Supernait 2 vs Uniti Nova

analogmusic posted:

Naim is for me the hi-fi that is "foot tapping". It has a particular ability to not smear/ruin the rhythms in music.

And until you hear a Naim rig, basically what this means is that it is pretty damn close to a live band performance 

analogmusic posted:

I don't think there are any.

Naim do what they do best - "Pace rhythm and timing" and are pretty unique.

It's not that complicated. It only seems so because there is a bit to learn about Naim. That's what the forum is there for, I spent years reading up on it and listening to all the Naim range at the same time. (well that's because I have been interested in hi-fi since the age of 12).

it's for me a fascinating hobby. 

If you can afford a 272/250DR, you won't regret it. 

And you really should visit a Naim dealer in the UK, that's where I assume you are based?

Here's one of the reasons (and there are many) why Naim is unique

So why do Naim prefer to use DIN connectors?

The obvious reason: DIN connections sound better than RCAs...

The phono plug, or RCA connector, as best as anyone can remember, was designed decades ago as a direct current (DC) power connector. Its design properties do not lend themselves to transferring music signals that have very low voltages (less Than 5 volts) of alternating current (AC). This is true - no matter how good the RCA plug is or whether it is made with gold, etc.

The first difficulty with the RCA connector is that it has a high-frequency capacitive impedance of around 200 ohms; unfortunately, the typical cable that connects the two RCA plugs together has an impedance of about 50 ohms. In this situation, the two RCA connectors on either end of the cable act as reflective walls at higher frequencies and bounce information back and forth, trapping the signal and extending the decay time of the signal that is trying to pass from one component to the other. These reflections have an effect on musical information and are especially harmful to low-level signals, particularly quiet harmonics and underlying instruments, where the ringing that is generated by the loudest instruments will smear the smallest signals. The result is that the quiet instruments will blur or fade away when the loud ones come along. The complexities of the music and the tones of individual instruments get lost.

The DIN plug has an impedance that is similar to the cable. It does not reflect like an RCA plug.

Furthermore, the system ground (which should be a stable connection point to which all signals and power supplies are referenced) is absolutely critical to the sonic performance of your hi-fi. A single reference ground point is important so that signal details are not lost in the small, yet significant voltage differences inevitable with separated ground paths.

Many manufacturers point to the great trouble they take to "star ground" everything. Sadly, this is all wasted when you connect your system together with RCA-plugged cables. Why?

When you connect, for instance, a CD player to a preamp with RCA-plugged cable, you automatically have two separate ground wires - the left and right shields going between them. This creates a ground loop, which degrades the musical performance dramatically, and negates any efforts that were taken to ground the internal circuits properly.

If you were to connect these same two components together with DIN-plugged Naim interconnects, you would have only ONE cable with only ONE ground shield surrounding both the left and right signal wires. Hence, only one ground path for each connection and no ground loop.

 

This thread is off the rails, but it's all good.  The reason Naim rules is because they use DIN connectors?  I don't think so. While it might be the preference for the reasons posted above, I think the engineers behind either the SN2, or the Nova, would be quite offended if people were told that's the reason they beat a lot of the competition.  There's more to it than that.  And, yes, there's more to it than watts.  Even the Rob ones.

Naim was founded by someone who loved music, and I get the impression that the ethos lives on.  The much admired chord DACs were largely designed by a micro chip designer who loves music.  Unsurprising then, that there could be a synergy between the two.  These people don't love linear frequency response, taps, khz, bits, or any other technical aspect of their products, if it doesn't deliver a musical engagement when listening.  That's why they win the hearts of so many.  

Now, Sharon, you have no budget issues, and £9k speakers.  NDX2, NAC282, HiCap DR, 250DR, try it!  I've not heard the combo, neither has anyone else, but I've heard the suggestion that the NDX2 is to be an NDS beater.

I stick with Naim because they still service and repair their old stuff. I don't think amplifiers have evolved that much in the last decades and because Naim have always produced high quality products, the vintage boxes keep an excellent value. 

However, I am cautious about spending too much on electronics that contain software and converter chips because this field is changing very fast at the moment.

cat345 posted:

The Nova include a lot of technology that could become obsolete in a few years. The SN2 will retain it's value.

My CDX2 includes a lot of technology which is arguably obsolete  (it is certainly not being further developed by most manufacturers) but it still sounds great. 

Olly posted:

cat345 posted:

The Nova include a lot of technology that could become obsolete in a few years. The SN2 will retain it's value.

My CDX2 includes a lot of technology which is arguably obsolete  (it is certainly not being further developed by most manufacturers) but it still sounds great. 

Very true. Thanks to the mechanical integrity and the excellent analogue output of Naim cd players. I have a 1997 Exposure CD player which also sound great on it's own. When the use of external dacs became fashionable, I was glad that John Farlowe had the sound judgement to provide it's first cd player with a BNC digital output! 

Sharon Kabir posted:

I could not believe I'd get so complicated

The truth is that I do not know the quality companies of amplifiers. I am ashamed to ask this forum. Who are the competitors of NAIM . 

It’s not complicated. It’s just that each one of us has an opinion

Naim is of course primus inter pares 

You could also look at Linn, Hegel, Krell, McIntosh, Plinus, Simaudio Moon and numerous other great companies.

But something drew you to Naim...

thank you all .

I got a very comprehensive picture of my situation.

I'll think. I'll read a little more, and then I'll decide

Don't read !

Go listen

Perol posted:

Don't read !

Go listen

Of course its important to listen. Actually, it's essential !

But it's worth forming a short-list (a starting point in other words) of what you "think" might be suitable.

Otherwise your starting point becomes your Dealer's short-list of what he likes ! And none  of our dealers can tell in advance what will please you !

Of course, your starting point will probably be a mixture of your ideas, this Forum's ideas, your dealers ideas etc, but it's a starting point.

If you focus on Naim (and there's nothing wrong in doing that if you generally like the sound - it really is good stuff) then, generally speaking,  the more you spend, the better it will sound. But the incremental spend and corresponding musical enjoyment might be disproportionate. eg going from £1k to £2k might well double the enjoyment but going from £2k to £4k might only produce a "mild" increase in enjoyment. If your entire disposable income is limited to £4k, this second option might seem too extravagant. If your disposable income is £40k, then to second option might seem like magic for a relatively trivial outlay !

It's not easy. It can be exciting and enjoyable. It can include a bit of anxiety. Take your time and don't be rushed into a decision, even if you think you have reached Valhallah !

Oh, and Buyer's remorse can easily kick in shortly after you make your purchase

You might want to read the review of Nac 252 and nap 250 on what hi fi

analogmusic posted:

You might want to read the review of Nac 252 and nap 250 on what hi fi

Thats a great combo ! (If OP's got the budget)

Even its coming from "Wart hifi"

analogmusic posted:

Perol posted:

If budget is not restricted I would say with mentioned Totem speakers, a minimum 282/250 plus a psu for the preamp needed.

You can offcourse go direct to 500 series or Statement

I'm sure you then, will not reimagine a Nova anytime soon

A cheaper solution albeit with lots of power is looking at the larger Hegel amplication, not as involving as a Naim but worth a listen if possible.

Quite poor and Bad advice. Why look at Hegel ?

I think that is sound advice to try competition I heard a Hegel integrated driving Dynaudio Contour 3.4 and it sounded great and if I hadn't already invested heavily in Naim it wpould be a brand I would demo.

Who wants an Hegel? Try a Kierkegaard Metafysica, not cool sounding and very involving.