Unifi PowerAmp UPL-Amp

[312elements]

I'm sure the 6 of these things you'll need to link together for 7.2.4 will tally against the total qty limit of 32 devices, rather than 32 zones

Totally, and honestly this product doesn’t interest me as much as the underlying tech does. Once Unifi establishes a use case for the the hardware someone will create a version without amplification and without the Unifi margins. I could totally see someone like WiiM integrating this tech into their next product line once there’s a proof of concept.

 

[JSmith]

Some more info;

UniFi Premium Audio - Ubiquiti

A truly converged networking and premium audio experience featuring a meticulously crafted, insanely powerful amplifier.

ui.com

Simultaneously manage up to 32 PowerAmps in a group.

UniFi PowerAmp - Tech Specs

Premium speaker amplifier designed for high-fidelity multi-zone audio streaming and immersive spatial sound experiences.

techspecs.ui.com

Per channel power	130W per channel at 8 ohms 260W per channel at 4 ohms
Output	Stereo and dual mono sound
Surround format	Dolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Atmos (True HD), Dolby Atmos (Dolby Digital Plus), Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Stereo PCM, Multichannel PCM, Dolby Multichannel PCM
Grouping	Up to 32 PowerAmps
Audio input	(1) HDMI eARC input (2) RCA analog inputs L/R
Audio output	(1) RCA analog subwoofer output (2) Speaker terminal outputs with (2) banana plugs
Streaming	AirPlay2, Spotify Connect, Soundtrack Your Brand* *Available November 8th.

why would they even launch an audio product

JSmith

 

[OldTimer]

I found the best part of this proAV from Unifi is the multichannel audio switching. Now all Unifi switch product support proAV using the new Unifi Networking app. It’s not the power amp but the proAV software embeded in the switch product.

 

[-Matt-]

More info on what Pro AV does here...

https://help.ui.com/hc/en-us/articles/18125733726615-UniFi-Switch-Pro-AV

It allows you to prioritise traffic such as Dante on a port by port basis.

I found the best part of this proAV from Unifi is the multichannel audio switching. Now all Unifi switch product support proAV using the new Unifi Networking app. It’s not the power amp but the proAV software embeded in the switch product.

@OldTimer Have you tried it out? When you mention multichannel audio switching you make it sound like you can select different channels to output (i.e. Atmos front height L and R, Surround back L and R). Are you able to confirm if there are any such capabilities?

 

[somebodyelse]

More info on what Pro AV does here...

https://help.ui.com/hc/en-us/articles/18125733726615-UniFi-Switch-Pro-AV

It allows you to prioritise traffic such as Dante on a port by port basis.

Still no AVB unfortunately.

 

[OldTimer]

More info on what Pro AV does here...

https://help.ui.com/hc/en-us/articles/18125733726615-UniFi-Switch-Pro-AV

It allows you to prioritise traffic such as Dante on a port by port basis.




@OldTimer Have you tried it out? When you mention multichannel audio switching you make it sound like you can select different channels to output (i.e. Atmos front height L and R, Surround back L and R). Are you able to confirm if there are any such capabilities?

I haven’t tried but probably it can be done using the Unifi networking app. Unifi used to update software frequently and the support team is also good.

 

[-Matt-]

In case you missed it, there was a response from Ubiquiti on their support forum...

https://community.ui.com/questions/Clarifications-on-the-Unifi-PowerAmp-specs-Atmos-support/6444fb76-5d1c-478e-8f86-223bdc4091d1?page=0

"Currently the PowerAmp supports Dolby Atmos 2.1, so it would be like:

1x PowerAmp for the L and R speakers and subwoofer

We're looking into supporting more multichannel options in future firmware releases."

 

[tjf]

So, Atmos via 2.1 processing, with Atmos effects mixed into the "total" front L/R signals going to your main stereo speakers, or a passive 2 channel soundbar?

Hmmmm...not so sure this is a benefit...

Not likely to offer much of a sense of height or "spatial" effects - perhaps similar to what's heard on streaming platforms (Amazon, Tidal, Apple Music etc.) that have "Atmos" or Sony "360 Reality" processing - which when I use it on headphones/IEMs - it's like "super stereo" effects -- exaggerating ambiance/reverb effects and various mid and HF sounds with a sense of "wider" L/R separation, etc. -- at the cost of not being a lossless file - as I understand the Atmos/360 Reality content always a compressed/lossy version of the original 16 or 24 bit track...

Has anyone else tried these Atmos tracks on their systems - whether headphone or especially 2 channel speaker systems?

Also, my experience of Atmos movie/TV show/soundtracks audio on "soundbars" such as the Sonos ARC has been pretty underwhelming -- event though there are actual height speakers/channels built in to the extreme L/R upper sections of the ARC bar...

 

[McMurdo]

<sarcasm> Ubiquiti product and not PoE? No thanks! </sarcasm>

Ubiquiti is an odd company, why would they even launch an audio product, seems so out of place for them.

I worked in the commercial A/V industry for a time and have family still in it. Commercial A/V has basically become networking. I can see why they got into this as integrators and commercials users really love all in one solution for management. The IT guys constantly get leaned for the A/C stuff as well so this gives them a familiar eco space to work within. Sonos actually took over for a period of time in this space. Weather it be the amp or the ceiling mounted play 1s/fives. Their commercial app allowed multiple locations to be controlled at once. They had a robust commercial team and the “new” amp really distruoted the industry. But like most things Sonos, after the IPO it became about focusing on mass market soundbars and this too more or less was abandoned. I’m intrigued to see how ubiquity does with the distribution software.
Ps I’m also mildly surprised it’s not PoE.

 

[thematttk]

Well here's that PoE integration>>>

UniFi PoE Audio Port

PoE Audio Port - Ubiquiti Store

A digital audio streamer with an ultra-compact, versatile design and an intuitive control system, supporting multiple music streaming services and scalable multi-zone installations.

store.ui.com

$199 US

Streams wired with PoE or via WiFi and 12V DC jack.
Same UniFi Play integration as the PowerAmp

 

[sgent]

I worked in the commercial A/V industry for a time and have family still in it. Commercial A/V has basically become networking. I can see why they got into this as integrators and commercials users really love all in one solution for management. The IT guys constantly get leaned for the A/C stuff as well so this gives them a familiar eco space to work within. Sonos actually took over for a period of time in this space. Weather it be the amp or the ceiling mounted play 1s/fives. Their commercial app allowed multiple locations to be controlled at once. They had a robust commercial team and the “new” amp really distruoted the industry. But like most things Sonos, after the IPO it became about focusing on mass market soundbars and this too more or less was abandoned. I’m intrigued to see how ubiquity does with the distribution software.
Ps I’m also mildly surprised it’s not PoE.

POE has limited wattage. Remember you have to (spec wise) send the power 100m over 22ga wires and are limited to 48V. This claims to output 260W just in speaker amp.

 

[thematttk]

Yeah, it clearly makes more sense to have PoE in a network Streamer/DAC.

I've inquired with Ubiquiti on more details, we'll see if they come back with anything.

In comparison to Wiim-style products, I'm curious how the Unifi Play app functions. The real opportunity here might be in how these products integrate into the full Unifi app suite.

 

[lcc]

I've just got the UniFi PoE Audio Port and I'm loving it. The main thing that blew me away was how fast and reliable streaming AirPlay to it is. I've used Wiim and Arylic before, and both always had hiccups. I know it seems like a simple thing, but it drove me nuts every time I wanted to stream from my iPhone, and it would hang or take something like 20 seconds and then give up. With this Audio Port, it's something like 1 to 2 seconds every time and it just works. The second thing I really like is how smooth is the app, setting the EQ is super smooth, and they've added a super cool feature called Dynamic Boost that will bump your low and high end a bit as we lower the volume to keep the sound balanced and full even when you are listening ad lower volumes. That is a very welcome feature for me, I often listen to music low volume, but I do like my bass and highs to be there. Anyway, very personal opinions, but I thought I'd share since these are things that go unnoticed but do make a difference.