Three headphone outputs and XLR preamplification replace the loudspeaker power stage
Naim Atom Headphone Edition focuses the Uniti platform on headphone listening, with 1.5 W into 16 ohms, balanced outputs and streaming-preamplifier capability.
The single Naim Atom Headphone Edition is not simply an Atom with another headphone socket: instead of a loudspeaker amplifier it uses a dedicated headphone stage and provides preamplifier outputs for active speakers or external power amplifiers. It retains the compact 24.5 cm format and the high-resolution streaming platform used across Uniti.
Key features
- Discrete Class-AB headphone amplifier delivering 1.5 W RMS per channel into 16 ohms
- Three headphone connections: 6.35 mm jack, balanced 4.4 mm Pentaconn and balanced 4-pin XLR
- Stereo XLR preamplifier output and RCA sub/pre output
- One stereo RCA pair dedicated to analogue sources
- Two optical TOSLink inputs and one RCA coaxial input up to 24-bit/192 kHz over coaxial
- Network playback up to 32-bit/384 kHz WAV and DSD128
- AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Roon Ready, Spotify Connect, TIDAL, Qobuz, Bluetooth and UPnP
- 5" display, large volume control and Zigbee remote
- Integration with Control4, Crestron, Elan, RTI and Savant
Headphones come first
The three sockets allow headphones with different connectors to remain plugged in and make switching between them straightforward. Balanced 4-pin XLR and Pentaconn connections distinguish HE from standard Atom, which instead provides a 3.5 mm front socket and a 40 W-per-channel loudspeaker power stage.
It can become the preamplifier for an active system
The stereo XLR output lets Atom HE work as source and preamplifier for active loudspeakers or external power amplification, while the RCA connection can operate as sub/pre output. The same unit can therefore move from personal listening to a loudspeaker system without introducing a second streamer.
The same Uniti network with a different destination
Streaming services, Internet Radio, USB, multiroom and app control remain aligned with the wider Uniti platform. The difference begins after conversion: power is directed to headphones and line outputs rather than passive-speaker terminals, making Headphone Edition the specific model for systems that do not require built-in loudspeaker amplification.
