bluegrassphile
September 20, 2021, 10:27 AM
Didn't have much time available over the weekend to listen to my new gear. We were at a bluegrass festival all last week and through the weekend. But I managed to get a few hours of listening in yesterday...And Wow! Just Wow! I'll try and keep the superlatives to a minimum although that could prove to be very difficult. I'm just starting the honeymoon phase but I doubt that's going to wane for a long, long, time.
First, the NAIM Uniti Atom Headphone Edition amp...
This combination player/server/streamer and (very) high end headphone amp is nothing short of genuinely amazing (Oops! A superlative slipped out.) But, what if it really is amazing? Could I then use a superlative? I mean, if it's the honest truth why not just say so? If it's truly stellar in every way why not just say so? OK, there it is. I said it. And it's the genuinely certified (by me) truth.
Too often when a piece of gear serves multiple functions there is a compromise somewhere. But in the short time I've owned it I've not found anything even resembling a compromise. Nothing.
Everything, and I mean everything about this headphone amp/player oozes and drips quality, including the sound. Just how much of the sound could be attributed to the amp vs the Focal Clear Mg phones that Mike Bovaird sent me, I'm not sure. But the two together are simply pure heaven. The sound is big and robust, yet very warm, with a beautifully balanced frequency spectrum. As you might predict, there is a wide and deep soundstage with each instrument being discrete yet perfectly blended. The bottom end is clear and clean and tight with no hint of mud. The very rich mids are right up front but not in excess at all. The top end is wonderfully crystalline, clear, and clean.
Listening to big band jazz from Ella and Basie, the brass and woods are incredibly detailed without any tendency toward being strident. Just very finely detailed and nuanced.
The craftsmanship and esthetics are as good as it gets. Beautifully finished to the last minute detail. First class all the way. I love the BIG volume control.
There are so many features and streaming options offered on the amp I won't go into all that here. You can see the numerous options and features on the NAIM and Focal websites. But I will say that every one of those options work beautifully and are easily set up. OK, I'll name just a few...all kinds of streaming options including Qobuz, Tidal, Spotify Connect, Apple Music, UP/P, Chromecast and countless internet radio stations, also Bluetooth, WiFi, just to name a few. There are more.
I haven't forgotten the Focal Clear Mg phones. But wait! Didn't I order the Focal Stellia phones? Yes. Ordered and paid for. But, Mike Bovaird of Suncoast Audio...you know, that really smart guy with a big heart? Well, he took it on his own initiative to send me a brand new in the box set of Focal Clear Mg phones (to go with my NAIM Uniti Atom Headphone Edition amp) as a loaner until my Focal Stellia phones come in. Now, how cool is that?!!! Customer service at it's best!
As I mentioned above, I'm not sure how much of the gorgeous sound quality the amp or Clear Mg phones are individually responsible for, but the synergy between the two is something you just have to hear to appreciate. It's literally and wondrously shocking, the sound that comes out of these phones and amp. I can't wait to hear the Focal Stellias through my system. And if the Stellias sound as good as (or better than) the Focal Clear Mg phones I will be a very happy camper. Yes, I know the Clear Mgs are open phones and the Focal Stellias are closed phones. I need closed phones so I can listen to music while the wife watches TV. But all the reviews I've read about both phones have been stellar. So I don't think I could go wrong with either headphone. Can't wait. I'll update this review after my Stellias arrive. Stay tuned.
Well there you have it. What was it...about 8 superlatives or less? My newest toys. And likely the last new toys for awhile. I now have every high end audio component I've dreamed of having for my system. It took me about 2 years. But the wait was well worth it. I've found my audio heaven and..."I've found my thrill, on Blueberry Hill..." OK, OK, I'll stop.
First, the NAIM Uniti Atom Headphone Edition amp...
This combination player/server/streamer and (very) high end headphone amp is nothing short of genuinely amazing (Oops! A superlative slipped out.) But, what if it really is amazing? Could I then use a superlative? I mean, if it's the honest truth why not just say so? If it's truly stellar in every way why not just say so? OK, there it is. I said it. And it's the genuinely certified (by me) truth.
Too often when a piece of gear serves multiple functions there is a compromise somewhere. But in the short time I've owned it I've not found anything even resembling a compromise. Nothing.
Everything, and I mean everything about this headphone amp/player oozes and drips quality, including the sound. Just how much of the sound could be attributed to the amp vs the Focal Clear Mg phones that Mike Bovaird sent me, I'm not sure. But the two together are simply pure heaven. The sound is big and robust, yet very warm, with a beautifully balanced frequency spectrum. As you might predict, there is a wide and deep soundstage with each instrument being discrete yet perfectly blended. The bottom end is clear and clean and tight with no hint of mud. The very rich mids are right up front but not in excess at all. The top end is wonderfully crystalline, clear, and clean.
Listening to big band jazz from Ella and Basie, the brass and woods are incredibly detailed without any tendency toward being strident. Just very finely detailed and nuanced.
The craftsmanship and esthetics are as good as it gets. Beautifully finished to the last minute detail. First class all the way. I love the BIG volume control.
There are so many features and streaming options offered on the amp I won't go into all that here. You can see the numerous options and features on the NAIM and Focal websites. But I will say that every one of those options work beautifully and are easily set up. OK, I'll name just a few...all kinds of streaming options including Qobuz, Tidal, Spotify Connect, Apple Music, UP/P, Chromecast and countless internet radio stations, also Bluetooth, WiFi, just to name a few. There are more.
I haven't forgotten the Focal Clear Mg phones. But wait! Didn't I order the Focal Stellia phones? Yes. Ordered and paid for. But, Mike Bovaird of Suncoast Audio...you know, that really smart guy with a big heart? Well, he took it on his own initiative to send me a brand new in the box set of Focal Clear Mg phones (to go with my NAIM Uniti Atom Headphone Edition amp) as a loaner until my Focal Stellia phones come in. Now, how cool is that?!!! Customer service at it's best!
As I mentioned above, I'm not sure how much of the gorgeous sound quality the amp or Clear Mg phones are individually responsible for, but the synergy between the two is something you just have to hear to appreciate. It's literally and wondrously shocking, the sound that comes out of these phones and amp. I can't wait to hear the Focal Stellias through my system. And if the Stellias sound as good as (or better than) the Focal Clear Mg phones I will be a very happy camper. Yes, I know the Clear Mgs are open phones and the Focal Stellias are closed phones. I need closed phones so I can listen to music while the wife watches TV. But all the reviews I've read about both phones have been stellar. So I don't think I could go wrong with either headphone. Can't wait. I'll update this review after my Stellias arrive. Stay tuned.
Well there you have it. What was it...about 8 superlatives or less? My newest toys. And likely the last new toys for awhile. I now have every high end audio component I've dreamed of having for my system. It took me about 2 years. But the wait was well worth it. I've found my audio heaven and..."I've found my thrill, on Blueberry Hill..." OK, OK, I'll stop.