Agree; I mean, if HiRes stereo audio is streaming well from the cloud, that’s about what you need as technology (including the streaming platform). No need for fancy codec evolution (like for video); bandwidth is not a constraint any more.
Unless you start looking into 7.2.4 Atmos or something fundamentally new as a next generation - but that will also need a completely different audio hardware (like… well… Atmos receivers).
I try to have long-lived interfaces on my devices. Analogue stereo audio input/output allows for a lot of connectivity across decades. Ethernet and S/PDIF seem to be stable from IT perspective. Even WiFi 4+, if working good enough.
Add flexible protocol support, and devices can operate a long time (from IT perspective; if the vendor maintains the software).
I have no issue about components being discontinued. Manufacturers discontinue components for a variety of reasons. Can I afford the replacement when and if there is a replacement or do I even want the replacement? How long will the company be able to support discontinued items? These are the important questions for me.
Across kit I’ve probably averaged around 6 years per change, shorter early in my hifi journey, gradually increasing, quite a few things more than 10 - and bought from new to secondhand up to around 30 years old!
@Innocent_Bystander I am at ease with my NC system and my Regs P10 and my SarumT interconnects. The biggest change for me is just listening to music and not focusing on upgrades. I changed a lot in two years. I am good for a while. I am listening to Bach Cello suites by Starker. Glorious.
I strongly disagree. My NDX does everything it was designed to do on release 15 years ago. In fact it has a few more features than it had at launch.
It was primarily designed for local streaming and that is how I use it. Saying it is obsolete is like saying a turntable is obsolete because it can’t play a CD
I had a ND5-XS (1st gen). I repurposed an even older Logitech Squeezebox Touch as a Roon bridge. That allowed me to effectively use the ND5-XS as a Roon endpoint, with 24/192 hi-res support. That worked great, and would probably work to this day if I had kept it.
They can be adapted easily enough for that kind of use, without huge expense, as I noted in my previous post….so not entirely obsolete, since the UPnP support and DAC can be utilized to make that happen.
We do this with our SuperUniti (gen1) using a RPI as a HiRes streaming transport.
These workarounds don’t change the fact these devices don’t offer services available on later devices.
Some people will be quite happy with what these devices offer. But used prices are falling all the time for these boxes as fewer and fewer people will purchase one.
Even 272, which were selling for maybe £1250 not long ago are being seen as cheap as £700 now.
Fire sale prices on remaining ND5XS2 will push used price to £1000 or under, further squeezing the market for gen1.
I don’t disagree, but saying that makes them obsolete is a bit strong, and just not entirely correct. They still do what they were originally promoted to do, and they can be adapted for those newer services without much expense. A WiiM Mini with 24/192 Toslink output for $90 does the job. Spend a bit more if you want the “Connect” versions of Qobuz/TIDAL.
Many, including ourselves, will live long with gen1 devices with an external streamer/transport.
Quite reticent to dump the SuperUniti whilst it’s still in such good condition (being serviced and new board/screen before we bought it). The emotional attachment is why we haven’t moved to something like an Atom HE into ATC in the office. But that pull won’t be irresistible forever.
But also have never regretted changing out the 272 in lounge where we have access to the services we need - Tidal Connect/Airplay mainly. And with a nice uplift in SQ.
So although I said obsolete with a qualification, they will live on for sure.
I had a NDX2 but sold it recently, and jumped brand to a Weiss DAC. It doesn’t have a streamer in front it it, but the DAC itself has an ethernet input (no WiFi) that exposes UPnP and Roon endpoints. I only ever used my NDX2 as a Roon endpoint anyway. It’s all I need 99% of the time. I added a WiiM Mini for the very rare occasion I want to stream something else over Airplay2.
It also sounds significantly better than the NDX2 ever did, even with a XPSDR and HiLine/PoweLine cables.
Sorry I misunderstood. It seemed like there was an implied “because” before the “if” when I read it.
I don’t think local streaming is going anywhere. And if that’s your primary access to music, someone isn’t likely to notice any functional difference with a modern streamer.
That said, I’m not sure I would ever do a combined network transport and DAC in a big separates system again. Something more entry level certainly. Though I’m also not likely to have the chance. My NDX stands a good chance of being my final main system source. For all it’s flaws and fussiness about network noise, it’s made me very happy. My new streamers elsewhere have roon, hi-res web streaming and other more contemporary features but I gravitate consistently to local streaming and web radio.
We were delighted when nDAC trumped NDX2 in our testing. Meant we have options on both DAC and transport in future, whilst retaining the naim pre/power (which won’t be going anywhere).
I have to say, for those who add workarounds (external streamer, BubbleuPnP etc.) the gen1 fevices still hold up well. They have the naim sound, and will be enjoyable for as long as they last. But few people will look to buy one.
We still remember the uplift an NDX2 was into a 272. For internet based services the difference in SQ was quite dramatic. For local streaming not so much. In our office system the RPI/hat has done this job, leaving the SuperUniti as pre/power only, something it is well capable of.
I agree with you,ninanina as it’s also the case with the integrated amps. They’ve discontinued the whole range of integrateds without any replacements for them. It seems like suicide to me, I just can’t get my head around it at all. I would have thought there is a lot less customers for the high end Statement range, so to cut out all of the integrateds is just handing business to their competitors. The mind boggles.
It’s worth bearing in mind that the Unitis have considerably outsold the XS and i separates in recent years, but obviously Naim wouldn’t have ceased producing the intregrateds without good reason (see my earlier post).
I suspect this is what the majority want, a one box solution. Personally I think the multi box setup will come to an end, still available to those who want it but at a price.
Active speakers with a good source will become the norm. Improving the Uniti range is in my view is the future.
