The Mu-so has landed

The mu-so is on the UK Apple Store web-site. Free delivery - dispatch within 24 hrs.

Yes but isn't it better to support our dealers? Same price and better service . 

Peter.

How is the mu-so as a TV soundbar?  No lag?  How's the bass?

I have been using it as a sound bar for a couple of weeks now. It is definitely not a sound bar! There is lag which means I spend time annoyingly lip synching on my Sky services. The sound is adequate, bass is not a problem, but personally I don't notice any real separation,not even stereo.

I had half expected this as I wanted the Muso for, unsurprisingly, music and it got rid of a very old Sony AV system, which kind of satisfied my wife, but she is no sonic fool. It can be a bit of a fiddle as well as you switch the TV on then you need the Muso controller to switch the unit on and then move the source to whatever setting puts the TV sound out. I can't tell you the setting as the Muso is lurking under the TV on its stand, but you need to do this every time you switch the TV on. I, at least, need to use the Muso controller for volume, as opposed to using Apple Airplay controls within the Apps for music.

Musically, the Muso is wonderful, I am listening to it right now and am picking up detail I have never heard before; however, I question whether Naim has spent any time at all on TV output. I would be happy to be corrected and educated by Naim on this comment.

It's not been designed to be used primarily as a soundbar but we have been using it as an output device for TVs in testing ... it shouldn't have significant latency - in the order of 16mS or thereabouts.

Thanks Phil, am watching a recording at the moment and latency is not bad with 0 latency currently in the setting on Sky. However, maybe you can advise on another annoying littke 'feature' that is causing me earache from my wife. Every now and then the Muso switches itself off while the TV is on. I am hypothesising that I had the Muso on for my music this morning, did not switch it off and it has assumed after my default setting of an hour that it was time to switch off ie it did not recognise activity from the TV. Can you advise please?

I agree that I would prefer to buy from my local dealer but the whole point of the mu-so is that it will broaden Naim's appeal. By using other channels to market like John Lewis and the Apple Store Naim can generate far higher levels of sales than the current dealer base could possibly deliver.

This should lead to higher profits part of which can be invested in R&D potentially yielding benefits across the range.  

I have also been to my local JL to have a look (Milton Keynes). Like others it seemed to me that the Mu-so was inadequately displayed compared to similar products. I asked whether they were selling and the response suggested the price was a hurdle. This of course is an issue with a premium product - its advantages need to be clearly displayed and demonstrated. The assistant did know how it worked but they didn't have the app installed on the iphone. This may be because of the difficulty of getting a wifi connection in such an environment. It was demonstrated to me with a direct connection and Bluetooth, and the assistant did say that it had better sound quality than the other brands. However, he was labouring under the misapprehension that the little wooden packing pieces mentioned above could be moved around the back to adjust sound quality. Some confusion with the adjustment that can be made with the app I suspect. I sympathise as it must be hard to keep on top of all the variety that is on offer in the JL a-v department and they have not had the Mu-so for very long. Anyhow, I was impressed and it may well go on my Christmas shopping list, and only partly for myself. I would use my Naim dealer though.

As I posted over in HIfi Corner, my muso is faulty and is going back to the dealer. Naim have been informed of the fault.

Yep, popped in to JL MK last weekend as well and saw the Muso... Looked lost amongst a bunch of other products at much lower price points. I'm considering one for the TV room where my HiFi was located until I moved to the dedicated room, but can't see how someone without the inside knowledge we have here would make the right choice seeing how JL positioned it.

Sounds like bad luck. Despite being made in China I assume they will repaired/rebuilt in Salisbury.

Simon

Can you drop us an email at support@naimaudio.com regarding this please?

Thanks 

Phil

Phil,

As this has not caused me any more hassles, I won't send you any information. Additionally, I am currently listening to Passenger through my Muso and as he and it complement one another so wonderfully I am in too good a mood to complain. Even my wife has stopped whinging about its intricacies with the television because it is reasonable and consistent. 

Regards

I've just picked up a mu-so from my dealer, Signals, for use in our conservatory. It's a lovely-looking thing indeed! Set-up's a dream, it found our wireless network straight away & I'm currently using Airplay to feed it music from the collection stored on my computer in the other room, via the iTunes Remote app. on my iPad.

Although I'd planned to use a wired ethernet connection this now appears unnecessary ; the mu-so plays everything, including hi def., perfectly. And it sounds absolutely terrific!

Enjoy Tony. My MuSo has been keeping me entertained all day whilst decorating.

It's certainly entertaining Steve. The number of source options are quite bewildering - I've been experimenting with internet radio, Spotify & I've just worked out how to get Asset UPnP to access my music library. It's informed me I've got 27,770 tracks to pick from...

(PS, decorating is not something you should be doing! )

The MuSo has convinced me to look further into streaming, after an initial disappointing foray with Sonos (the sound bar and sub-woofer is great for the TV, but absolutely pants at playing music, but I only really discovered that after I had bought a couple of Connect amps for the bedroom and kitchen).

A Unitiserve is on its way now, as I look forward (as in ahead and not with joy) to the prospect of the main CD player dying. I want to go for a copy once and forget option for my CDs.

There is a view/review by Malcolm Steward in H-Fi Critic (and the picture shows the back of the unit). However, I have only seen the first page of the review (a free download). Might have to go and buy a copy of the magazine to read more.

As a fairly committed and long-time Naim user this is the first unit that has brought genuine listening pleasure way from the main system without recourse to lots of boxes and speakers. It deserves a home in every Naim users bedroom, kitchen, dining room, study etc etc. I can see my local dealer selling me at least one or two more.

Are you using the Toslink connection from the TV or Sky box? With the DAC-V1 I have found that a connection to the TV works best i.e. SAT > TV via HDMI and TV > DAC-V1 via Toslink.

If I am understanding some of the literature correctly the playback resolution is limited via Wireless?  It appears that the mu-so will only playback full resolution files via a wired ethernet connection.

Can someone comment if my understanding is correct?

Best

Gregg

Per the specs page:

WAV, FLAC and AIFF up to 24bit/192kHz ALAC (Apple Lossless) up to 24bit/96kHz
MP3 up to 48kHz, 320kbit (16 bit)
AAC up to 48kHz, 320kbit (16bit)
OGG and WMA up to 48kHz (16bit)
Bluetooth SBC, AAC and aptX

Note: All formats to 48kHz maximum over wireless network

Yes- that is what I was referring to.

Ethernet is then required for anything better than internet radio,mp3's, or Spotify.

I am currently testing the new streaming service TIDAL on my KDS. While it sounds absolutely fantastic  I am waiting for Linn to natively incorporate it on the DS so that maximum full resolution quality can be enjoyed. They have already announced that this will be coming soon.

I inquired in another thread if Naim had plans to incorporate the service with mu-so much like they do with Spotify. 

"TIDAL already has integration agreements made with 34 of the world’s most respected audio brands, including: Anthem, Airable by Tune In Media, Astell & Kern, Audeze, Audiovector, AudioQuest, Auralic, Aurender, Bel Canto, Bluesound & NAD, Dan D'Agostino, Definitive Technology, Denon HEOS, DTS Play-Fi, Dynaudio, Electrocompaniet, Harman Omni, HiFiAkademie, ickStream, JH Audio, Linn, McIntosh, Meridian, MartinLogan, Paradigm, Polk, Pro-ject, PS Audio, Raumfeld, Simple Audio, Sonos, Steinway Lyngdorf, Wren Sound Systems with more to come"

Why on earth do you need an 'integration agreement'. This is just hype and grandstanding . Publish the APIs like most do, Spotfy, Qobuz etc and anyone can integrate, including bedroom coders. These services are on the public internet...

These stuff is not 'rocket science'.

Simon

Good- so I guess it will not be long before I see Tidal on mu-so 

Interesting. So it appears my (very few) 24/192 files & the 24/96 stuff is downsampled by the muso to 24/48.

It's relatively easy to install a wired ethernet connection - I'll try this later & see if I can discern an improvement to the sound. One thing's for certain, it sounds superb the way it is, even with Spotify.