remote. Or on the unit itself, without having to power it down. Maybe you've had better luck.

DomTomLondon posted:

ssmith posted:

DomTomLondon posted:

Okay now the Atom is turning on and off from standby on its own every 30 seconds or so... Could be a poltergeist or something.

Perhaps I'm just unlucky and received a faulty unit, hence all the issues.

Are you using Android?, if so check you have the latest version of the App. Also is the Atom is it on the latest firmware.

I could be wrong but iradio is a stream that can't be paused and this is the same as the old uniti range it can only be muted or disconnected.

I don't use the remote so not sure of functionality with it. 

Thanks ssmith, yes using android with latest App and Atom is on latest firmware, update Saturday when I got it.

the SU was able to stop the stream by pressing it's STOP button. But as the new Uniti no longer has a stop button, I'm trying to figure out how to stop the stream with the remote. Or on the unit itself, without having to power it down. Maybe you've had better luck.

I don't use the remote but you can stop a stream on the app, but can't you just mute on the remote.

This might sound rude but when do you need to stop the stream? If I have finished playing I hit standby, if say the door bell goes I hit mute, if I want to listen to upnp I select what I wish to play and it starts playing. Overall I wouldn't classify this as a fault, but appreciate that is just me.

Robiwan posted:

DomTomLondon posted:

Just incase anyone is interested, My Atom has finally arrived. After almost a year of enjoying the sound of the SuperUniti which I had on loan from my very generous dealer, it was time to hear what the little Atom can do and if the SU will be going back to naim, or staying.

Mike from Infidelity had brought with him his demo Atom which has been running in for almost two weeks. So it was ready to power the Kef LS50s. Within seconds it was on the network and playing music. And it sounded very good indeed. Very detailed too and the sound stage just as good if not better than the SU. I was very impressed. However after going back to the SU for comparison you realise what the extra £2k and 40 extra watts gives you. The SU sounds more refined, and fuller. It drives the LS50s with easy. Luckily Mike also brought with him a pair of Kudos X2s for me to try out. The Atom has an easier time driving the Kudos and that's when the sound comes much closer to what the SuperUniti can do. So speaker pairing will be crucial.

Unfortunately we had some issues with streaming from my network. Half the time the naim App (we could not figure out what was wrong) could not find my minim server and so we had to cut the audition short.

As you already know the Atom is very well made. It looks gorgeous but the screen is very reflective. Bizarrely, the remote control does not allow uPnp access, you can to do that from the App only. I've also been informed that the CD ripping capabilities are not implemented yet and have been put on hold for now. Also, although AirPlay works, there is a slight delay, so my plan to use it with my Apple TV to stream audio to the Atom when watching films will also not be happening now.

Despite all this, I decided to give the Atom a chance and have returned the SU. I'm impressed with how this little unit sounds like, but disappointed with all the software issues. I hope that most of these will be ironed out in later firmware updates.

One decision out of the way, I now have the Kudos on home demo.

Is it not better to change speakers? The  Kef LS50s are monitors with hardly any bass and are bright and dry sounding with Naim.

I found the LS50s very good with the Uniti range. And the bass was more than what I need in a normal sized room. (4x6m) But they were not the easiest speakers to drive.

ssmith posted:

DomTomLondon posted:

ssmith posted:

DomTomLondon posted:

Okay now the Atom is turning on and off from standby on its own every 30 seconds or so... Could be a poltergeist or something.

Perhaps I'm just unlucky and received a faulty unit, hence all the issues.

Are you using Android?, if so check you have the latest version of the App. Also is the Atom is it on the latest firmware.

I could be wrong but iradio is a stream that can't be paused and this is the same as the old uniti range it can only be muted or disconnected.

I don't use the remote so not sure of functionality with it. 

Thanks ssmith, yes using android with latest App and Atom is on latest firmware, update Saturday when I got it.

the SU was able to stop the stream by pressing it's STOP button. But as the new Uniti no longer has a stop button, I'm trying to figure out how to stop the stream with the remote. Or on the unit itself, without having to power it down. Maybe you've had better luck.

I don't use the remote but you can stop a stream on the app, but can't you just mute on the remote.

This might sound rude but when do you need to stop the stream? If I have finished playing I hit standby, if say the door bell goes I hit mute, if I want to listen to upnp I select what I wish to play and it starts playing. Overall I wouldn't classify this as a fault, but appreciate that is just me.

Hi smith, no worries at all. I'm just trying to figure stuff out, as there doesn't seem to be a full user manual in the box or online. I want to know if the mute button on the remote works the same way as the old Uniti did and it stops the stream. I don't want it to be streaming all night or when I go out, in the mute position. So is the standby button the new "MUTE" button on the new range?

I'm one of these people that prefers to use the remote, not the app. Otherwise, why even have it. Call me old fashioned I guess.

DomTom, you mentioned contacting Naim support for some help.  Have you done so yet?

Richard Dane posted:

DomTom, you mentioned contacting Naim support for some help.  Have you done so yet?

Hi Richard, yes Trevor contacted me and I gave him all the details. Hopefully I will hear back soon.

Thanks.

So maybe I'm doing something wrong here, but can other Atom owners get the front screen to display these...?  I can't even find a setting for the display.  I only get a home screen or just a centered album cover (no info on the side, as per the second image ) And definitely can't find a way to search my music library (as per image 3)

Had any help from zNaim on your list of faults?

Gazza posted:

Had any help from zNaim on your list of faults?

No, not yet. But still have my hopes up.

I must admit when I saw Atom/ Nova/ star on demo I did not pay much attention to the screen, thought it was pretty much a given that it would be showing albums etc

DomTomLondon posted:

Gazza posted:

Had any help from zNaim on your list of faults?

No, not yet. But still have my hopes up.

Hi DTL...

I was passed your email from Trevor around lunchtime and will get on to it as soon as possible...

Best

Phil Harris

DomTomLondon posted:

ssmith posted:

DomTomLondon posted:

ssmith posted:

DomTomLondon posted:

Okay now the Atom is turning on and off from standby on its own every 30 seconds or so... Could be a poltergeist or something.

Perhaps I'm just unlucky and received a faulty unit, hence all the issues.

Are you using Android?, if so check you have the latest version of the App. Also is the Atom is it on the latest firmware.

I could be wrong but iradio is a stream that can't be paused and this is the same as the old uniti range it can only be muted or disconnected.

I don't use the remote so not sure of functionality with it. 

Thanks ssmith, yes using android with latest App and Atom is on latest firmware, update Saturday when I got it.

the SU was able to stop the stream by pressing it's STOP button. But as the new Uniti no longer has a stop button, I'm trying to figure out how to stop the stream with the remote. Or on the unit itself, without having to power it down. Maybe you've had better luck.

I don't use the remote but you can stop a stream on the app, but can't you just mute on the remote.

This might sound rude but when do you need to stop the stream? If I have finished playing I hit standby, if say the door bell goes I hit mute, if I want to listen to upnp I select what I wish to play and it starts playing. Overall I wouldn't classify this as a fault, but appreciate that is just me.

Hi smith, no worries at all. I'm just trying to figure stuff out, as there doesn't seem to be a full user manual in the box or online. I want to know if the mute button on the remote works the same way as the old Uniti did and it stops the stream. I don't want it to be streaming all night or when I go out, in the mute position. So is the standby button the new "MUTE" button on the new range?

I'm one of these people that prefers to use the remote, not the app. Otherwise, why even have it. Call me old fashioned I guess.

If you are worried about power consumption standby is a better option than stopping the stream on iradio. You are killing two birds with one stone. May be different way of thinking as on the old uniti range there wasn't a standby option.

ssmith posted:

DomTomLondon posted:

ssmith posted:

DomTomLondon posted:

ssmith posted:

DomTomLondon posted:

Okay now the Atom is turning on and off from standby on its own every 30 seconds or so... Could be a poltergeist or something.

Perhaps I'm just unlucky and received a faulty unit, hence all the issues.

Are you using Android?, if so check you have the latest version of the App. Also is the Atom is it on the latest firmware.

I could be wrong but iradio is a stream that can't be paused and this is the same as the old uniti range it can only be muted or disconnected.

I don't use the remote so not sure of functionality with it. 

Thanks ssmith, yes using android with latest App and Atom is on latest firmware, update Saturday when I got it.

the SU was able to stop the stream by pressing it's STOP button. But as the new Uniti no longer has a stop button, I'm trying to figure out how to stop the stream with the remote. Or on the unit itself, without having to power it down. Maybe you've had better luck.

I don't use the remote but you can stop a stream on the app, but can't you just mute on the remote.

This might sound rude but when do you need to stop the stream? If I have finished playing I hit standby, if say the door bell goes I hit mute, if I want to listen to upnp I select what I wish to play and it starts playing. Overall I wouldn't classify this as a fault, but appreciate that is just me.

Hi smith, no worries at all. I'm just trying to figure stuff out, as there doesn't seem to be a full user manual in the box or online. I want to know if the mute button on the remote works the same way as the old Uniti did and it stops the stream. I don't want it to be streaming all night or when I go out, in the mute position. So is the standby button the new "MUTE" button on the new range?

I'm one of these people that prefers to use the remote, not the app. Otherwise, why even have it. Call me old fashioned I guess.

If you are worried about power consumption standby is a better option than stopping the stream on iradio. You are killing two birds with one stone. May be different way of thinking as on the old uniti range there wasn't a standby option.

I suppose using the standby to stop the stream is just a different way of doing things. I can live with that. Have you been able to figure out what the 'Option' button on the remote does? Do you have an option to change the front display settings? have you found a way to turn off the power section in the Atom?