I’d speculate it’ll be a refresh of the current Uniti range, which itself has existed since 2009 but offering an upgrade rung akin to what was offered via the XS and Nait products.
The Core has gone already and the Star was always the least loved child of the family, most folks either settled on an Atom (myself included) or plumped for a Nova, often itself acting as a step towards a NAC/NAP system evolution.
What I’m challenged in rationalising is the PSU and NAP offering below the current 200 Series products and if the market appetite exists to develop for that segment. The NPX 300 and current NAP 250 seem misaligned with what a lower tier product range refresh might require. Perhaps a NAP 100 and NPX 100 meet that need but it felt like Naim were keen to simplify both the NAP and PSU offerings when the 200 and later 300 Series ranges were announced. You could still build a Nova v2 with Balanced Pre outputs and Burndy for NPX and NAP of course and there’s still a gap for a new Core music server and potential for a New Classic Ethernet/Optical switch, both done well surely would be well received and sell well and be appropriate across the entire portfolio up to Statement level systems.
A new Atom that combined the benefits of both existing models and still allow for balanced pre outputs and improved headphone support as available in the Atom HE whilst preserving a similar form factor and New Classic industrial Design.
Then you have amplification stage options to explore with integrated amps delivered as Class D and external options based on Class A/B including the NAP 250 as upgrade possibilities.
Interesting times and Naim have the expertise and potential to do something interesting and appealing here, there’s some obvious gaps in the portfolio ranging to explore for them right now.
I seem to remember at least in the UK, Japanese HiFi often came with lots more controls, and often VU meters. Many preferred the more minimalist trend that British Hi Fi followed and the meme was that all these flashy controls interfered with the sound. If it did or not, I have not got a clue. A bit like the cable disputes today.
I had an Akai tape deck, and the tape heads wore out very quickly.
The record companies have got very greedy with this format. The best sounding format, in my opinion is also the cheapest. I really like Wav digital downloads. The only drawback is that you do not get any info about the album, except in rare cases, where a PDF is included.
I hate all the clicks and pops you get with vinyl, and a digital file does not wear out after repeated listens. I have CD’s that are knocking on for 40 years, and they are still perfect.
That there was criticism is certainly true. 100% no doubt about it. When I was in the trade even in the 90s it was all trash talk of Japanese hifi crap; UK hifi good etc. I know pretty well because I was one of those staff members on the shop floor trash talking anything that wasn’t designed and made in the UK - as I was trained to do.
But it was really apples and oranges. When the comparisons were made it was with things like naff low cost amps as part of a Sony stack system in Dixons or Curry’s against a sleek Arcam or something with few buttons and no flashing lights that cost 4 times more . The actual Yamaha and Denon amps at the same price points as the Arcams and entry level Naims were totally different but most dealers weren’t stocking them.
The irony being that at the really low end mass market stuff that was derided, we did have some British brands. Bush, Alba etc. And they were terrible. They were the stuff you bought if you couldn’t afford a Sony stack system. That would have been a fairer comparison.
You mentioned Akai tape decks. Which is interesting because they had a large range and the higher end stuff was serious sort of Nakamichi level gear. Another very respected Japanese brand of yesteryear.
We don’t know what Naim’s strategic plan is for their ‘mid tier’ product range, e.g. any replacement for the XS series which has evolved over many years, during which time both the demand and supply side of hifi have similarly evolved. Hires streaming for example has now become much more mainstream and approachable than a decade ago. Qobuz in particular has transformed my own listening habits, and I love the ease of new music discovery. The hardware that supports listener’s changing trends must evolve to embrace them.
I’m about to move onwards and upwards from the XS range, but I’m struggling to justify the significant investment required for a 222/300/250 setup. If Naim don’t reenter the market with a new / replacement line of product that slots in between the Uniti and NC boxes then demand for XS, SN3, NDX2 etc on the used market can only increase, supporting residual values in the process. Only time will tell? With XS gone there’s a yawning chasm in the investment differential between the all-in-one boxes and the NC seperate box, upgradeable systems.
For me, there are only 2 products really needed. A half width NAP 100 (to pair with either the Atom or Atom HE) and a new SN3 (to pair with an NSS333 in a 2 box source first type system). In that way you could allow entry into the Uniti’s with an upgrade path (NAP 100 for the Atoms and NAP250 for the Nova and Star) or stepping stone into the 300 series separates via the new SN3. If as good as the previous one the new SN3 may also find homes in non-Naim systems as well thus boosting sales and potentially acting as an entry point into the world of Naim.
And perhaps if Naim thought there was a market an NSS100 (powered from the NAP100 to simplify safety assessment and CE marking requirements) with the phono stage from the NSS222.
Even if they are, my assumption is that Naim know their business better than their customers.
The XS range was right in 2009. In 2025, it’s not.
To repeat a comment that in the past has mostly been appreciated by the likes of @dave-marshall and @TimOopNorth , my family is from West Yorkshire and ‘You’ll have what you’re given, and like it’!
OTOH, if you go out looking for a really good quality amp/streamer/whatever at the price points that Naim have either nothing or only all-in-ones, you will find them. If they don’t have a Naim badge on them that doesn’t really hurt the consumer or the dealer. They make a sale. We can find something that we want. A person could even be tempted away to form new brand loyalties if they have a positive experience.
