With the new Naim Uniti Star Lite, the manufacturer offers a pure streaming amplifier. Unfortunately, unlike its predecessor, it no longer includes a CD player.
According to Naim, the company was no longer able to source the disc mechanisms used in the original Uniti Star, which ultimately led to the introduction of the Uniti Star Lite. And yes: that means no CD player. However, the brand promises some improvements under the hood that should result in slightly better performance. By removing the CD mechanism and its associated electronics, Naim has been able to reduce internal electrical noise in their new streaming amplifier. So while functionality (and the technology inside) has been simplified, the upside is a slightly lower noise floor.
That all sounds perfectly reasonable, of course, but it nevertheless remains a shame for fans of the good old CD. Especially now that the format, much like vinyl, appears to be enjoying something of a revival. Moreover, many music lovers who also happen to be audiophiles often own substantial CD collections. Fortunately, new hi-fi and high-end CD players are once again appearing on the market with some regularity. And, of course, there’s nothing stopping you from connecting one of those to the Uniti Star Lite.
Streaming pur sang
After all, this is not only a comprehensive streaming amplifier with support for familiar music services such as Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify and so on. It is also an integrated amplifier with plenty of inputs. Alongside two optical TOSLink inputs, coaxial RCA and coaxial BNC, there are also analogue RCA and 5-pin DIN inputs. To round things off, HDMI ARC is included as well, allowing the Uniti Star Lite to be fully integrated into a home entertainment system. Meanwhile, Bluetooth with aptX Adaptive is available for those who prefer wireless transmission.
The CD-less Naim Uniti Star Lite is even slightly cheaper than its ‘complete’ predecessor, at £3,199.