Atom vs SU

Looks nice tho!????

I’ve upgraded from the UC2 to a Nova. If you want a big step in SQ, skip the Atom and grab the Nova, you won’t look back. What speakers do you have, you could try a demo with them and see how much more you can get from them.

Mr. Sullivan, thanks for the input. But help me: lets stay on track (budget) here. A Nova its marvellous but way more expensive. ????

thanks again

mrCardoso posted:

Mr. Sullivan, thanks for the input. But help me: lets stay on track (budget) here. A Nova its marvellous but way more expensive. ????

thanks again

Ah, yes. Fair enough. I started with a UQ2 and upgraded it by adding a NAP100 and new speakers, which I now use all of in the media room. To some extend, it depends on whether you’d prefer to keep the UQ2, if you do, add a NAP100. But I have no experience of how that would compare to the SU.

mrCardoso posted:

Pev posted:

If I had to choose between going back to my SU or getting an Atom, I'd take the Atom every time

(Thanks again for the value input mr Arnold.)

Mr. PEV;

interesting quote there...

Is this a question of... sensibility? (you may prefer the new signature sound?)

As Mr ChrisSU stated, my needs will be more fulfilled with the  SU.

I´ll try to acquire a used SU first.

thanks for the time....

Hi Mr Cardoso,

I preferred the sound - the Atom had a level of both transparency and drive that I hadn't heard from my Superuniti. To be fair, this was in the Naim factory dem room so set up was beyond what I was used to at home!

I’m not much help with your original question because I have never heard the Atom even though I owned an SU. I would however ask for assurances the display is in good working order from a seller if you’re considering buying an SU unseen

OP take the Atom, later you can go NAP100 IF you get the upgrade itch.

As good as the Nova was for me over the Atom, certain tweaks for my where far greater than that step.

I would go Atom, the find a dealer to loan you and Audioquest Vodka or Chord Shawline, as a free demo, that with a Cisco 2960 I am sure is a good compromise.

Pev posted:

mrCardoso posted:

Pev posted:

If I had to choose between going back to my SU or getting an Atom, I'd take the Atom every time

(Thanks again for the value input mr Arnold.)

Mr. PEV;

interesting quote there...

Is this a question of... sensibility? (you may prefer the new signature sound?)

As Mr ChrisSU stated, my needs will be more fulfilled with the  SU.

I´ll try to acquire a used SU first.

thanks for the time....

Hi Mr Cardoso,

I preferred the sound - the Atom had a level of both transparency and drive that I hadn't heard from my Superuniti. To be fair, this was in the Naim factory dem room so set up was beyond what I was used to at home!

I heard the Atom in the factory demo room too, although I think not on the same visit as Pev. To me it sounded a bit unrefined and forced, not something I would buy myself. But it was played loud, through a pair of those dreadful, small but expensive, Focal speakers. The Nova was another matter altogether though, transcending the Focal effect.

best

David

Mike Sullivan posted:

mrCardoso posted:

Mr. Sullivan, thanks for the input. But help me: lets stay on track (budget) here. A Nova its marvellous but way more expensive. ????

thanks again

Ah, yes. Fair enough. I started with a UQ2 and upgraded it by adding a NAP100 and new speakers, which I now use all of in the media room. To some extend, it depends on whether you’d prefer to keep the UQ2, if you do, add a NAP100. But I have no experience of how that would compare to the SU.

Mr. Sullivan; i  prefer a one box solution. Still, while i like the idea of a SU , im starting to feel “blind” : acquire without a Demo is something i never did. ????

decisions, decisions... ????

I had an original Qute, upgrade to SU (after 2 or 3 years I think) was in the “nice, more of everything” category. When I switched to Kudos S10 stand mounts (after another 3 or 4 years) , the difference was even bigger. I tried comparing (swapped in Qute for several weeks while trying to sell SU) and found Qute was not really able to drive S10’s with convincing low end even at lower volume where I normally live; this was my first real experience with “not enough amp”. Both Naim pieces were really fun and streaming my ripped CDs from NAS reinvented my listening ... access to Spotify then Tidal was also a revelation and my main source these days.

I upgraded both to Atom and Nova this past winter. No direct A-B listening comparison to share (ie no SU vs Atom) I just jumped, since featured were a big motivation for me and I trusted that the sound would please... but when I first put Atom in service, in main room with S10’s, it did not at all sound unbalanced or weak in the bottom like I had experienced with the Qute vs SU; it is lively and lovely and I considered (briefly!) not adding the Nova just yet. Anyway, I did of course (Atom and X2 are upstairs, truly wonderful in the sitting / listening area of our huge bedroom) and the Nova / S10 system in the living room is just amazing to me. 

If you don’t want newest streaming capabilities, and especially if native Roon holds no interest, my feeling is that the SU is a fantastic deal on the used market. On the other hand, and this is where you have the hardest choice since you can’t demo both, I think the Atom is truly a great performer and comes with all new everything including features and screen and beautiful volume control (although I loved the SU knob too). In your (tough!) shoes, I’d look hard for a real bargain on a mint used SU then, if time and patience run out, I’d pivot for a new Atom and never look back. I think the agony of decision making should be left behind once you get something in the door and enter the phase of being overjoyed with how your music sounds.  

Regards and happy hunting, alan

Mr. Alan;

Thanks so much for the time. Yes, im thinking on pulling  the trigger on a used SU. 

(The only thing im may consider is make a demo  on a Atom. But then, does not have fm/dab module, and require to change my listening habits) ????

mrCardoso posted:

Mr. Alan;

Thanks so much for the time. Yes, im thinking on pulling  the trigger on a used SU. 

(The only thing im may consider is make a demo  on a Atom. But then, does not have fm/dab module, and require to change my listening habits) ????

 

Both new Atom and used SU are worthwhile upgrades on your already-good Qute2, so fun is in your future. That is a good place to be.

Losing FM was a minor but meaningful  blip for us, as it was our main morning source especially on weekdays getting sorted for work. Internet copy of our local CBC Radio2 station fills that gap for us. You may use FM differently of course!

If you haven’t adjusted your habits to include Radio Paradise yet, well, do that now with your Qute and see how you get on (I think it’s a great station but I’m “of a certain age” where FM from my youth, a disappeared thing where I live, played the role of both playing familiar favourites and introducing new ones).

Same goes for online streaming: give it a go with your Qute2 and a free 1-month trial subscription to Tidal or the cheap 3-months-for-1 starter offer from Spotify. This is a worthwhile thing independent of upgrading your black box, imho. Lots of fun to be mined from what you have, irrespective of hunting around for the next thing. You might be surprised at how the new perspective illuminates you, even though you are well served with what you already enjoy. 

Regards, alan

alan33 posted:

mrCardoso posted:

Mr. Alan;

Thanks so much for the time. Yes, im thinking on pulling  the trigger on a used SU. 

(The only thing im may consider is make a demo  on a Atom. But then, does not have fm/dab module, and require to change my listening habits) ????

 

Both new Atom and used SU are worthwhile upgrades on your already-good Qute2, so fun is in your future. That is a good place to be.

Losing FM was a minor but meaningful  blip for us, as it was our main morning source especially on weekdays getting sorted for work. Internet copy of our local CBC Radio2 station fills that gap for us. You may use FM differently of course!

If you haven’t adjusted your habits to include Radio Paradise yet, well, do that now with your Qute and see how you get on (I think it’s a great station but I’m “of a certain age” where FM from my youth, a disappeared thing where I live, played the role of both playing familiar favourites and introducing new ones).

Same goes for online streaming: give it a go with your Qute2 and a free 1-month trial subscription to Tidal or the cheap 3-months-for-1 starter offer from Spotify. This is a worthwhile thing independent of upgrading your black box, imho. Lots of fun to be mined from what you have, irrespective of hunting around for the next thing. You might be surprised at how the new perspective illuminates you, even though you are well served with what you already enjoy. 

Regards, alan

Thank you so much. ????

It does depend what sort of music you like and where you live. Here in the UK radio 3 FM (plus radio 4 for the Today programme) gives me all the radio I want and Radio Paradise doesn't interest me at all! Nor does Spotify come to that...

best

David

I honestly have a Franciscan approach. 

All my collection is aprox. 128gb 

????

FM is to balance this. 

????

David Hendon posted:

It does depend what sort of music you like and where you live. Here in the UK radio 3 FM (plus radio 4 for the Today programme) gives me all the radio I want and Radio Paradise doesn't interest me at all! Nor does Spotify come to that...

best

David

Surely you're forgetting 'I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue' and 'Just a Minute' on BBC Radio4, David?  Both essential listening for me.

I know what you mean Clive, but I use the Roberts radio in the kitchen for that! Radio 4 when I am driving in the UK is essential listening, unless there is something special on radio 3!

best

David

David Hendon posted:

I know what you mean Clive, but I use the Roberts radio in the kitchen for that! Radio 4 when I am driving in the UK is essential listening, unless there is something special on radio 3!

best

David

Essential listening for me as well, but I tend to listen to them on IPlayer rather than live, and use an IPad or a Qb as the SQ doesn’t have an impact on my enjoyment.

hifi-dog posted:

Looks nice tho!????

If you mean the screen of the new Uniti, then I beg to differ. Yes it looked good in the marketing material and on the website. But when it was finally released it very quickly became apparent that the design was not thought out properly. It has potential but is a disappointment. It’s very limited to what it can display and navigate and doesn’t even have an option to turn it off. 

DomTomLondon posted:

hifi-dog posted:

Looks nice tho!????

If you mean the screen of the new Uniti, then I beg to differ. Yes it looked good in the marketing material and on the website. But when it was finally released it very quickly became apparent that the design was not thought out properly. It has potential but is a disappointment. It’s very limited to what it can display and navigate and doesn’t even have an option to turn it off. 

Dealbreaker for me

I’m sure that naim will fulfill your desires with sone software updates..

hifi-dog posted:

I’m sure that naim will fulfill your desires with sone software updates..

I've heard this since first batch and NO purchases from here before actual update available, mighty happy with my UQ (display off)