Naim's suggested upgrade path for Atom is Nap100 - why?

The wattage wating is not all that makes an amp.  The power supply has a big affect on the amps ability to control the speaker.  The Nap100 is a dedicated amp with nothing else taking up its resources.  

So you've replaced a more expensive amp with a cheaper one, and it's running out of steam... sounds like you needed to get a Nova instead. 

Thanks Brubacca  - very helpful.

J Saville - invaluable and insightful contribution

to achieve any realistic change our ears can detect the amplifier power needs to increase by 3dB. SO in the case of the atoms 40 watts its replacement would need to double  80 watts.. that would also mean the power supply would need beefing up...

audio1946 posted:

to achieve any realistic change our ears can detect the amplifier power needs to increase by 3dB. SO in the case of the atoms 40 watts its replacement would need to double  80 watts.. that would also mean the power supply would need beefing up...

No.

so Songstream, could you  explain a little further please why it's a no,  as the other point being that I don't believe you can add a power supply to the Atom. Thanks

SongStream posted:

audio1946 posted:

to achieve any realistic change our ears can detect the amplifier power needs to increase by 3dB. SO in the case of the atoms 40 watts its replacement would need to double  80 watts.. that would also mean the power supply would need beefing up...

No.

true

audio1946 posted:

SongStream posted:

audio1946 posted:

to achieve any realistic change our ears can detect the amplifier power needs to increase by 3dB. SO in the case of the atoms 40 watts its replacement would need to double  80 watts.. that would also mean the power supply would need beefing up...

No.

true

Correct.

Sweeney Denis posted:

so Songstream, could you  explain a little further please why it's a no,  as the other point being that I don't believe you can add a power supply to the Atom. Thanks

Brubacca posted:

The wattage wating is not all that makes an amp.  The power supply has a big affect on the amps ability to control the speaker.  The Nap100 is a dedicated amp with nothing else taking up its resources.  

Current and the speed of current delivery into complex loads (e.g. real loudspeakers) is often more much important than watts into an 8Ω resistor.

Focal Aria 926s are quite a complex load, and good as it is, it's still demanding an awful lot of an Atom to drive complex multi driver speakers like the Arias.  Those speakers cost as much as the Atom itself does - quite a mullet there.  Try adding a NAP200.

When I was loolong at amps many people (not dealers) on this very website said that adding a NAP200 to their UnitiQute was a huge step up in quality. 

I beleive the 100 is a Dual Mono amp. It would be nice if you could dealer Demo at home a Nap100 before purchase. This amp was a mixed bag for some looking to upgrade their Qute. Some said not worth it, some said worked great. 

Thanks for that information.  I chatted to my  Naim dealer in Sydney today who offered up the following

1. Swap the Atom for the Nova, pay the difference (about A$4000)

2. Audition a Nap 100 with the Atom  

I suggested that for not much more money than the Nova, I could add a NAP 200 to the ATOM (about A$4500) - he thought that combination would be better than the stand alone Nova and was happy for me to audition. He also told me that a customer had just traded in a NAP 250DR for a 300DR and could let me have that for around the same price as a new NAP 200. 

I'm not located anywhere close to my dealer but I will make a special trip to audition these options. 

Any thoughts on the 250DR vs the 200? 

Thanks

To me the 250dr is a big step in terms of tight control of bass and midrange, but some prefer the musicality of the 200. If you are having to make a concerted effort to get to Sydney, demo as much as you can including, 200, 250 dr and the Nova.

It's worth thinking about why you went for an all in one Uniti. If you want one box, then the bigger Nova makes complete sense. To me, hanging a nearly £4,000 250 off the streamer and preamp of a £2,000 all in one doesn't make complete sense, unless you are using it as a stepping stone to something else. Before auditioning it's worth thinking through where you want to take the system over the coming years. If you want a better source, preamp and speakers the 250 makes sense. But if you want to fit and forget, the Nova is perhaps more sensible. 

Hungryhalibut posted:

It's worth thinking about why you went for an all in one Uniti. If you want one box, then the bigger Nova makes complete sense. To me, hanging a nearly £4,000 250 off the streamer and preamp of a £2,000 all in one doesn't make complete sense, unless you are using it as a stepping stone to something else. Before auditioning it's worth thinking through where you want to take the system over the coming years. If you want a better source, preamp and speakers the 250 makes sense. But if you want to fit and forget, the Nova is perhaps more sensible. 

Couldn't agree more ... 

Thanks - when you put it like that, it doesn't make so much sense what I'm proposing. I'm letting my thinking get pushed along a bit too far and fast as my listening needs are quite simple really - just Spotify, UPnP and Internet Radio. If I pare things back, my options are to add the Nap 100 or for $2,000 more, move to the Nova. I guess I'll let me ears be the judge.

Also consider whether you want two boxes that don't match, two mains plugs and a wire between the two. The 100 will add a little more power no doubt, but the Nova will double it and be far better at getting a grip on your speakers. I heard a Nova the other day, driving some Dynaudios, and it was really excellent. 

I wonder why OP purchased a "40w all in one" when using non easy driven speakers and wish to play loud

Many options to go from there, cheapest may be a second hand poweramp Nap 150x, older 140/180 if serviced.

Should be contenders to new Nap 100 at least more powerfull but cheaper, should come in below $1K

Or consider other speakers

poor advice from dealer   maybe