Naim Audio Uniti Atom Headphone Edition

[stk72]

Yes, I thought it was too congested as well until I let it run for at least 50 hours. However, it’s never going to be a light and airy sound. It does stay on the thicker side of things.

I’ve still been doing some comparisons with the Aegis tube amp and still surprised that in quick listening it’s not dramatically different. The tube amp does have better sub bass, dynamics, and richer tone. The tube amp is definitely a better listen but I’m still impressed with the Naim HE directly out. Don’t think I’d have bought another solid state amp to use with it.

I’ve been streaming with Native Tidal and qobuz app along with Naims proprietary app Tried with JPLAY and huge improvement.

 

[iamoneagain]

I’ve been streaming with Native Tidal and qobuz app along with Naims proprietary app Tried with JPLAY and huge improvement.

I no longer have access to JPlay, so can’t test that anymore. When they released the new Tidal Max firmware update, I was convinced Tidal Connect sounded better the roon. But after more comparison and some quick back and forth, not so sure. So back to roon. When I did have JPlay, I was also convinced it sounded better than roon and same thing. After some quick back and forth, I could t hear any difference. It’s possible there are differences. Also possible was just all in my mind. The more time between switching, bigger chance it was going to sound different. But work with what sounds best.

 

[BlueThunder]

I just got access to one of these babies to play with. I’ve a couple of questions if someone can help -

1. Is there an equalizer? I can’t find one anywhere
2. Is it usual for the app to take ages to find the unit once paired? I start the app with the HE on, and have to wait a minute or so for it to be found.

 

[stk72]

week. It does not have an equaliser built in. Initially not impressed with a congested, thick sound, but it appears to be settling down. What headphones do you have paired with yours?

 

[stk72]

I just got access to one of these babies to play with. I’ve a couple of questions if someone can help -

1. Is there an equalizer? I can’t find one anywhere
2. Is it usual for the app to take ages to find the unit once paired? I start the app with the HE on, and have to wait a minute or so for it to be found.

Mine arrived last week. It does not have an equaliser built in. Initially not impressed with a congested, thick sound, but it appears to be settling down. What headphones do you have paired with yours?

 

[texx2818]

I use mine with my HD800s, love it.

 

[u2u2]

I just got access to one of these babies to play with. I’ve a couple of questions if someone can help -

1. Is there an equalizer? I can’t find one anywhere
2. Is it usual for the app to take ages to find the unit once paired? I start the app with the HE on, and have to wait a minute or so for it to be found.

Just gave this a try from an M4 iPad Pro on Wi-Fi… When I launch my app which connects to a QB2 speaker, Uniti Atom HE, and Uniti Core Server, all three devices are found and displayed in under a one count. Click on the HE and it is fired up and ready to go in a further two count. Things then slow down as I decide what to listen to. I suggest making sure you have applied the latest firmware updates and be sure your network is working well. Waiting is not normal.

Edit: I assume, perhaps incorrectly, you have power to your devices so they are in standby mode. with the HE on and then launching the app it is found instantly. I can’t replicate what you describe. If there is no power to them start times will be much longer as they have to boot up, find your network etc.

 

[iamoneagain]

The native Naim has improved but it can still be laggy. I mostly use roon and that works great with it but I get not wanting to spend additional money. I find Tidal Connect works pretty good. I don’t like having to constantly reconnect is all. With roon, it’s always ready to play on the Naim HE. But other than that, Tidal app is well designed and works great once connected. If using Qobuz, I’d stick with Naim app in order to play hires.

And as far as congestion, give it more time. Once it opens up, it doesn’t revert back. I was away for a month and still sounded great when it returned. And even with my new Aegis tube amp, find the Naim HE pretty competitive. The Aegis does open it up more with more extension on both ends and handles complex music much better but it’s almost the same price as the Naim HE itself.

 

[BlueThunder]

Mine arrived last week. It does not have an equaliser built in. Initially not impressed with a congested, thick sound, but it appears to be settling down. What headphones do you have paired with yours?

Audeze 4z and 5.

I’m currently running Roon to the Naim with 4z/5 profiles set. Haven’t really had time to listen much to see if there is a huge difference

 

[joherdi]

Do any of you use the Naim in combination with Apple Music, but connecting an iOS device (iPhone / iPad) directly to the Naim without using AirPlay? What input/cabling do you use to make the most of Apple Music’s Lossless or high-resolution, lossless format?

I'm currently using Qobuz, but I'd like to keep only one account, and with the family, it’s impossible to leave Apple Music nowadays.

 

[Daniel Johnston]

Do any of you use the Naim in combination with Apple Music, but connecting an iOS device (iPhone / iPad) directly to the Naim without using AirPlay? What input/cabling do you use to make the most of Apple Music’s Lossless or high-resolution, lossless format?

I'm currently using Qobuz, but I'd like to keep only one account, and with the family, it’s impossible to leave Apple Music nowadays.

Naim HE can't be used as a external DAC via its onboard USB. You'd have to get a USB to SPDIF adapter for your iDevice and run apple music with the Naim HE as the output device.

So yes, there is a way to do what you want to do. The SMSL PO100 might work for you. I use it to.convert the USB only out on the Shanling EC Mini to the Naim.

 

[joherdi]

Naim HE can't be used as a external DAC via its onboard USB. You'd have to get a USB to SPDIF adapter for your iDevice and run apple music with the Naim HE as the output device.

So yes, there is a way to do what you want to do. The SMSL PO100 might work for you. I use it to.convert the USB only out on the Shanling EC Mini to the Naim.

THANK YOU !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[drbusner]

Naim HE can't be used as a external DAC via its onboard USB. You'd have to get a USB to SPDIF adapter for your iDevice and run apple music with the Naim HE as the output device.

So yes, there is a way to do what you want to do. The SMSL PO100 might work for you. I use it to.convert the USB only out on the Shanling EC Mini to the Naim.

I’ve used a Douk Audio adapter to convert USB to SPDIF to the Uniti Atom. I feel like some of the definition is lost—trailing notes seem less present compared to streaming directly using the Naim. It’s very subtle, but when I go back to onboard streaming Qobuz something seems restored.
The lack of USB DAC connectivity is one of the shortcomings of the Uniti Atom for me.

 

[joherdi]

I’ve used a Douk Audio adapter to convert USB to SPDIF to the Uniti Atom. I feel like some of the definition is lost—trailing notes seem less present compared to streaming directly using the Naim. It’s very subtle, but when I go back to onboard streaming Qobuz something seems restored.
The lack of USB DAC connectivity is one of the shortcomings of the Uniti Atom for me.

Thanks

 

[iamoneagain]

Do any of you use the Naim in combination with Apple Music, but connecting an iOS device (iPhone / iPad) directly to the Naim without using AirPlay? What input/cabling do you use to make the most of Apple Music’s Lossless or high-resolution, lossless format?

I'm currently using Qobuz, but I'd like to keep only one account, and with the family, it’s impossible to leave Apple Music nowadays.

I have a usb to coaxial converter I’ve had around for years. It works directly with my iPad mini usb c out. For most part Apple Music sounded the same as hires Qobuz thru roon at the time. I was only testing this connection as it’s very inconvenient. One, no point in a wired connection when I have other wireless hires options. Two, you lose functionality; use of album art and the ability of the remote to skip songs. Apple Music may have been worth if it was at least lossless wirelessly but it’s only 256k.

The strange thing is I read in the firmware update notes of the streaming board manufacturer that they added usb direct playback. However this feature was not actually added. I tested all the usb connections with my iPad and didn’t work. Naim never announced this feature so they can pick and choose what the implement.