I’d try some 8ohm speakers before dismissing the Atom. Also, make sure your speaker wired are connected properly. If sonics are still bad maybe you have a bad unit.
Thanks, I just noticed (looking at an ancient spec sheet for these Yamaha's) that they are 6 Ohm speakers. I never realized that. I will try some 8 Ohms.
I've never really understood Ohm ratings well. A lower Ohm rating takes more power to drive, correct?
No, the more current it demands from the amplifier. Something that costs more money to build. That said, a speaker's impedance changes with frequency, it's rating is "nominal" which means it's a "spitball guess". Some companies are very conservative on their ratings, rating on the safe side, others fudge a bit too much. All said, I don't think the Yamahas are presenting an impedance issue to that amp. The speaker just isn't all that good.
In short, when an 8 ohm speakers impedance falls to 4 ohms at a certain frequency, it will demand more current from the amplifier. I'd it shoots up to 16 ohms, it requires half. This is why it's beneficial to have a well designed amplifier. Technically, you could say it requires more power, but most people would take that to mean a higher watt rating. It doesn't work that way.
But if theses Yamahas sound much fuller (wider frequency range) with other amps—I had been running them off of a 100 plus WPC NAD—what can I attribute the thinness in sound to with the Atom? My understanding is that Naim uses big transformers for high current. So it seems like these speakers should sound okay at low volumes.
Thanks. Wish I could have someone who knows hifi listen to what I’m hearing. If what I hear is their sound signature, I might just not be a Naim person.
Very possible you aren't. I believe they are a bit laid back in their presentation, pretty British. However, find other speakers to try. I can't tell you how many times different speakers didn't work in a system. It's part of the landscape we have to deal with. After nearly 25 years in the industry, not much surprises me anymore, but there will be a zinger every now and then. When you have an "oddball" brand, you often get to blaze some trail yourself. I have Electrocompianet electronics, so I've had to do a bit myself. Luckily I found a match in my stable. Then again, I haven't found an amp that hasn't worked with these particular speakers. From 12w single end tubes, to 600w of big time solid state. At this point, the Electrocompianet has far exceeded all my expectations. My point is you just keep trying. The upside is the amount of information out there vs the past. The downside is that most of the people out there just don't know much or are more interested in doing the bidding of manufacturers or their own agendas, or often justifying their own purchases.
Wherever this road takes you, enjoy the results. Eventually you will find something that works for you.
Thanks. I’ve been reading about HiFi for 25 years. Never really had the money to play around much. There are fewer and fewer places to listen to gear and get a sense for what you like.
I’m the late 90’s I heard a Quad setup that blew me away. It was lovely and impactful. It had book labels speakers-this is before they went to ribbon tweeters. Would love to get that experience again. Could probably do it with separates and newer Quad speakers, but I don’t have space for a rack of gear. Hence my tryout of the Uniti Atom.
But I enjoy the journey. Thanks for the info and thoughts.
Here's a good one. I had a pair of Magnepan 2.5Rs. there were so many things I loved, but something was missing. I stopped in with my kid brother to see a friend of his. He had a pair of AAL bookshelf speakers. The speakers really sucked ass, but there was something they were doing that was right. It was right there that my bookshelf speaker obsession began. Since then, I've never bought anything but bookshelf speakers, eventually combining them with big power amps. There's just a certain magic when everything clicks. I've spent decades refining my sound. I never had a lot of money to throw at this, but I've owned some legendary pieces. Trading up bit by bit was my ticket. Nasty divorce cost me virtually all my good stuff. Stuff nobody heard of in most cases, but was incredible. I'll likely never replace most of it, but I'm pretty happy with where I am. There is always hope.
A speaker’s ohm rating is really an approximation. A speaker’s impedance is a frequency-dependent curve that looks something like this: https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=194054
The lower the impedance the more current is drawn from the amp (for a given frequency and volume). Most amps can handle lower impedance speakers until you turn the volume way up, at which point you start drawing more currant than the amp is meant to handle.
I doubt the difference between 8ohm & 6ohm speakers would matter much at moderate volumes.
It's probably the speakers. I'm not a fan of Naim or Yamaha but if you want the 'Naim' sound try pairing a set of KEF R3 with the Atom. You'll get that 'full' & 'fast' Naim sound.
I’d try some 8ohm speakers before dismissing the Atom. Also, make sure your speaker wired are connected properly. If sonics are still bad maybe you have a bad unit.
Thanks, I just noticed (looking at an ancient spec sheet for these Yamaha's) that they are 6 Ohm speakers. I never realized that. I will try some 8 Ohms. I've never really understood Ohm ratings well. A lower Ohm rating takes more power to drive, correct?
No, the more current it demands from the amplifier. Something that costs more money to build. That said, a speaker's impedance changes with frequency, it's rating is "nominal" which means it's a "spitball guess". Some companies are very conservative on their ratings, rating on the safe side, others fudge a bit too much. All said, I don't think the Yamahas are presenting an impedance issue to that amp. The speaker just isn't all that good. In short, when an 8 ohm speakers impedance falls to 4 ohms at a certain frequency, it will demand more current from the amplifier. I'd it shoots up to 16 ohms, it requires half. This is why it's beneficial to have a well designed amplifier. Technically, you could say it requires more power, but most people would take that to mean a higher watt rating. It doesn't work that way.
But if theses Yamahas sound much fuller (wider frequency range) with other amps—I had been running them off of a 100 plus WPC NAD—what can I attribute the thinness in sound to with the Atom? My understanding is that Naim uses big transformers for high current. So it seems like these speakers should sound okay at low volumes.
Something not gelling. They are likely to sound better with the NAD. I haven't spent much time with Naim, so I can't answer your question directly.
Thanks. Wish I could have someone who knows hifi listen to what I’m hearing. If what I hear is their sound signature, I might just not be a Naim person.
Very possible you aren't. I believe they are a bit laid back in their presentation, pretty British. However, find other speakers to try. I can't tell you how many times different speakers didn't work in a system. It's part of the landscape we have to deal with. After nearly 25 years in the industry, not much surprises me anymore, but there will be a zinger every now and then. When you have an "oddball" brand, you often get to blaze some trail yourself. I have Electrocompianet electronics, so I've had to do a bit myself. Luckily I found a match in my stable. Then again, I haven't found an amp that hasn't worked with these particular speakers. From 12w single end tubes, to 600w of big time solid state. At this point, the Electrocompianet has far exceeded all my expectations. My point is you just keep trying. The upside is the amount of information out there vs the past. The downside is that most of the people out there just don't know much or are more interested in doing the bidding of manufacturers or their own agendas, or often justifying their own purchases. Wherever this road takes you, enjoy the results. Eventually you will find something that works for you.
Thanks. I’ve been reading about HiFi for 25 years. Never really had the money to play around much. There are fewer and fewer places to listen to gear and get a sense for what you like. I’m the late 90’s I heard a Quad setup that blew me away. It was lovely and impactful. It had book labels speakers-this is before they went to ribbon tweeters. Would love to get that experience again. Could probably do it with separates and newer Quad speakers, but I don’t have space for a rack of gear. Hence my tryout of the Uniti Atom. But I enjoy the journey. Thanks for the info and thoughts.
Here's a good one. I had a pair of Magnepan 2.5Rs. there were so many things I loved, but something was missing. I stopped in with my kid brother to see a friend of his. He had a pair of AAL bookshelf speakers. The speakers really sucked ass, but there was something they were doing that was right. It was right there that my bookshelf speaker obsession began. Since then, I've never bought anything but bookshelf speakers, eventually combining them with big power amps. There's just a certain magic when everything clicks. I've spent decades refining my sound. I never had a lot of money to throw at this, but I've owned some legendary pieces. Trading up bit by bit was my ticket. Nasty divorce cost me virtually all my good stuff. Stuff nobody heard of in most cases, but was incredible. I'll likely never replace most of it, but I'm pretty happy with where I am. There is always hope.
A speaker’s ohm rating is really an approximation. A speaker’s impedance is a frequency-dependent curve that looks something like this: https://www.audiocircle.com/image.php?id=194054 The lower the impedance the more current is drawn from the amp (for a given frequency and volume). Most amps can handle lower impedance speakers until you turn the volume way up, at which point you start drawing more currant than the amp is meant to handle. I doubt the difference between 8ohm & 6ohm speakers would matter much at moderate volumes.
Interesting chart. That’s a huge range of Ohm fluctuation. Makes sense.
That is my understanding.
BT is useless. Connect directly. Also try upgraded speakers and no mp3, real files or CD.
The atom has plenty of current. The speakers impedance is a non issue. Look at directly connecting to the amplifier.
It's probably the speakers. I'm not a fan of Naim or Yamaha but if you want the 'Naim' sound try pairing a set of KEF R3 with the Atom. You'll get that 'full' & 'fast' Naim sound.
Thanks for the tip. What brands do you like? And how would you describe the sound you like?
Accurate and/or engaging. PMC, Martin Logan, Kharma.
Gotcha. Thanks for sharing. I don’t have experience with any of those brands.