Naim is expanding its Uniti lineup with the new Uniti Star Lite streaming amplifier. A direct successor to the Uniti Star launched nearly 10 years ago, this model does away with the CD player to refocus the experience on high-resolution streaming and physical sources. Its 2 x 70-watt Class AB amplifier is paired with a dual power supply featuring a toroidal transformer, a comprehensive array of connections including an HDMI ARC input, a large color display, and the Focal & Naim connected ecosystem. A more significant evolution than it appears at first glance, priced at €3,999.
The Naim Uniti Star drops its CD player
Unveiled in late August 2026, the Naim Uniti Star Lite is the successor to the Uniti Star, one of the British manufacturer’s most versatile all-in-one systems. At its launch, the Uniti Star stood out in particular for its built-in CD player, which was capable not only of playing discs but also of ripping them to create a digital music library.
With the Uniti Star Lite, these mechanical components have been completely eliminated. The front panel is now sleeker, and the new unit focuses exclusively on streaming, digital files, and external sources. In practice, the Naim Uniti Star Lite retains most of the features and performance of its predecessor. The removal of the CD player has even allowed Naim to redesign certain internal components to reduce electrical interference and optimize the signal path. The manufacturer highlights an improvement in sound performance compared to the previous Star model.
Still 2 x 70 watts in class AB
At the heart of the device is still a class AB analog amplifier capable of delivering 70 watts per channel into 8 ohms. This power output is identical to that of the previous Uniti Star and is sufficient to drive a wide range of speakers, from bookshelf models to demanding floorstanding speakers, thanks to its very high current capacity. In fact, Naim officially recommends pairings ranging from the Focal Aria Evo X No. 4 to the Kanta No. 1, Kanta No. 2, and Sopra No. 1.
This amplifier remains true to the philosophy of the Uniti line, which aims to combine the functions normally distributed among a network player, a DAC, a preamplifier, and a power amplifier in a single chassis. All you need to do is pair the Naim Uniti Star Lite with a pair of passive speakers to create a complete hi-fi system. Naim also retains a particularly robust power supply, with separate power supplies for the analog and digital sections, as well as a large toroidal transformer. This architecture contributes to its substantial weight of 11 kg, despite the absence of a CD mechanism.
Streaming at the heart of the experience
The removal of the CD player allows the Uniti Star Lite to fully embrace its role as a network amplifier. The device provides access to today’s leading streaming services, including Qobuz and Qobuz Connect, Tidal and Tidal Connect, as well as Spotify Connect. It is also Roon Ready-certified and can access music libraries shared over the network via UPnP. The thousands of radio stations available on the Internet can also be accessed directly from the device.
Apple device users can stream their music very easily using AirPlay 2, while Google Cast offers a similar feature with a wide range of compatible apps and devices. Bluetooth is also supported, including the aptX Adaptive codec, which makes it easy to stream directly from a smartphone, tablet, or computer.
The Naim Uniti Star Lite amplifier can also play high-resolution files stored locally. WAV files are supported up to 32-bit / 384 kHz, while FLAC, AIFF, and ALAC files can reach 24-bit / 384 kHz. DSD64 and DSD128 files are also supported. Two USB-A ports—one on the front panel and one on the rear—allow you to connect a USB flash drive or external storage device directly. It is even possible to use the USB storage connected to the Uniti Star Lite as a music library for other devices on the network. Naim claims support for 20,000 tracks, using external SSDs up to 1 TB or USB flash drives with a maximum capacity of 128 GB.
From your hi-fi system to your TV via HDMI ARC
The Naim Uniti Star Lite amplifier is also designed to centralize all the sources in a modern hi-fi system. In particular, its HDMI ARC input allows you to route audio from a TV so you can use your hi-fi speakers for movies, TV shows, or video games. Traditional devices haven’t been overlooked either. The rear panel features RCA and 5-pin DIN analog inputs, as well as two Toslink optical digital inputs, two RCA coaxial inputs, and one BNC coaxial input. The S/PDIF inputs support audio streams up to 24-bit/192 kHz, depending on the connection. An RCA analog output also allows you to use the Naim Uniti Star Lite as a preamplifier or to connect it to an active subwoofer. Finally, a 3.5 mm mini-jack headphone jack is located on the front panel.
Focal & Naim App and multi-room
The Naim Uniti Star Lite amplifier is controlled via the Focal & Naim app, available on iOS and Android. The app centralizes streaming services, Internet radio, network libraries, and connected storage devices. It also provides access to information about artists and their discographies, while handling software updates for the device. The amplifier can also be integrated into a multi-room system consisting of other compatible Naim or Focal devices. Party Mode allows you to synchronize up to six streamers to play the same music simultaneously in multiple rooms. Support for Apple Siri and Google Assistant also enables certain voice commands. Finally, the Uniti Star Lite can be integrated into home automation systems using Control4, Crestron, Elan, RTI, or Savant, among others.
With the Uniti Star Lite, Naim is evolving the formula without disrupting its fundamentals. The removal of the CD player clearly marks the transition to a hi-fi landscape now dominated by streaming and digital music libraries, while allowing the manufacturer to maintain a simpler, more optimized architecture. The amplifier retains what made the Uniti Star so successful: 2 x 70-watt class AB amplification, excellent versatility, a comprehensive range of connectors, and a particularly sophisticated network ecosystem. Priced at €3,999, the Naim Uniti Star Lite is now available to pre-order on Son-Vidéo.com.
