CES 2017

The Naim Thing: Uniti Atom, Star, Nova and Core

Jon Iverson  |  Jan 12, 2017

Naim hit CES running with four new Uniti digital products, starting with the Nova (pictured below) at $6,995 and available in June. The Nova is the top dog of the three new all-in-one player/integrated amps and features a full slate of digital inputs (including SD card and USB on the front), a quartet of analog inputs (two sets RCA and two 5-pin DIN), and networking either via ethernet or WiFi. Streaming options include AirPlay, Tidal, Spotify Connect, Bluetooth AptXHD, and internet radio.

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Up to six devices can be networked at once and controlled via the Naim iOS and Android App and you can also store up to 20,000 tracks locally to a USB drive. FLAC and AIFF files up 24/384 are supported as well as WAV files up to 32/384. In addiition DSD64&128 are supported, though all formats are limited to 48kHz max when sent over the wireless network. There is a built-in 80W/channel Class A/B amp and also subwoofer output and headphone jack. Remote is included and the front panel features a very nice full-colour display panel.

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The Naim Uniti Star (above) with similar features as the Nova but 70W/Channel amp, adds CD ripping, fewer analog inputs and a $5,495 price tag. Also available in June.

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The Naim Uniti Atom (above) with fewer digital and analog inputs than the above two devices, 40W/Channel amp, no SD card, and a $2,995 cost, arriving in early May.

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The Core, $2,595 shown above and available now, is a CD ripper and music storage device with an internal HDD. The Star can also rip and store, but Naim says the Core has a significantly larger database capacity and can rip to NAS and store 100,000 tracks assuming the HDD has the capacity. Naim said it will also issue a list of suggested external drives to hook up to the Core soon so you can expand storage and create backups. The Core can also serve as a standalone file server when connected to a DAC and controlled via the Naim App.

The products look beautiful and nicely designed, and are clearly targeted at getting you up and running with little mess and time invested.

COMMENTS
branon's picture
Submitted by branon on January 13, 2017 - 7:16am

Am a diehard fan of Naim products but the pricing is messed up.

The UK price of the Atom is GBP1700 including the HDMI connection. This includes 20% UK taxes (VAT). That translates to about US$2060 after tax and US $1650 before tax.
They are going to charge US customers $3000 And on top of that US customers will have to pay sales taxes.
Since Naim products are made in UK and not in China, the exchange rate is very relevant. Hopefully Naim will come to their senses soon.

Bromo33333's picture
Submitted by Bromo33333 on January 17, 2017 - 2:51pm

That is why Naim isn't as popular in the US as they are in other countries - you can get as good for less in the US. A shame, as I really like them!

allhifi's picture
Submitted by allhifi on August 8, 2017 - 7:58am

Good call. On your part. What and how Naim determines global market pricing (specifically USA/Canada)is suspect. Other than assuming people are naive, is this (pricing) the result of the (naive) belief that it must be priced at a certain level to be taken seriously (outside of UK markets)?

Personally, I've never understood the Naim intrigue. As any company has shown, it may have established itself with some superb products, but history has revealed that many also follow-up with less-than-stellar offerings. In fact, sometimes, later offerings (from almost any maker one wishes to reference) are pure poop.

However, back to Naim: Such a price discrepancy (as you correctly point out) will do one of a couple things:

1) Naim-ophiles may consider to purchase from the UK. (The price difference is considerable), or

2) Potential customers will be turned right off and consider the (if not now, soon to be released) plethora of equally impressive alternatives -with a fair and sensible pricing scheme.

pj

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