The new Uniti Star Lite is Naim's latest addition to its acclaimed range of all-in-one streaming amplifiers. The most notable change from the discontinued Uniti Star is that Naim have removed the in-built CD player, which frees up valuable internal space so that the engineering team can do more in the name of sonic improvement.
On the connectivity front, the Lite is well furnished with options, with RCA and DIN analogue inputs, and a raft of different digital connectors, including optical, coaxial, ethernet and wireless. It also supports all the usual suspects on the streaming front, including Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify, Apple AirPlay, internet radio, and it's Roon compatible, too. You can also connect external storage via the USB port, and it will also stream directly from any network attached storage options on your network.
As well as being able to stream using options like Tidal/Qobuz Connect, you also get full control of the setup via the dedicated Naim and Focal App, available for both iOS and Android devices. Here, you can control all the aforementioned streaming options, as well as the internet radio and local storage management. A lot of HiFi companies who try to build their own dedicated apps have struggled (building usable software is very different to building a great sounding amplifier, after all), but Naim have done a really impressive job in making an app that's intuitive and easy to use.
The Uniti Star Lite is a lot of fun to listen to. There's a real sense of character here, as though it's channelling the vibe of Soul Bossa Nova by Quincy Jones. Tonally, it walks a great balance between being lively and exciting without ever letting the punchiness get to the point where it starts to be fatiguing.
Having had the chance to listen to the Uniti Star Lite driving a few different sets of speakers, a few really great pairings from our in store demonstration catalogue jump out:
Neat Mystique Classic. With such a compact form factor to the Uniti Star Light, it seems quite appropriate to include a loudspeaker that presents a similarly compact format in the room. Where the Petite Classic shines, is that it's small stature doesn't translate to a small sound, with plenty of great low-end extension.
ProAc Response D2R. For something slightly more restrained, the D2R bookshelf loudspeakers also marry up nicely. ProAc have long focussed on a sense of fun that makes them a natural pairing with Naim, and these are no exception. For those who want a slightly less elevated top end, they are also available with a silk dome tweeter as an alternative to the ribbon.
ATC SCM40. As a studio monitor, pitching any ATC as being a great partner to something like a Naim might seem an unusual choice, but there's method to the madness. The SCM40 does a phenomenal job or presenting scale and slam, and as an accurate monitor, actually still conveys a lot of the character that the Uniti Star Lite brings to the party.
To book your demonstration of the Naim Uniti Star Lite, contact the shop on 01925 828 009, email sales@dougbradyhifi.com or book online here.