An all-in-one system such as the brand-new Naim Mu-So Utopia could be an attractive option for anyone who doesn’t want a ‘complicated’ hi-fi setup.
According to the British manufacturer, the Naim Mu-So Utopia is a high-end all-in-one music system. Most of the 15 drivers housed inside the device are powered by Class D amplifier stages. The two PRISM tweeters, however, are driven by a Class AB amplifier stage. Together, the drivers and their associated amplifiers deliver a maximum total output of 720 watts, more than enough to fill even a large room with sound.
The Utopia is primarily designed around streaming, so there is no built-in CD player. Consequently, popular music services such as Tidal, Qobuz and Spotify are supported, while AirPlay 2, Google Cast and Bluetooth 5.3 are also available. In addition, you can stream music from your own locally stored collection, for example from a NAS, via UPnP. The maximum supported PCM resolution is 32-bit/384 kHz, while DSD playback is supported up to DSD128.
Almost inevitably, the Utopia also supports Dolby Atmos. Its HDMI ARC connection could prove particularly useful in this respect. The design of the device also lends itself nicely to a setup with a television mounted on the wall above it. Placing a TV directly on top of the unit, as is common with a soundbase, is another matter entirely. For one thing, there is a large control dial incorporating a touchscreen on top, used for functions including volume adjustment.
The Naim Mu-So Utopia costs £4,499.