My system for the past 10 years has been CDX2, XPS2, Supernait, HiCap, and a HiLine, feeding Audiovector Mi3 Super speakers. This has been enjoyed in 3 homes. And great enjoyment it has brought. But the march of streaming and hi-res music has added features that a CD-based system cannot match.
I have resisted a change for a number of years because I didn't feel that an App could do what I couldn't just as easily do with a short walk to the cupboard, namely find a favourite CD. My wife and I didn't want the stress of getting to know another piece of computer wizardry. However, several people have mentioned Roon and I didn't mind trialling this on my computer and exploring what it brings to the table. So, separately from our main listening enjoyment, I have got to know how Roon can provide what used to be in LP sleeve notes, and generally encourage us to explore music. Integration with Tidal offers a great way to test out compositions without having to immediately purchase: Roon is great to suggest new music.
But Naim didn't offer any Roon integration and therefore I was stuck, until now. Now the Naim Uniti range offers Roon and has lots of new bells and whistles. So, a call to my local (next Province) Naim dealer resulted in a 10 day home trial of a Uniti Nova and the offer of a "special good deal." (Spoiler alert: it's not going back!)
I have been swapping speaker cables over and over again between the Supernait and Nova, comparing well-known CD and their NAS equivalents, and I am very impressed. For a good bit less than my CD-based system originally cost, I find that vocals are clearer, piano is better integrated (between left and right hands), and with 24/96 FLAC, orchestra is held together better. Both setups control the speakers just as well, with what I believe bass should sound like; deep and tight. And remember I was entirely satisfied with my Supernait. I am tapping my feet to both, immersing myself equally in the whole composition whether on NAS or CD, and picking out individual musical strands as my whim takes me without thought of whether it is Supernait or Nova. The basic character of both the Nova and the Supernait / CDX2 is almost indistinguishable, and that is not a bad thing. But the Nova also has Roon.
And the Nova comes with a special offer of $500 discount on a Mu-so Qb, something that I need for our winter cottage.
I thoroughly recommend the Nova. Setup was just a few seconds, and it hasn't missed a beat. I'm now getting to know the internet radio and find this a great addition for news programs. I don't think I'll be using this for music enjoyment.
Finally, I must point out that the Nova is wired, with both it and the NAS being connected to a Netgear switch. Our home has 1.5Gb/s fibre, and the modem is also wired to the switch.
Thank you Naim!
Les
Posted on: 02 November 2017 by Shropshire Hills
Hi Les
Interesting post there - I had a Supernait 2 for nearly 4 years and found it to be a cracking amp but I also began to explore streaming - in my case with Tidal via a Sonos Connect. After weighing up various options - NDX, 272 etc - I took a Nova home on a 14 day trial. I have now kept it. To my ears its amp section is not far behind the SN2 and it has the big advantage of the new streaming platform which I am gradually getting to grips with - Roon is on the agenda
Being Naim there are always upgrade options and I have just added a secondhand 250DR. Long term I will possibly take the opportunity to move the Nova to a second room and replace it with the 272 successor when it has the new streaming platform
Bob
Posted on: 02 November 2017 by Artemis
I do sometimes resist the temptation to upgrade. 
My Supernait is one of the originals; I wonder if that has any bearing on me finding that the Nova is not behind the Supernait? I was prepared for the one-box Nova to be slightly less than the 4-box Supernait system, but I really didn't find this to be the case. I found the Nova to ever so slightly edge the Supernait. But it was close!!!
But what does your 250DR bring to the mix? (I had checked out to see if there were any secondhand 250s available in Canada/USA even before your post. ....None on-line)
In reply to your mention of East Pointers, no, I have not come across them as a group, but Tim Chaisson, their fiddler/singer, and I have met several times. The Island is awash with great music!
Les
Posted on: 02 November 2017 by Artemis
Hi Mike
For me, Roon brings it all together. It certainly saves me Googling the album, then the artist, then what other albums the artist appeared on, then what are their upcoming concerts, what music may be similar, who influenced them, etc. Roon provides all this in a great way. If you are happy with Googling, then I have no quibble with this. I like to occasionally get away from Googling.
I also like how Roon displays how the sound quality is retained through the several layers of transport & delivery.
First priority is to enjoy the music. N'est pas?
Les
Posted on: 02 November 2017 by Artemis
Hi Bob
We love getting out to Island music. It's often foot tapping stuff, audience and performers alike. On Sunday, we're going to see a group called the Atlantic String Machine, who blend classical with contemporary. The last time we saw them, they did a great rendition of "The Devil went down to Georgia" with a spookily lit actor giving the words.
If you take a holiday over here again, call in.
Les
Posted on: 02 November 2017 by Innocent Bystander
Hmmm. Roon, eh? Does it give you anything you wouldn't get by just googling the album title?
What it does is present info to you without any need to search, and that includes suggestions of other music you might like, and other music by the same artists, including solo works etc. if that is what one wants, then great, and I know that others very much like it, but to me when I trialled I felt it was too much 'in my face' and distracting as well as for the most part unwanted. Maybe I could have done more to tailor the interface if I had persevered with the trial, but I didn't. Overall the interface was too reminiscent of so-called social media like Facebook, which I prefer to avoid.
It also seemlessly integrates Tidal with one's own musuc library, which for Tidal users may be great - but a pointless distraction for me as I have no interest in Tidal.
However, Roon is available on a free trial basis, so I would certainly recommend trying - there does seem to be a committed following, who clearly find much to like, even though I didn't.
Posted on: 04 November 2017 by Artemis
Hi Bob
We saw 10 Strings and a Goat Skin a few weeks ago, when they joined the PEI Symphony Orchestra. This project had been in the works for a couple of years. One of the orchestra members, a cellist, had been writing an orchestral arrangement to some of the band's tunes. And the result was great. Our orchestra has paired up with bands a number of times before, always with great results. The first part of the performance was Beethoven's 3rd. ...Live gigs rule OK!
As for our Nova, it is getting some great playing. This morning, our "easy listening" Boston radio station played Mendelssohn's Hebrides Overture, which I also had on 24/96. A great opportunity to really appreciate the difference. OMG. ...not surprisingly.
The more I am listening to the Nova, the more I am appreciating its virtues. It really engages with clarity. Glad you are enjoying yours.
Les
