SuperUniti - Performance - Airplay

We'll always have views on a company's behaviour, which is why for years I have avoided anything from Microsoft. PC were horrible things because of that OS, but its preponderance killed off many a better home computer especially the Amiga and Archimedes. But that is just the way it goes ... for ages you had to use that OS to run certain things, but that has changed now and it is merely and option for those who like it.  

I'm happy with Apple because its products just work and there is a high standard of customer service; however, I also wish Apple would embrace standards such as FLAC: though there are many ways to play FLAC under OS X. But that is just the way it goes ...

With Asset now ported to OS X and products like Minim Server and Playback, there are easy ways to support UPnP on Apple platforms so they can server music files to Naim streamers. 

Naim has to react to market demand.

• I have no interest in using anything other than an iOS device to run nStream ... so supporting Android or Windows phone has no value to me. However, it may be important to others. 
• I would like Naim to support Airplay from iOS device; however, it may be unimportant to others.

If Naim does not have the resources to support both developments then they will make a commercial choice on which is most important to the majority of customers. Personally, an easy update mechanism for the SuperUniti without the need to use a computer is more important to a consumer like me. 

And there is another intruder arriving in the shape of DSD downloads. AIFF, ALAC, FLAC and WAV may all be history if the world suddenly decides to move from the PCM music format to DSD studio masters. To be honest, even if DSD is audibly superior, I hope PCM remains the standard because we all have kit that can play it. Neither my UQ and the SU can play DSD. 

Naim never produced a Super Audio CD player and were right in respect that SACDs just didn't catch on. They do sound better than CDs, but not enough SACDs containing my favourite music are around to make it worth me buying such a player, Naim must have thought that true for all its customers and probably didn't want to pay Sony for the privilege (why no S/PDIF out on SACD players Sony when the S stands for Sony?).   

With Airplay there is a very wide consumer base with compliant players, so supporting it makes perfect sense. Is the best way to go, I don't think so. Would I use it if available - yes. Is the sound quality on an iPad better than on my old Walkman ... not in a million years, but I still have and use an iPod - it is easier and just works. 

So I definitely think Naim should add Airplay support to its streamers, especially my UQ. 

So, no news regarding AirPlay and Naim?

LINN seems to have no problems integrating AirPlay, i simply guess they have better engineers with more know-how when it comes to Streaming solutions..

OR Naim is just cheap and will not sacrifice any coin to give their consumers what they want?

If Naim only could let us know whats in the pipeline?

Since you can add airplay yourself and since there are legal issues I hope Naim either get on with other development tasks  or  integrate the open source Linn solution instead. We have paid a lot probably too much to Apple already for the I device support in the streamers and ndac. I for one see no reason to pay more to Apple.

Claus

Indeed Naim is too much focused on Apple.

They should invest more on Android or Windows now.