Changing from Superuniti to Nova
Posted by: Pev on 30 September 2017
I've had my Nova for just over a week now and thought it might be worth posting about my experience as I gather there are a few on here considering this move and the Nova thread in the Streaming Forum is mainly about individuals' particular issues.
Some background: I moved from a multi box olive system (CDS2/52/135s) to a Uniti and then Superuniti pretty much as soon as they came out and have been very happy, especially with the SU. Listening to the SU just before I did the deal I thought how good it sounded but the improved streaming platform and capabilities were my main motivation for going with the Nova. I heard it at the Bristol Show and also on a visit to the factory so was happy to place a pre order.
Things I like:
sound quality - whilst it sounded very good when I heard it on dem, it has way exceeded my expectations now I have had it at home for a week. It seems to me that the pre amp and amp are a big step up from the SU, this being demonstrated most convincingly by the very obvious improvement when playing vinyl (in spite of the Nova using an ADC on analogue inputs according to reviews). Whatever they are doing it certainly works! I am not one for inky blackness yadda yadda, but the sound is much clearer and more spacious with greatly improved bass definition but most importantly that urge to just keep on playing more music with new insight into familiar tracks. It was clearly better straight out of the box and has steadily improved over the week so hopefully there may be a bit more to come.
the design: it is a lovely looking thing to my eyes and seems to be very well built (but the heatsinks are sharp and it's heavy so be careful when moving or positioning it).
the screen: it's way better than the current streamers which (HDX excepted) look rather like a 1980s calculator display. Being larger it can be read from a reasonable distance and the colour display looks lovely. I would still like to be able to edit the font as it could be made even more legible given the size and colour options but I guess that's a matter of taste.
improved digital platform: I've never been plagued with the Tidal dropouts or other glitches that are sometimes raised in the Streaming Forum (nearly always network or ISP related) but it's nice to know the new platform is future proofed to a greater extent and probably more tolerant of implementaion issues. The addition of Cast is the big one for me as it opens up a huge range of sources, particularly Qobuz and I am looking forward to getting into hi res streaming in the near future. Improved usb capability and the SD card slot are also useful. There are more goodies that I may well get into using - there is even lip sync adjustment for AV sources.
I have mixed feelings about:
the remote: I love that you don't have to point it at the box - I never realised what a pain it was to have to have a direct line of sight to the SU. It's more logically laid out and simpler than the old one and has a very nice look and feel.... but it's much less capable - you have to scroll through the inputs rather than each having its own button as on the old design and there is no UPNP control and no access to Settings unless I am missing something. In short it's great for basic operations but you really have to use the app as well whereas the old type remote could do everything even if it was a bit clumsier.
the volume control: it looks very cool but I prefer the one on the old SU. In my rack the Nova sits in a shelf under the LP12 so top mounting is not ideal although there is sufficient clearance to reach it. I think it looks too much like a CD and I can never remember which way it goes - I guess I would get used to it but fortunately I very rarely have to touch it as the app and remote are both so responsive.
"support" - there is no manual only a quick start guide - a printed copy in the box and one on the web site. Stupidly the one on the web site has 2 page 3s and no page 4 (which is the page with the connections on it!). There is also a set of topic themed guides with video support but I'd still prefer a proper comprehensive manual even if only available as a PDF.
Overall I am delighted I made the change and it has exceeded my expectations - as well as the improved design and facilities, I would guage the uplift in sound quality as at least what I recall from adding a extra power supply to a pre amp in my multi box days. Having said that, the SU is still a damn fine box at around half the price!
It's not a real Powerline is it?? The Nova comes the the PL 'Lite'. However dare I suggest that it's a lot more sensible cable to have on a Nova than that AQ Hurricane ugly monster.
JohnnyKwok posted:We only have the ugly regular IEC cable.
I'd stick with that for now and give the Nova some time - it'll be fine 
JohnnyKwok posted:I also found the there some volume difference between the two unit. With the superuniti, I usually have it play with volume 50 will be my desire loudness, but the nova I need to turn all the way up to 60 to reach my desire loudness. So there at least +10 of a difference.
Also, how can I keep the front display screen to not show album art. I tried to switch to either clock or album tracking info but it will change it back to album art within 2 seconds.
Same experience here. Definite difference in the loudness level for the equivalent setting on each device.
Love the Roon integration