It's Evolution, Baby - In Praise of Separates ?

the issue is that companies like Naim (and Linn and Meridian and etc etc) dont own the wire formats. Back in the analogue days, moving magnet was moving magnet, 2V line analogue was just that. even SPDIF was pretty simple stuff. 

Today, its an entirely different world of protocol and control, data packing and so forth. Supporting Tidal, for example, is not a trivial thing, and the work probably cannot be carried over easily carried over to another streaming source.

And it wont get easier in the future either -- but striking a balance between commodity digital bits and an audiophile digital source is not easy. At the end of the day, you can plug your iphone into the line input of an analogue preamp if you really want to. But it wont be the best either in terms of sound quality or of ease of use

I can understand where you're coming from, and the versatility of separates is bound to give more versatility...but the existing digital range is not obsolete, neither is it broken, and my NDX performs as well today as it did yesterday. For all we know, the new Unitis might sound crap, be unreliable, and have software full of bugs. OK, I doubt it, but the idea that newer = better is pure speculation at this point.

Oh yes, and I'm quite glad I bought an old fashioned, mature NDX, as it means I can get hold of cutting edge DR amplification without ditching my source.  

John, thanks. I don't doubt the complexity an I do admire the pace of change. But my point is, as a buyer I will try avoid products that bundle together in one package the fast changing components with (expensive) other components which are much more static.

paul

Paul,  at the moment ,what we have is the all-in-one line issued so I dare say  don't put the cart before the horse.

Notwithstanding you have good reason for your next strategy.  I reckon the obsolence concerns may occur about to any product from any make when dealing with such a product type. I bought my UQ for NAs duties , I was annoyed I couldn't stream and that the upgrade HW would cost as much or more than the new unit. When I happened to upgrade,  ditched the 272 idea based first on an analog preamp basis and secondly on the obsolence  or less upgradability of the 'streamer' side. If I had done that choice, I would have regretted more not to have considered the separate preamp fo its own sake, then the streamer affair. As I believe, when a deal is done you don't accept future upgradibility (based on your view ),but that they accomplish at the very best what they're offering you at that particular time . Mind you, separate  streamers are not even immune.

The alternative would be  to make your own open software/hardware rig and never ending equations . Just like any work in progress. Agree, this is not evolution .... may be stronger than .... 'carpe diem' ,you may look at it this way.

Hi,

The way I see it, is that at sometime all products will be replaced with the new kid on the block. Now this does not mean that that New Uniti will replace classic, I just don't see that. It may however have a hint of the design for future new models.

New Uniti will hopefully bring new buyers to the Naim brand, People who may only want a one box solution, for me that is absolutely the right direction to go, A brand that does not attract new customers will eventually die out.

I had an Arcam system (Alpha 7Se CD, Alpha 9 Integrated Bi-amp'd with an Alpha 9 Power into Mission/B&W Speakers for 18 years and would still probably have it, had the input selector not died and was not replaceable. So I was happy while it worked.

The classic series is a wonderful line up that has been around for a while now. Naim, who in my opinion have a great attitude to product life span and service, it is a line that will be enjoyed for many years after it finishes. How many of their original amps are still in use, a lot from what I see on this forum.

Do I want a lot of Black Boxes? No, not for me, so a streaming pre-amp is a great idea, it works for me. I think when you are in the market to replace anything, Get the product that best suites your requirements and is the best you can afford, Just don't wait forever for the next big thing, as it will always be around the next corner.

Going back to listen to my dinosaur of CD5-XS, 172-XS and Nap200 and guess what, it sounds GREAT.

All the best, Simon.

Just buy the best you can get for your needs when you need them. My current system, subject to repairs and servicing, will outlast my ears. It's the best system I've ever had and I love it. The future will take care of itself. I don't want yet more LoFi add ons. So I'm happy to stick. I don't rush out to buy new cars when new technology trumps my car. It always will. Now, if new innovations sent pulses through the ether or grid to cripple/destroy last year's model....

Hi Paul,

I agree with you but I think there are 3, not 2, environments that must be considered:

1. analogue.

2. local digital.

3. streaming.

"digital" is a term that is thrown around but actually covers an awful lot of different contexts.

For simplicity, I think it can be split into the "local" digital contaxt where CD rips and locally sourced downloads are accessed directly into the pre/power HiFi components;

and then there is the digital streaming which is a whole different ball game and, as John has identified, is governed by all sorts of external imperatives.

The local digital area of CD rips and downloads is, I think, more mature than the streaming area as I have mentioned a few times in posts. I cannot forsee what the streaming area will look like in 5 years time but the local digital source and playback will, I think, be more mature and my UnitiServ (or replacement UnitiCore) will still be valid in 5 years I believe.

So ... fortunately I am not into streaming and would rather curate my own music collection so I feel ok about what I will be purchasing but, if I was into streaming, I would not want this integrated into my other components.

Allan

Allan,

many thanks for your post, this is helpful in clarifying my own thoughts. As ever, think carefully before shelling out several k for the next upgrade.

Regards, Paul