How Good Is The Nova.

Just to give a different option:

I would not other looking at 272/250 but rather listen to NDX2 / SN2 in a couple weeks time. Costs are similar, but the new streamer will be much better than the one in the 272 and with the SN2, you probably will get a great combo. The new streamers are so much better than the old ones.

I used to own a Superuniti which I thought was superb until I upgraded to SN2 with a Chord DAC, which for me was a big step up and about as good as I've heard for digital sources. I also briefly listened to 272 which competed well against Hugo TT for musicality. If the Nova gets anywhere near 250 and 272 then I'd seriously be tempted to audition one.

meissmar posted:

Just to give a different option:

I would not other looking at 272/250 but rather listen to NDX2 / SN2 in a couple weeks time. Costs are similar, but the new streamer will be much better than the one in the 272 and with the SN2, you probably will get a great combo. The new streamers are so much better than the old ones.

Already got my dealer on standby for the NDX2/SN2 demo, the 272/250 I mentioned i compared vs the Nova as a taster whilst picking up some cables.

I do intend comparing all 3 again, Nova, 272/250 and NDX2/SN2, but as you say and I agree new streamers are way better, but always demo if possible.

I am thinking even the NDX2/SN2 vs Nova won't be a big wow, but more a subtle fluffy stuff ( if you strain to listen or concentrate hard enough), unless you start adding XPS and 555 power supplies to the NDX2.

Obsydian posted:

I am thinking even the NDX2/SN2 vs Nova won't be a big wow, but more a subtle fluffy stuff ( if you strain to listen or concentrate hard enough), unless you start adding XPS and 555 power supplies to the NDX2.

If you are having to strain to hear differences, they probably are not that real. I find worthwhile upgrades in performance are obvious and tend to be about increasing the reality, impact and strikingness of the audio and associated music.... it’s quite apparent when you experience it... and it tends to induce silly grins.

mech posted:

I have the Star. Was thinking of going the 272/250 route. However I am also thinking if Nova will solve my dissatisfaction with Star in a way tolerable than going separates. 

What do you not like about the Star?

Hmm Simon careful we may mirror the ND555 thread, but then there are 20,000 reasons to justify why it is better.

I started posting on the ND555 thread and got side tracked, but I do feel the thread went from wow, to frustration, joy, frustration, analysis, comparisons back and forth, like you say of it isnt instantly causing a grin, then it's probably just boxitis ????

I am curieus what your choice will be Nova or NDX2/ SN2? So keep us posted. Most probely i will go the same way. 

mech posted:

I too have the Dynaudio Special 40. Maybe I should swap my Star to Nova first and play it for some months before deciding the 272/250DR route.

Btw, [@mention:75060766884572152] what speaker cable and length you using?

What don’t you like about the Star? I love mine! I use Dynaudio Focus 260s. Really cannot find fault in my system anywhere right now. 

My understanding was the Star was built off a base of the XS2 and the Nova base begins with the SN2. 

I find the music to be lacking. Probably is my source. Because when I put in a CD I know is good, it can sound really well. But mostly Tidal is just passable.

I have to agree about Tidal on the Uniti Star, it just isn’t fun and engaging, I’m starting to think even Spotify sounds better, On my MuSo, Tidal is a noticeable step up over Spotify, but I’m currently thinking about cancelling my Tidal subscription.

Even vinyl on my entry level £200 turntable, through a rega fono mk3 preamp into the Star is more musical than Tidal.

Im just optimistically hoping for FW update soon

I agree that Tidal on the Muso - in my case Qb - is pretty good, so why would it be inferior on a Uniti Star?

I'm happy with Tidal via ethernet through my 172/250.2 set up and the negative comments about Tidal on a Star are a bit of a concern so I'm hoping some other Tidal/Star users can allay my fears. 

I have used Tidal on the Muso, Atom and now Nova, for me it is far superior (not perect but a very, very slight loss in quality vs ripped, but 1000 times more convenience).

Spotify for me was the worst.

All via Ethernet.

Free trial can be had for each and decide for yourself.

Obsydian posted:

I have used Tidal on the Muso, Atom and now Nova, for me it is far superior (not perect but a very, very slight loss in quality vs ripped, but 1000 times more convenience).

Spotify for me was the worst.

All via Ethernet.

Free trial can be had for each and decide for yourself.

Yep I’d echo that, I’m currently Novaless so I’ve resurrected my old Denon M31 and listening to FM, surprisingly good in to decent speakers 

Johnell posted:

I'm happy with Tidal via ethernet through my 172/250.2 set up and the negative comments about Tidal on a Star are a bit of a concern so I'm hoping some other Tidal/Star users can allay my fears. 

I have the Star and listen mainly to Tidal, I think for the most part Tidal sounds every bit as good as most CDs. There are a few CDs that seem to offer slightly better quality then Tidal but I think that has to do with the version Tidal has chosen to upload. For example, remastered versions may lose some dynamic range vs the original CD

Thanks for that [@mention:69426746239260455]. 

BTW I'm also wary of remastered tracks/albums on Tidal so will always do a comparison with the original if it's available.   If a track is available on multiple CDs it's also worth checking the different versions as the SQ can vary enormously even if they are not remastered.

After starting this thread I’ve only gone out and bought one!

Get-in!

Nick

Dalamtian posted:

After starting this thread I’ve only gone out and bought one!

Get-in!

Nick

 

 

Good man!!!????????????

Dalamtian posted:

After starting this thread I’ve only gone out and bought one!

Get-in!

Nick

 

 

Top man, enjoy ????

Thanks for the replies, set the Nova up yesterday first impressions are it’s outstanding, had a proper listen this morning for about an hour until it went dead and smoke and a burning smell started to pour out the back!

Oh well, nothing lasts forever!

Nick

Nick, I saw your other thread on the Streaming Forum.  Very bad luck! Get on to your dealer - they will most likely arrange to replace with Naim.

Dalamtian posted:

Thanks for the replies, set the Nova up yesterday first impressions are it’s outstanding, had a proper listen this morning for about an hour until it went dead and smoke and a burning smell started to pour out the back!

Oh well, nothing lasts forever!

Nick

Sorry to hear mate, sounds serious if it started smoking.

Dalamtian posted:

Thanks for the replies, set the Nova up yesterday first impressions are it’s outstanding, had a proper listen this morning for about an hour until it went dead and smoke and a burning smell started to pour out the back!

Oh well, nothing lasts forever!

Nick

OMG!!! Wow.... just wow! So sorry to hear that. I’ve seen more issues on this forum with Nova’s then any of the other Uniti products. My Star has performed flawlessly.

I had a Superuniti for three years, never missed a beat. I’ve had various Naim products over the years and never had one issue, I’m hoping it’s a one off but I’m a bit worried when I have it replaced.

 Nick

Dalamtian posted:

I had a Superuniti for three years, never missed a beat. I’ve had various Naim products over the years and never had one issue, I’m hoping it’s a one off but I’m a bit worried when I have it replaced.

 Nick

Nick, still feeling for you, am sure Monday you'll get a positive resolution, hold in there, I've had a roller coaster with my Nova(s), if it weren't so DAMN GOOD and I didn't love Naim, I'd have ditched it and resorted to a Bose sound system ????????????