OK, indeed one needs to take all the forum opinions and reviews with a pinch of salt, isn’t it ...

fred47 posted:

Klout,

To clear a misunderstanding: I am very happy with my Nova but only after I installed the latest software. No doubt.  But  reading some reviews ,who often speak in terms like"heaven, superb, jaw dropping experience,, awsome, magnicicent etc..." My expectations were set higher.

I keep returning to 2.3.8574, it's simply more musical/involving for me in my setup.

Alley Cat posted:

fred47 posted:

Klout,

To clear a misunderstanding: I am very happy with my Nova but only after I installed the latest software. No doubt.  But  reading some reviews ,who often speak in terms like"heaven, superb, jaw dropping experience,, awsome, magnicicent etc..." My expectations were set higher.

I keep returning to 2.3.8574, it's simply more musical/involving for me in my setup.

Ooooh i keep thinking about that, but i would say stable on the latest.

fred47 posted:

Klout,

To clear a misunderstanding: I am very happy with my Nova but only after I installed the latest software. No doubt.  But  reading some reviews ,who often speak in terms like"heaven, superb, jaw dropping experience,, awsome, magnicicent etc..." My expectations were set higher.

Some people are easier to please than others, i would say the Nova is an outstanding one box compromise, that punches well above its weight (in my demo better than a 272/250 and SN2), for me it better my fully active cds2/52 olive system, but most importantly i find (i think) it is something that i can maybe live with long term and leave the upgrade anxiety, compare and despair.

Now if Naim made a Nova 500 series for the modern Urbanites where space is a premium, or a clean zen style layout...

I can only compare the Nova with my former gear (Naim nait XS-ND5XS-Flatcap XS) anf yes its much better in many respects. Although in my case the bass is somewhat hazy and vague.

I left the star yesterday at the dealer. The digital screech has occurred 4 times. In addition, at times a flat lifeless sound came. There were days when the star sounded better, most days but as previously described. Overall, not satisfactory at all. I have now received from my dealer an ATOM which sounds better than my star, but of course, has too little pressure for my speakers. So far no problems with the operation. 

Mercky posted:

fred47 posted:

Klout,

To clear a misunderstanding: I am very happy with my Nova but only after I installed the latest software. No doubt.  But  reading some reviews ,who often speak in terms like"heaven, superb, jaw dropping experience,, awsome, magnicicent etc..." My expectations were set higher.

yes I'd agree with that, there's no doubt its good but a little over hyped perhaps. 

The devices are not bad but far from the praised high-end sound. For example in my small music room was the hazy and vague bass described by FRED47 just right. You get for far less money individual components from different manufacturers that sound better. I am puzzled how it comes to all the top ratings and awards..

Well i worked in hifi shops for many years and i know that people who review or work for magazines are always positive about what  they review. So take all revieuws with a pinch of salt. Trust your ears.

phasevier posted:

Mercky posted:

fred47 posted:

Klout,

To clear a misunderstanding: I am very happy with my Nova but only after I installed the latest software. No doubt.  But  reading some reviews ,who often speak in terms like"heaven, superb, jaw dropping experience,, awsome, magnicicent etc..." My expectations were set higher.

yes I'd agree with that, there's no doubt its good but a little over hyped perhaps. 

The devices are not bad but far from the praised high-end sound. For example in my small music room was the hazy and vague bass described by FRED47 just right. You get for far less money individual components from different manufacturers that sound better. I am puzzled how it comes to all the top ratings and awards..

To be fair, ‘hazy’ bass can be a result of many things such as room acoustics, speaker position, music source etc etc and also whether the unit was fully run in or not

My former nait XS/fc/nd5xs/  had a very tight bass….The Nova hasn"t . I did not alter anything else.

I heard the STAR and the NOVA against the NAIT XS2. The XS2 had an extremely tight deep bass. The bass of the UNITIs, however, was reserved and hazy. Unfortunately, XS2 had too much bass for my room.

reserved and hazy? not what i'm experiencing and thats after chord qutest and atc amp and speakers...

My bass is wonderful, I’m not sure how much speaker and room acoustics play in that though?

Hallo Fred,

As you i am a Dutch Naimee and the proud owner of a Superuniti and looking to upgrade. Most probably i will go Supernait 2 and a new streamer.

As what i read about Nova does not impresses me. To be true i did not hear the Nova but for me there are to many stories about this new line of Naim.

I will stay with Naim for sure but in a 2 box solution. What you think about this 2 box solution?

Ohh..Do not ask me what I think of it...It"s irrelevant. The main thing is what you think, , and whats important to you. The sound or convienience or the best of both worlds.? Just listen to the (new) Uniti and the Supernait and then decide! Good luck.(succes)

I agree with Fred ... listen for yourself and then make up your own mind :-)