Streaming service Presto Music, which specialises in hi-res classical and jazz music, has expanded its ecosystem, announcing its integration across Focal and Naim networked streaming products.

The announcement is positive news for consumers who care about both audio quality and music curation. It affects owners of Focal & Naim networked streaming products, including Naim Uniti all-in-one players, Naim reference streamers and Focal Mu-so wireless speaker systems, who will have direct access to Presto Music’s catalogue of more than 200,000 classical and jazz albums. 

“This partnership brings together Presto Music’s specialist expertise in classical, jazz and audiophile listening with Naim’s renowned streaming architecture and award-winning audio performance,” said Chris O’Reilly, Chief Executive of Presto Music. “Both brands share a deep commitment to musical discovery, sound quality and long-term listening enjoyment – a natural fit that brings our listeners closer than ever to the music they love.”

The Presto streaming service launched in 2023 and offers hi-res audio at up to 24-bit/192kHz. It is positioned as a specialist alternative to mass-market streaming platforms, with its catalogue heavily focused on classical and jazz rather than general entertainment content.

The service also offers more than 70,000 digital booklets, alongside expert reviews, guides, daily recommendations and editorial content designed specifically around classical and jazz music discovery.

The Focal and Naim integration operates in a similar way to Tidal Connect and Qobuz Connect. Users can select their compatible Focal/ Naim product directly from the Presto Music app, while continuing to use their smartphone or tablet to control the service.

In terms of how it will happen, the integration is being enabled through a firmware update, making the service a software addition to existing compatible Focal and Naim hardware rather than requiring consumers to purchase a new streamer.

Presto is also pushing an artist-centric approach, saying it uses a pay-per-second remuneration model intended to provide fairer support for artists and composers.

The move is significant for the premium hi-fi sector because it demonstrates how hardware manufacturers are increasingly competing on the quality and specialisation of their streaming ecosystems, not just amplifier, speaker or DAC specifications.

It’s not the first move beyond its own apps for Presto, which has already expanded its compatibility across BluOS and Eversolo products, indicating an effort to become a broader specialist streaming platform rather than remaining tied to its own hardware.

Australian consumers are not being left out of the UK-based Presto’s expansion. Presto’s Australian-facing service currently lists streaming at $10.99 per month, with a Streaming Plus option at $14.99 per month. Both offer access to the 200,000-plus album catalogue and up to 24-bit/192kHz audio.