I found the answer as I said its in a manual supplement available on the Naim website. The whole initial range supports Tidal, just not from launch.
While a product remains in current production, wouldn’t disagree with receiving firmware updates. Once production has ended, I have reservations about upgrades, beyond repairs and servicing.
The fundamental point is however, that Tidal is responsible for format divergence, which has had to be abandoned or reversed.
Agreed Max will likely arrive in due course, less likely in isolation, but perhaps as part of other developments.
Yes, but the point it that, as Steve’s post explains, Tidal support was shoehorned in years after the platform was developed to satisfy customer demand. It just about worked reliably for some, but not for others.
But production has by far not ended. In fact the same streaming platform was just used to release two whole new series of products recently. If support would already be ending it would be grossly problematic.
FWIW the Tidal format never changed, they were always serving FLAC in lieu of MQA. What changed is the interface to the Tidal systems, so the API that is used for communication is talking a slightly adjusted language. So that is what needs to be fixed in a firmware upgrade so that Naim streamers are aware not to ignore the high res options anymore. Previously it would get unintelligible data if attempting to consume it, now it gets a format Naim can already play. (I’m almost certainly oversimplifying the fix but it covers the gist of it).
These API changes are common on the web. The only reason any of it still worked for Tidal is cause Tidal did a good job in making their interface backwards compatible. There are best practice patterns when implementing an API to ensure that. But any older interface runs the risk of deprecation over time, so you HAVE to update to the latest to ensure continued function.
Naim never stated clearly that Tidal was limited to 16bit/44kHz in the native Naim app (or via Connect when it was enabled). Arguably they implied from day one that high-res steaming was inherently possible with the gen. 2 streamer specs: “FLAC and AIFF - up to 24bit/384kHz”.
So it’s understandable that people were confused and disappointed when Tidal went high-res-FLAC and it wasn’t supported. And then to make things worse Naim dragged their heels and communicated poorly around implementing this support.
This is especially frustrating as it emerged that 3rd party apps (mconnect) can already deliver high-res streaming on the existing hardware firmware using Tidal - even on gen. 1 devices!
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For info this is the most recent update I have seen from Naim re Tidal MAX
Tidal Max - UPDATE:
The implementation of Tidal Max into current Naim products is still on our roadmap for 2024.
This was originally planned for release around the start of the year, but due to unforeseen circumstances, we have made the decision to delay the launch until such time that it can be given our full support.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused - as soon as we have a clear date of release for Tidal Max, we will send a formal communication to our retailers and customers.
This new service from Tidal will become available on our New Platform Streamers, these are listed below:
NSS 333
NSC 222
ND 555
NDX 2
ND5 XS2
Uniti Nova
Uniti Star
Uniti Atom
Uniti Atom Headphone Edition
Mu-so and Mu-so QB 2nd Generation
…
Unfortunately, due to the limitations of the older streaming platform, this new service from Tidal will not be available on the older streamers.
The streamers that will not be updated because they are unable to run the new service from Tidal, are as follows:
NDS
NDX
ND5 XS
NAC-N 272
NAC-N 172 XS
SuperUniti
NaimUniti 1
NaimUniti 2
UnitiLite
UnitiQute 1
UnitiQute 2
Mu-so and Mu-so QB 1st Generation
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Thanks for that.
Where and when was this communicated?
This first time I’ve seen it stated so clearly. Still no timeline other 2024 but at least we see there were plans for an early release and got delayed.
It was in a post above from someone who’d had it in an email from Naim.
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I’m not fussed with the development status to be honest, just didn’t want future readers to think that the first gen streamers don’t support Tidal, when they clearly do.
I wouldn’t underestimate the work the Naim put into doing that. Tidal is fully integrated into that 1st gen platform and must’ve taken quite the investment post launch.
The original uniti does not support tidal or Spotify without the upgraded board.
Does any know when Tidal will have Hi Res (FLAC) files through the Naim app?
(I know there have been previous threads on this but I think they’re all locked?)
The thread is here.
We’re at 7 months and still waiting.
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I received that email on June 20 claiming it was supposed to be on at June 24 in Canada.
I couldn’t check it though.
Maybe Naim can do a release that includes Qobuz Connect as well. Qobuz has asked suppliers to test that functionality with them. So I see some more urge to bring a software update.
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That would be awesome
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Hi
does anyone know when the Naim app will support Tidal’s HiRes streams?
thanks a lot, Stefan
It will need firmware updates for all the Naim streamers as well as an update to both apps, so it’s a big job.
Naim haven’t said when they will be ready yet.