News

Naim Audio Launches NaimNet into the Custom Installation Market (2/8/2006)

Naim Audio, the UK's leading high end Hi-Fi and AV brand, launches NaimNet into the custom installation market.

Naim has waited until now, studying the market and its offerings carefully, until it was in a position to deliver genuinely innovative solutions that provide the quality that it is known for.

NaimNet(tm) is a combination of Naim's expertise in audio and video together with the IP technology of StreamNet(tm) licensed from NetStreams(R) LLC.

StreamNet is an innovative and technically superior transport and control system enabling easy control of multiple sources, and uniquely allows full bandwidth audio, metadata (data about the data), and control signals to be distributed digitally around the house on an IP (home network). It also allows easy system integration with AV, heating, lighting and security systems.

This home network is the same as would be used for connecting two or more computers to share an internet connection or a printer. This same CAT5E wiring can still be used for the home computer network and NaimNet making the cabling especially flexible and convenient.

Features and Benefits of NaimNet.

No Audio Compression: many marketers talk about "CD Quality" but this usually means some pretence of the original sound quality and a hope that the owner doesn't notice. NaimNet delivers genuine CD quality by sending digital audio that's a bit-for-bit copy of the CD across the network to any room.

RoomSync: Until now it has been impossible with a digital distribution system to guarantee that the sound would be in sync between rooms. At its most basic this prevents the system being used for a party and gives a similar problem that of listening to an FM radio and a DAB radio in different rooms - a time lag in one room - very disconcerting. NaimNet solves this problem makes it also ideal for parties and delivering consistent lip-sync with TV screens.

No Audio Degradation: Until now using conventional distribution systems, the sound quality in each room has been dictated by the quality of the speaker cable used (often rather poor), the very long cable runs and the matrix switchers required. With NaimNet the full quality audio is delivered to a local amplifier digitally without degradation.

Scalability: There is no practical limit to the number of rooms that can be accommodated with NaimNet (it's actually 1.8 million). NaimNet can also work well with primary or secondary locations: for instance the lounge with a high-end AV system, the study with a high-end audio system and the bathroom with a good but reasonable cost solution.

Easy to install: NaimNet is not exactly 'plug and play' but it is almost. It requires skills and training to install but is far simpler to setup than most competing systems which deliver far less.

Easy to control: A great system is useless if no one in the family can operate it. Much thought and planning has gone into making NaimNet easy to operate through a range of rich interfaces such as wall panels, PDAs, Tablets, a PC or a stand alone control interface.

Secure Data: All four of the new NaimNet servers include Naim Secure Music Storage so that the owner need never worry about losing his precious music collection. All hard drives are mirrored - data is stored on at least two hard drives.

Fully compliant with DigiLinX from Netstreams: Allowing easy changes to the system or addition of other devices such as IP cameras.

Easy integration with other home control devices: NaimNet can easily be interconnected with other aspects of home control such as lighting, heating, ventilation and security.

Sync across your own network: Imagine a scenario where you have a NaimNet system in your pied ˆ terre and one in the house in the country. Loading a CD onto the NaimNet server in the city will automatically update the NaimNet server in the country. No getting home at the weekend to find that you have left that key music in the other player.

Naim Extended Music Database: With existing server systems it can be very hard to find that particular tune especially if it is part of a compilation or a jazz or classical piece. NEMD has been designed from the outset to make music selection easy and intuitive.

Music portable integration: Whenever an iPod, or other player such as mobile phone, Sony PSP or MP3 portable, is played through the main Hi-Fi system, it is obvious that the sound quality is compromised by the headphone amp. Using Naim Digital Music Dock, circumvents this problem: simply plugging an iPod into a convenient socket on the front of the Naim Server bypasses the lower quality audio stages and plays directly from the portable device's internal hard disc.

Note: Music player integration is subject to certain DRM considerations. MP3 files are preferred.

Some of the New NaimNet Products

Four Audiophile Music Servers

All four 24bit capable Naim servers can be NaimNet and RS232 control enabled. They will deliver 6 streams of CD quality (bit for bit) across the network and at least one local output (up to four possible).

The top model, the NS REF audiophile server, is a two-box device. The player box does not include the hard drives or main power supply. It follows strict Naim design rules for its power supply regulation and audio circuits delivering a performance that is far superior to existing servers.

NNT01 DAB/FM Multi-Tuner

Four DAB/FM tuners in one slim case, with four independent outputs. Can be enjoyed by up to four users independently and played in as many rooms as desired. NaimNet and RS232 enabled.

NNC01 Multi Input Preamplifier and Room Player

This pre-amplifier digitises and streams up to 4 analogue sources to the network and controls the sources using powerful IR learning capabilities. Can be controlled by IR or RS232 commands. NaimNet and RS232 enabled.

NNP01 Room Amplifier

110 watts per channel (4ohm) with 4 local inputs. The selected input can be streamed to all other rooms. AC power. NaimNet enabled.

NNP01 concealed Room Amplifier

90 watts per channel (4ohm). AC or DC power option. Compact design to fit a 195mm cut-out. 4 local inputs; 2 digital, 2 analogue. The selected input can be streamed to all other rooms. NaimNet enabled.

www.naimnet.com