Question Pairing question: Focal & Atom ?

[Lewisman]

Hi there, I’ve just pulled the trigger on a pair of Focal Aria 926’s. My intention was then to pick-up an immaculate second hand Naim Superuniti. But I can’t help being distracted by the Naim Uniti Atom. Is the Atom sufficient with the 926’s, or is it undergunned for them ?

I won’t get a chance to demo them together any time soon, so opinions would be welcomed.

 

[spinaltap]

This past weekend, I demoed an Atom at Sevenoaks playing through a pair of expensive B&W floorstanders.

The Atom was very loud at the 30db setting.

 

[Mark.Yudkin]

The 40W Naim Uniti Atom will be sufficient for normal domestic listening levels, but may run out of steam if you're trying to run a disco. In that event you could always upgrade the system with one of the Naim NAP power amplifier.

That said, I would still recommend auditioning the pairing.

 

[spinaltap]

I was advised that the Atom can only offer AV pass through, even though it has ‘pre out’.

To add power amplification, requires the Star or Nova.

 

[Mark.Yudkin]

I was advised that the Atom can only offer AV pass through, even though it has ‘pre out’.

To add power amplification, requires the Star or Nova.

The original product page (Uniti Atom) says otherwise:

Upgradeable Performance

In true Naim style, the new Uniti Atom can be upgraded with one of our external power amplifiers, such as the compact NAP 100.

 

[spinaltap]

Used with an Atom, the NAP 100 will take over amplification duties - while the Atom acts as pre-amplifier. Since the NAP-100 outputs 50 watts per channel vs the Atom's 40 watts per channel, it's a wasted upgrade.

 

[Lewisman]

Thanks for the feedback all. I think I’m going to stick with my original plan, to try and pick up a second hand Superuniti.

 

[spinaltap]

Alternatively, some dealers - such as Audio Affair - offer 12 months 0% interest finance.

 

[Mark.Yudkin]

Used with an Atom, the NAP 100 will take over amplification duties - while the Atom acts as pre-amplifier. Since the NAP-100 outputs 50 watts per channel vs the Atom's 40 watts per channel, it's a wasted upgrade.

I agree that it's not a significant upgrade. I quoted the original Naim statement to respond to the comment that it was not possible to attach a power amplifier to the Atom.

 

[spinaltap]

Naim’s statement is ambiguous.

 

[Southern soul]

I was advised that the Atom can only offer AV pass through, even though it has ‘pre out’.

To add power amplification, requires the Star or Nova.

that's incorrect, i have been using a Leema power amplifier with the Atom for ages.

 

[spinaltap]

So, are you claiming that you are using your Leema power-amplifier via the Atom’s ‘pre-out’, thereby bypassing the Atom’s internal amplification,

Or, are you claiming that you are utilising your Leema power amplifier in tandem with the Atom’s internal amplification (bi-ampling).

My understanding is that you can’t achieve the latter.

 

[Mark.Yudkin]

From a technical viewpoint you can biamp with the Atom and an external amplifier - meaning you will get speaker level signals from both devices simultaneously. This is also clearly stated on the Main Atom's home page. I have seen no dissenting indication other than your comment..

Whether bi-amping with the Atom and a Leema is a good idea is a different question.