John
Naim’s revamped Uniti range made its debut at RMAF 2016. Well, half of it. The first two products to appear fully-formed are the ARM-powered Core music server/ripper and the Atom 40wpc (into 8 Ohms) Class A/B streaming amplifier. Each will sell for ~US$2595 and ~US$2995 respectively. Shipping kicks off in December.
This new Uniti family underlines streaming. The Core server can deliver fully–synchronised DSD to numerous Naim endpoints. The Atom amplifier can serve up audio content sourced from a directly-connected USB driver to other Atoms or Mu-sos on the same network.
The Atom also offers a boatload of streaming source possibilities: aptx HD Bluetooth, UPnP, Spotify Connect, Google Cast, Airplay, Internet radio and Tidal. A pair of TOSLINK inputs, one S/PDIF input and (optional) galvanically isolate HDMI provide the necessary hook-ups for those who prefer to attach a third-party device. An RCA analogue input turns up for good measure. It too can be streamed to other suitably equipped Naim streaming devices.
Naim’s Steve Sells (Director of R&D) and Alec Welland (Commercial Sales Director) gives us a surface-skimming introduction to the two new Uniti boxes:
From Naim’s promo pdf: “Uniti Core delivers bitperfect CD ripping to create accessible files that can be served to any UPnP streaming system on the network. The system uses a custom version of the EAC (Exact Audio Copy) software to extract the files which can be stored as WAV or FLAC lossless files.”
But…the Atom amplifier will eventually offer a CD-ripping trick of its own: connect a standard external CD-ROM drive to the front USB port and a hard drive to the rear USB port and the former’s content can be ripped to the latter’s storage space. Neat!
Naim’s engineering smarts don’t end there. The volume control operates in the analogue domain before switching over to digital at very low SPLs. The 802.11b/g/n/ac-capable aerials have been incorporate into the heatsink sidewalls. The Bluetooth aerial sits inside the volume pot which more attentive readers will note has been inherited from the Mu-so range. That same volume pot talks two-way with Naim’s backlit RF (not infra-red!) remote wand. Did I forget to mention the Atom’s sub/pre outputs? How about its dedicated headphone amplifier circuit?
Here we go deeper:
Naim show us that ‘Lifestyle’ doesn’t have to arrive with the pejorative connotations of engineering shortcuts and a ‘that’ll do’ attitude. The new Uniti family is another slice of Future-Fi that I hope to see more of down the line.
Further information: Naim Audio
