For users of the old amps with IR remote, there is a workaround for that if you happen to have a Sky Q or Apple TV: The Sky remote has a preconfigured option to control Naim amp volume in the remote settings, the Apple remote (at least mine from the new Apple TV) can learn the Naim remote commands (and that’s very easy to set up).
So then you can use the optical TV output with fixed volume to the Naim streamer, and then control the preamp volume by IR.
Over the years I have used the digital output of my SuperUniti to:
Feed a separate DAC/headphone amplifier, ‘electrostatics’
I have used it with a separate DAC and power amp in my main system &
I have used it to feed my active speaker system through the digital output
So yes, whilst I may not be a typical Naim owner, I would miss the flexibility, especially as it seems they removed the analogue line output too. It feels that Naim have ‘limited’ a £6k item of equipment like they have the lower range newer Uniti boxes. We are not talking entry level money here!
From what I’ve read the entire Classic line up is going; pre, power and power supplies maybe with the exception of NAP300DR, though I don’t see why a single product would survive the axe.
The new products will supplant NAC 282, NAC 252, NAP 250DR, Superline, HiCap DR and Supercap DR so these are all approaching end of life, even though some of the replacements have clearly yet to arrive.
Uniti, Nait XS, Supernait 3, ND 5XS 2, and NDX 2 all remain in production. Similarly, changes to the 500 series are not envisaged for a considerable period of time.
The Sales, Marketing and R&D teams all being enthusiasts with their own Naim systems have discussed this. The existing PSUs will continue to be made for those wanting complete system goals.
Marketing will release information for how long they will be manufactured when market feedback is complete.
if Naim can update the input circuits of the NAP250, to Statement spec (so, Balanced XLR) , then clearly, the same could be done to other NAP’s. Doesn’t have to be, but could.
I see a number of fundamental changes with the new range …
a) The use of balanced connectors
b) The “soft-switch-on” which is, I assume, to encourage users to switch things on and off and not leave things powered-up 24/7
c) The signal from the pre-amp is no longer routed through the external power supply (so what about star-earthing)?
Thanks for that, much appreciated! And the rest of your replies above. Hope we’re not taking you away from anything that might delay the release of any other New Classic kit
Don’t agree there. I prefer olive SUPERCAP to SUPERCAP 2. I prefer NAC 52 to 252. I prefer 135 to nap300 to name a few.
New design and new circuit technology doesn’t always produce a better audible result. What I do think this generation will achieve is streamlining the products- As there were some people who didn’t like the box count. For purists the older lineup was perhaps more suitable.
@110dB could you please clarify where in the Naim power supply heirachy the new power supply fits compared to the XPS DR and the 555 Ps for the NDX2. Thanks.