Downgrading to Nova

Big shoes to fill for a nova

But needs must... sorry to hear you have to sell

Hmm, this is something that is all too familiar, and something that can be really difficult. Over ten years ago I had a CDS3, 555PS, 552, 300 and SL2s, financed with a huge loan that I took out while on medication. I sold the lot and went to a CD5x and a Nait 5i. I then gradually upgraded via Olive stuff, to a CDS2, 82 and 250. That then became a SuperUniti, which three years ago became a 272/250. 

I’d suggest two options, depending on how much you want to raise. Firstly sell the lot and get the Nova and some compatible speakers - maybe S20s to keep the Kudos family sound. Secondly sell the NDS, the 252, and the Supercap and get a used 272. A lot depends on how serious the issue is, and whether if you get the Nova you will want to upgrade again. 

Whatever you do, I sincerely hope it all works out for you. 

The Nova seems to be a bit under-rated. Combined with good speakers, it’s a very fine and tidy system in its own right and it will drive a lot of speakers - I’m not familiar with your speakers, but I run Totem Forest Signatures with a Nova and it’s very nice and not far off a separates system.

Sell everything including the speakers and buy a Nova with Dynaudio Special 40s.

The biggest difference you will notice is the cost.

Oh bad luck.   

If the Kudos work in your room which I assume they do then it must be worth a dem.   If not as HH says the S20s will go well  

Regards,

Lindsay

One consideration may be how long you think it may be for your finances to recover, if indeed you see that happening at all. If those speakers are what you love then trying to keep them makes sense - even if the Nova is rather limiting for them, then maybe the reduced overall quality/performance is worth living with if you see yourself recovering enough to improve amplification begore too many years, especially selling them may mean taking a significant ‘hit’, as speakers do seem to lose value faster than electronics initially.

Sorry to hear you may be forced to sell loved equipment.

I guess I'm in a similar but different situation whereby there are many pressing domestic needs to sort out apart from hi-fi (kitchen/bathroom/heating refurbs), but few of these will give me the enjoyment I suspect I'll get going from an admittedly fine Nova to an NDX 2 (simply as I have legacy pre-power options).  I've only just replaced a clapped out dishwasher - should have done it sooner but there were logistical hassles due to issues with our builder.

Personally I think if I could I'd stick with the superb source you have and downgrade the amplification maybe to a pre-love Supernait 2.

Some really good reviews of the focal  Kanta and nova / star and from my experience at a few naim events over the last few years a single box and some good speakers work very well.

My 555 is  being DR’d so main system pretty much out of action but more than satisfied with my QB in the interim.

Good luck and I hope your financial situation respolves itself and remember the amount of money us naim folk have spent on hi fi is laughable to normal people - I can imagine the reaction I would get if I told my friends I am down grading to a c5k system.....

Gary

Thanks folks, I really would love to keep my 707. 

Thinking i just have to try to lend a Nova from my dealer and decide. I have to admit, i am getting older and my listening habits has changed the last years. Not so loud anymore and listening more on classical and jazz these days. So maybe a Nova would would be good enough.  It got lot of good reviews.

It seems illogical to run a £13,000 speaker with a £4,000 all in one if this is a long term solution, especially when the objective is to free up money. Surely the 505 would be better, or an NDX2/SN2 with S20s. Both would be better balanced and probably more satisfying long term. Mullets are rarely successful. 

If you sell your speakers you will drop a load of money. Do you want to build your system back up again and therefore looking for a stop gap solution or is a smaller system going to be a permanent fixture? If you want to build it back up, sell all the Naim, keep the speakers and buy something cheap and second hand to drive them which you can sell on for little or no loss. If you buy a Nova you’ll lose another load of money when you are ready to upgrade. When you buy back into Naim, buy second hand to minimise future loss. 

Sadly, you'll take a bath on your existing equipment if you sell it.  One possibility, if the financial hardship is likely to be temporary, it to take out a home equity loan to see you through.  

My experience of upgrading through the Naim hierarchy about 15-20 years ago was that one rarely lost that much £££ in real terms due to 'Naim inflation' (typically 5% pa). But I guess it's a lot more difficult now for a number of reasons. I jumped off the good ship Naim a couple of years ago but still take an interest and have some nostalgia for a few past objects - but only a few.

IIf sound quality is your priority rather than wanting fewer boxes, the Nova is not the only option. If you go for some of the lower end pre/power amps with a source at a similar level, I think you can still get a very nice sounding system for the same money if you look carefully on the used market. I’m thinking of naybe an XS series source and pre/power amp here, or maybe NDX/Supernait. How well any of these would drive the 707s may be an issue, though. 

I went from a top olive system (CDS2/XPS/52/SC/135s) to my Nova via Uniti and Superuniti, If I really wanted to I could get back up there but that's not at all a priority. I am very happy with my Nova and can't imagine ever going back to separates - it's not the end of the world! I know there are better sounds possible (I've heard a Statement system several times) but I enjoy my music as much as I ever did and have never sat here wishing I had my old system back. Having said that the change coincided with dumping CDs and getting into streaming which was such an improvement that it smothered any possible regrets.

As for the speakers, I am using N-Sats and a sub (lovely) but the Superuniti drove Monitor Audio GR60s (large multiway floorstanders) without a problem. I have also heard the Nova/Kanta system which sounded very fine. On a factory visit I heard the Nova driving Focal Maestro Utopias which are huge £35k speakers - not a match made in heaven but it sounded very good and not far behind a 272/250 combination that was used straight after. Try the Nova with your speakers in your room - you may be pleasantly surprised - if not then look for a better match. Nothing to lose!

 it could be also the chance for something different. If you keep the kudos , maybe you think always how good they could be with a better amp. I would sell everything and buy a small naim integrated and Harbeth p3 or similar speakers and I am sure you will have very much fun!