The Naim Atom! Proud Successor

Time flies when you’re having fun. Ten years into their existence, Naim introduced the original Nait integrated amplifier, which was about the size of a large hardcover novel, and produced about 13 watts per channel. Today they give us the Atom.

A Quick recap

The original Nait offers a built in phonostage, revered to this day and though it has relatively low power, the power supply offers tremendous reserve current, delivering wide dynamic swing. Many audiophiles still prefer the original Nait as their amplifier of choice for a pair of Quad 57s. The cost was 253 pounds, which translated into about 350 dollars in US currency. (approximately 850 dollars in 2017)

The entire Nait range has always been excellent, but Naim has kept up with the wacky world of streaming and computer audio, and on a parallel track has produced some incredible DACs as well as the stunning CD555 CD player, which was my reference for years. It’s safe to say that Naim knows how to build them well,  within a diminutive form factor without sacrificing quality.

In 2009, Naim introduced the Uniti, a full sized box, combining an integrated amplifier and CD player. Cool as this was, the UnitiQute, brought to market a year later proved the game changer, eschewing the CD transport for streaming capability – a technology then in its infancy. Once again, the Salisbury manufacturer showed its willingness to be fashion forward.

The Qute and its next iteration, the Qute 2 were fantastic, but the engineering staff at Naim never rests, bringing us to the Atom you see here. At $2,995 there is no better choice to anchor your music system if you value engineering, aesthetic and functional excellence, yet want all of this in a compact form factor.

If you’ve had a chance to experience Naim’s flagship Statement series, before the first note of music plays, you notice the sculptured heat sinks that wrap around the power amplifier and the massive, weighted and well-lit volume control. Naim has carried this functionality to the MuSo range and it has to be the best-implemented volume control in all of hifi. It powers up with a spectacular light show and glows a pale blue. It’s so enticing to use; you might never use the remote or the app. This is MOMA permanent collection stuff, and I wouldn’t be surprised if one of these Naim components gets added at some point. The same level of attention to mechanical detail present with the Statement series is lavished on the Atom, giving it a look suggesting a much higher cost.

Getting down to business

Coolness is not worth much without functionality and performance. Queuing up the last Infected Mushroom album and cranking the Focal Sopra no.3 speakers is breathtaking. Thanks to their (91.5db/1 watt) high sensitivity, the 40 watts per channel produced by the Atom is more than enough for all but those needing to blow the windows out of the house. Swapping the Sopras for my vintage Klipsch LaScalas (105db/1 watt) provided the front row concert ticket annoying a few neighbors in the process. Good as the original Nait is/was (and of course, I found a great example, thanks to Mr. O’Brien who keeps everything).

Comparing an original Nait to the Atom side by side is like comparing the original Porsche 911 to a current model; the lineage and house sound are instantly apparent, yet all the additional power and functionality of the Atom is truly welcome. And the new amplifier sounds absolutely lovely driving my current vintage Quad 2812s.

The extra power on tap with the Atom, combined with its robust power supply and discrete design makes for a level of sonic sophistication that so many of the Atom’s competitors lack, succumbing to cutting cost and using chip/op amp based designs. Whether listening to a solo vocal track or a small scale instrumental ensemble, the sheer delicacy that the Atom is capable of comes through loud and clear. When called upon to play louder, more complex music, the Atom is equally adept. Van Halen is just as enjoyable as Infected Mushroom, and in case you aren’t familiar with Naim, they are masters of capturing the pace of whatever music you enjoy.

Setup and connection is easy, thanks to three digital inputs, an analog input, wireless and an HDMI input (Available at an optional cost), so everything from your Walkman to the PS4 can use the Atom as its audio hub. With a lack of rear panel real estate, should you not use Naim’s own speaker cable, bananas are required, there are no binding posts.

Multiple personalities

The Atom substitutes the original Nait’s excellent onboard phonostage, for an incredibly capable DAC section, able to decode files from standard 16/44.1 resolution all the way up to 2x DSD. Everything at my disposal, which runs the gamut, (though most of my library is 16/44.1) is rendered superbly. One of our staffers has the two chassis Naim DAC with PS555 power supply, and again, the lineage is clearly traceable. The overall sound of the Atom is clean, crisp and dynamic, with a lifelike presentation. I have always been a fan of Naim’s digital hardware.

As our first test unit was pre release, but final production, all of the wireless and streaming functionality had not been ready to roll, but we have a new test unit on premise and will reporting back shortly with a full outline of those capabilities.

Those with a turntable will not be left out, as the Atom does have a single analog input. Using it with the new Shinola Runwell turntable, featuring an excellent on board phono preamplifier makes for a perfect match. Stepping up the game to the Audio Research PH9 and Technics SL-1200G with Kiseki Purple Heart underlines just how good this little amplifier performs. It is not out of character, even though this analog front end costs nearly six times what the Atom retails for! Again, the level of pace and tonal contrast is sublime, with the Atom creating a huge sound field in all three dimensions.

In addition to that sexy volume control, Naim has done all of us over 25 years old a major solid by incorporating a display that is large, colorful and contrasty. Even across the room, it is incredibly easy to read, and once you are playing/streaming digital music, the album cover and track information comes to life. This comes in handy when friends are over and wondering what happens to be playing now. Finally, a front panel USB socket allows you and your friends to plug their favorite tunes right in. It doesn’t get more user-friendly than this.

If your emphasis is on functionality and you don’t need a ton of output power, the Atom is a killer choice. You’d spend more than $2,995 just buying power cords and interconnect cables for a preamp, power amp, and headphone amp. Stay tuned for part two, where we concentrate on all of the different options and functions.

www.naimaudio.com/product/uniti-atom (manufacturer)

www.audioplusservices.com (NA distributor)