Will Naim update the 272 for Air Play 2?
Posted by: MikeyB on 15 July 2018
I noticed the Naim post to say all streamers will be updated to support Apple Air Play 2. However the 272 isn't on the list of supported streamers.
It's highly unlikely to ever support Airplay, as, to support the additional protocols, the new products use an entirely different 'streaming board' with different software and digital processing hardware.
The new streamers, which support Airplay now, will support Airplay 2. The old platform that the 272 runs never supported Airplay. There will presumably be a new version of the 272 running the new platform, which will have it.
I agree, the 272 - how good it might be - is in fact oldr technology ... my guess is that once the new streamers are rolled out we might see a revised NAC-N 272-2 or something like that ...
Thanks for the responses - I guess a retro upgrade would be too much to ask....
MikeyB posted:Thanks for the responses - I guess a retro upgrade would be too much to ask....
It would be too expensive to make and so wouldn't sell, so they won't do it I suspect.
best
David
MikeyB posted:Thanks for the responses - I guess a retro upgrade would be too much to ask....
You have to jump through a lot of hoops to get Apple/Airplay certification, which i understand was one of the reasons why Naim didn't add it to the old streaming platform in the first place. So I'd say the chances of it being added to the existing 272 are non-existent. Realistically, if you want it, buy a used Airport Express for not a lot of money, and an optical cable, and you're sorted for Airplay, but not for Airplay 2, which the AE will probably never support either. But then, what is it you want from Airplay 2?
If you enjoy tinkering with computers (or know anyone) search for AirConnect here on the naim forum. I run this (free) software on a small cheap Raspberry Pi. It makes your airplay 1 devices available as an upnp sources on the 272.
It adds a bit of extra latency so may not be the best route to handle video-sound. But for me it was a nice solution - I use laptop or ipad to listen/buy downloads from bandcamp, eclassical etc. and sometimes use Apple Music for discovery (and rent movies). Never bothered with spotify/tidal.