Atom review

I genuinely amazed at what people complain about. Does anyone actually listen to music and enjoy it anymore. The Atom sounds great but everyone seems fixated on looking at a little screen on the front of it or complaining about little things that it does or doesn't do. Complaining that my arm hurts because I have to pick up a smart phone, push a button on a remote, own a computer to manage their rips or not displaying a bitrate that is visible at 300 yards.

If you are lucky enough to have an Atom select an Album and play it using one of the many inputs, sit back enjoy it.

Couldn't agree more - still just think off all those low hours machines  providing hours of fun for the rest of us

I decided I will stick with naim and get the atom. If it sounds good which is confirmed by me in person and via many sources, I will go through the initial pain with naim like I did with my newborn. Without daring to say it is the same, the reward are plenty.

panic over and I am back on the music bliss ride 

Crabby posted:

I decided I will stick with naim and get the atom. If it sounds good which is confirmed by me in person and via many sources, I will go through the initial pain with naim like I did with my newborn. Without daring to say it is the same, the reward are plenty.

panic over and I am back on the music bliss ride 

I don't think that you will regret that decision Crabby, the Atom really does sound wonderful in my second system. 

Stevee_S posted:

Crabby posted:

I decided I will stick with naim and get the atom. If it sounds good which is confirmed by me in person and via many sources, I will go through the initial pain with naim like I did with my newborn. Without daring to say it is the same, the reward are plenty.

panic over and I am back on the music bliss ride 

I don't think that you will regret that decision Crabby, the Atom really does sound wonderful in my second system. 

Thank you for the note

may I ask you what speaker and speaker cable you using?. I am considering 2.5m-3 m of the latest chord clearway. 

Crabby posted:

Stevee_S posted:

Crabby posted:

I decided I will stick with naim and get the atom. If it sounds good which is confirmed by me in person and via many sources, I will go through the initial pain with naim like I did with my newborn. Without daring to say it is the same, the reward are plenty.

panic over and I am back on the music bliss ride 

I don't think that you will regret that decision Crabby, the Atom really does sound wonderful in my second system. 

Thank you for the note

may I ask you what speaker and speaker cable you using?. I am considering 2.5m-3 m of the latest chord clearway. 

You can see my set-up on my profile Crabby. I am using 3.5 metres of Tellurium Q Black into Neat Iota speakers and I should emphasise that this is for very nearfield listening and as such it sounds just great. The Atom has way more headroom available than for what I am using it for and is more than capable in an average British listening room and driving speakers larger and more demanding than my Iotas.  

Stevee_S posted:

Crabby posted:

Stevee_S posted:

Crabby posted:

I decided I will stick with naim and get the atom. If it sounds good which is confirmed by me in person and via many sources, I will go through the initial pain with naim like I did with my newborn. Without daring to say it is the same, the reward are plenty.

panic over and I am back on the music bliss ride 

I don't think that you will regret that decision Crabby, the Atom really does sound wonderful in my second system. 

Thank you for the note

may I ask you what speaker and speaker cable you using?. I am considering 2.5m-3 m of the latest chord clearway. 

You can see my set-up on my profile Crabby. I am using 3.5 metres of Tellurium Q Black into Neat Iota speakers and I should emphasise that this is for very nearfield listening and as such it sounds just great. The Atom has way more headroom available than for what I am using it for and is more than capable in an average British listening room and driving speakers larger and more demanding than my Iotas.  

You can tell I don't have that reflex yet 

thanks for the reply. I was looking at tq but I will start cheaper and then test more speakers at home including the new tq black II 

you made me realise that I could start even cheaper than clearway and test all the cables I wanted after some time at home..then invest if I hear a big difference 

love the iotas and nearly got them. The new neat alpha interest me highly but will stick with my beloved kef ls50 for now. 

Thank you again for taking the time to reply 

Crabby posted:

Stevee_S posted:

Crabby posted:

Stevee_S posted:

Crabby posted:

I decided I will stick with naim and get the atom. If it sounds good which is confirmed by me in person and via many sources, I will go through the initial pain with naim like I did with my newborn. Without daring to say it is the same, the reward are plenty.

panic over and I am back on the music bliss ride 

I don't think that you will regret that decision Crabby, the Atom really does sound wonderful in my second system. 

Thank you for the note

may I ask you what speaker and speaker cable you using?. I am considering 2.5m-3 m of the latest chord clearway. 

You can see my set-up on my profile Crabby. I am using 3.5 metres of Tellurium Q Black into Neat Iota speakers and I should emphasise that this is for very nearfield listening and as such it sounds just great. The Atom has way more headroom available than for what I am using it for and is more than capable in an average British listening room and driving speakers larger and more demanding than my Iotas.  

You can tell I don't have that reflex yet 

thanks for the reply. I was looking at tq but I will start cheaper and then test more speakers at home including the new tq black II 

you made me realise that I could start even cheaper than clearway and test all the cables I wanted after some time at home..then invest if I hear a big difference 

love the iotas and nearly got them. The new neat alpha interest me highly but will stick with my beloved kef ls50 for now. 

Thank you again for taking the time to reply 

Enjoy the journey Crabby and take your time assessing what suits you. If you decide to start with the Atom then IHMO (sound wise) you have a wonderful base to build upon. Speakers and their cables are of course an endless topic for debate. Try to find what what moves you and brings you closest to the music you love. 

ssmith posted:

I genuinely amazed at what people complain about. Does anyone actually listen to music and enjoy it anymore. The Atom sounds great but everyone seems fixated on looking at a little screen on the front of it or complaining about little things that it does or doesn't do. Complaining that my arm hurts because I have to pick up a smart phone, push a button on a remote, own a computer to manage their rips or not displaying a bitrate that is visible at 300 yards.

If you are lucky enough to have an Atom select an Album and play it using one of the many inputs, sit back enjoy it.

Agree,and one more thing........no one has had it for so long time.You have a burn-in period for at least 3 weeks 24/7.

So no one has heard it yet,how it really shall sound/play .

Phil Harris posted:

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

In four years with Naim streamers - two with a SuperUniti and two with a 272, the display has always been switched to turn off after a few seconds. Once I've selected an album to play I don't need to be reminded what it is. The fewer lights in the room the better. When I used an Atom at a dealer open day it was a delight and it baffles me that people are making such a fuss.

Wow this is like the old Mana flame wars, but alas recognise people signing upto one thing and getting another being wrong.

Anyhow 2 weeks in, living with the disastrous app, the Atom just gets better and better, I wish I'd waiting for the Nova (But that's off track), said it before and say it again JV would be proud.

Remote I actually find handy and do use it, reminds me of my Cds2 remote, overly engineered.

The Atom display I love, as sexy as the device, yes ability to switch off would be handy but I like it, maybe a touch screen next time Naim.

Hungryhalibut posted:

Phil Harris posted:

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

In four years with Naim streamers - two with a SuperUniti and two with a 272, the display has always been switched to turn off after a few seconds. Once I've selected an album to play I don't need to be reminded what it is. The fewer lights in the room the better. When I used an Atom at a dealer open day it was a delight and it baffles me that people are making such a fuss.

I agree Nigel, having had the Uniti then Superuniti for 6 years now. The Atom is a delight and I'm sure the software issues will be sorted out. Richard Dane confirmed last week that the option to turn off all the lights (my preference) is happening probably in the next update. Meanwhile the music this little Atom makes is lovely and I forgive it all its minor software teething problems.

Then there's the 'disastrous' app. What's wrong with it? You select music, press play, and blow me down, the music plays. Perhaps people are expecting something else. 

Crabby posted:

I have been reading this forum with great attention. Most feedback are useful but some are seriously...well I am lost for words.

the new uniti range needs more work, we are all in agreement of that. My concern number one was the sound and frankly, all I am reading is anything but that.

you negative guys managed to put doubt in my mind. I don't Blame you one second as you have the right to get the best for your money. However, ask yourselves if this product and naim deserve such onslaught...word is strong indeed

When I see how naim guys respond in person in this forum and their genuine concern, I will keep looking forward to it...

i will let you know if I give up or not buying the atom but hopefully not. I still have 2 weeks to make my mind 

meanwhile, anyone putting sound first and practicing the glass half fool, please step forward as you are needed 

Would you be happy if you bought a new car and most of the extra's you paid for either were not there or didn't work and would it be enough that it drove very nicely because afterall that is why you bought it.

Hungryhalibut posted:

Then there's the 'disastrous' app. What's wrong with it? You select music, press play, and blow me down, the music plays. Perhaps people are expecting something else. 

...Except when it doesn't.

Like in my case when I try to play a DSD album the Atom does nothing. Same album works fine with SU however.

Some (the usual) people think they know better even though they've not owned the product!,

I say it again,no one have heard it as it shall play/sound,think burn-in time 24/7,in at least 3 weeks.

After that time you can compare the Atom with SuperUniti.Maybee some of you take a little too fast decision .

The Atom I compared to the SU had been a dealer demo one which had been playing for about 3 weeks. It was still warm when he brought it over. But I get what you mean, it does take time to make an informed decision and I'm sure the Atom will sound even better over time. My unit was only opened on Saturday and it sounds brilliant.

Hungryhalibut posted:

Then there's the 'disastrous' app. What's wrong with it? You select music, press play, and blow me down, the music plays. Perhaps people are expecting something else. 

Select music and does nothing. A few days in uninstall and reinstall, cache wipes for Naim app and Tidal app, it' still crap. Yep blow me down.

Peder posted:

I say it again,no one have heard it as it shall play/sound,think burn-in time 24/7,in at least 3 weeks.

After that time you can compare the Atom with SuperUniti.Maybee some of you take a little too fast decision .

Had mine playing 24/7 first day, two weeks on opening up, seems to just get better and better.

Much better than what hifi 

I am getting very excited !!! 

https://www.avforums.com/revie...-system-review.13799

Obsydian posted:

Select music and does nothing. A few days in uninstall and reinstall, cache wipes for Naim app and Tidal app, it' still crap. Yep blow me down.

Hi Obsydian,

If you contact us directly at support@naimaudio.com then we wil try to work through the issue that you are having however we do normally find that issues are down to the underlying network so please do allow us to work through your problem.

Best

Phil

Phil Harris posted:

Obsydian posted:

Select music and does nothing. A few days in uninstall and reinstall, cache wipes for Naim app and Tidal app, it' still crap. Yep blow me down.

Hi Obsydian,

If you contact us directly at support@naimaudio.com then we wil try to work through the issue that you are having however we do normally find that issues are down to the underlying network so please do allow us to work through your problem.

Best

Phil

Phil thanks but mentioned further up, a full uninstall and reinstall plus logout of Naim and Tidal apps resolved it.

Beyond that sorry mate too busy enjoying the Atom just gets better and better, yes the icing on the cake (app)  was not up to scratch but the cake (Atom) damn is so good : )

Naheed

Crabby posted:

Much better than what hifi 

I am getting very excited !!! 

https://www.avforums.com/revie...-system-review.13799

A very positive review indeed! 

I listen to the AV Forum podcast quite regularly and my ears pricked up when Ed Selley said they had an Atom in for assessment. His reviews seem pretty objective overall, so I was looking forward to his experience with the Atom on test (If I recall correctly, he personally owns a ND5XS and Supernait2 to power his Neat Momentum4's). Certainly now intrigued to compare my UnitiQute2 with the Atom - and also the Nova too.

DomTomLondon posted:

Hungryhalibut posted:

Then there's the 'disastrous' app. What's wrong with it? You select music, press play, and blow me down, the music plays. Perhaps people are expecting something else. 

...Except when it doesn't.

Like in my case when I try to play a DSD album the Atom does nothing. Same album works fine with SU however.

 

the app has always been flawed ,guess you have to except it