Naim Nova Delays - alternatives streamers/ amp combination?

Good points, wonder actually how vulnerable Win XP code is on those older units considering wannacry virus issues in news??  Anyone know more??

Reflecting on everyone's comments I actually wonder if the best solution is a Naim pre being fed by another manufacturer for the streaming duties that offers access to Tidal Qobuz and other fancy stuff. Airplay, Roon even, but is future proof but adaptable.

In a way I get the best if both worlds. Naim seem to struggle with anything to do with software development. Aside from the never appearing Uniti range we are still waiting on the firmware that was meant to fix Tidal dropouts(not that I had any) that was due Christmas 2015. In a way I can't really see any reason why this will change so perhaps this area needs to go.

Is there a way I can achieve this?

Big John posted:

Good points, wonder actually how vulnerable Win XP code is on those older units considering wannacry virus issues in news??  Anyone know more??

There's a post from Naim in the news section.

https://forums.naimaudio.com/to...r-wannacrypt-attacks

Sloop John B posted:

The new uniti architecture is based on a (bespoke?) Linux system. 

All the other products are (in this fast moving streaming world) legacy products already - based (as I understand it) on Win XP. 

Naim will fight or fall on the success of the new uniti series. I'd wait if I were you. And before you consider an ND or 272 have a look at the way their software is updated. Really this is Win 3.1 compared to what Roon, BlueOS etc. do- over air upgrades, which is what the uniti series will have. 

 

(And I didnt even mention Roon compatibly !)

.sjb

The older products are embedded systems based on the AD SHARC processor not on XP.

Big John posted:

Good points, wonder actually how vulnerable Win XP code is on those older units considering wannacry virus issues in news??  Anyone know more??

They can't be infected by Wanacrypt.

In fact I know of no viruses written for the SHARC.  Even if there were, a power cycle will clear the RAM and eliminate the virus.

Big John posted:

Good points, wonder actually how vulnerable Win XP code is on those older units considering wannacry virus issues in news??  Anyone know more??

Don't worry about it,  we've have a brand new aircraft carrier that has Win XP,  so I guess the whole damn fleet has the same.   

Big John posted:

Dear all,

I have Just seen the latest forum delays on the Naim Nova at https://forums.naimaudio.com.    I feel Naim's pain on the ongoing certification issues and really appreciate their honesty in the latest message but as no end in sight I now need to look at alternatives.    I originally placed deposit on 2016 price in November.

I was not considering secondhand and had budget about £4000 on unit(s) to go with my PMC twenty-five 23s.  

Thoughts please??  Naim two box solutions/ alternatives e.g Cyrus?  Naim any deals to be done via my dealer to overcome my disappointment?

Or something I am misreading in latest announcement that DOES NOT push this out to September onwards?   Every code/ certification changes takes minimum of 3 - 4 weeks turnaround and you no longer saying you nearly there!

Thanks

John

musical fidelity m6 encore, moon neo ace, devialet 130, technics su-g30, micromega m one...there is a lot of integrated / dac/ streamer in one box.  all these between 2000/3500 GBP.

It's only the servers HDX, US, NS0* that run embedded XP. So no need to worry about that in considering any of the other products mentioned in the thread (also I suspect that if your Baim server gets a successful ransom ware attack, then that is going to be the least of your problems as it will have come from something already infected in your home network.

best

David

Are we going to get an update on the uniti Atom, Nova and Star progress today, as it now exactly a week since the last update from Trevor?

Gazza posted:

Are we going to get an update on the uniti Atom, Nova and Star progress today, as it now exactly a week since the last update from Trevor?

Thinking the same?

Decided not to wait for the new uniti range myself and have decided streaming is low on the list of priorities now, as my wife likes using cd's. So I've just made my local dealer very happy by buying a CD5 XS and a Supernait 2!

Hope you got a great deal on the supernait, he must have been very happy

Yes I got a VERY good deal on the Supernait 2! one happy customer and one happy dealer!

no of the units are aimed at old naim school, the muso started the new direction and unitis take over,  black box days are over  

audio1946 posted:

no of the units are aimed at old naim school, the muso started the new direction and unitis take over,  black box days are over  

No I believe you are wrong about that. Naim can't develop everything at the same time because it's a small company, but black boxes is where they hope customers who start with muso and then progress to Uniti will end up. Once the Unitis are all out and sorted, we could well expect to see some trickle through of the technology into a refresh of the black boxes. But having said that I would expect a good couple of years before that happens.

best

David

Dealers say  sales of cdp slumping ,additional power suppliers from all manufacturers falling ,separate pre/power amplifers falling.

intergrated amplifiers with dacs/streamers increasing  all in one units are the  top sales.  £600-700 T.T. SELLING VERY WELL. naim have got it totally right all in one units like the new range

audio1946 posted:

no of the units are aimed at old naim school, the muso started the new direction and unitis take over,  black box days are over  

Not for me until they can make a Uniti that can sound better than my full system. I doubt that's going to happen for a while. 

David Hendon posted:

audio1946 posted:

no of the units are aimed at old naim school, the muso started the new direction and unitis take over,  black box days are over  

No I believe you are wrong about that. Naim can't develop everything at the same time because it's a small company, but black boxes is where they hope customers who start with muso and then progress to Uniti will end up. Once the Unitis are all out and sorted, we could well expect to see some trickle through of the technology into a refresh of the black boxes. But having said that I would expect a good couple of years before that happens.

best

David

I agree.

In fact, if I were in Naim's position I would give much consider another 'bridging' product:  To wit, repackaging the SN2 preamp circuit in a DAC V1 box, to complement the NAP 100, called maybe something like NAC 142?

This would allow a nice progression from the "Single Box Lifestyle Market" products (Muso) through the  "High End Lifestyle Market" products (new Uniti) to compact "Lifestyle Separates" (100 series) through to the Classic series;  and each upgrade through the last three steps could be done piecemeal rather than having to buy all new in one big hit.

This would give a few combinations in this series
Analogue:  NAC 142 / NAP 100
Digital: DAC V1 / NAP 100
Enhanced Analogue: NAC 142 + HiCap / NAP 100

These would be lower power, but with exceptional SQ, particularly with a HiCap taking over from the internal PSU in the NAC 142.

Of course to focus on increased power and improved speaker control rather than increased SQ, a classic series power amp could always be added.  I think this would become the default entry point for Naim separates and may well prove more popular than the 200 series as the smaller boxes seem more friendly and less intimidating than the triptych cases!  Given the lower price for similar SQ at entry level, I think this could get even more people into the Naim separates fold.

Dear all,

Thanks for all the help and tips.  I have decided to wait for the Nova.  Whilst still no definite outlook I have been borrowing a Nait XS2 and CD5 XS to go with my PMC 25-23s.

My dealer gone the extra mile to keep me sweet and despite the pain advised me to wait despite Naim and other branded alternatives he could sell me.  

And to buy some time, I picked up yesterday a borrowed ND5 XS to cover streaming duties. The ND5 XS I will use with my Synology dS215j. All my CDs ripped with db Poweramp in uncompressed FLAC. Also got some HI Res downloads from 7digital in FLAC.

In just a few hours I love it! No discernible disadvantages on sound for sure. Perhaps even argue a bit more rhythm and drive when playing files that based on ripped CDs. Maybe a better DAC than in the CD5?? And as for Hi Res files, WOW! So open and transparent.

And then there is the convience. Been using the iPad Naim app and the response is instant in pulling files from the Synology. I am using a 100MB wired connection and power line adapters between my lounge and NAS in the study. Only initial issue was all my files on the ND5 were being played as a Wav file 44.1khz including the hi res ones being desampled. Switched the transcoding off on the Synology and then all working correctly with all files being played in their native format.

Be interesting now to compare with my Uniti Nova when I get it, but overall loving the ND5 for sound and ease of use.  Faith restored and dealer even offered a lend of a Supernait in a few weeks time if situation with Nova delays don't improve.

A good outcome, I do expect the nova to be a step up from the current series from a company of Naim's pedigree. 

There will also be a lot of interest from channels that might not immediately consider a Naim product especially when they turn on Roon  

.sjb

Try it with WAVE rather than FLAC - that adds a little bit more openness to the ND5!

Big John posted:

All my CDs ripped with db Poweramp in uncompressed FLAC.

I don't see the point in not using FLAC compression,  it saves on storage space & I thought that was the big thing for using FLAC.  It gets uncompressed for replay so storing it uncompressed will not do anything for SQ

Agree Hugh's suggestion for WAV.   And don't try transcoding FLAC to WAV on your Synology if you are using their native 'Media Server' as it down-samples 24bit to 16bit.  The 3rd party media server included in the Synology package called Minimserver does a better transcoding job.  Personally I just stick with straight WAV (& DSD) & 'Media Server' = simples

Thanks for 7digital hint,  I've not heard of them before.  Disappointed with low numbers of 24bit & pricing is not so hot,  but they are another store to look up. .  

Drewy posted:

audio1946 posted:

no of the units are aimed at old naim school, the muso started the new direction and unitis take over,  black box days are over  

Not for me until they can make a Uniti that can sound better than my full system. I doubt that's going to happen for a while. 

 

me too,,cant really see why so many are ranting for the new range, most of us have been ripping/storing for years.  and have the rest of the system too.  the market is now streaming services.it seems streaming services in USA is booming.  The bonus to all this is good value cds / boxsets are now here to stay ...good for ripping