Naim has introduced the Uniti Star Lite, a revised version of its premium all-in-one streaming amplifier that retains much of the outgoing Uniti Star’s functionality but drops one of its defining features – the built-in CD player and ripping system.

The change is not the result of Naim abandoning physical media. Instead, the British audio manufacturer says the optical drive used in the original Uniti Star was discontinued and could no longer be sourced.

Naim revealed the problem in March 2026, when it confirmed production of the Uniti Star had stopped after the drive became unavailable. The company retained its remaining mechanisms to support servicing and repairs for existing customers while considering how to replace the model.

The answer is the Uniti Star Lite, which removes CD playback and ripping but otherwise remains closely related to its predecessor.

It continues to use a Class AB amplifier delivering 70 watts per channel into 8 ohms, alongside a five-inch colour display and Naim’s distinctive top-mounted volume control. Removing the optical mechanism has reduced the weight from 12kg to 11kg.

High-resolution audio support remains extensive, including WAV files at up to 32-bit/384kHz and FLAC, AIFF and ALAC at up to 24-bit/384kHz. DSD64 and DSD128 are also supported.

Streaming options include Qobuz, Qobuz Connect, TIDAL, TIDAL Connect, Spotify Connect, Apple AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Roon Ready, UPnP and internet radio. Bluetooth aptX Adaptive is also included, with control available through the Focal & Naim app.

The Uniti Star Lite retains HDMI ARC, allowing it to be connected to a television as part of a two-channel entertainment system. Other connections include RCA and five-pin DIN analogue inputs, optical and coaxial digital inputs, two USB-A ports, Ethernet, dual-band Wi-Fi, a 3.5mm headphone output and speaker outputs.

It also supports multiroom playback with up to six compatible Naim streamers, as well as integration with Google Assistant, Siri and home-automation platforms including Control4, Crestron, Elan, RTI and Savant.

The decision to remove the CD mechanism comes at an unusual time for physical music. According to Luminate figures cited in the original report, US CD sales increased 16 per cent to 16.3 million units during the first half of 2026. Even excluding K-pop releases, which can benefit from collectible editions and packaging, sales were reportedly up 6.7 per cent.

The increase remains small compared with the scale of music streaming, but it has coincided with renewed activity in CD hardware. A number of audio manufacturers have introduced new players and transports as interest in physical formats continues.

That makes the Star Lite’s missing CD drive particularly noticeable. The outgoing Uniti Star differentiated itself by combining streaming and amplification with the ability to play and create bit-perfect rips of CDs. Buyers wanting those capabilities will now need a separate disc player or transport.

Naim says the revised model offers a small improvement in sound quality, although detailed information explaining the claimed improvement has not been provided.

The Star Lite sits between the Uniti Atom, which delivers 40 watts per channel, and the more powerful Uniti Nova with 80 watts per channel. Further up the range, the Uniti Nova Power Edition delivers 150 watts per channel into 8 ohms.

UK retailers have listed the Uniti Star Lite at £3,199, equivalent to approximately A$6,600 at current exchange rates. Official Australian pricing and availability were not detailed in the supplied information.

The Uniti Star Lite will not be sold in the US or Canada, according to Naim, despite a US product page appearing online around the time of its announcement.