Are the new Uniti products living up to the hype?

Naim entered the “lifestyle audio products” market (if you insist on such a derogatory term) in 2009 with the launch of the original NaimUniti - you could even argue it goes back further to the nVi in 2005.  I suspect given the release of the “new” Uniti products and the financial commitment that they must have made to develop the platform the move was financially successful so Yes was the right move and has probably allowed the company to continue producing (arguably) the best HiFi in the world!

The new line has had a difficult “birth”, Naim underestimated the problems (as it appears mostly with delays in third party approvals) in developing their own platform, but hopefully after the difficulties the platform will now be flexible enough to see them through to the future.

Bob the Builder posted:

Are the new Uniti products living up to the hype?  Have Naim bitten off more than they can chew with this new product line and was their move into lifestyle audio products the right move?  

Depends on future developments. Is Naim willing to continue the old style seperates? Are they willing to develop the old style seperates even further, other then a cosmetic change.. Can the fight against Sonos? It"s all a bit of a hazy future. Most important can Naim keep the high standard of quality  it used te have and their high-end status.?

On the basis of my auditions, the Atom and the Nova absolutely life up to the hype.  The Core may live in interesting times but the Nova is all the hifi that 99% of us could ever need.  I do confess to being a member of the 1% though...

Best regards, FT

Must confes I consider the Nova as High-end and bought one. Trading in my old style gear. As for the Muso...No they are not High-end and not Naim worthy. (IMHO)

but they are..... amazing little boxes and capable of the Naim Brand.

Lets agree to disagree

Foot tapper posted:

On the basis of my auditions, the Atom and the Nova absolutely life up to the hype.  The Core may live in interesting times but the Nova is all the hifi that 99% of us could ever need.  I do confess to being a member of the 1% though...

Best regards, FT

I agree, though the 1% might be more 5%?…

The new Uniti series was an attempt for Naim to maximise what they can do using new methods in a single box so as to prove a worthwhile ‘audiophile’ capable product for a new market.. I think if I was new to proper audio replay I would be very tempted.. they sound rather good for what they are.

Naim’s apparent aim is to encourage its customers to progress up its food chain once and if they get hooked... recognising that at each level the numbers get smaller and smaller.. but they need to cast the net wide at the start of the process.

To that end I wish Naim well with the Unitis, and for those that do get hooked, the significant improvements to be had  with much of the Classic series and then higher is there to enjoy when and if one becomes ready. Naim had or may still have a rather good slide presentation on this marketing approach for their portfolio...

Its not about high end or not

Its about creating as much sales and profit as possible

The Muso range was a clever move, some did have reservations but many current Naim owners managed to find a place in the kitchen or office for these.

Muso and Uniti also a ticket to younger or non hifi interested to look at higher level Naim kit.

I'm sure Naim have several projects on the drawing table to create future market shares

My reservations are this for all the hopes, discussions and wish list chat on the internet Naim have given no statement and there is no concrete evidence that they as a company are going to update or invest in the separates range that the vast majority of us love and have invested our money into.

I may be proved wrong and they may come out with new and improved Nacs and Naps in the near future but I have to ask that now they have grown into an international brand with a parent company, investers and shareholders and with new leadership in place are they moving away from what some may perceive as 'old fashioned' hifi?

In the Signals dealer wrap up for 2017 on their Facebook and webpage is their 2018 outlook( a little blue booklet). They had a fairly frank discussion with Naim head of sales about problems at Naim and lack of support for classic series. They were told this will change in 2018 with some exciting product.

Gazza posted:

In the Signals dealer wrap up for 2017 on their Facebook and webpage is their 2018 outlook( a little blue booklet). They had a fairly frank discussion with Naim head of sales about problems at Naim and lack of support for classic series. They were told this will change in 2018 with some exciting product.

Really hope so Gazza as they make some damn good amps.

It’s funny my frank discussion with the head of sales admittedly about 12 months ago was about how robust and growing the higher Classic series sales were, especially the poweramps and a NACs  probably helped with the DR revamp of the Classic series amps and PSU/ NACs.. 

I think it’s the sources that have had a more challenging times.. probably not helped by rumours of non existent upgrades.... it wouldn’t be right to share on this forum, but I understand some reasonably recent product developments have been considered a possible mistake as they have veered too far off the Naim DNA, not a great upgrade path and confused the market to some extent. I am expecting more traditional Naim values on separation going forward.... we shall see in due course...

fred47 posted:

Bob the Builder posted:

Are the new Uniti products living up to the hype?  Have Naim bitten off more than they can chew with this new product line and was their move into lifestyle audio products the right move?  

Depends on future developments. Is Naim willing to continue the old style seperates?
Yes - that's their core business

Are they willing to develop the old style seperates even further.
Yes - see above, but maybe a progressive change in technology (new streamers with archtecture based on the new Uniti series, SMPS etc...)

Can the fight against Sonos?
Not relevant - different markets.

It"s all a bit of a hazy future. Most important can Naim keep the high standard of quality  it used te have and their high-end status.?

I think Naim have to be really careful at this point. They have spent a long time building up a reputation for solid, dependable products that can be upgraded and improved over time. For this you pay a premium over comparable products but many are happy to do so. This approach fits perfectly into the emerging zeitgeist about minimising recycling and throwaway products.

Unfortunately it appears that at this precise moment when they should be reinforcing one of their core USP's Naim might have decided to cut corners in a visible manner that will undermine their whole reputation. Bits of machine falling off having been stuck on with sticky tape may not seem too important but they raise doubts about what is happening with quality of materials inside the machine too.

I'd been seriously considering replacing my Uniti 2 with the Nova but the concerns being raised about HDMI interfaces, plastic finishes and generally glitchy machines means that will not be happening for some time now. Even when the updated Classic line appears I'm going to still want to wait to see whether Quality has been maintained.

I’d be tempted to cut Trevor and team a little slack. I have Core and am delighted with it. 

I have been running a Nova into PMC 25.23s for about 4 months. It’s a lovely piece of kit, very good SQ, nice styling. I don't have a problem with double-sided tape being used to hold the base on, as long as they use the right strength of tape, which it sounds like hasn’t always happened. I do prefer the SQ from my main NDX/82Hicap135s/B&W804s system, it has more drive, sweeter midrange and greater bass extension/speed, but then even with the need to buy the ancient kitsecond-hand, it’d cost nearly twice as much. 

The Nova is fantastic at its price point, it is so good that I don’t have a problem listening to it rather than the main system when I want to use the upstairs lounge, I suspect it opens up the market for people who want more than a Muso, but don’t want the cost/complexity of the Classic range, and offers them SQ not far below the Classic range, in some environments I can imagine the Nova outperforming the lower end Classics. 

I get the feeling the Unitis are selling extremely well, and there are a lot of happy owners. It fits cleanly into a product hierarchy as far as I can see, so I think it’s anything but a mistake, as long as the quality issues are ironed out.

(And from a personal point of view, Multiroom between the Nova and my NDX and Qbs working from the bigger boxes would be great.)

Huge posted:

fred47 posted:

Bob the Builder posted:

Are the new Uniti products living up to the hype?  Have Naim bitten off more than they can chew with this new product line and was their move into lifestyle audio products the right move?  

Depends on future developments. Is Naim willing to continue the old style seperates?
Yes - that's their core business

Are they willing to develop the old style seperates even further.
Yes - see above, but maybe a progressive change in technology (new streamers with archtecture based on the new Uniti series, SMPS etc...)

Can the fight against Sonos?
Not relevant - different markets.

It"s all a bit of a hazy future. Most important can Naim keep the high standard of quality  it used te have and their high-end status.?

 

I have a strong feeling  that the old style separates are  not their core buisness anymore. Whatever gave you that impresion?

Eoink posted:

(And from a personal point of view, Multiroom between the Nova and my NDX and Qbs working from the bigger boxes would be great.)

An update for this is in the pipeline - apparently it was a tricky one to fix, but hopefully it will arrive soon.

My Nova has been superb, full stop. Did they design it to be thrown over a back gate..........I hope not. If it falls off for other reasons, easily fixed. I presume the Musi et al are similar, many thousands built, and OK. How it’s rectified is more important.

Bob's original question has been in my mind for some time. The audiophile market and the lifestyle market are very different from one another with their own unique dynamics. Its not easy to have a foot in both markets and to satisfy the needs of each. I believe that the decision to launch the Muso and MusoQB may have taken Naim into an arena they are not really suited to or comfortable in. As a result I fear they may struggle, to the detriment of their long established and very loyal following in the higher end audio market. As a long term Naim owner I sincerely hope I'm wrong but for the moment the jury is out!

I wonder why it has suddenly been so important for some here that we will get updates to the classic pre- and power range now! otherwise Naim is losing out on loyal customers I suppose. Most people agree that the dr on ps and 200 and up, has been a success, and this has happened over the last 5 years. I am not sure what has happened that makes it technically necessary to update the analogue preamps now? Updates are necessary on the streamers and is most likely a priority. Én with a new digital platform less dependant on 3. party hardware and development, such a platfrom has a much shorter life  than the analogue technology. Also the certainty that not all future features can be implemented on the old streaming platform, means that it makes sense to wait and see if you are in the market for a Naim streaming solution.

Claus

I had a basic Naim "classic" system for years: CDX, NAC72 and NAP140. Changing to a Nova + NAS has reinvigorated my listening and I'm absolutely delighted with the resulting sound quality coupled with the sheer delight of streaming ripped CDs and downloaded music. A Mu-so in the bedroom has brought the joy of classical music before sleep...and I'd never had considered getting something like that until I first read about the Mu-so on these forums.

As far as I'm concerned, Naim has done exactly the right thing and for me has opened a new door to enjoyment of my music.

Stephen

the future is not old naim but new range naim   , ,but many are  producing all in ones , it reminds me of the tuner-amp times in the 70s   ,and thet didn't last long ,  i did have a tanburg one that was good.