Good questions and thoughts indeed. The more I think about it, the less a 100 separates series makes sense in my mind. Some scattered thoughts:
The lower in range we go, the higher the integration of functions in a box is. So it becomes counter-intuitive to have separates at 100-level, then integrated source-pre at 200-level, then separates again at 300-level.
It was mentioned by NAIM that NPX-300 will be compatible with all full-width products that can benefit of a power supply upgrade
There is ALREADY a Naim 100 series! (CI-Uniti)
I could envisage a shoebox 100-series consisting of a streamer and a NAIT, but they would not be power-supply upgradeable. However, see next point:
The ND5XS2-NAIT XS3 combo is at a similar price to the Uniti Nova. So I don’t see a lot of motivation from Naim to have something competing internally pricewise.
So what seems logical to me as next steps to complete the range are the following:
Updated Uniti range with the new streaming card which enables room correction facilities.
Pre-amp out in the Unitis to enable a power amp upgrade as a stepping stone towards separates. Then Uniti becomes the entry point enabling future updates.
A NAIT 202 to replace Supernait. It should have pre-amp output for connection to power amp, and the pre-amp part should be upgradeable by an NPX300. Visually identical to NAC332, so the OH doesn’t notice the upgrade when it happens . The challenge here is that the combo NSS333-NAIT202 will be competing price-wise with the NSC222-NAP250.
(nice-to-have) Some commitment from NAIM that the streaming board on NSC222 will be upgradeable, thus making the product future-proof and negating any worries that many of us could have for investing a lot of money in a product with an unavoidable expiry-date (even if that is 10-20 years out).
New 500-series with the new design. NAC552 and NSS555 with suspended internals and without an internal power supply. They should be compatible with the NPX300, but obviously work best with the NPX500.
NSS-S1 streamer to complete the Statement range.
That’s still sticking to old-school thinking though. Probably the future comes by thinking outside the box. For example, entry level Focal speakers powered by Naim amplification. To be combined with a Uniti range which includes balanced pre-amp outs. The know-how is there following the Diva speakers.
As an XS series owner, the thing that I think that is being lost is the upgrade route to the ‘big boy’ stuff, 282/HC/250 etc. But then, with the exception of the 500 series, that has gone too!
I’m guessing that the people who once bought XS gear are now buying from other makers. It’s possible that Naim have decided that it is not a market that they want to compete in anymore.
It’s the end of the line, which started in the mid nineties with the Slimline range, and ended thirty years later, in different times. As I more or less said, near the beginning of the thread, the only constancy is change.
Lifestyle systems are where it’s at so I agree with the Uniti range being upgraded. They do already have a preamp out so the power amp addition already exists, I use my atom with a Nait 50. I can’t see a market for the XS line any more and I’m sure Naim have enough evidence to back their decision up. I would however like to see a shoebox sized streamer to compliment the Nait 50 and I’m happy enough with the Atom until some announcement is made.
All network capable Naim streamers use the same StreamUnlimited board I believe. So any potential upgradability could apply to any/all of them. I think it unlikely to happen though unless something significant changes on the network side outside of Naim’s control that forces their hand. Supposedly the board is software upgradable, but of course ther are limits.
Good point (I hadn’t paid attention to that), and it’s even a DIN output on Nova. The next get would have to move to balanced connections though.
2nd Gen OC and NC streamers use the NP800 board which is based on the StreamUnlimited Stream800 module. The CI-Uniti and Focal Diva ranges use the latest StreamUnlimited Stream1955 module. Their connections are physically different, which would mean a re-engineering of the streaming card would be necessary. Pretty unlikely to happen, but not impossible if it is decided to do so, especially for the NC streamers.
Just saw the news haven’t been on here much, just read through the entire thread. Wasn’t surprised considering all the other older products being discontinued. I love my nd5 xs2 with ndac it definitely punches above its weight. I do hope we get something between the uniti’s and the 200 series but we will see. I just want naim to continue doing well so that in 15 or so years I can get everything serviced .
I suppose the main features which would be of interest for stereo reproduction is the room correction (included in the Focal Diva) and/or the speaker EQ settings (included in the CI-Uniti).
Exactly, there’s only so many ways you’d need to decode 2 channel audio. The streaming providers security and authentication requirements change over time and newer Wi-Fi standards could provide benefits but not mandatory. If something works, is stable and reliable, that’s often preferable to being new and shiny.
So is the room correction in the CI a function of the SU 1995 board or software which Naim have written, which may run on the SU hardware or on some other hardware that Naim have built/added?
Actually that might also be related to the new SHARC 21563 DSP which is included in the CI-Uniti. It’s not “room correction” per se, rather quite advanced EQ. Some interesting info here:
Focal Diva claims to use a patented ADAPT room correction algorithm. Not sure on which hardware that is implemented.
I see you are making some coherent suggestions re what’s next.
In case you (and maybe others) have not already seen some of my previous postings on other threads, the following links (which also have some back link references), may be of interest.
The Nait XS3 was delivered yesterday. Just installed it and it is now warming up and playing. First impressions are very good.
I also found a down-side. My Nait 5si had a bit of a problem playing at very low volumes: The balance between right and left would be a bit wrong. The issue is a bit bigger on the Nait XS3.
Anyway, letting it warm up and see how it evolves.
I’m left with a mental image of old time Naimers shuffling down to the post office to collect their pensions, entirely happy with their OC gear but marvelling at the wonder of wireless speakers and room-corrective Naims that they will never know, and have managed without for so long! Ouch!!
Thank you for sharing. I had missed these posts (maybe better to keep them on a separate thread?). Good to see a first-hand report of the CI-Uniti in the forum.
Chapeau for your patience and attention to all these details. I’ve spent a lot of time with REW in the past, but I am starting to feel a bit too old for that .
If Naim can convince the hardcore audiophiles to use room correction with no downsides, it will be a big achievement. Let’s not forget that they first investigated its inclusion in NAC-n 272, but weren’t satisfied with the impact on sound quality. Maybe the time (and processing power) has now come?
My pension age is still very far away, but I’m quite happy to remain without wireless speakers and room correction!
For my music system that is, watching a movie the other night via our Apple TV with sound via my new Airpods Pro 3s the sound effect was quite amazing I thought.
There’s classic and modern experiences and there’s a time and place for both IMO.
I think the Nova is very similar internally to both ND5XS2 and NAITXS3 , with CD no longer being an option in , both the ND5XS and XS3 are competing against Naim’s other product.
I think that makes a lot of sense . I caught myself thinking about an Atom HE coupled with active Harbeth speakers recently
. The challenge here is that the combo NSS333-NAIT202 will be competing price-wise with the NSC222-NAP250.
Ouch!!
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