Nova vs Atom - It's a knock out

Not saying you're wrong, but I'd love to see the results of an Atom/Nova blind test.

I tried the Nova yesterday and at the end of the demo added a Nap 250, to see what the upgrade path could be. Something the dealer had not done before, as one would expect it tightened everything up, more authority and speed. My dealers first reaction to the Nap 250 request, was go for a 272/250 demo. After listening, he said interesting, this combo is another option to 272/250......particularly if you want the newer technology.

But even on its own Nova is very very good!

A few hours later (sorry will be a condensed review as my speakers stands are gone tomorrow) and the Nova is slowly but surely, turning into one of them rediscover your music collection upgrades, so much more detail and control in an effortless manner.

It now feel the Focals are being driven with control, with the Atom they seemed laid back in comparison and had an easy time.

Maybe another few hours of listening, but glad I upgraded from the Atom to Nova after barely 2 weeks.

I think if the launch had gone better, I would have demo'd both and gone Nova.

OBSYDIAN, which model of the Cisco 2960 did you use. A search online returns several versions of the 2960. 

Thanks.....

The one you want is the 8TC-L. 

Hungryhalibut posted:

The one you want is the 8TC-L. 

Yep thats the exact one I have, I found it was the main  one found in a few threads.

Thanks for the replies, It is apprieciated!

Final comparison, Nova is very special, just keeps getting better and better, this morning been listening at 17 to 20 volume and music still sounds full of body, bass in particular, timing is improving, details more apparent but without effort.

Will update in a week or two once I get my Focal stands, or maybe even with my speakers parked on a chest of drawers : /

But for anyone thinking of the Atom I would seriously suggest a home demo of the Nova alongside, probably impossible given they are so thin on the ground, but for me I never find dealer demos work as in room acoustics, etc at home and a like for like setup (cables, power, etc...).

If you can't demo and are the I want more of that type, then go straight to the Nova you won' be disappointed.

What are the new technologies of nova vs 272? 

Streaming side maybe some... but pre side? 

I understand a new from bottom up streaming architecture that should scale better for Naim with new services and be more tolerant  of differeing network data rates and home network conditions, use of 802.11ac and use of MIMO for better wifi throughput performance, use of Zigbee for remote control and future potential automation, improved isolation and decoupling to allow higher component density with minimal impact to SQ, revised and new approach to power supplies,  colour display with minimal interference coupling to the rest of the system.... I am sure there are many more but those are what I remember from my visit to Naim 9 months ago.

Simon-in-Suffolk posted:

I understand a new from bottom up streaming architecture that should scale better for Naim with new services and be more tolerant  of differeing network data rates and home network conditions, use of 802.11ac and use of MIMO for better wifi throughput performance, use of Zigbee for remote control and future potential automation, improved isolation and decoupling to allow higher component density with minimal impact to SQ, revised and new approach to power supplies,  colour display with minimal interference coupling to the rest of the system.... I am sure there are many more but those are what I remember from my visit to Naim 9 months ago.

Simon, I think you should be the Naim marketing director, as the current explanations are to fluffy or no fluff, just the new ... box.

Did you get chance to test the two units side by side? 

How much better Nova is compared to Atom if u try with pre amp out to same amp/pre amp ?

Regards,

Sourav

dave-mac posted:

Did you get chance to test the two units side by side? 

I did - to my ears the Nova is significantly the better in terms of clarity and resolution, but you would expect that. The Atom was certainly rather good, its just the Nova was so much better. They were both playing into a pair of Focal Sopra No1 speakers.  

Obsydian posted:

.....

Simon, I think you should be the Naim marketing director, as the current explanations are to fluffy or no fluff, just the new ... box.

Hmm I suspect that is why I am not a marketing director 

Simon-in-Suffolk posted:

dave-mac posted:

Did you get chance to test the two units side by side? 

I did - to my ears the Nova is significantly the better in terms of clarity and resolution, but you would expect that. The Atom was certainly rather good, its just the Nova was so much better. They were both playing into a pair of Focal Sopra No1 speakers.  

Thanks Simon. Would you say the difference would have been as noticeable if you'd have taken a couple of hours in-between testing each model? I'm deciding between the two, but doubt I'd be able to side-by-side them. I don't mind paying extra for the nova, but not if it's only marginally 'better' than the atom. I'd want night and day difference at over twice the price!

Simon-in-Suffolk posted:

dave-mac posted:

Did you get chance to test the two units side by side? 

I did - to my ears the Nova is significantly the better in terms of clarity and resolution, but you would expect that. The Atom was certainly rather good, its just the Nova was so much better. They were both playing into a pair of Focal Sopra No1 speakers.  

I was there on that occasion too and the Nova was massively better than the Atom in my view. Effortless and open compared with working hard and coping well considering.

best

David

dave-mac posted:

Did you get chance to test the two units side by side? 

No, but within 2 days of the Atom leaving.

Anybody compared Nova with Atom by feeding them to same pre amp/ amp  instead of feeding speaker ?

i am trying to get this to understand whether Nova is better sounding because of the amp section or because of the inbuilt dac.

Sourav

Sorry no, but I did demo Nova, then Nova/250........ both sounded great, but the latter was so much better. Dealer was a bit sceptical at my request, but had to admit the Nova gives a 272 a run for its money.

Sourav posted:

Anybody compared Nova with Atom by feeding them to same pre amp/ amp  instead of feeding speaker ?

i am trying to get this to understand whether Nova is better sounding because of the amp section or because of the inbuilt dac.

Sourav

I'm trying to work out whether parts such as the dac are any different at all. The lack of comparison details leave me suspicious.

Yes we understand. Not sure where you live, but you should ask a dealer to give a demo of Atom and Nova, then add a poweramp to both, and listen. Would be interesting.

Interesting I have plonked my speakers on either side of my tv, tv cabinet, plugged in the HDMI ARC, very nice indeed, watching Terminator Salvation can feel the bullets : O

Bass is not earth shattering but has enough oomph to make it convincing.

As a extra for occasional use, very nice indeed.

Versus the Atom which I used via toslink, again Nova is in a different league, the Atom you had to crank upto 50, the Nova is at 23 and still all the detail and bass is there. Cranking up the volume just gets better.

I'm usually reading other people posts, but this time I would like to share my experience on this comparison as I had an interesting demo today at my dealer.

i have initially brought my 272/250 DR to compare it to atom/nova which would be used In the second system. Speakers are Harbeth (various) and listening was done on Atome alone, Nova alone, Nova as preamp/streamer with 250 DR and 272/250 DR.

let me Jump to the conclusion immediately.  The best sounding, meaning the best dynamics, separation, clear and stable stereo image with Boogie factor had Nova/250 DR followed by Atom (only In case more efficient speakers Were used - Harbeth 7ES In our case), then 272/250 DR then Nova. 

However, Nova was not burned In as other components Were, but it's preamp/streamer section is exceptional. When the 250 DR was added to Nova, it brought fulness to the sound, control of lower register and boogie factor that seems to be missing before.

i will repeat this demo In a few weeks time to check if the Nova coming last In this demo was just a burn In thing, but usually one can get the feel of the sound character by the first use of  a component

Thank you, this is kind of where I as finding myself, but without your back to back testing it's difficult to Neil it down. But The new Uniti series I think is a step up from Naim.