Naim Audio Uniti Atom Headphone Amplifier

Description

Naim Audio Uniti Atom Headphone Amplifier

The Naim Audio Uniti Atom Headphone Amplifier is the headphone-optimised version of the multi-award-wining Uniti Atom.

It also features Balanced 4-pin XLR and 4.4mm (Pentaconn) outputs; 6.3mm output, plus is compatible with an array of headphones – we suggest Focal as the perfect partner. Offering yet more flexibility, you can keep up to three headphones plugged in and switch sets depending on what you’re listening to and when.

Stream your own digital music library, favourite radio stations and podcasts, and music from Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal and Qobuz through your headphones without life disturbing you. Also wirelessly stream direct from all your devices via Apple AirPlay 2 and Chromecast built-in, plus connect other sources, from turntables to USB drives. Explore and curate all these choices via the Naim App.

For when you want to listen out loud, it also excels as a compact streaming pre-amplifier. Just add active speakers, or a power amplifier and speakers – for an instant system.

Reviews

• Uniti Atom Headphone Edition | Hi-Fi News | Review, Jul 2021 – “sounds magnificent across a range of musical styles and partnering headphones, combining fine detail, power and control.”
• Uniti Atom Headphone Edition | Hi-Fi Critic | Review, Jun 2021 – “Whatever you choose to play through it, the Uniti Atom Headphone Edition never ceases to delight”
• “It’s an immaculately engineered, polished product” – Stereophile
• “Excellent sound quality for a wide variety of headphones”- www.hometheatrehifi.com
• “It’s a sort of hi-fi Swiss Army knife – superbly made, compact, versatile and highly effective at its intended job.” – stereonet
• “It introduces a whole new level of functionality in music streaming.” – audioholics
• “The Naim Uniti Atom Headphone Edition is the first device that’s come along that has genuinely made me believe that the ‘future is here’ when it comes to how we can enjoy listening to headphones.” – headphonia

FAQ’s

1. What’s the primary difference between the Atom Headphone Edition and the Atom HDMI version?
   The Uniti Atom Headphone Edition (HE) replaces the standard Atom’s speaker outputs with dedicated headphone amplification and balanced headphone outputs, making it a specialist headphone-centric streamer/preamp. The Uniti Atom with HDMI keeps the built-in amplifier and HDMI ARC input so it can directly drive speakers and accept TV audio.
2. Do they both include HDMI input for TV audio?
   No, the standard Atom HDMI version includes HDMI ARC, which lets you connect a TV for audio playback with convenient control. The Atom HE drops HDMI ARC to focus on headphone/line-level performance instead.
3. How do their headphone sections differ?
   The Atom HE offers enhanced headphone amplification with multiple outputs, including balanced 4-pin XLR and 4.4 mm Pentaconn plus a 6.35 mm jack, and a discrete amp design for higher current and lower noise. The standard Atom only has a basic 3.5 mm headphone jack not optimized for high-end cans.
4. Can both models be used with speakers?
   Yes, but in different ways: the Atom HDMI version includes a built-in 40 Wpc amplifier to directly power passive speakers, while the HE can be used as a preamp/streamer feeding active speakers or a separate power amp rather than driving speakers on its own.
5. Do they share the same streaming and DAC capabilities?
   Yes, both versions use the same Uniti streaming platform and DAC performance, supporting network streaming (AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Qobuz, TIDAL, etc.) and high-resolution playback. The core streamer and digital section remain nearly identical, so source flexibility is equal.

Quick summary:

• Uniti Atom Headphone Edition (HE) – best for headphone listening and use as a streaming preamp, with no HDMI ARC and no internal speaker amp.
• Uniti Atom with HDMI –  best when you want an all-in-one streamer with speaker-drive power and TV audio via HDMI ARC.

Features

Enjoy all this, and more

• Chromecast built-in
• AirPlay
• TIDAL
• Spotify® Connect
• Bluetooth (aptX HD)
• Internet Radio™
• UPnP™ (Universal Plug ‘n’ Play)
• Digital Input (S/PDIF)
• Analogue Output
• Headphones
• Storage
• Multiroom
• File Formats
• Wireless Updates
• Roon Ready
• Qobuz
• TIDAL Connect

Easy App control – in one room or many

The Naim App – available for Apple and Android devices – makes it simple to control your Uniti Atom Headphone Edition, and even link up other music systems around your home into a stunning multi-room set-up.

Use the App to access all your music, including your favourite radio stations, streaming services and playlists, and explore artist discographies and biographies.

Uniti Atom Headphone Edition works seamlessly with other Naim streaming products, including Mu-so systems. Choose the same song in beat-perfect sync or play different music in different rooms. You can also pair Uniti Atom Headphone Edition with other AirPlay 2-compatible wireless speakers via the Apple Home app, or with other Chromecast built-in devices via the Google Home app.

Suggested Matches

1. Radiance
2. Focal Utopia
3. Focal Stellia
4. Focal Clear Mg
5. Focal Celeste

Specifications

Dimensions and Weight

• 95 mm x 245 mm x 265 mm (H x W x D)
• 7 kg

Connectivity

• Network: Ethernet (10/100Mbps)
• WiFi (802.11 b/g/n/ac with internal antennae)
• Multiroom: Sync up to five Naim Streaming products and control via the Naim App.

Audio Inputs

• Digital: 2x Optical S/PDIF up to 96kHz, Coaxial RCA (up to 24bit/192kHz, DoP 64Fs)
• Analogue: 1 x Stereo RCA pair
• USB: 2x USB 2.0 (Type A connector)
• Streaming: Apple AirPlay 2, Chromecast Built-in, UPnPTM, Spotify® Connect, TIDAL, Roon Ready, Bluetooth, Internet Radio, Qobuz

Audio Outputs

• Balanced XLR Preamp output
• RCA Preamp output

Headphone Outputs

• 4.4mm Pentaconn (balanced) 4 pin XLR (balanced) 6.35mm (¼ inch) jack (unbalanced)
• 1.5W RMS per channel into 16ohms
• Suitable for headphones from 16ohms and upwards

Specifications

• Supplied with: Document pack, cleaning cloth, remote, AAA batteries and power lead.

Power

• Power Consumption Typical use: 17W
• Network Standby mode: No-network Standby mode: Auto Standby time User selectable: adjustable from off up to 2 hour
• Mains Supply: 115V, 230V; 50 or 60Hz