Decided it was time to move away from multiple boxes to a more wife friendly sent up so it’s bye to the NAC 282 and ordered a CI Uniti 102.
I currently use Dirac Live room correction via a Minidsp SHD. I couldn’t find much info about the Naim room correction, can it replace this, not using Focal speakers, but have two speakers and a sub.
Hi Grant,
There are a few threads already on the forum re the CI-102. I have also posted a few times some information.
The simple answer to your question is YES - absolutely!
Unfortunately some of my postings are embedded with a bit of playful banter. If you have questions I will try to help.
As a stater, maybe take a look at the jokey thread here.
There is a more serious interaction here (however I have paranoid thoughts that thread owner was actually somebody trolling to promote Wiim Pro plus).
The Naim CI-102 is serious business and if you are familiar with DIRAC Live - should be no difficulty. Good luck with your purchase.
Can I use it with my measuring microphone with the desktop software and does it take multiple measurements around the listening area?
Hi Grant,
My understanding is that the Naim CI-102 was developed for custom installation. I.e. a HiFi retailer would provide a (multi) room fitout using the CI product range and undertake whatever set-up process the HiFi retailer preferred.
Some potential approaches to setup may include using DIRAC Live software with calibrated microphone or others such as Room Equalisation Wizard (REW) software products (on PC laptop) also using calibrated microphone(s). Furthermore (similar in the way MiniDSP SHD works) the microphone does not plug directly into the Naim CI-102.
However - the actual work of setting the corrections in the CI-102 for different driver handover in non Focal branded loudspekers (e.g. any other sub basses and main loudspeakers) and any correction(s) for dominant room acoustic modes needs to be done manually (as far as I am currently aware).
This work can be a very enjoyable task. I enjoyed it when I borrowed a Naim CI-102 from a UK HiFi retailer.
There are a few ‘tricks’ to undertake this setup process that I could tell you about. However before we get to that level of detail, have you already read the installation manual(s) of the NAIM CI-102?
If not, Richard Dane previously provided links here. Perhaps take a look?
BTW, did you decide to get this product by contacting an authorised NAIM dealer in the UK and then placing an order?
I bought it from Peter Tyson at a very good price from their website
Received today, plugged it in, updated the firmware and up and running in 15 minutes. Am using a WiiM Ultra feed it as I have a turntable plugged into the WiiM. School boy error, had set the volume to max as I was using the WiiM to control the volume then set up Tidal on the Naim just to see what it sounded like, my ears and speakers just survived it being played at full volume, forgot volume wasn’t on the WiiM. Have connected the management software no problem, though it’s not going to give me the flexibility I have with Dirac Live.
First impressions are very impressive for the price, got to be bargain of the year.
Hi Grant,
Glad to hear that the CI-102 has arrived - and given your previous post about where you purchased the device - I am guessing it cost less than 900 notes. I agree, it certainly is…
Perhaps you are planning to experiment with some more advanced setting up over the coming weekend? Your profile does not show what amplifier you are or might be using or which loudspeakers.
The interesting thing (IMO) about the NAIM CI-102 is the flexibility in the product at that price point. For example:-
a) One can just use the preamplifier outputs with active loudspeakers and sub bass(s).
b) If you already have a stereo amplifier with passive loudspeakers, connect to the CI-102 using preamplifier outputs as above (but watch out when setting the separate amplifier volume control).
c) If one has conventional (non active) loudspeakers the internal class D amplifier is very well specified and one unit, some cable and loudspeaker pairs gets a VERY capable system with the possibility of correcting some typical room acoustic problems in domestic living spaces.
I previously indicated I may help (with advanced setup) if you want? The specifics I am suggesting are how to use what you might have previously undertaken with Dirac Live and convert that information into useful (gentle and good sounding) filter settings for the CI-102.
I have other methods too, but those might appear a step too far (initially) if complex room acoustics and digital filter design is not a topic you have come across before.
Currently using. WiiM Ultra ( as a Roon user) into the MiniDSP SHD and analogue out to a subwoofer and the Naim. Main speakers are Arendal 1723 Monitor S.
changes I am making today is changing to digital to the SHD then digital out to the Naim, just waiting on a coax to optical converter as the SHD only has coax out.
Once that is all working I will perhaps look at the room and crossover options within the Naim to see if I can then get rid of the SHD.
this time I will make sure all volume levels are at minimum levels 
an update, thought I would try the system without the SHD and set up the Naim with an LF/24 filter at 12 DB at 80hz, the system just sounded flat with no punch.
Hi Grant,
Thanks for the progress update. FYI I feel sure that there will be quite a few persons here on the forum seeing how you set your NAIM CI-102 up for your listening environment.
I don’t wish to ‘get in your way’. Hence, given that you have only had the thing for a few hours and you seem to be ‘enjoying’ your experiments - I will continue to give my thoughts - but only if you ask.
Nevertheless, I think it may help others see some visuals - so I hope you don’t mind my sharing screenshot images of the Focal/Naim manager view for setting the main loudspeakers and sub bass outputs as you have described?
By choosing the crossover (between main loudspeakers and sub bass) at 80Hz with 24dB per octave slopes I have assumed that the output for the Main Loudspeakers have been set with a High Pass filter ‘HP24’ and correspondingly for the Sub Bass a Low Pass filter ‘LP24’.
Are my assumptions shown above in screenshots correct for the quick experiment you tried?
Note that I needed to use a corner frequency specification of 106Hz for the High Pass (for the main loudspeakers) and 62Hz for the Low Pass (for the Sub Bass) to achieve the notional -12dB at 80Hz for both the LP that you described in text and by implication the HP.
Is that what you did - or did you do something different?
PS: To achieve success - objective of removing/substituting the SHD with Naim CI-102? - IMO it will be very helpful for you to say more about your listening environment.
For example accurate information on room size and dimension’s, position of loudspeakers in room, distance of front face of speakers from ‘front’ wall and height of low frequency drivers from floor and any toe in and whether the ports have been bunged or not.
Regards
E of E
Really appreciate the advice Edmund, got half a day off work tomorrow so will have a further go at tweaking. The settings I used were what Copilot suggested.
Room is a dormer so one side wall is at a 34 degree angle. Size is. 6.8 M x 5.2 M x 2.2M high. Listening position is around 2.5 metres from the speakers
The 102’s room correction runs through the Focal & Naim Manager software, but it’s really built around Focal CI speaker profiles plus on-site EQ and time alignment, not a full-blown measurement-based system like Dirac Live. With non-Focal speakers you lose the model-specific profiles and lean on the manual EQ side. So it won’t fully replace the Dirac/miniDSP SHD’s automated correction. If Dirac is central to how you tune your room and sub, you may want to keep the SHD in the chain or accept a lighter-touch EQ. Worth asking your CI dealer to demo the correction with your actual speakers first.
