Looking at the teardown photos on the FCC site reveals they aren’t heat sink vanes but just slots in the outer case that slides over a drilled inner case. Quite neat actually.
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I don’t think that analogy works, both in the case of DAC chips and Power amp, the specifications far exceed those of the Atom.
Perhaps you could argue that for your shopping trips you’d rather have the Escort as it has more boot space and a much more comfortable ride 
That adhesive on the caps they’ve used can make recapping nigh on impossible though. I’ve recapped countless home appliances but when they have that white resin on them I tend to just chuck them out at the end of “first life”. Some can be softened back to chewing gum texture. Some can only be cut or filed away. Neither let’s you do a clean job.
That’s exactely what my objective is. Apart from a little more power than my Atom to drive my relatively low sensitve Dynaudio Contour 1.4 speakers.
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In that case Joost’s post was one of the few I’ve seen on the forum from a CI owner. I don’t have exhaustive knowledge of forum equipment ownership (that’s @frenchrooster 's unequivocal position 
), but it was at least a positive comparison vs the Atom. I suppose suggesting a demo is the obvious thing, though appreciate demos aren’t available everywhere.
FWIW, I run a UnitiQute for TV duties, plus occasional audio only streaming, into Neat Iotas. If I ever have to replace my UQ I’m more and more thinking the CI box would be ideal. I think in that application SQ is important, but there are other concerns that impact the decision, much more so than in a pure audio application I think. Best of luck deciding!
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Can you explain please ? How can i have an exhaustive knowledge of forum equipment ownership ?
Each member has a profile, so it’s not complicated to know what he owns.
Then, as a regular reader from 2015 , I remember some of members gear.
But I feel your post is a bit sarcastic, not ? Because i pretend nothing.
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It was meant entirely positively, sorry if it came across differently!! You have a great knowledge of what people own on here, and often put people onto others who own kit being discussed Sorry for any misunderstanding FR.
I also edited my post, replacing “claim” with “have”, to better reflect the sentiment I hope?
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FR, perhaps not sarcastic? - It’s sometimes difficult to interpret nuance in a written post, but I read it rather as something of a compliment to your excellent ability of recollection.
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FR,
I read @gthack post as entirely complimentary to you - you are excellent at bringing people into the conversation who may own a certain piece of equipment and looking for them to add their views.
Are you getting overly sensitive in your old age? 
Keep doing your thing. 
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Thanks @gthack , Richard, LSLFAN.
Maybe i get over sensitive with age
I am also recovering from a big nasty gastroenteritis.
I understand now the meaning 
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Get well soon, but spare us the details
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Well, this is an interesting topic. I also own an atom and have some ATC speakers which would benefit from a kick in the backside that the 102 would deliver with 150w.
My main usage is Spotify/Tidal and TV. I also have a subwoofer and it seems that you can manage the crossover in DSP.
Positives: Power, DSP, main functionality covered, very good value.
Negatives: no screen, no remote or physical volume, maybe not as refined as the atom, less “lifestyle” product. i.e. utilitarian design.
For me the trade offs might be worth it, as 80w from the Nova is probably not enough, and the next step for a NAP 250 or Nova PE is more than 6x the price.
Edit: I guess via HDMI you can use a tv remote for volume.
I’m a dealer in Seattle. Was excited to get the 102 in. Sounds amazing. Customer took it home to compare against his big late '70s yamaha receiver or such, and he sent it back. Partly because he didn’t love the interface - actually wanted a volume knob! But I wasn’t with him so don’t know how it sounded different in his system.
I compared it to Atom, I believe on Triangle Duetto 40th and came away with it is less songful or tuneful compared to the Atom to my ears. Atom had less detail in a way. softer bass. but more compelling musically to my ears which is what brought me into the Naim fold 30 years ago with a Nait 2.
So brilliant piece of kit and I’m sure I’ll sell a bunch of the 102 but as others have suggested, a different horse for a different course.
I also need to run the thing in more- maybe will round up with some serious hours.
Your mileage may vary. Suck it and see. Etc…
Connon
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Please let us know your thoughts if you happen to test the 102 with different speakers. I wonder if it can get closer to the Atom somehow.
If you are hoping for something close to an Atom that drives more speakers than an Atom and costs a bit less than an Atom, you might be succumbing to wishful thinking. Something with that similar sound signature but with more driving ability is likely to be the Nova. i.e. more expensive than.
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Don’t worry, I’m not asking for miracles, I’m aware that this product costs half as much as an Atom and you are probably right, a Nova would do it!
I recently had the pleasure to test the 102 myself, I was really surprised with the performance and didn’t expect that at all. It’s very enjoyable and very Naim in the sound as well. I think it’s an excellent piece of gear in budget friendly systems.
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I find I am using my uniti 102 much more than my WiiM chord mojo 2 supernait 2 set up. The sound I enjoy and the convenience and form factor are v appealing. Half hearted AB testing with same speakers is not suggesting a great preference for one presentation or the other.
The main difference is noise floor which is much less on the 102 and no grounding issues which plague my mains.
Paired with ATC SCM 7’s
Dave
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No complaints here. It sounds surprisingly good.
I plugged it into my main system and was very surprised at how close it was to that…
Paired with AE300 speakers
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This is what Audio T said about the sound quality in their monthly newsletter
At some point , I will audition - I am planning to split my system into a daytime system and a nighttime system built around headphones
This may do nicely for the BluRay and the TV , it will also drive my P3ESR with ease
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