Key advice needed for Star/Nova and speaker pairing

I've heard the Atom,Star,Nova comparison a couple of times, once with Focal Sopra 1 and again with Russel K 120 or 150, I forget which. Both times in unfamiliar rooms. The progression up the range was similar on both occasions with the improvement to Nova from Star seeming the bigger step, however, the speaker choice may well have had something to do with this. Of those two I'd have taken the Russells home to try out first. The translation from demo room to living room isn't always straight forward, something I learned some years ago when I selected speakers at a shop demo which when I got them home could metaphorically strip paint they were so harsh. Your best bet is to do the bulk of the auditioning in store to select which Uniti and a first candidate for speakers but be prepared to spend time getting the speakers right for your room. This stratagy will work if you're in the UK, depending on which dealer(s) you use, but might be harder to do if elsewhere.

Jump as high as you can, I’d go for the Nova and it’s easy to work out cd ripping on to a usb drive and it integrates well, it’s what I do and you end up with the best of the Unitis and cd functionality too.

yeti42 posted:

I've heard the Atom,Star,Nova comparison a couple of times, once with Focal Sopra 1 and again with Russel K 120 or 150, I forget which. Both times in unfamiliar rooms. The progression up the range was similar on both occasions with the improvement to Nova from Star seeming the bigger step, however, the speaker choice may well have had something to do with this. Of those two I'd have taken the Russells home to try out first. The translation from demo room to living room isn't always straight forward, something I learned some years ago when I selected speakers at a shop demo which when I got them home could metaphorically strip paint they were so harsh. Your best bet is to do the bulk of the auditioning in store to select which Uniti and a first candidate for speakers but be prepared to spend time getting the speakers right for your room. This stratagy will work if you're in the UK, depending on which dealer(s) you use, but might be harder to do if elsewhere.

Thank you yeti. I'm a bit more convinced about Nova than Star now. Dealer suggested Nova for its 80w to better push bigger speaker and mentioned get one more Core to fill up CD needs. And the pity is I'm not in UK and wouldn't be able to try out as your idea. What I can do now is that get Nova first, take it back to my place and try to play it with local dealers to find out the best match. But the thing bothers here is that there isn't much choices for me to try with. 

That's why I really need this forums's all thoughts to help me to decide which speaker to pair with, then I shall probably directly buy them on line. 

Mercky posted:

Jump as high as you can, I’d go for the Nova and it’s easy to work out cd ripping on to a usb drive and it integrates well, it’s what I do and you end up with the best of the Unitis and cd functionality too.

Yeah, thanks Mercky, I'm pretty sure to get Nova now.

There may only be a 10w difference on paper, but, listening back to back, the performance difference is certainly commensurate with the extra cost; the Nova just made more sense of the music. If you can afford a Nova and it fits your requirements, then I would certainly choose it over the Star, because if you do choose the Star, while I'm sure you be delighted, you'll always be wondering what if you'd gone for the Nova...

Richard Dane posted:

There may only be a 10w difference on paper, but, listening back to back, the performance difference is certainly commensurate with the extra cost; the Nova just made more sense of the music. If you can afford a Nova and it fits your requirements, then I would certainly choose it over the Star, because if you do choose the Star, while I'm sure you be delighted, you'll always be wondering what if you'd gone for the Nova...

Wow, thank you BOSS. Nova is nailed. Could you give me some ideas about speaker? This is in my head every day and night lately. The only one obsessed me now is Harbeth  HL5 while what troubles me is that it's the only candidate I've listened to. I might have chance to taste the ProAc at NAIM dealer's place (not sure whether with DT8 or D20/30R). I'm afraid I won't have the chance to compare the Spendor+Nova or ATC+Nova options.  

I run the Nova with PMC Twenty5.23s. It gives a lovely fast paced presentation with good well-controlled bass. My room is a lot smaller than yours, so looking at PMCs you might want to go up the range to the larger floor-standers (25.24 and 25.26), although I suspect the 23s would do a pretty good job in a bigger room, I never get over 50 on the volume control sitting just short of 2m from the speakers.

Speakers are such a personal thing, and also rather dependant on where they will be used, rooms size, construction etc.. 

My own preference may well be quite the opposite of yours, so the only thing to do here is to try to get out there and hear some for yourself. 

The Harbeths are nice - well balanced and no nasties.  Well engineered and well made, with a considerable reputation. Personally, I have great respect for Harbeth, but somehow I've never fallen in love with them. It may not have helped that so often I've only been able to listen to them on the end of either big American amps, or valves, but rarely if ever Naim.  They just never excited me enough and I never felt the bass was playing to my taste.  But that's just me, and I would certainly want to hear them in the right context if looking for a new pair of speakers at that level. If you've heard them and really liked what you heard, then I'm sure you could do a lot worse by going for a pair of speakers unheard and just on review or others opinion. 

I listened to the Nova with several different speakers including Kudos X3, some ATC's (I forget which model) and a pair of Neat Iota Xplorers.

This was at a dealers called Signals near Norwich in the UK. Their largest demo room is pretty big but the sound from all of the  speakers I auditioned filled the room well.

I wasn't impressed by the ATC's personally, I found them a bit lifeless and boring and un-involving to my ears.

The Neat Iota Xplorer's divide opinion on their looks but, I was blown away by their sound. Solid yet tight bass, vocals really stunning, crisps treble without being tiring or harsh.

In the end I settled for the Kudos X3's but now kind of wish I'd paid the extra money and simply bought the Neats.

I'm sure you'll find dozens of opinions on here and ultimately, all you can do is to have a listen yourself and trust your own ears.

Eoink posted:

I run the Nova with PMC Twenty5.23s. It gives a lovely fast paced presentation with good well-controlled bass. My room is a lot smaller than yours, so looking at PMCs you might want to go up the range to the larger floor-standers (25.24 and 25.26), although I suspect the 23s would do a pretty good job in a bigger room, I never get over 50 on the volume control sitting just short of 2m from the speakers.

Mmm...Interesting. 24 is within my budget. BTW, what do you think of the Ob1i? Is it the in-between player of 24 and 26 as I can only guess by its price and no information found on official website?  Could you brief me the main features of PMC sound?

Edit to my post above; it may have been PMC and not ATC speakers that didn't appeal to me. Sorry I can't remember the detail as I dismissed them as an option fairly quickly.

Richard Dane posted:

Speakers are such a personal thing, and also rather dependant on where they will be used, rooms size, construction etc.. 

My own preference may well be quite the opposite of yours, so the only thing to do here is to try to get out there and hear some for yourself. 

The Harbeths are nice - well balanced and no nasties.  Well engineered and well made, with a considerable reputation. Personally, I have great respect for Harbeth, but somehow I've never fallen in love with them. It may not have helped that so often I've only been able to listen to them on the end of either big American amps, or valves, but rarely if ever Naim.  They just never excited me enough and I never felt the bass was playing to my taste.  But that's just me, and I would certainly want to hear them in the right context if looking for a new pair of speakers at that level. If you've heard and really liked what you heard, then I'm sure you could do a lot worse by going for a pair of speakers unheard and just on review or others opinion. 

BOSS, I have two more questions:

1. Nova's level. For instance PMC's 23/24/26, would you think 23 is a bit too small for the room while 26 is a bit over for Nova? In this case, 24 shall be more ideal?

2. According to your experience, what are Spendor's, ProAC's main feature of their sound like? I read a lot about how hard it can be to push ATC, so probably it's off the list.

Thanks a lot for your patience. 

blythe posted:

Edit to my post above; it may have been PMC and not ATC speakers that didn't appeal to me. Sorry I can't remember the detail as I dismissed them as an option fairly quickly.

Thanks a lot for the info. What's the model of NEAT? I checked on line only SX1 could be right.

As has been correctly said above, speakers are both so room dependent, and also a matter of personal preference as to musical presentation.

That said, you should try and audition some models from the Neat Acoustics range, as, having myself progressed through the range, they do have a natural synergy with Naim equipment, hardly surprising, since Naim kit features at the development stage of most of their models.

Bit of a hobbyhorse of mine, but Neat and Naim simply works.

Re-Kid posted:

Eoink posted:

I run the Nova with PMC Twenty5.23s. It gives a lovely fast paced presentation with good well-controlled bass. My room is a lot smaller than yours, so looking at PMCs you might want to go up the range to the larger floor-standers (25.24 and 25.26), although I suspect the 23s would do a pretty good job in a bigger room, I never get over 50 on the volume control sitting just short of 2m from the speakers.

Mmm...Interesting. 24 is within my budget. BTW, what do you think of the Ob1i? Is it the in-between player of 24 and 26 as I can only guess by its price and no information found on official website?  Could you brief me the main features of PMC sound?

I never heard the Ob1i I'm afraid, I think it's discontinued. PMC have very fast and powerful bass from the transmission line, feel very pacy (very good transient response), I find the treble and midrange detailed and very good with female vocals.  A health warning, other people find the PMC treble too aggressive and sibilance, I don't find it so myself, room/person differences. If you're buying without an audition that is quite high risk if you turn out to be one of the peole who doesn't like it.

I also listened to Neat SX1 and Kudos X2s, I really liked the Neats, but felt the greater authority of the bass on the PMCs was a big improvement, I'd happily live with the Neats. The Kudos just didn't gel for me,  I found that they somehow failed to convery the timing, and I just wan't involved. All personal taste of course.

Do you live close enough to a dealer that you can both listen in their shop AND bring home on loan to "try before you buy?"  While listening in the dealer's acoustically perfect sound rooms will be revealing of comparisons of one speaker vs another, it won't tell you much about how it will look and sound in your own room at home.  It's highly recommended to do an in-home test if you can.

All of the suggestions you'll get here are quite viable -- you need to discern both your own personal preference AND do such in your own home if at all possible.  These are all "good" speakers, but they do not all sound the same, that's for sure!

And yes, go for the Nova and just learn to rip cd's yourself on a computer and cd drive; you don't NEED the Star to do that.

I’m in love with my Nova and ProAc DT8s. Soundstage and musicality are phenomenal for the price point!

For me..Nova / Core /Proac db3...job done!

I’m just about to use Atc scm11 with my nova,after having pic twenty 23 which just didn’t seem to work for me. I’ve had atc before and regret moving them on so hopefully the nova has enough oomph for the 11’s.  Dealers reckon it will be fine unless you want Motörhead’s level....

Eoink posted:

Re-Kid posted:

Eoink posted:

I run the Nova with PMC Twenty5.23s. It gives a lovely fast paced presentation with good well-controlled bass. My room is a lot smaller than yours, so looking at PMCs you might want to go up the range to the larger floor-standers (25.24 and 25.26), although I suspect the 23s would do a pretty good job in a bigger room, I never get over 50 on the volume control sitting just short of 2m from the speakers.

Mmm...Interesting. 24 is within my budget. BTW, what do you think of the Ob1i? Is it the in-between player of 24 and 26 as I can only guess by its price and no information found on official website?  Could you brief me the main features of PMC sound?

I never heard the Ob1i I'm afraid, I think it's discontinued. PMC have very fast and powerful bass from the transmission line, feel very pacy (very good transient response), I find the treble and midrange detailed and very good with female vocals.  A health warning, other people find the PMC treble too aggressive and sibilance, I don't find it so myself, room/person differences. If you're buying without an audition that is quite high risk if you turn out to be one of the peole who doesn't like it.

I also listened to Neat SX1 and Kudos X2s, I really liked the Neats, but felt the greater authority of the bass on the PMCs was a big improvement, I'd happily live with the Neats. The Kudos just didn't gel for me,  I found that they somehow failed to convery the timing, and I just wan't involved. All personal taste of course.

Very helpful, thanks a lot. Have you ever met any resolution issue? What kind of music do you usually enjoy?

Bart posted:

Do you live close enough to a dealer that you can both listen in their shop AND bring home on loan to "try before you buy?"  While listening in the dealer's acoustically perfect sound rooms will be revealing of comparisons of one speaker vs another, it won't tell you much about how it will look and sound in your own room at home.  It's highly recommended to do an in-home test if you can.

All of the suggestions you'll get here are quite viable -- you need to discern both your own personal preference AND do such in your own home if at all possible.  These are all "good" speakers, but they do not all sound the same, that's for sure!

And yes, go for the Nova and just learn to rip cd's yourself on a computer and cd drive; you don't NEED the Star to do that.

Well, I'm in Southwestern China which is impossible to have you've mentioned service here. How I wish I could have these 'Tried and True' test run. I personally prefer Brit-sound and systems while its dealership is not that popular around here. Maybe in future I might become one of the dealer here and carry out these services.

jheidelo posted:

I’m in love with my Nova and ProAc DT8s. Soundstage and musicality are phenomenal for the price point!

Have you tried with D30R before? How does it sound? I concern ProAc's mid-range performance because I listen to vocal often. 

Steve w posted:

For me..Nova / Core /Proac db3...job done!

Mmm..Could you describe more about the features of ProAc's sound?

hifi-dog posted:

I’m just about to use Atc scm11 with my nova,after having pic twenty 23 which just didn’t seem to work for me. I’ve had atc before and regret moving them on so hopefully the nova has enough oomph for the 11’s.  Dealers reckon it will be fine unless you want Motörhead’s level....

I'm a bit confused with ATC. My room is a bit too big. I'm considering I might need floorstand so I did look into ATC's 40. But when I referred to dealer on line, they told me that they had problems with pushing ATC and the sound is not so right.   

Bart posted:

 

And yes, go for the Nova and just learn to rip cd's yourself on a computer and cd drive; you don't NEED the Star to do that.

Well, when i was doing my own research about which to buy (Star or Nova) there were quite a few people that did advocate that ripping a CD on a computer would give a different sound to a rip done with the Star.

Re-Kid, you need to try the unit you decide to buy with various speakers. Speakers that sound sweet to my ears can sound totally different to someone else. I'd be cautious when considering the advice from various people as there are so many variables that can affect the sound.

Richard Dane posted:

There may only be a 10w difference on paper, but, listening back to back, the performance difference is certainly commensurate with the extra cost; the Nova just made more sense of the music. If you can afford a Nova and it fits your requirements, then I would certainly choose it over the Star, because if you do choose the Star, while I'm sure you be delighted, you'll always be wondering what if you'd gone for the Nova...

Richard is the sound difference between the Star and Nova big enough to justify getting the Nova even though this would mean loosing the CD playing and ripping abilities (as well as paying the higher price)?