Atom - DELAYED AGAIN?!?!

Speaking to one of the Naim guys who gave a demo of the Nova and Star at Signals a week or so ago, he was getting firmware updates almost daily.

Gazza posted:

Speaking to one of the Naim guys who gave a demo of the Nova and Star at Signals a week or so ago, he was getting firmware updates almost daily.

 

 

 

 

That's more than the beta testers are!! [Insert icon for tumbleweed blowing across a deserted landscape here]

Some of you may have missed this post?

https://forums.naimaudio.com/to...18#70553749384195618

.sjb

Hello from Munich

Re Nova & Star

A few weeks after Atom is released, first builds of Nova will commence.

Nova hardware is complete and the software follows Atom in the most part. Current plan is to commence shipping first Nova units late June, pending certifications. 

Star hardware is complete. Star software is a more complex final integration as we have the cd playing/ripping engine to integrate. Good news is we are also making swift progress here and plan to ship in July, again pending final certification. That is our intention.

Today we are confident that all three players will soon be released, we hoped they come sooner, but very close now. We believe all three player are sounding fantastic.

We have some dependencies, as always, Google is the big one at the moment, currently we are in the their test house going through the process.

We will keep you updated

Thanks for your support and patience

Ryan

Thanks Ryan, that's really good information. Hope Munich's going well.

Looks like my Nova demo in the 23rd June is going to be delayed, ah well.

Ryan, very informative, thanks.

I hope the show is  going well.

Great news Ryan - looking forward to hearing the production Novas... the prototype last December sounded so sweet.

I'm assuming Ryan works for Naim? 

Lord_HIllier posted:

I'm assuming Ryan works for Naim? 

Though may have retired before the actual release occurs....

richardhomer posted:

Lord_HIllier posted:

I'm assuming Ryan works for Naim? 

Though may have retired before the actual release occurs....

Hahahah!

"Dear customer, we are sorry that you hifi dealer has withheld your £1750 for 29 years, but we are excited to tell you that hifi has now moved on. Pay £1200, (inflation), per month and every device you have will play high-res audio at 4012kHz 168-bit. We will also beam a hologram in 5D with the artists sweat bouncing off your face as they rock out to their latest album. What's more, EE's powerful 16G network will allow the experience within the heads-up display in your driver-less car. You can also meet and greet the band in our VR booth and of course ask for a virtual autograph. We are just finalising licenses and are in the process of allowing your 3D printer to create our Uniti MCMXXC range within 12 minutes of authorisation of payment". "We apologise for the delay".

just had a frustrating conversation with my dealer - now shipping end of June! Naim - this taking the Pi**.

I must admit I am struggling to think of a worse launch for any product ever, then Neil Young's Pono player came to mind. But then I realised even that had a smoother release, let's hope the outcome is better.

. 

Where's Ryan now? He's the Marcoms Director, why is this to being communicated?

To be fair he's probably gearing up to watch the FA cup final.

I'm pretty much adopting the attitude that Naim don't have the vaguest idea of what is going on or what they are doing. The reason they are so poor in letting us know is that they have completely misunderstood the project and how to overcome the problems. As a result they don't have a clue when anything will be released. I'm gearing up for another we are really sorry will be by the end of the year post in about two weeks time. Good news is once it goes through another four price increases I will get a £2500 Atom for the price I paid five years previously. 

ssmith posted:

I must admit I am struggling to think of a worse launch for any product ever, then Neil Young's Pono player came to mind. But then I realised even that had a smoother release, let's hope the outcome is better.

. 

It's a delay - unfortunately it can happen.  Sometimes there are things outside of your control that necessitate.  And sometimes there are things that just need more time, more work.  Naim are far from alone here, but it's good to read Ryan's recent update communique.  I'd imagine he'll post another some time soon to keep everyone updated.  

Fair enough Richard but this has been delay after delay after delay totalling 7 months.I think the problem is that there is no consistent message. Last week it was end of May then early June then mid June then end of June. If you speak to your dealer they give you a different account. Basically I think honesty and a realistic time frame is needed. Anyhow I have been pretty vocal on my distaste on how customers have been treated and am not wasting anymore energy on the Atom now.

Absolutely valid point SSMITH. People have cash tied up with this. My dealer has 38 on back order and two pages of potential new customers. If Naim do not come back with FACTS by the end of next week, they can shove their products - I'll sell the kit I have and move on. It's unacceptable it really is. All they have to do is communicate and cut the BS, marketing fluff and stop hiding behind other organisations and blaming them for delay. I bet it'll be August at this rate.

Fair enough SSMITH.  One thing I do know: Naim really do want them out and with dealers and customers ASAP.  

Arrogant behaviour from Naim - mine's been on order since February - this is TOTALLY beyond a joke.

At the launch there was much made of Naim's £4,000,000 investment in development. Simple question - exactly WHAT is outstanding before the product ships? It is starting to feel as though there is something fundamental that can't be resolved. 

The one thing I cannot tolerate is any level of dishonesty - my confidence in the brand (28 years after buying my first Naim product) is now none existent.....

This smacks of of a total lack of management control with no plan and the team not working together effectively. As far as as PR I am surprised the Hi Fi press are giving Naim such a easy ride? In my recent dealings with Naim I am left with the feeling they are making it up as they go along. Trevor you need to get involved at the customer level like a Paul did.

Richard Dane posted:

It's a delay - unfortunately it can happen.  Sometimes there are things outside of your control that necessitate.  And sometimes there are things that just need more time, more work.  Naim are far from alone here, but it's good to read Ryan's recent update communique.  I'd imagine he'll post another some time soon to keep everyone updated.  

This really isn't a helpful sentence Richard. 

Lord_HIllier posted:

Absolutely valid point SSMITH. People have cash tied up with this. My dealer has 38 on back order and two pages of potential new customers. If Naim do not come back with FACTS by the end of next week, they can shove their products - I'll sell the kit I have and move on. It's unacceptable it really is. All they have to do is communicate and cut the BS, marketing fluff and stop hiding behind other organisations and blaming them for delay. I bet it'll be August at this rate.

I often bang on about Naim sycophants and don't know a direct antonym but to (threaten to) sell up all one's Naim gear over this is in the throwing your toys out of the pram arena. 

There's an awful lot of righteous indignation percolating around the forum. 

You can all just be grateful Richard keeps his guns holstered, there would have been many a round spent if we still had Adam as moderator. 

.sjb

Sloop John B posted:

Lord_HIllier posted:

Absolutely valid point SSMITH. People have cash tied up with this. My dealer has 38 on back order and two pages of potential new customers. If Naim do not come back with FACTS by the end of next week, they can shove their products - I'll sell the kit I have and move on. It's unacceptable it really is. All they have to do is communicate and cut the BS, marketing fluff and stop hiding behind other organisations and blaming them for delay. I bet it'll be August at this rate.

I often bang on about Naim sycophants and don't know a direct antonym but to (threaten to) sell up all one's Naim gear over this is in the throwing your toys out of the pram arena. 

There's an awful lot of righteous indignation percolating around the forum. 

You can all just be grateful Richard keeps his guns holstered, there would have been many a round spent if we still had Adam as moderator. 

.sjb

For all the negatives to do with Atom etc  I think Naim and Richard do a good job at letting this be an open forum for debate, long may it continue. 

When I'm hungry I prefer buying fish on the market instead of in the sea.

Sloop John B posted:

..

You can all just be grateful Richard keeps his guns holstered, there would have been many a round spent if we still had Adam as moderator. 

I think if such behaviour were to have happened here, then much good will and understanding from the silent majority would have evaporated very quickly.... I think Richard plays it just right...