Integrated Amplifiers

The term ‘game-changing’ is widely overused, but it’s fully justified in the case of Naim’s original Naim Uniti. Launched in 2009, it was in the vanguard of CD/streaming/amplifier products, a concept now more widely adopted in the past decade and a half. And in the 15 years since the original Naim Uniti appeared, the company has continuously developed the technology inside the series, not to mention spinning it off into component network players and its Mu-so network speaker systems.

The current generation of Uniti models are built around Naim’s latest NP800 streaming platform, which promises wider futureproofing. It appeared in 2017 in the Uniti Atom, Star and Nova [HFN Nov ’17], plus the Core server, and in recent times has started to spawn special editions. First was the Atom Headphone Edition [HFN Aug ’21] selling for the same £2299 as the original Atom. This derivative had its power amplifier removed and was reconfigured as a high-quality headphone source with onboard streaming capability.

Watts up

Now comes the latest iteration, the Uniti Nova Power Edition. As the name suggests, this is the flagship Nova model upgraded with a more powerful output section, resulting in a claimed amplification of 150W/8ohm and 250W/4ohm against the Nova’s rated 80W/8ohm [see PM's Lab Report]. It’s gained in other areas, too, standing a full 20mm taller, weighing 1.5kg more and – perhaps most significantly – costing rather more. Specifically, the standard Nova continues in the Uniti range at £4399, while this beefed-up version will set you back £8599.

The hefty increase in power comes courtesy of Naim’s adoption of Class D amplification technology, something it’s already used in its Mu-so devices and audio systems for Bentley Motors. Bear in mind that the original ‘80W’ Uniti Nova’s specified output is equalled or bettered by the likes of the Audiolab Omnia, Cambridge Audio Evo 150 [HFN Nov ’21] and NAD C 700 [HFN Feb ’22], all of which sell for considerably less. In practice, Naim’s power ratings are usually quite conservative so even the baby Uniti Atom will drive far larger and more challenging loudspeakers than it has any right to.

Above: Over-sized mains transformer [left] feeds linear PSUs for all stages, including the SHARC DSP [centre], streaming board [black, lower right] and ADC/DAC board [right]. Purifi-based Class D amplifier is on lower PCB [top] while a small switchmode PSU serves standby

This established, is the extra power in this ‘Power Edition’ mere overkill? After all, no-one’s going to buy a still-quite-slender one-box streamer/amplifier system to drive massive, power-hungry speakers, are they? Well, in the case of the Power Edition you can do so... Like T+A’s R 2500 R integrated amp [HFN Oct ’24], the Uniti Nova PE has that sense of control, massive reserves of energy and total unflappability, however loud you decide to play it. And before the ‘hell in a handcart’ devotees of the older Naim products raise their pitchforks and flaming torches, the company has clearly done a fine job of integrating Class D efficiency into its existing circuit designs, given how impressive the Uniti Nova PE sounds.

Hands-on control

For those not familiar with the standard (and almost identical-looking) Uniti Nova, you’ll find all its capabilities carried over into this new version. That means this is effectively a streaming amplifier, controlled via a combination of illuminated buttons beside its big, bright display and the slick rotary on the top-plate. This large dial handles volume control and more, just as it does on the company’s Statement preamplifier [HFN Jun ’15] and Mu-so units, and is now echoed, albeit in a more conventional front-panel location, on the latest ‘New Classics’ separates from the Salisbury factory.

There’s also a classy Zigbee remote handset, operating using RF rather than the more common IR, so it doesn’t require line of sight to the Nova to function. Alternatively, the Naim control app [see boxout] offers the most flexible and appealing modus operandi for this and other Naim products.

Let it rip

In addition to Ethernet and onboard Wi-Fi, the Nova PE’s conventional digital inputs run to two optical, one coaxial and one BNC, plus HDMI with eARC for TV sound. There are also two USB-A ports – one front, one to the rear – for the connection of storage devices or even a suitable CD drive. Thus equipped, Naim’s amp can also rip to connected USB or network storage, and it can also serve music from a USB drive to other players on your network.

Analogue inputs are also provided on the Nova PE, although these are routed via an ADC, while the connectivity suggests this unit is based on ‘old Naim’ rather than ‘New Classic’ thinking. There are two pairs of RCAs and two five-pin DIN sockets for the inputs, and one pair of RCAs and a four-pin DIN preamp output to service an external power amplifier or an active subwoofer. Finally, a 3.5mm headphone socket is provided on the front panel.

Super Nova
The performance available here should please the audiophile old guard as much as it does the ‘lifestyle’ brigade wanting a sleek, simple but serious way of driving a big pair of speakers. Naim says that the Nova PE was ‘tuned with Sopra speakers from Focal, and up to Scala Utopia [HFN Aug ’17]’, but the appeal here is much wider than merely to those who’ve bought into the ‘Focal powered by Naim’ concept via a boutique outlet store.

As already mentioned, the original Nova was no slouch, but the added poke of the PE version gives it even greater strength in depth, whether you simply want to play music in large spaces at high levels, or appreciate your favourites being delivered with entirely effortless dynamics. Above all, the Nova PE sounds the most Naim-like of the current generation Uniti models. Loading up L.A. Times, the latest release from Travis – the Deluxe Edition of which [BMG 964028732] comes complete with a second set of ‘stripped’ versions of the tracks – shows just how well this new PE model communicates the music. Here it locks into the Californian vibe of Fran Healy’s latest set of songs from his adopted home and draws the listener in with its way with a catchy rhythm or chorus, and the sheer vitality of the performances.

Above: Wireless [inside] and wired Ethernet ports are joined by HDMI, USB-A, three coax, two optical and four pairs of analogue ins (two on RCAs and two on 5-pin DINs). Preamp outs are offered on RCAs and a 4-pin DIN, with speaker outs on 4mm sockets

Changing pace to the lyrical set of Chamber Music By James Joyce, performed by the Choral Scholars of University College Dublin on Signum [SIGCD864, 96kHz/24-bit download], and the texturing of the voices against the dreamy accompaniment of the Solstice Ensemble was handled with warmth and body, but no shortage of detail and ambience. The same abilities also served well the recent Alpha release of Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem by Le Concert Spirituel [ALPHA1014], from the opening brass chords to the suitably ethereal ‘In Paradisum’ closing the work. It’s not just the way Naim’s Uniti Nova Power Edition delivers these moments of high dynamics, such as in the ‘Libera Me’, but also the shaping and character of the performances, and the sense of that angelic choir always hovering in the background.

Fly me to the moon

You can crank the opening drums of the title track from Fleetwood Mac’s Tusk [Deluxe Edition, Warner/Rhino 96kHz/24-bit download] as loud as you wish, and the Nova PE is completely unfazed: the rhythm pounds, the bass grumbles away, and the fuzzed guitars underpin the vocals. This album may be seen as the rather odd poor relation to the celebrated Rumours but clearly has much to give, this amplifier revealing the sheer musicianship going on behind the madness.

The seductive rhythms of the ‘25th Anniversary Explorer Edition’ of Air’s Moon Safari [Parlophone 5054197906770] semi-conceal so much going on within the dense mixes, but not with the Nova PE in harness. Instead, every element, from those chattering, swirling synths to the multiple layers of percussion, was revealed, adding to the charm and Gallic bonkersness of the whole enterprise. And if you think I’m going to make a joke about the Nova PE sounding especially impressive with this French music...

Above: The illuminated keys on Naim’s RF ‘Zigbee’ remote allow full access to its menu and features, even in low-light conditions

Thing is, the Nova PE impresses with just about every kind of music, from thundering rock and orchestral recordings to the stripped-down instrumentation of a set like the Bill Charlap Trio’s recently released And Then Again [Blue Note 00602465324662]. You couldn’t get much more old school than Charlap on dextrous and gimmick-free piano, backed by the restrained drums of Kenny Washington and Peter Washington’s thoughtful bass, but the effect here is intricate, intimate and entirely enchanting via Naim’s new amp. Warm yet sprightly, and with not a note of Charlap’s often playful pianism overlooked, there’s bags of live atmosphere, and that all-important sense of performance.

Ideal companion

The Nova PE wasn’t even slightly unsettled by the recent BBC SO/Dalia Stasevfska release, Dalia’s Mixtape [Platoon DALIA01], which opens with a pounding reading of Anna Meredith’s ‘Nautilus’ and includes Judith Weir’s gorgeous ‘Still, Glowing’. This set is a fine way to explore some unfamiliar music as well as the sounds possible from a full orchestra which, via the Nova PE, were at turns rich, powerful and wonderfully detailed.

Indeed, Naim’s beefed-up streaming amp really is the ideal companion for such explorations. Just listen to the explosive opening of Caroline Shaw’s ‘The Observatory’ in the hands of the BBC players, via the Nova PE into some suitably accomplished speakers, and be prepared for your jaw to drop.

Hi-Fi News Verdict

Anyone labouring under the misapprehension that all-in-one streaming amplifiers are best left to those in search of lifestyle appeal, or that the ‘Naim sound’ is best suited to rock, blues or jazz, needs to think again. The Uniti Nova PE combines convenience with decidedly high-end speaker-driving and listener-thrilling capability, and more than justifies its place on the audiophile’s ‘must listen’ shopping list.

Sound Quality: 87%