Audio T Verdict
The Naim Uniti Atom Headphone Edition combines a network music player, high-resolution DAC, dedicated headphone amplifier and streaming pre-amplifier in one compact component.
It provides unbalanced 6.35mm and balanced 4.4mm Pentaconn and four-pin XLR headphone connections, with Naim rating the amplifier at 1.5W per channel into 16 ohms.
It can also control active loudspeakers or a separate power amplifier through its rear pre-amplifier outputs. It has no loudspeaker power amplifier, HDMI ARC, phono stage or CD player, so those system requirements need to be planned separately.
Naim Uniti Atom Headphone Edition Streaming Headphone Amplifier
The Uniti Atom Headphone Edition is a headphone-focused version of Naim's compact Uniti network player.
It brings together Naim's streaming platform, digital and analogue inputs, local USB playback, three headphone connection types and volume-controlled pre-amplifier outputs.
This allows it to operate as a complete personal listening system with headphones or as the source and control centre for active speakers or a separate power amplifier.
Directly Supported
- Wired headphones from 16 ohms upwards
- Balanced 4.4mm Pentaconn and four-pin XLR headphones
- Unbalanced headphones through a 6.35mm jack
- Music streaming over Ethernet or Wi-Fi
- UPnP music libraries and compatible USB storage
- Roon, AirPlay 2, Google Cast and Bluetooth playback
- Digital and line-level analogue sources
- Active speakers or a separate power amplifier
Requires Additional Equipment
- Passive speakers require a separate power amplifier
- A turntable requires an external phono stage
- CD playback requires a separate CD player or transport
- Roon playback requires a Roon server and subscription
- Balanced listening requires a correctly terminated headphone cable
- Television sound requires optical or analogue output
Dedicated Headphone Amplifier
The Headphone Edition replaces the standard Uniti Atom's loudspeaker power amplifier with a discrete headphone-amplifier circuit and dedicated transformer arrangement.
Naim rates the headphone output at 1.5W RMS per channel into 16 ohms and specifies compatibility with headphones from 16 ohms upwards.
Headphone sensitivity and impedance both affect the usable volume range. A demonstration remains advisable with particularly sensitive in-ear monitors, very demanding planar-magnetic designs or any headphone requiring an unusual connection.
Three Headphone Connection Types
A conventional 6.35mm unbalanced socket and a balanced 4.4mm Pentaconn connection are positioned on the front panel. A balanced four-pin XLR headphone socket is provided on the rear.
Up to three headphones can remain physically connected. Naim's current guidance states that only one headphone output is active at a time, allowing different headphones to be selected without permanently changing cables.
Balanced Headphone Cable Compatibility
A headphone must have a cable specifically wired for balanced operation before using the Pentaconn or four-pin XLR output. A conventional single-ended headphone cable must use the 6.35mm socket.
Do not assume that an adapter makes an unbalanced cable suitable for a balanced output. Check the headphone and cable manufacturer's wiring guidance first.
High-Resolution Music Streaming
The Uniti platform provides access to Spotify Connect, TIDAL, Qobuz, Qobuz Connect, internet radio, podcasts and compatible UPnP music libraries.
Apple AirPlay 2 and Google Cast allow compatible services and apps to send audio from phones, tablets and computers. Bluetooth offers a quick wireless connection using SBC or AAC.
Streaming-service availability, features and subscription requirements can change by country and firmware version. Keeping the player and Focal and Naim app updated is recommended.
Focal and Naim App
The current Focal and Naim app for iOS and Android provides source selection, music browsing, playlists, presets, volume, multiroom control, input settings and firmware updates.
Earlier product copy refers simply to the Naim App. This has been replaced by the combined Focal and Naim app.
Roon Ready Playback
Roon Ready certification allows the Uniti Atom Headphone Edition to operate as a network endpoint in a Roon system.
It does not run the Roon server itself. A separate Roon server, controller and appropriate subscription are required.
UPnP and USB Music Libraries
Music stored on a compatible UPnP server can be browsed and played over the local network. Two USB 2.0 type-A connections also support compatible local storage devices.
Naim currently specifies USB sticks up to 128GB, portable SSD storage up to 1TB and libraries containing up to 20,000 tracks.
Connected USB music can also be made available to compatible network players when the Uniti server function is enabled.
USB Storage, Not USB-B Computer Audio
The two USB sockets are type-A connections intended for compatible storage and supported portable devices. The Uniti Atom Headphone Edition does not have a USB-B input for use as a conventional wired computer DAC.
Computer playback is normally handled over the network using Roon, UPnP, AirPlay 2 or Google Cast.
Supported Audio Formats
Supported formats include WAV, FLAC, AIFF, ALAC, MP3, AAC, OGG, WMA, M4A and DSD64 or DSD128. Gapless playback is supported across the listed formats.
Naim currently specifies WAV playback up to 32-bit/384kHz, with FLAC, AIFF and ALAC supported up to 24-bit/384kHz. Lossy formats have lower published limits.
Actual playback capability can depend on the selected input, network source, file format and control method rather than the headline format limit alone.
Coaxial and Optical Digital Inputs
One RCA coaxial digital input accepts stereo PCM up to 24-bit/192kHz and DoP DSD64. Two optical Toslink inputs accept stereo PCM up to 24-bit/96kHz.
These inputs can accommodate compatible CD players, televisions, games consoles and other digital sources.
No HDMI ARC
Unlike HDMI-equipped versions of the standard Uniti Atom, the Uniti Atom Headphone Edition does not provide HDMI ARC.
A television can connect through optical or analogue audio. Set its digital output to two-channel PCM or stereo rather than Dolby Digital, DTS, bitstream or multichannel output.
Stereo RCA Analogue Input
One stereo RCA line input allows a compatible analogue source to use the Uniti's headphone amplifier and pre-amplifier functions.
The input expects a line-level signal and is not a turntable phono stage. Connect a turntable through a suitable external moving-magnet or moving-coil phono stage.
Streaming Pre-Amplifier
A rear stereo XLR pre-amplifier output and stereo RCA sub/pre-output allow the Uniti Atom Headphone Edition to control active speakers or a separate power amplifier.
These are volume-controlled pre-amplifier outputs rather than fixed line outputs. When connecting a conventional integrated amplifier, careful volume management or a suitable fixed-gain bypass input is required.
The RCA sub/pre-output can also feed a compatible active subwoofer. The subwoofer must provide the level, crossover and phase adjustment required by the system.
No Loudspeaker Power Amplifier
The Uniti Atom Headphone Edition cannot drive passive loudspeakers directly and has no speaker terminals.
Add active loudspeakers or connect its pre-amplifier output to a separate power amplifier that drives the passive speakers.
Naim Multiroom and Party Mode
Naim multiroom allows compatible Uniti, network-player and Mu-so products to play independently or as a synchronised group.
Naim's current specification describes Party Mode synchronisation for up to six Naim streamers, updating the five-product figure shown on the existing Audio T page.
AirPlay 2 and Google Home grouping provide additional multiroom options with compatible third-party products, although these operate separately from Naim's own Party Mode.
Five-Inch Display and Top-Mounted Volume Control
A five-inch colour LCD shows artwork, source and playback information. It is a display rather than a touchscreen, with operation handled through the nearby buttons, remote, app or top-mounted volume control.
The illuminated rotary volume control uses a proximity sensor, while the included bidirectional Zigbee remote provides control without requiring conventional infrared line of sight.
Network and Installation Requirements
Network connection is available through 10/100Mbps Ethernet or dual-band Wi-Fi. Ethernet can provide the most predictable connection in systems with weak or congested wireless coverage.
The top-mounted control needs sufficient clearance above the unit. The chassis should sit on a stable surface with space around it for ventilation and convenient access to the rear headphone and pre-amplifier connections.
Naim specifies typical consumption of 17W, below 2W in network standby and below 0.5W in non-network standby.
Compact British-Built Design
The black aluminium chassis measures 245mm wide, 95mm high and 265mm deep, with a weight of 7kg.
It is supplied with a Zigbee remote control and Naim Power-Line Lite mains cable.
Key Features
- Dedicated discrete headphone-amplifier circuit
- 1.5W RMS per channel into 16 ohms
- Suitable for headphones from 16 ohms upwards
- Balanced 4.4mm Pentaconn headphone output
- Balanced four-pin XLR headphone output
- Unbalanced 6.35mm headphone output
- Ethernet and dual-band Wi-Fi networking
- Spotify Connect, TIDAL, Qobuz and internet radio
- AirPlay 2, Google Cast and Bluetooth
- Roon Ready and UPnP streaming
- Two USB type-A storage connections
- One coaxial and two optical digital inputs
- Stereo RCA analogue input
- Balanced XLR and RCA pre-amplifier outputs
- Naim multiroom and Party Mode
- Five-inch colour LCD
- Top-mounted illuminated volume control
- Focal and Naim app and Zigbee remote control
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the standard Uniti Atom and the Headphone Edition?
The standard Uniti Atom contains a power amplifier for passive speakers. The Headphone Edition replaces that section with a dedicated headphone amplifier and balanced pre-amplifier outputs, and it has no speaker terminals.
Can it power passive speakers?
Not directly. Passive speakers require a separate power amplifier connected to the Uniti's pre-amplifier output. Active speakers can connect directly when their input specification is compatible.
Can three headphones play at the same time?
No. Three headphones can remain connected, but Naim's current guidance states that only one headphone output is active at a time.
Does every headphone benefit from a balanced connection?
Not automatically. The headphone must have a compatible balanced cable, and suitability depends on its design. A conventional single-ended cable should use the 6.35mm output.
Does it have HDMI ARC?
No. A television requires a compatible optical or analogue connection and should be configured for stereo PCM output.
Can I connect a turntable?
Yes, through a suitable external phono stage connected to the stereo RCA line input. A turntable cannot normally connect directly.
Can it play music from a USB drive?
Yes. Its two USB type-A sockets support compatible local storage, subject to Naim's drive, capacity, formatting and library-size guidance.
Can it be used as a USB DAC for a computer?
Not through a conventional USB-B audio connection because one is not provided. Computer audio is normally sent over the network through Roon, UPnP, AirPlay 2 or Google Cast.
Can it connect to an integrated amplifier?
It can, but the output is volume controlled rather than fixed. The safest arrangement is an integrated amplifier with a compatible fixed-gain bypass input, or carefully managed volume settings agreed during installation.
Does it need an Ethernet connection?
No. It supports both Ethernet and Wi-Fi, although a wired connection can be preferable where wireless coverage is weak or congested.
Why Buy From Audio T?
- Headphone and amplifier matching demonstrations
- Balanced and unbalanced cable advice
- Focal and Naim app setup
- Streaming-service and Roon configuration
- Ethernet and Wi-Fi installation guidance
- Active-speaker and power-amplifier matching
- Turntable and phono-stage connection advice
- Television optical-output configuration
- Part-exchange options on suitable equipment
- Ongoing system setup and servicing support
Contact your local Audio T store
to arrange a demonstration with your preferred headphones and confirm network, source and system compatibility before ordering.