Naim Lossless Streaming Roadmap Campaign

Indeed, and that they have worked hard to ensure the sound of the Hugo is not compromised. The only new analogue circuitry seemingly is for the new XLR outs. There is additionally a new microprocessor, for a display and remote control. (Ie more usable as a DAC preamp). The new control electronics might be driving the need for those new expensive capacitors (!) in terms of decoupling. Sounds interesting, but for me it feels unlikely to be a must have.. Might tempt those who shied away from the smaller 'funkier' Hugo design.

Simon

Thanks Paul. That puts it to bed for me. I look forward to it when you are 100% satisfied.

Thanks Paul, I guess the only thing missing here is the approximations for the timings, even if years.

Simon

the reply of Mr Stephenson is (in my opinion) stating 2 very good news for all Naimers:

1) lossless streaming is coming in Naim products;

2) Mr Stephenson is speaking about "additional services" so this can mean that existing products (like Uniti or NDX) will be able to receive lossless streaming music !

Thanks Paul.

Do you also know the intentions of Spotify? ( not expecting you to share them )

Hi Paul,

Thanks for confirming what some of us already firmly believed, that you do have a roadmap!

OT, but also into NAP 250/2 as my proud avatar showing.

IT, happy to read an answer by Naim!

BTW I think Paul S meant to say that Naim would wish to support lossless [public network] streaming [services] as opposed to un-compressed. I think un-compressed would be inefficient and not aware of anyone now or in the past  offering such a service. Clearly Naim support local un-compressed streaming now.

Simon

Excellent Paul.

Thanks.

Graeme

I take it on trust from Paul's post that things are in development regarding the proper integration of lossless streaming.

That's good enough for me - Sonos Connect will do until then.

G

It is what it is. I don't see why a commercial company is obliged to reveal its product plans to a handful of people on a forum. Buy a Sonos if you can't wait. That was the advice several years ago and remains so now.

AllenB,

Well I think you will find that is commercially sensitive information, they're not going to say more on a public forum!

Also, if they did say something like "there's going to be a replacement for the NDS in next twelve months" what do you think that would do to current NDS sales?

If I were Paul I certainly wouldn't be going into details.

Indeed.

Sorry, I cannot see either a Hugo and MacMini mentioned in the post above Allen.

The advice is to buy Sonos if you can't wait. This has been my advice for several years now as I think you probably know. Even before you bought your NDS. Separation of streamer and DAC. Modularity etc. Nothing has changed whatsoever.

Regarding your question on what you should do with your NDS, one thing you could do is plug the Sonos into it.

Basically there was the advice to keep streamer and DAC separate from myself and others about years ago. As is their right, many chose to disregard this advice and buy streamers - the full specifications and music services of which were freely available to them at the time.

Now their decision is somehow Naim's fault. I put it to them that their decision is their fault.

Naim isn't a software company. I hope it doesn't become one. Providing endless justification on its action to a small group of computer hobbyists.

I am with Allen, a roadmap doesn't have to have specifics about obsoleting new products or even the launch of specific products.

But for example, stating perhaps:

Naim are developing a new streaming  service framework architecture through 2015 H1 to support the growing number of lossy and lossless streaming services to allow accessability for Naim customers. It is anticipated that this new capability will be made available to the current Naim streaming  product portfolio through a software update.

Such a statement gives intent, a direction, a loose idea of timing but no firm details. Not even which third parties I am sure Naim would work with to achieve this .. 

Allen

I am in the same position as you having had an NDS for about 6 months and I can understand your concerns. However a scenario where Naim effectively said 'that's all we can do with the current NDS technology and if you want lossless streaming you will have to buy a new model' would be so out of line with the history and ethos of the company as to be barely credible.

I may be naive but I just can't see it happening. The worst case may be return of the unit to Salisbury for an upgrade IMHO.

This statement is, in my humble view, as clear as Naim can be, until testing and commercials are concluded. Paul says that uncompressed steaming will be added, in an unambiguous way. He does not say that it's time to thrown the NDS in the bin - rather that additional services will be launched. 

Surely people can wait a while for an integrated solution, in the knowledge that when it comes it will work properly, just like Spotify? We can't have everything NOW!, we just need a little patience. There's no point throwing the baby out with the bath water.

Agree 100%

I agree, such a statement would be very helpful, to reassure existing owners and to avoid losing sales. And not just as a Forum post, but as a proper press release and news item on the main website.

I'm naive and believe it will happen, but it seems I'm in the minority, so come on Naim, let's have some active management of the issue. 

+1, especially on the last para, although some indication of strategic direction would be useful

Yes your correct I wished to say lossless not un-compressed.

Yes, as another NDS owner it would be nice to feel it will be relevant kit for foreseeable and agree with Camlan that the NDS in its planning must have been considered as being upgradeable for both software and hardware.

I certainly hope so.

This seems to be spooling up to rather high pitched levels and is perhaps an illustration of why Naim might be reluctant to use the forum as a marketing resource.

Now there is an issue with the NDS?

Not my one. It still serves exactly the purpose I bought it for. And it plays music beautifully - which is Naim's primary destination on any map and surely goes without saying.

Who would commit that kind of money to a component based on what it doesn't do or what it might one day possibly do? That sounds like a purchase for the wrong reasons.

I can understand that people are curious but I think this is getting a bit theatrical. I also think that it shows little faith in Naim to play to their legacy supporting strengths,where they possibly can. The first manufacturer to guarantee something as future proof will probably be the first fighting off a class action.

Firstly, thanks to Paul for both listening and responding. 

I don't think there's much more he can sensibly say on this topic. Unless Naim has not only completed the deals with service providers but is also in the midst of QA on the integration, he cannot be 100% certain that all of our existing kit will receive these services. Imagine if he said they would, and then he couldn't deliver for some unforeseen reason? The legal consequences would be considerable, potentially including every streaming product sale from the point he made the promise. Journalists read these forums. Not to be over-dramatic, but that kind of thing can bust a business of Naim's size. Or if he gives a circumspect answer, the next thread would be uproar asking for more clarity.

All our kit is doing what we bought it for and Paul has given a general statement of intent for the future. I think we should be satisfied with that. If not, other options are available, We're customers, not shareholders.

I can't see what more Paul can do than he's done.