The Naim Audio Uniti Star is a compact, high-quality "all-in-one" CD player/amplifier. The Uniti Star is also a multi-source music player connected with almost endless features.
NAIM AUDIO UNITI STAR: CASE
The case immediately brings to mind the flagship product of the Salisbury manufacturer, the "Statement."
The craftsmanship is remarkable, both in design and in the choice of materials used.
NAIM AUDIO UNITI STAR: REAR PANEL
The connections at the back of the device are simple but complete!
There are 3 digital inputs (2 coaxial, 2 optical, 1 BNC). These allow connections to an HD TV, a Blu-ray player, or a CD player.
The Uniti Star also offers a stereo analog input for connecting a turntable (via a phono preamp) and a DIN 5Br input. Additionally, there is a Pre-Out output for connecting a power amplifier or a subwoofer.
Two USB Type-A connectors allow you to plug in a USB stick or an external hard drive. This USB device can store and play up to 20,000 tracks!
The speaker connections only accept banana plugs.
NAIM AUDIO UNITI STAR: FEATURES
It integrates a 70-watt Class AB audiophile amplifier capable of driving most Hi-Fi speakers with a sensitivity above 88 dB. The technology used is similar to that of the British manufacturer's Nait amplifiers.
The Research & Development team has shown ingenuity to optimize the quality of this Uniti Star. Inside, there is a generous toroidal transformer ensuring the power supply is always smooth and stable. A complex, hand-wired circuit contains the analog and digital circuits. It incorporates a 4th generation 40-bit Sharp DSP, which, in addition to being powerful, is very precise.
This DSP is paired with Naim's proprietary software, which minimizes the inherent streaming error rate (jitter).
It is possible to connect four networked players for a multi-channel system. Wireless connectivity is provided by a WiFi controller and an apt-X compatible Bluetooth receiver. The streaming protocols are numerous: AirPlay, DLNA, Google Cast Audio, and Spotify Connect! The supported file formats are just as extensive: WAV, FLAC, DSD, ALAC, AIFF, AAC, WMA, OGG, MP3!
NAIM AUDIO UNITI STAR: USAGE
The Uniti Star player features a 5-inch glass color LCD screen with a proximity sensor that lights up the screen when you approach the device.
This all-in-one also comes with an intelligent bi-directional remote control that works in perfect harmony with the device.
However, it can also be controlled via a tablet or smartphone using the new intuitive Naim app. This allows easy control of one or more products in the Uniti range. You can access all your music, including favorite radio stations, playlists, and streaming services, or explore artist biographies and discographies.
You can also update your system via wireless connection. The app allows you to control both the hard disk servers and the Naim streaming products, avoiding the need to manage two separate apps.
NAIM AUDIO UNITI STAR: TEST AND LISTENING
The performance is commensurate with the effort put into its development.
It offers the clarity, readability, and dynamics dear to the brand. The tempo and rhythm are perfectly maintained, featuring the characteristic "Foot Tapping" of the Salisbury brand. This Naim Uniti Star is very impressive in its definition and tonal accuracy. The presence and realism of voices or instruments are superb.
The analog input, connected to a good turntable and a good phono preamp, offers great potential. The analog reproduction and texture are fully preserved.
Its high-resolution streaming capabilities provide remarkable playback quality, regardless of music genre.
The all-in-one Naim Uniti Star offers almost endless possibilities, no matter how you want to listen to your music. It does almost everything, and in the best possible way. As is often the case, Naim Audio delivers a flawless product with this Uniti Star, which is hard to find fault with and find a true competitor!
Highly recommended+++
FranckAmplifier: stereo class AB
Power: 2 x 70 W / 8 Ohms
Storage: stores up to 20,000 tracks on a USB-connected storage device
CD ripping: bit-perfect copies of CDs
Audio formats :
WAV - up to 32-bit/384 kHz
FLAC and AIFF - up to 24 bits/384kHz ALAC (Apple Lossless) - up to 24 bits/384kHz
MP3 - up to 48 kHz, 320 kbits (16 bits)
AAC - up to 48 kHz, 320 kbits (16 bits)
OGG and WMA - up to 48 kHz (16 bits) DSD - 64 and 128 fs
Internet radio: vTuner premium 5
Web radio format: Windows Media, MP3, ACC, OGG Vorbis streams and MMS
CD format: Audio CD (Red Book, CD and CD-R)
Network: Ethernet (10/100 Mbps), WiFi (802.11 b/g/n/ac with internal antennas)
Multiroom: can be connected to 4 network-connected players via UPnP™, and a total of 6 Uniti all-in-ones or with other Naim streamers
Control: Naim app for iOS and Android
Certifications: Apple AirPlay, Chromecast Built-In, Bluetooth, AptX HD, zigbee RF4CE, Rovi, HDMI, NTFS, HFS and Wi-Fi
USB inputs: 2 x USB type A sockets (front and rear)
Analog inputs: 1 x RCA, 1 x DIN 5-pin
Optical digital inputs: 2 x TOSLink (up to 24bit/96kHz)
Coaxial digital inputs: 2 x SPDIF RCA (up to 24bit/96kHz, DoP 64Fs)
BNC digital input: 1 x (up to 192kHz, DoP 64Fs)
HDMI digital input: 1 x ARC DAC: 24bit / 192kHz Texas Instrument
Network controllers: Ethernet 10/100 and WiFi
Wireless receiver: Bluetooth apt-X
Streaming protocols: AirPlay, DLNA, Google Cast Audio and Spotify Connect
Naim control app for Android and iOS, compatible with web radio and Tidal
Playback file formats: WAV, FLAC, DSD, ALAC, AIFF, AAC, WMA, OGG, MP3
Optical digital inputs: 2 x Toslink 24-bit/96 kHz
Coaxial digital inputs: 1 x S/PDIF 24-bit / 192 kHz and DSD64 DoP
USB audio inputs: 2 x type A
Analog input: 1 x RCA stereo
Analog stereo output: 1 x RCA pre-out
Headphone output: 3.5 mm
Network: RJ45
Dimensions: 432 x 95 x 265 mm
Weight: 12 kg
