British hi-fi specialist, Naim Audio has launched Uniti Atom Headphone Edition – a headphone-optimized version of its multiple-award-winning Uniti Atom music streaming system, designed to be the ultimate solo listening source. Unlike traditional headphone amplifiers and DACs, which require a separate computer or streaming device, Uniti Atom Headphone Edition is a fully formed music-streaming system: just add headphones.

Uniti Atom Headphone Edition is fully re-engineered to offer the optimal personal listening performance. Using trickle-down technology from its flagship Statement amplifier, Naim has engineered a new discrete headphone amplifier, capable of powering even the most premium headphones – such as Focal Utopia – with ease. [1]

Figure 1. The Naim Uniti Atom Headphone Edition

Figure 1 shows 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. [3]

Features:

As with the increasing number of streaming systems on the market, the idea behind Naim’s Uniti systems is to offer a whole host of network streaming from one box, plus aptX HD Bluetooth and physical inputs (two optical, two USB, one coaxial) to cater for external sources. And this Uniti Atom is as impressively equipped for its purpose as the rest.

The Naim app is a useful gateway to Qobuz and Tidal music services as well as internet radio stations. It’s also where, thanks to the Atom’s UPnP support, you can browse and playback music up to 32-bit/384kHz stored on servers on your network.

Google Chromecast compatibility isn’t just an alternative method of accessing music services directly from their native apps, it also expands service support to the likes of Spotify (there’s also Spotify Connect), Apple Music, Deezer and TuneIn Radio. Apple AirPlay 2 offers seamless streaming from iOS devices, while Roon Ready status means it can be controlled within the popular multi-room music management platform.

Testing the Uniti Atom Headphone Edition seems like the ideal opportunity to pluck some of our favourite headphones off the shelf. After unboxing the Naim, we plug in the Focal Stellia, Beyerdynamic T1 (3rd Gen) and open-back Grado SR325x over-ears into the unit’s front-panel 6.3mm socket. During testing, we also try out the Focal Clear Mg and Sennheiser IE900 earbuds in the Atom’s rear-panel balanced XLR and front-panel 4.4mm Pentacon connections respectively. [2]

References:

1. Naim Launches Uniti Atom Headphone Edition - Part-Time Audiophile (parttimeaudiophile.com)
2. Naim Uniti Atom Headphone Edition review | What Hi-Fi? (whathifi.com)
3. Uniti Atom Headphone Edition | Naim Audio

Cite this article:

Thanusri swetha J (2021), The Naim Uniti Atom Headphone Edition, pp. 13