Amazon Ecosystem

Naim products really are not aimed at this type of thing.

Hmm OK,  I get that .  But there is no sonic reason not to include it.  It is purely a convenience feature after all. 

You could argue in that case that using Spotify or having a remote control is not right for a naim system.  

I walk into my sitting room and ask 'Alexa please play Gregory Issacs on HiFi' or 'Alexa play BBC radio 4 on HiFi' and it starts playing from Spotify automatically. I have to add an echo device to get the connectivity right now, which means using its so-so DAC,  although there is not really any reason why this should not happen directly with the Nova as it is sitting on the same network.  All that is needed is for a 'skill' to be written.

Much as I love high end hi-fi I also live in a modern smart home world. 

Indeed all that is needed is for a skill to be written, and then of course integrated into the naim software to allow that to happen. It could be possible for the latest devices, but I wonder where in naims software roadmap 'alexa tell naim to play' sits?

How would you propose to tell alexa to get naim to play pink floyds 'the all' but the experience addition?

I have alexa and hive and a harmony, turning lights on is doable and I can get the harmony to turn on my tv, but it cannot do anything beyond that.

I suspect most if not 99% of naim owners would prefer the software guys to work out bugs in the system, add new streaming services, sort roon out or what ever rather than what is frankly a gimmick.

After the visit to HQ by the forum, one of the surprises for me was that innocent software changes affect the SQ, and that means any new software has to have a “big need” to get started on.

Yup thats certainly an excuse not to update the software lol.

I still view the Naim App with which I am able to summon, from my chair, any one of my 3,000+ album collection within seconds, with wonder! Compared to just, for me, 3 years ago this is almost black magic! I really have no desire to ‘progress’ to switching on lights or closing curtains via an unseen electrical servant. 

I guess it must be a generational thing (BabyBoomer v Millenial or Generation Z). Ripping and streaming is as far as I want to go - I’ll leave Alexa, Hive & Harmony (plus Tidal, Qobuz, Roon etc.) to the more adventurous of my peers and those coming up behind. As for the thought of ‘smart fridges and the like, I shudder with horror!’

Bluesound is rolling out a skill for Alexa over the next weeks, so I have found my ekko from where it was hiding to see if this will be a good way to control my Node.

Claus 

It’s time Naim developed their own AI assistant: let’s call her NaiOmi. All rights reserved!