How good is Nova vs. SN or SU ?

I had a Superuniti and the Nova is a significant improvement both in sound quality and functionality, I am totally happy with it and it should easily drive your speakers. If you want to go the SN2 route (which I haven't heard) then best wait for the new streamer range as the new streaming module is much better than the previous generation.

You need to be aware that SU you can controll using either your phone (tablet), the front panel or the remote. With the new series you will be glued to the screen of tablet or phone in order to chose the music you want t play or adjust other settings. The remote has got very limited usability and the controls on the front panels are very limited too. The front screen is pretty useless unfortunatelly. On old screens you could read more information without a need to press ant button or wake up the application (ok the screen was on a small side but still).

Soundwise I found that the new Uniti's are playing much better from internet radio sources. Radio Paradise, for example, sound much better on my Uniti Star compared to the old Uniti. The difference is not so prominent when it somes to playing music from other sources such as music stored on NAS or CD.

paperman posted:

Hi,

I'm planning to buy a Naim system, I'm very interested to the new Nova but I have some dubts about it.

Sound quality speaking, is the Nova more similar than a SN2+ND5, XS+ND5 or SU?

My loudspeakers are Audiovector SR3 floorstanding.

I'm new on this forum, thank you in advance for your answer, Alberto

Welcome to the forum, Alberto. Prepare to be confused! 

I would say that the Nova is quite a big step up from the Superuniti, but in the UK, you can find a good used Superuniti for less than £2000, under half the price of a new Nova. 

I would also say that Supernait + NDX is a big step up from the Nova, and a classic Naim combination that performs very well. Supernait + ND5 maybe not so much, although the new ND5XS2 might be worth a listen when it is released. 

You should also consider what you want from a streamer, as the new Naim streamers have improved functions, especially for streaming from the web. If you stream mainly from a NAS on your own network, the old range of streamers work just fine. 

Welcome to the Forum. You may use the Naim price list as a guide. You will always get the sound you pay for. Meaning the more you pay the better it will sound. Features however will differ so a little research into how you want to listen will guide you the right way.

The Nova is better than a SU. A SN is a better amp than a Nova, but you will need to add the network player.

cdboy posted:

You may use the Naim price list as a guide. You will always get the sound you pay for. Meaning the more you pay the better it will sound.

I wouldn't take that as patent advice. 'Better' is in the ear of the beholder along with all associated prejudices for having spent more. I found the SN2 a "better" amp than the Nait XS for pure hi-fi factors. As for overall engagement factor, I'd opt for the cheaper Nait XS. 

You can do better than the Nova - if you spend a lot more ( as you would expect) - but you don’t need to have any doubts about it. It is superb bit of kit.