Uniti 2 vs. Nova/Star: would you upgrade?

I've a U2 and I'm off to hear the Nova in a week. Not sure if I'll take the plung.  Two things put me off. One is the volume control on the top, it'll never get used as the thing is in rack and it'll just attract dust.  The other is the thought of moving to separates with the purchase of a NAP250 then next year a NAC N-272.  The Nova will have to be BIG leap in sound quality. 

I was very impressed by the Nova when I heard it, and I'd be very surprised if you didn't find it a big step up from your Uniti 2. As long as you don't want to play CDs, of course. Haven't heard the Star, so I can't comment on that.

The update of the streaming board seems to be quite essential to me. Technically there was a lot of improvement in digital sound reproduction since the times the Unitis technology has been developed... I doubt the 272 could beat the Nova in that respect. 

Understand your amplifier route though...

I've got a U2 and have no intention of replacing it with anything from Naim until I understand where they're going with their product offerings.

Things will become clearer when the N272 and their other streamers are upgraded to the new digital platform. If they retain the same Classic look then my next move will be over to the Classic line with updated N272 and 250DR I expect.

I don't want to end up with visually mismatched system components so my preferred upgrade route (add 250DR to U2 then swap out U2 for updated N272) won't happen until it's clear they're not going to dump the Classic look in the streamer platform change.

Naim told me that the Classic look will be maintained. It may have a new screen but the basic looks will remain. 

Hungryhalibut posted:

Naim told me that the Classic look will be maintained. It may have a new screen but the basic looks will remain. 

I bet they didn't say how long for, though!?

Hungryhalibut posted:

Naim told me that the Classic look will be maintained. It may have a new screen but the basic looks will remain. 

Hardly

New look will most likely be based on latest boxes, as allways

Just as when black boxes were created, was it a Nait 5 or 500 ?

2018 will reveal, can't imagine anyone from Naim would/could confirm as it'l kill current sales

Quite interesting if they change their numbering entirely, at least preamps, they will keep poweramp numbers I guess, Naim without a 250 ,,eh?

Hungryhalibut posted:

Naim told me that the Classic look will be maintained. It may have a new screen but the basic looks will remain. 

That would seem logical but I can't see them introducing two different screen heights between the new Uniti's and the Classic line as this would seem stupid in terms of economies of scale. As I understand it the new screen won't fit into the current height of the Classic line. Not sure if it'll fit the width of one of the triptych elements either. This is what is giving me pause for thought.

I know the 500 is a different height so maybe it won't be a problem, but I have serious doubts that they'll retain the Classic line as the mainstream line. I think it much more likely that they'll change the box design for the amps and new streamers to match the new Uniti styling. This gives a much clearer upgrade route from the new Uniti's as well as giving Naim a bit more height in each box and therefore room for future product development.

I hope you are right as I like the understated nature of the Classic line, and my U2 is nicely discreet in my room, but I will still wait to see

Or you could just do what I did...  meet the Super Nova! ;-)

Lovely looks :-}

Seriously undecided meanwhile. Which is the right upgrade path from a U2? Nova? 250 DR?

Decisions,  decisions... 

Had a really good audition of the Nova today. Loverly, it was playing through the same speakers as mine (pmc twenty5.32) and with the same cables so a reasonable comparison against my Uniti2.  While I think the amp section is better, I don't think that I'd justify the cost of changing.  However, the streaming and DACs sections were a big jump. Much more detail and separation.  I'm still not sure if I'd swap my U2 for a Nova or just add a NAP 250DR. I have a bit of a feeling that a SH NAP200 from an auction site might be a more cost effective interim solution. 

Nice to get impressions from somebody who was able to audition the Nova with the same speakers like at home. I could only hear it with something different (from B&W which I didn't like).

So I hope you are right with what you heard in the DAC (and maybe preamp) section vs. your U2. I assume and hope for an improvement there, which finally made me order a Nova meanwhile. Think it is the right step to upgrade the streaming platform first (the amp section should be a bit better too). May add a 250 DR in 2 or three years and maybe 2 or 3 years further ahead exchange the Nova for a then maybe even newer streaming / DAC platform or the future 272 follow-up...

Appears to be the safest way to be friendly to my wallet... 

That's exactly what I plan to do. When I auditioned Nova , I tried a Nap 250 Dr. It brought the expected greater control and authority with tighter bass. I would hope a revamped 272 would improve on the Nova/250 combo.

Parlow posted:

Had a really good audition of the Nova today. Loverly, it was playing through the same speakers as mine (pmc twenty5.32) and with the same cables so a reasonable comparison against my Uniti2.  While I think the amp section is better, I don't think that I'd justify the cost of changing.  However, the streaming and DACs sections were a big jump. Much more detail and separation.  I'm still not sure if I'd swap my U2 for a Nova or just add a NAP 250DR. I have a bit of a feeling that a SH NAP200 from an auction site might be a more cost effective interim solution. 

When I added a 200 to my Superuniti, it did improve, but not, in my opinion, enough to justify the cost, and I would guess that you might find the same. On the other hand, as an interim measure before adding a better preamp, it does make sense.

ChrisSU posted:

Parlow posted:

Had a really good audition of the Nova today. Loverly, it was playing through the same speakers as mine (pmc twenty5.32) and with the same cables so a reasonable comparison against my Uniti2.  While I think the amp section is better, I don't think that I'd justify the cost of changing.  However, the streaming and DACs sections were a big jump. Much more detail and separation.  I'm still not sure if I'd swap my U2 for a Nova or just add a NAP 250DR. I have a bit of a feeling that a SH NAP200 from an auction site might be a more cost effective interim solution. 

When I added a 200 to my Superuniti, it did improve, but not, in my opinion, enough to justify the cost, and I would guess that you might find the same. On the other hand, as an interim measure before adding a better preamp, it does make sense.

From what I've read on this forum, adding a 200 to the SU would not add much to the power section, as the 200 is also rated at 80W. However, turning off the power section in the SU should improve the pre-amp a little. A 250DR might be a different story however...

Not sure what you mean by "turning off the power section in the SU should improve the pre-amp a little." Ultimately this is, in any case, something best tried in your own system, as personal taste, speakers etc. will all affect one's choice. FWIW the 200 is 70W, but I'm not sure that is so important. 

ChrisSU posted:

Not sure what you mean by "turning off the power section in the SU should improve the pre-amp a little." Ultimately this is, in any case, something best tried in your own system, as personal taste, speakers etc. will all affect one's choice. FWIW the 200 is 70W, but I'm not sure that is so important. 

Yes sorry it's 70W.

What I mean is that if you turn off the power amp section in the SU or U2. The pre-amp, DAC and streamer should get the benefit of more power going to them.

At least that's what I noticed with my unitiQute and NAP100.

Again, power output of a power amp is largely a red herring - how it delivers current into complex loads is far more important.