Atom review

Gazza posted:

Maybe if enough people complain it will come at a later date, but I suspect they are pushed on resources and think people will buy a Star instead, which makes business sense. Does not help you though.......

Thanks Gazza. Yes I do suppose if enough people complain, it might come at a later date. I've decided not to wait another year for features which should have been there. Purchased the SuperUniti this morning and will be returning the Atom.

Crabby posted:

Kermit posted:

Crabby, I have dliberatly not posted re some yet as due to work commitments it is only tonight that I have had the opportunity to sit and listen (via speakers) for an hour. As a positive, yes it is sounding good, however I am also aware that it hasn't got to a stable condition, last night I thought it sounded flat, however I didn't post negative comments, due to feeling it unfair. When I demo/buy a product, irrespective of the sound it has to be a nice experience to interact with, I gave the original Hugo a slating, due to it being a pain in the backside to use. Up until last night my experience of the Atom was that on initial switch on I had to sit and look at it for nearly an hour while it did a software update, and had since lost wi fi connection, so no it wasn't very impressive. Since last night, however, things seem to have settled down. It has a more relaxed sound compared to the usual Naim up front sound, which suits me. The music has more body with good detail. Listening to Katie Melua, and her vocals are airy and unforced, I prefer it to the Qute2 that I last had, which I preferred to a previous SuperUniti I had, which just threw detail in a forced way at me.

Appreciate the feedback. 

Looks like we have a good product with lots of issues still. 

Last post from domtomlondon is worrying and we all need an immediate clarification from naim. 

I don't understand fully what is missing but mis-selling is a word i don't want to hear with naim or any other brand. Thanks for domtomlondon to share it with us 

as for my half full glass comment, my main point is that feedback is better if has a balance of good and not so good...same as when I do my team reviews...if you just focus on one side, you lost your point and create an automatic reaction. :-) 

I just want to make it clear that Mike from Infidelity has been very patient and understanding of my situation, and organised a SU loan unit from Naim, for me to use while I waited for the Atom to be realsed. It was not him who mis-sold me the Atom. (It was the videos and brochures that Naim were advertising of the new range, and the audio shows they presented the Atom at. )

Mike made it clear from the moment I received it on Saturday that two very important (to me anyway) features were omitted from the unit.

As I spent more time with the Atom I later discovered many other small issues and features missing that I was expecting to be there. 

I've now decided to hold on to the SuperUniti.

Dom Tom, I think from what I can work out the "CD ripping" thing came from at least one of the reports online or from the press, which caused some confusion.  While I believe it was technically possible and was possibly discussed during the gestation of the product, it seems it was functionality that was not actually scheduled for release - certainly not straight away (and maybe never?). It's an unfortunate situation I agree, but also possibly a lesson that nothing is ever totally nailed down until a product is actually ready to be released.  

Still, spare a thought for those who place big pre-order deposits on cars at shows that are due to be delivered in a year or even years hence, which almost always differ in some way from what was shown.   Be glad that you weren't one of those in 1988 who placed £50K pre-orders for Jaguar's XJ220 (you weren't were you?) - they ordered a 4 wheel drive V12 and by the time it was ready for sale it was totally different to what had been shown and ended up with a 2 wheel drive V6.  To make matters worse, many were speculators and the release of the car coincided with the arrival of recession.  Lots of burned fingers and lots of money lost.

I'm pleased that your dealer has sorted things out for you and that you are now the proud owner of a Superuniti.

DomTomLondon posted:

I've now received my answers from Naim support regarding the issues and missing functions on the Atom.

This was in confidentiality, so I will not disclose anything, but I believe I was mis-sold this new product. Many useful features have been removed from the new range and not mentioned, or changed so they are no longer accessible with the remote control, and some features have been advertised and now removed completely. Some of these are still being shown on the site.

To some these might not matter and you'll still enjoy your new Uniti. I however am very dissapointed and will just say that the Atom will be packed and returned.

So you can publish a list of supposed 'faults' and concerns on the forum, but you're not permitted to publish Naim's responses? How strange. There would appear to be a moral obligation to all prospective Atom buyers for either you or Naim to make these answers available.

Richard Dane posted:

Dom Tom, I think from what I can work out the "CD ripping" thing came from at least one of the reports online or from the press, which caused some confusion.  While I believe it was technically possible and was possibly discussed during the gestation of the product, it seems it was functionality that was not actually scheduled for release - certainly not straight away (and maybe never?). It's an unfortunate situation I agree, but also possibly a lesson that nothing is ever totally nailed down until a product is actually ready to be released.  

Still, spare a thought for those who place big pre-order deposits on cars at shows that are due to be delivered in a year or even years hence, which almost always differ in some way from what was shown.   Be glad that you weren't one of those in 1988 who placed £50K pre-orders for Jaguar's XJ220 (you weren't were you?) - they ordered a 4 wheel drive V12 and by the time it was ready for sale it was totally different to what had been shown and ended up with a 2 wheel drive V6.  To make matters worse, many were speculators and the release of the car coincided with the arrival of recession.  Lots of burned fingers and lots of money lost.

I'm pleased that your dealer has sorted things out for you and that you are now the proud owner of a Superuniti.

Thanks Richard. all's well that ends well.

DomTomLondon posted:

Crabby posted:

Kermit posted:

Crabby, I have dliberatly not posted re some yet as due to work commitments it is only tonight that I have had the opportunity to sit and listen (via speakers) for an hour. As a positive, yes it is sounding good, however I am also aware that it hasn't got to a stable condition, last night I thought it sounded flat, however I didn't post negative comments, due to feeling it unfair. When I demo/buy a product, irrespective of the sound it has to be a nice experience to interact with, I gave the original Hugo a slating, due to it being a pain in the backside to use. Up until last night my experience of the Atom was that on initial switch on I had to sit and look at it for nearly an hour while it did a software update, and had since lost wi fi connection, so no it wasn't very impressive. Since last night, however, things seem to have settled down. It has a more relaxed sound compared to the usual Naim up front sound, which suits me. The music has more body with good detail. Listening to Katie Melua, and her vocals are airy and unforced, I prefer it to the Qute2 that I last had, which I preferred to a previous SuperUniti I had, which just threw detail in a forced way at me.

Appreciate the feedback. 

Looks like we have a good product with lots of issues still. 

Last post from domtomlondon is worrying and we all need an immediate clarification from naim. 

I don't understand fully what is missing but mis-selling is a word i don't want to hear with naim or any other brand. Thanks for domtomlondon to share it with us 

as for my half full glass comment, my main point is that feedback is better if has a balance of good and not so good...same as when I do my team reviews...if you just focus on one side, you lost your point and create an automatic reaction. :-) 

I just want to make it clear that Mike from Infidelity has been very patient and understanding of my situation, and organised a SU loan unit from Naim, for me to use while I waited for the Atom to be realsed. It was not him who mis-sold me the Atom. (It was the videos and brochures that Naim were advertising of the new range, and the audio shows they presented the Atom at. )

Mike made it clear from the moment I received it on Saturday that two very important (to me anyway) features were omitted from the unit.

As I spent more time with the Atom I later discovered many other small issues and features missing that I was expecting to be there. 

I've now decided to hold on to the SuperUniti.

 

Why buy a SU? The streaming platform is going obsolete. Unless you really love the sound as there are many options out there. You will likely be disappointed again when Naim updates the new uniti functionalities and not the old. 

Timmo1341 posted:

DomTomLondon posted:

I've now received my answers from Naim support regarding the issues and missing functions on the Atom.

This was in confidentiality, so I will not disclose anything, but I believe I was mis-sold this new product. Many useful features have been removed from the new range and not mentioned, or changed so they are no longer accessible with the remote control, and some features have been advertised and now removed completely. Some of these are still being shown on the site.

To some these might not matter and you'll still enjoy your new Uniti. I however am very dissapointed and will just say that the Atom will be packed and returned.

So you can publish a list of supposed 'faults' and concerns on the forum, but you're not permitted to publish Naim's responses? How strange. There would appear to be a moral obligation to all prospective Atom buyers for either you or Naim to make these answers available.

Hey Timmo1341, I would suggest you go into a Hi-Fi dealer and have a good play with the Atom. You might find that, to you, it does everything you expect it to do.

kaydee6 posted:

DomTomLondon posted:

Crabby posted:

Kermit posted:

Crabby, I have dliberatly not posted re some yet as due to work commitments it is only tonight that I have had the opportunity to sit and listen (via speakers) for an hour. As a positive, yes it is sounding good, however I am also aware that it hasn't got to a stable condition, last night I thought it sounded flat, however I didn't post negative comments, due to feeling it unfair. When I demo/buy a product, irrespective of the sound it has to be a nice experience to interact with, I gave the original Hugo a slating, due to it being a pain in the backside to use. Up until last night my experience of the Atom was that on initial switch on I had to sit and look at it for nearly an hour while it did a software update, and had since lost wi fi connection, so no it wasn't very impressive. Since last night, however, things seem to have settled down. It has a more relaxed sound compared to the usual Naim up front sound, which suits me. The music has more body with good detail. Listening to Katie Melua, and her vocals are airy and unforced, I prefer it to the Qute2 that I last had, which I preferred to a previous SuperUniti I had, which just threw detail in a forced way at me.

Appreciate the feedback. 

Looks like we have a good product with lots of issues still. 

Last post from domtomlondon is worrying and we all need an immediate clarification from naim. 

I don't understand fully what is missing but mis-selling is a word i don't want to hear with naim or any other brand. Thanks for domtomlondon to share it with us 

as for my half full glass comment, my main point is that feedback is better if has a balance of good and not so good...same as when I do my team reviews...if you just focus on one side, you lost your point and create an automatic reaction. :-) 

I just want to make it clear that Mike from Infidelity has been very patient and understanding of my situation, and organised a SU loan unit from Naim, for me to use while I waited for the Atom to be realsed. It was not him who mis-sold me the Atom. (It was the videos and brochures that Naim were advertising of the new range, and the audio shows they presented the Atom at. )

Mike made it clear from the moment I received it on Saturday that two very important (to me anyway) features were omitted from the unit.

As I spent more time with the Atom I later discovered many other small issues and features missing that I was expecting to be there. 

I've now decided to hold on to the SuperUniti.

 

Why buy a SU? The streaming platform is going obsolete. Unless you really love the sound as there are many options out there. You will likely be disappointed again when Naim updates the new uniti functionalities and not the old. 

As good as the Atom SQ is, the SuperUniti does sound better. That was expected. As long as nothing changes to the streaming capability of the SU, It does everything I want it to do.  (well maybe Airplay would have been a bonus)

Can you give me some examples of other All-in-one units that are as good as the SU for similar money? (under £3000) 

Yes I do get the feeling that in a year or two Naim will sort things out with the software and the new Uniti range will work as it was intended to. Maybe at that time I'll trade in my SU for a Nova. But I won't rush into it, as I did this time.

For the sake of fairness and clarity I must make a correction to my earlier post.  I have now seen an extract from the original press release and it appears that with regard to  ripping function it said Nova and Atom.  I guess that this must have been subsequently amended but too late to prevent it going to print, hence the misunderstanding.

[@mention:1566878603942595] It was mentioned by Naim's Steve Sells in an Digital Audio Review video. Steve mentioned that there would be a future upgrade for the Atom to provide ripping and serving capabilities (via external CD-ROM drive plugged into the front USB port ripping to a USB drive connected to the back USB port).

Phil's response to my recent question regarding that capability can be found here: https://forums.naimaudio.com/to...98#70835623860258798

Fleisch, yes I saw the original thread and Phil's response.

Timmo1341 posted:

DomTomLondon posted:

I've now received my answers from Naim support regarding the issues and missing functions on the Atom.

This was in confidentiality, so I will not disclose anything, but I believe I was mis-sold this new product. Many useful features have been removed from the new range and not mentioned, or changed so they are no longer accessible with the remote control, and some features have been advertised and now removed completely. Some of these are still being shown on the site.

To some these might not matter and you'll still enjoy your new Uniti. I however am very dissapointed and will just say that the Atom will be packed and returned.

So you can publish a list of supposed 'faults' and concerns on the forum, but you're not permitted to publish Naim's responses? How strange. There would appear to be a moral obligation to all prospective Atom buyers for either you or Naim to make these answers available.

If Phil and Trevor are okay with me posting the letter I received from them to the forum. I'm happy to do that for the purpose of clarifying what this was all about. From the responses here, it seems to me, most of you will find the 'issues' of little concern.

Gazza posted:

I thought the cd rip was coming at a later firmware update. Is the screen now not going to show the cd track info and search functionality? If so that's not what was expected.

It appears that there is no plan for the CD rip function now.  No there is no search functionality on the unit. No it doesn't show track info on the screen while playing. (as per the images on the Naim site)

Thanks, spoke with my dealer, he confirmed your observations. Nice screen, not really of much use, nice remote, not really of much use. Could have saved the money and stuck with the App was his view.

Gazza posted:

Thanks, spoke with my dealer, he confirmed your observations. Nice screen, not really of much use, nice remote, not really of much use. Could have saved the money and stuck with the App was his view.

For balance.....and I fully understand that it's not perhaps what you wanted/need.

I love the remote, and use it all the time....The only other remote I have used for years is my sky one.....You can display track info with it for starters...( I also wish you can choose to let it stay longer/permanently...it does stay if you play through a direct fixed hard drive)

The remote is also cool, I love the shiny boxy nature of it...and it lights up....Drool..

I love the screen, tells me info I require. And on top of that it's the coolest thing I've seen on a piece of Hifi.

And as an added bonus it sounds superb.

To summarise, Sounds good, looks cool....I'm more than happy. It is what it is....each to there own of course.

DomTomLondon posted:

kaydee6 posted:

DomTomLondon posted:

Crabby posted:

Kermit posted:

Crabby, I have dliberatly not posted re some yet as due to work commitments it is only tonight that I have had the opportunity to sit and listen (via speakers) for an hour. As a positive, yes it is sounding good, however I am also aware that it hasn't got to a stable condition, last night I thought it sounded flat, however I didn't post negative comments, due to feeling it unfair. When I demo/buy a product, irrespective of the sound it has to be a nice experience to interact with, I gave the original Hugo a slating, due to it being a pain in the backside to use. Up until last night my experience of the Atom was that on initial switch on I had to sit and look at it for nearly an hour while it did a software update, and had since lost wi fi connection, so no it wasn't very impressive. Since last night, however, things seem to have settled down. It has a more relaxed sound compared to the usual Naim up front sound, which suits me. The music has more body with good detail. Listening to Katie Melua, and her vocals are airy and unforced, I prefer it to the Qute2 that I last had, which I preferred to a previous SuperUniti I had, which just threw detail in a forced way at me.

Appreciate the feedback. 

Looks like we have a good product with lots of issues still. 

Last post from domtomlondon is worrying and we all need an immediate clarification from naim. 

I don't understand fully what is missing but mis-selling is a word i don't want to hear with naim or any other brand. Thanks for domtomlondon to share it with us 

as for my half full glass comment, my main point is that feedback is better if has a balance of good and not so good...same as when I do my team reviews...if you just focus on one side, you lost your point and create an automatic reaction. :-) 

I just want to make it clear that Mike from Infidelity has been very patient and understanding of my situation, and organised a SU loan unit from Naim, for me to use while I waited for the Atom to be realsed. It was not him who mis-sold me the Atom. (It was the videos and brochures that Naim were advertising of the new range, and the audio shows they presented the Atom at. )

Mike made it clear from the moment I received it on Saturday that two very important (to me anyway) features were omitted from the unit.

As I spent more time with the Atom I later discovered many other small issues and features missing that I was expecting to be there. 

I've now decided to hold on to the SuperUniti.

 

Why buy a SU? The streaming platform is going obsolete. Unless you really love the sound as there are many options out there. You will likely be disappointed again when Naim updates the new uniti functionalities and not the old. 

As good as the Atom SQ is, the SuperUniti does sound better. That was expected. As long as nothing changes to the streaming capability of the SU, It does everything I want it to do.  (well maybe Airplay would have been a bonus)

Can you give me some examples of other All-in-one units that are as good as the SU for similar money? (under £3000) 

Yes I do get the feeling that in a year or two Naim will sort things out with the software and the new Uniti range will work as it was intended to. Maybe at that time I'll trade in my SU for a Nova. But I won't rush into it, as I did this time.

Naim Uniti Star, just over 3k sounds better, has Airplay, Chrome cast rips CDs(i believe) and plays them. Has a LCD screen, latest Naim technology, works with an App like most current streamers. Won't depreciate in value as quickly as SU. Either way I wouldn't buy a SU now I would wait until Nova hits shelves and pick up a good deal.

DomTomLondon posted:

Gazza posted:

I thought the cd rip was coming at a later firmware update. Is the screen now not going to show the cd track info and search functionality? If so that's not what was expected.

It appears that there is no plan for the CD rip function now.  No there is no search functionality on the unit. No it doesn't show track info on the screen while playing. (as per the images on the Naim site)

Seriously? Even my four year old UQ2 displays artist, album and track info during playback.

May need help here. This feature was important to me as a nice way to avoid a nas or a computer...ripping via external cd rom directly into a USB storage in the back 

what shall I do? 

Option 1. Stay with atom. Then may need to rip via computer and transfer myself to USB? Buy a core in the future providing it reaches 1k? Play my cds via a good uhd player?  Any other options I missed ? 

Option 2. Buy the star instead. Should cost me an extra 1000 on top which I need to finance. Not convinced by the need of cd ripping on the star and can't afford nova 

option 3. Keep my uq2 which is still in the box. Find ways to improve the qute2 capabilities 

I really prefer option 1 at many levels so advice welcome. Option 3 possible too. Option 2 costly 

Hal posted:

DomTomLondon posted:

Gazza posted:

I thought the cd rip was coming at a later firmware update. Is the screen now not going to show the cd track info and search functionality? If so that's not what was expected.

It appears that there is no plan for the CD rip function now.  No there is no search functionality on the unit. No it doesn't show track info on the screen while playing. (as per the images on the Naim site)

Seriously? Even my four year old UQ2 displays artist, album and track info during playback.

For me, the Atom only displays album artwork. If you press the Now Playing button on the remote you do get album info for a few seconds, it then goes back to album art again. It's the same with iRadio. Logo of the station, track info for a few seconds when you press the remote button. Why not give us a choice to see one or the other..? The clock is also only visible for a few seconds when you press the clock button on the remote. Perhaps it's meant to be this way for a reason.

I "sent" this question to Richard, but for so,e reason it didn't send. I find it very frustrating, I, like you would want the information displayed full time. The really strange thing is that when I walk past my Atom (without touching it) it reverts from album artwork to the information display on its own!!!

I am in two minds to keep mine, on one hand it looks fantastic, with impeccable build, and sounds good, on the other it's as annoying to use as an original Hugo.

Kermit posted:

I "sent" this question to Richard, but for so,e reason it didn't send. I find it very frustrating, I, like you would want the information displayed full time. The really strange thing is that when I walk past my Atom (without touching it) it reverts from album artwork to the information display on its own!!!

I am in two minds to keep mine, on one hand it looks fantastic, with impeccable build, and sounds good, on the other it's as annoying to use as an original Hugo.

It has proximity sensors built in... for that very reason...aka..it's meant to do that ��

Kermit posted:

I "sent" this question to Richard, but for so,e reason it didn't send. I find it very frustrating, I, like you would want the information displayed full time. The really strange thing is that when I walk past my Atom (without touching it) it reverts from album artwork to the information display on its own!!!

I am in two minds to keep mine, on one hand it looks fantastic, with impeccable build, and sounds good, on the other it's as annoying to use as an original Hugo.

Yes, exactly. It's not just me going mad.  That was my experience as well. And it's so frustrating, because it's a gorgeous piece of kit and sounds fantastic, but the user experience is lacking.

Kermit posted:

I<<SNIP>>

The really strange thing is that when I walk past my Atom (without touching it) it reverts from album artwork to the information display on its own!!!

<<SNIP>

Hi Kermit,

The Atom / Star / Nova have built in proximity sensors - normally they will display cover art for viewing at a distance but when the unit determines that you are close it will change the display format to be more appropriate for "close viewing"...

Phil

DomTomLondon posted:

Kermit posted:

I "sent" this question to Richard, but for so,e reason it didn't send. I find it very frustrating, I, like you would want the information displayed full time. The really strange thing is that when I walk past my Atom (without touching it) it reverts from album artwork to the information display on its own!!!

I am in two minds to keep mine, on one hand it looks fantastic, with impeccable build, and sounds good, on the other it's as annoying to use as an original Hugo.

Yes, exactly. It's not just me going mad.  That was my experience as well. And it's so frustrating, because it's a gorgeous piece of kit and sounds fantastic, but the user experience is lacking.

Hi DTL,

As per my previous reply that's exactly what it is supposed to do ... when you are at a distance it doesn't display "stuff" that is difficult to read from a distance and the display switches between displays that are appropriate for how the unit is being used.

Cheers

Phil

Just spoken to my dealer, luckily they have offered me a full refund. Not for me, and to think I waited a year for this. Boxed up by the front door.