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Naim Uniti - Screen replacement and Streaming Board upgrade

S

skyebridge

Registered User
Hello,

I've just been informed by my Naim dealer, to my disappointment, that a Naim Uniti S/N 3907xx, which has a failed screen but otherwise works fine, cannot have a replacement screen (cost £157 + shipping) as it has not been upgraded to /192 streaming.

My dealer does yet know if this is streaming board upgrade is possible, or what it would cost.

I bought this very nice device some considerable years ago from Witch Hat (used) for £1500. It seems possible that it may be next to unworkable if the upgrades are unavailable, or uneconomic.

Are there any alternative options out there?

I feel increasingly uncomfortable with Naim, who took more than one year to recalibrate my NAT-101, and charged over £300 because the matching SNAPS PS had had non-Naim parts fitted, which had to be removed and replaced by the inferior versions provided under Naim's spec.

Skyebridge
 
There's a chap on ebay that sells replacement screens for DIY fitment of the Unitqute. Probably worth sending him a message to see if it's the same as the Uniti as I don't envisage Naim using more than one type. You may need to look on ebay.com as he's in France though.
The problems with the screens (that could have easily been forecasted) together with the unreliability these days (just look on the Naim forums for Atoms etc that have taken out speakers or otherwise just don't work (as per when I had a demo of the Atom which wouldn't play ball until the dealer did a bit of fiddling!) together with their intransigence and very slow repair times is why I moved away from Naim and would never have any of their kit again. I suspect that they will only get worse.......
 
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Things only get worse, unfortunately ....

I asked my Naim dealer whether the screen could be replaced if the Uniti streaming board was upgraded to 24/192. He rang me this morning to say that Naim DID that type of upgrade for a short while, then abandoned it.

According to my Naim dealer, the 'workaround' is to download the Naim App onto a Tablet and use that to control the Uniti. I looked at thatsome years ago, but thought the App was very 'clunky'. Maybe it's better now.

Thanks for the link to the guy on eBay who trades replacement screens - I'm going to search him out this afternoon.

Skyebridge
 
I use the now called Focal & Naim app both on my Android phone and Android tablet and find it fine to use these days.
 
Thanks for those replies.

My updates are:
1. Found the French ebay link and have sent details of my Uniti to check.
2. Downloaded Naim App but have not been able to link it to the Uniti. Screen blank. Don't have a Manual. So, still working on how to get my handset to operate the correct menu to allow the App to identify it.

Also, is it best to use the App on a wired or wireless basis? For wireless, the signal needs to route via an extender because the router is so far away.

Skyebridge
 
You need to hook the uniti up with ethernet. If it had a fixed IP previously then switch it off at the back hold in stop whilst turning on an hold it for like 10 seconds then hit play, this will reset the uniti.

Use your router to find the ip of your uniti and enter in manually into the app if needs be, I have a mk1 uniti without the 192 board and a dead screen but it connects just fine.
 
Thanks garyi and jpk.

I will not be able to try these workarounds for a few days, but will then report back.

Skyebridge
 
Hello All,

I'm intending to try the Naim/Focal App workaround this weekend if I can make sufficient time to do so.

Meanwhile, I located the France-sourced sellerof the replacement screens. He advertises for Uniti replacement. So, I emailed him to check on suitability etc. Sadly, no reply since last Wednesday.

My local Naim dealer told me at an earlier stage in this process that the original Unit model (pre the 24/192 upgrade) cannot have a replacement screen fitted unless the 24/192 streaming board is present. However, Naim factory no longer have these newer boards.

This implies to me that either the later screens are different, or that the way they plug into the streaming board has been modified so that older Uniti models can't have new screens fitted (mine is 2010 manufacture from the 39047x S/N).

I don't want to perhaps buy a supposed pnp replacement creen that won't fit.

I should perhaps also explain further that I've actually given this Uniti to a friend of mine who helps me and my wife keep the garden straight etc. He's rather younger and fitter than us. But he's not much into technology, including smartphones. I do have a surplus Huawei Tablet minus 'phone chip that he can use either wired or wireless. That might be even better than the small Uniti screen

But he loves the Uniti, and wants me to be able to fix the screen for him!

Skyebridge
 
The screen is the screen, no? It might have to do with the firmware, but if you diy replace the screen you should be fine. Some screens need the firmware to flip the content otherwise it's mirrored etc., so it might be the case that they have only screens that suit the newer firmware, and the newer firmware can't run on the older board revision or so. There is for sure an explanation, so it doesn't necessarily mean that a screen replacement without the 24/192 board isn't possible... That said I still didn't manage to replace my screen, so I can't tell. I will take pictures though if I work on it! As far as I know the after market solutions deal with screen mirroring etc. issues so they should be fine (there is also kind of offset issue which shifts the content a few pixels, also sorted according to their claims).
 
jpk said:
The screen is the screen, no? It might have to do with the firmware, but if you diy replace the screen you should be fine. Some screens need the firmware to flip the content otherwise it's mirrored etc., so it might be the case that they have only screens that suit the newer firmware, and the newer firmware can't run on the older board revision or so. There is for sure an explanation, so it doesn't necessarily mean that a screen replacement without the 24/192 board isn't possible... That said I still didn't manage to replace my screen, so I can't tell. I will take pictures though if I work on it! As far as I know the after market solutions deal with screen mirroring etc. issues so they should be fine (there is also kind of offset issue which shifts the content a few pixels, also sorted according to their claims).
Click to expand...
Good day JPK
Your problem with different screen position happens with SSD1303 chip and SD1305 chips inside display

SSD1303 use Naim but chip is not production in now time
Another way use display with chip SSD1305 - 12864 (2.4) displays and his have a different addressation in graphics area space
You need buy (diy) flash pcb module or diy module by yourself (three or four logic shift registers)

Also SSD1303 chips displays (12864 2.4) uses in old coffe machines :))

p.s but I think best way is a buy the original display in eBay
 
Had exactly the same thing. Have found a seller on Ebay France that has them for 99 euros, including instructions on how to fit them, apparently easy.

If you would like, I am going to order one and will keep you updated.
 
Sourced a replacement screen from France (as above), arrived in a week and pdf giving installation instructions followed after a request. I thought it looked like a tricky repair and asked a local audio electronics specialist to do it for me. He said it was tricky but all is working now. Very pleased.
 
Mine is ongoing ....

Screen and instructions arrived, all looking good. The overall price was unfortunately unduly raised by 'shipping/postage' which, with eBay's 'exchange rate' took the total cost for me to £133.

Anyhow, the 'tricky' bit of the replacement for Uniti-1 (NOT the same for Uniti-2) is cutting the thin metal conductors within the screen. These need to be cut 1 mm below the original level - clearly requiring a precise instrument. I thought about a tiny hacksaw, but that generates metal filings. So, it needs to be very fine but effective pliers.

Despite time going by, I've not yet actually done the fitting, so will update further when it's done.

Skyebridge

PS. Glad to read it has been done successfully. Also, unless you are good at electronics, the less costly options are too esoteric.
 
Update on ongoing issues:

Recently I found a source in France to supply a genuine Uniti-1 replacement screen, and received it, to be fitted by me.

I’ve just opened up the Uniti-1 case, following instructions in a pdf Manual supplied with the screen

All quite straightforward.

I am now told to remove one of the screws holding the transformer in order to facilitate access to the back of the screen, then to remove a number of further screws and cut off tiny bits of some thin metal rods holding the old screen in place.

But the transformer screw in question APPEARS to be a round aluminium extrusion, the obverse of which is drilled-out as one of the exterior case screws. I don't see how this could possibly be removed or moved.

Or am I missing something?

Also, at least four of the holding screws at the back of the screen are round. I don’t have a tool for tackling this.

Can someone kindly advise whether or not the Uniti-1 transformer can be shifted aside (to allow easier access to the rear of the screen)?

Also, what type of screws are these?

The Uniti transformer platform in this 2014 Uniti-1 is marked ‘Issue 6’.

Skyebridge
 
I used the eBay screen to revitalize my Uniti2, and am extremely happy with the result. Installation was straightforward, although it does require a bit of disassembly.
 
skyebridge said:
Update on ongoing issues:

Recently I found a source in France to supply a genuine Uniti-1 replacement screen, and received it, to be fitted by me.

I’ve just opened up the Uniti-1 case, following instructions in a pdf Manual supplied with the screen

All quite straightforward.

I am now told to remove one of the screws holding the transformer in order to facilitate access to the back of the screen, then to remove a number of further screws and cut off tiny bits of some thin metal rods holding the old screen in place.

But the transformer screw in question APPEARS to be a round aluminium extrusion, the obverse of which is drilled-out as one of the exterior case screws. I don't see how this could possibly be removed or moved.

Or am I missing something?

Also, at least four of the holding screws at the back of the screen are round. I don’t have a tool for tackling this.

Can someone kindly advise whether or not the Uniti-1 transformer can be shifted aside (to allow easier access to the rear of the screen)?

Also, what type of screws are these?

The Uniti transformer platform in this 2014 Uniti-1 is marked ‘Issue 6’.

Skyebridge
Click to expand...
Could you post a few pictures of the problem and the surrounding area please? That would help identify the screw type or whether and how to get it out.
 
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