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Issue 119 Hot Preview – Naim Mu-so

Issue 119 Hot Preview – Naim Mu-so

Hi-Fi+ Issue 119 will be available from January 8. Although we remain a bastion of high-end audio, this month we focus our attentions on the more affordable end of the audio world. And one of the biggest changes to that affordable market is the exciting new mu-so system from Naim Audio.

, Issue 119 Hot Preview – Naim Mu-so

Naim Audio has long been at the forefront of networked audio, but its designs have always represented more of a complex, multi-box approach to music replay; an approach that doesn’t sit comfortably with the new generation of music lover. The mu-so is a bold attempt at reaching that new generation, with a complete integrated digital audio system and loudspeakers combined. In effect, Naim has reclaimed the sound bar for music lovers!

In our extensive first test, Hi-Fi+ regular Chris Thomas set aside his full-blown high-end audio system and investigated the joys of starter stereo. Even the design won him over, pulling in elements from Naim’s biggest and best, “On mu-so’s top is the ‘control centre’” he said, “a large sunken rotating aluminium volume control, illuminated with the switching functions and level indicators, which looks very much like the design fitted to The Statement.” This is important, because mu-so is not intended for the traditional audio market, “Given mu-so is rolling out to chic department stores and Apple Stores as well as the usual purveyors of fine audio,” said Chris, “that touchy-feely aspect of design suddenly becomes all important, and I wouldn’t be too surprised if many mu-so sell on that alone.”

 

Mu-so is not just about looks, however. Chris’ biggest surprise was how good it sounded. Chris says, “Whether playing a NAS box full of music or simply armed with a Spotify Premium account, the possibilities really open up because mu-so does bop along with a sophistication and open friendliness to its sound that none of its rivals, at least none that I have heard, come close to matching.” It’s tonal balance is “punchy and has great presence”, but most of all, mu-so is “musically together and consistent over all of its inputs.” Chris feels it gets to the core of what music is all about; “This player is about fun, and good old foot-tappin’ involvement.”

There is a tendency to evaluate streamed audio with the highest quality files, but Chris Thomas noted that not everyone who buys a mu-so will play high-resolution audio files, and the way mu-so deals with more down-to-earth services was especially good, “I have to say that I am a huge admirer of both its Spotify performance and its approach with Internet radio, one of the most undervalued sources of free music”.

, Issue 119 Hot Preview – Naim Mu-so

There’s a lot more about mu-so, as well as the latest loudspeakers from Cambridge Audio, Russell K, and Eclipse, Oppo’s high-performance HA-1 DAC/headphone amplifier and the giant-killing Hegel H160 integrated amplifier, and a whole lot more… but you’ll just have to buy the magazine in print, on PDF, or through all good tablets and smartphones. Don’t miss out!

Tags: FEATURED

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