I have been saying how many back orders have been leaving Naim recently… including dealers ordering for stock. Enjoy 
2 Likes
Yeah and my dealer is obviously on the ball with the orders.
Definitely. Will now be enjoying the same headphone experience in the lounge as well!
2 Likes
If you need some exercise, you can set them both to multi-room mode and run between the two with your headphones in between tracks 
6 Likes
Hey @Dr_kevy, I really like your reviews and opinions. I have much of the same equipment you do.
I was wondering your opinion now down the line…I currently only have Utopia and Stellia full size headphones. I love my SP2000, and using it with Lazuli Nirvana (dana’s biggest) cable. Do you think the Naim HE would do much more for the Utopia and Stellia vs my Sp2000? I know your comments on the DAC being less superior and I do love the SP2000 AKM DAC clarity and brightness.
Thanks again, and great write-ups!
1 Like
Especially as there are stairs in between! Which is also the reason I am not sticking to one unit and carting it up and downstairs the whole time.
2 Likes
Thanks for the kind words.
The SP2k isn’t my usual ‘go to’ for the Utopia.
But it is an amazing DAC implementation isn’t it?
I have my Danacable Lazuli Reference Plus terminated in 4-pin XLR which means I’m using an Effect Audio adapter → 4.4mm and then another Woo Audio 4.4mm to XLR female adapter in order to play my Utopia out of the balanced output from the SP2k. Even then I have the volume set on SP2k for 75 for easy listening.
The Naim being a desktop amp drives Utopia with more authority. There’s a greater sense of dynamic attack and drive. It’s not subtle. The pace, rhythm is definitely sharper. The sound is richer. It is more forward. The SP2k has a slightly softer, relaxed presentation. Not necessarily in a bad way. There is a pleasant neutrality with that clarity and separation/air that the SP2k is loved for. I would give the nod for detail retrieval to the SP2k. Placement is every so precise. The soundstage is more spacious and wider in the SP2k ; whereas the Naim HE is more intimate. I have a preference for acoustic vocals so first impressions were a quick listen with Bon Iver/Taylor Swift Exile.
As to your question ; I’m going to say it depends. If you were planning to move onto more demanding headphones (e.g. certain Planar’s, Audeze for instance) the advantage for the Naim HE would be the addition of a desktop level amplifier. Or if you listen to tracks that demand a more authoritative amp - e.g. electronica, dance/trance. Moving to Head and Heart, Joel Corry the SP2k doesn’t quite have enough authority to drive the bass well enough. It’s lacking the body and attack. Or even to Avicii Levels, it’s not quite what I know the Utopia is capable of.
The easiest way of describing - It’s like shifting from low gain to high gain.
I also have a Chord Hugo2/2Go - which I prefer as my transportable set-up with full sized headphones & TT2.
I have not seen many people be disappointed by the Naim HE. My Chord TT2 has under 20 hours on it. I’ve owned it longer than the Naim HE.
How would you describe the differences in sound between the Hugo2/2Go and the Atom HE? Currently i have Poly/Mojo and love the portability, if only round the round the house, sofa to desk etc. But, i also use it to front my main system, and there the Atom would take the lead from a practicality point
I have an ND555 + 2xPS system and don’t really want to relinquish what it offers to listen over headphones. I can’t quite believe the Atom HE won’t be a fair bit behind, so I’m wondering what headphone amp might be worth considering now that the Headline isn’t made any more. Some time ago I sold my Headline and Supercap combo because I never listened to headphones any more, but lockdown/love of my life working from home has changed that and I’m not quite sure what to do… As my dealer can’t get a demo Atom HE at the moment, I’m at a bit of a loss… Any words of wisdom would be appreciated.
You say that Clare, but it’s approaching 6 months for my ND5 XS2 and nothing yet…
We’re doing everything we can to get them out of the door, too, but - as previously discussed - the ND5 XS2 uses a chipset that’s one of the hardest to source. Couple that with incredibly high demand and it’s been a long wait for many customers, sadly. Again, we’re doing everything we can to expedite the situation.
3 Likes
That’s great to hear, and I can confirm anecdotally, as my order has arrived in France. It should have shipped to me in the Caribbean, but I don’t know how long it will take --it depends on the shipping method, air or sea.
However, even if it gets here today, we’re experiencing social unrest that has put the island on a near-total lockdown 
for me getting it soon.
1 Like
Thank you so much for the thoughtful and detailed reply!
How do you connect to the 2.5mm on the SP2000 from the 4.4mm adapters you have? Which part has the 2.5mm portion?
Btw, my best experience for the 4.4mm has been the PWaudio 1960s AK adapter. It is over $240 but worth every penny.
Side note, for what its worth from my amateur opinion, that Woo audio 4.4mm XLR adapter ruined the sound I have. I believe the insides they use are not top tier. I found great adapters from DoubleHelix that use pure silver, and I connect my Lazuli Nirvana XLR to 2.5mm straight. It really keeps the purity of the Nirvana and Utopia coming from the SP2000. I also find the Pwaudio 1960s double pin works best because the 3.5mm pin must ground it best. I compared it to the Effect Audio AK adapter and I like the PWaudio much much more.
What really made me wonder if the Sp2000 is enough is because I have the Focal Arche, and it just didn’t sound as good to me as the Sp2000. That shocked me, and made me love the sp2000 as my go to for Utopia/Stellia.
Another side note, I love Woo audio tubes. WA8 Eclipse portable unit, connected to the SP2000 is divine. The DAC on the Woo audio stuff is terrible, but their amp is amazing in the tube. So I use a line out of the SP2000 with and Audioquest Angel pure silver cable.
I like the Sp2000 similar to how I like the Hugo 2, but haven’t tried the TT2.
I think you’ve convinced me though…I must try the Naim HE. To know what I’m missing
That depends on the headphones too. I find the Atom HE bass heavier than eg the Chord Mojo. The Focal headphones do - as one expect - pair very good with the HE, but I find e.g the Meze Classics a bit too heavy with the HE.
It depends on taste too. I thought that I liked heavy bass a few years ago, but now I’m listening to my IBLs the most.
1 Like
So after much rearranging madness this weekend the second Atom HE is snugly tucked into the setup downstairs.
Still so happy it got delivered so quickly.
4 Likes
"How do you connect to the 2.5mm on the SP2000 from the 4.4mm adapters you have? Which part has the 2.5mm portion?’
I use the Effect Audio AK adapter.
As for the question re: Hugo2 - I find the Naim has the visual interface and is much easier to set up. The Naim app is also far superior. Not to mention the wi-fi implementation. As to the sound, the Hugo2 sounds like a Chord and the Atom sounds like a Naim in terms of house sound.
1 Like
Thank you Dr Kevy! If you get a chance please try the Pwaudio 1960s anniversay AK adapter, and the DoubleHelix ultra short XLR to 4.4mm adapter, instead of the woo audio. I think you’ll be amazed. Wooaudio adapter really stinted the sound for me. DoubleHelix is owned by Peter and has been a pleasure, I bought every adapter he makes after trying a few. I’m just sharing because you’ve been so open and helpful. I’m no expert, but I think the adapters make a big difference in transparency. I just ordered the Naim Uniti HE, arrives this week. Thanks again!!!
1 Like
Thank you!
I usually pair the SP2000 with the Oriolus Trailii but will look into the PWA adapter. I believe Musicteck stock it. I’m happy enough with the Naim HE I have only plugged my Utopia into the SP2K twice.
Enjoy the NaimHE and look forward to your impressions!
1 Like
I’m interested in the HE, but it’s a shame it doesn’t have an HDMI ARC input. The original Uniti Atom offered this as an option, so is there any chance of that happening with the HE?
Also, has anyone incorporated room correction processing with the HE? I use active speakers (Dynaudio) so I’m working out the best way to route a processed signal to them and incorporate a subwoofer. My room is an echoey box, and as I’ve read so much positive feedback on room correction software, I would love to try it.
The main reason for me to switch from an Atom to an Atom HE are my Dynaudio speakers. I play with passive speakers but both my subwoofer and power amplifier are equipped with XLR connections. My Atom HE is connected to a Dynaudio Sub 6, which is a powered subwoofer with DSP and room equalisation options. The Sub is connected with the power amplifier via XLR which works brilliantly.
I have used REW to do room measurements and I correct the output curve below 200hz with the EQ settings in the subwoofer. Works perfect.
You can also use REW to measure your room and create convolution filters for Roon. I have done that as well in the past but the downside is that this is only applicable for Roon playback and not for any other sources. With EQ in the sub the room correction is always active.
Finally, in our room EQ below 200hz solves the main issues (room modes mainly). I have tried to apply EQ above 200hz through Roon but found it killing the overall sound signature.
BR,
Richard
1 Like
I’m running my television into mine with optical now. Ok it misses the extra control options that ARC gives but in terms of sound it is sounding pretty sweet.
2 Likes