That’s right. With system automation enabled, you can control the SN3, or any current Naim preamp, using the app or the network player’s remote.
2 Likes
Sub/s is a cost effective way for bass and may be required to remove dead spots in the room esp if there are compromises to be made in terms of positioning. Also, one might just demand over the top bass at times esp if one wants to use the system for AV as well.
@pslosarc don’t think anyone disagree about trying to upgrade what we have but before we even get it doesn’t feel right. Feels a little bit like buying a house and imagining an extension before making the purchase as opposed to buying an apartment and thinking of may be later buy the next floor or neighboring unit and joining them together.
Yeah but for what really, in a hifi system. And though a sub can extend the bass and it can solve some problems, it also comes with its own set of new problems. I’d recommend to the OP to first listen to his rather large and bass-capable Kanta 2 to see if there even is anything that needs solving.
Else agreeing with the NDX2+SN3 suggestions if the OP really wants to upgrade from the Nova. The OP said he is going to pick up the Nova soon, not seeing any problem with changing their mind. What dealer would not allow this? However, TBH the whole story seems a bit ill-considered to me, not sure the OP even has a real need for all these upgrades
1 Like
Hello LMFK, I agree with others, but the Nova/Kanta 2 is a recommended pairing if I remember correctly. I own a Nova and run it with a pair of B&W CM8 S2 speakers which are smaller than the Kanta 2’s and I can confirm there is no lack of power or bass. Try the set you’ve ordered first, run it all in and revel in its audio magnificance, then if you’re not happy add plan B, I don’t think you will need to though!
4 Likes
I initially added a sub to my Nova for LFE’s watching movies, then I switched my systems between rooms and ran the sub with a SN2. I’ve now done a bit of room treatment to make the room a dedicated movie / listening room and have a 252 with the SN2 in power amp mode, still with the sub. What I have learned though, is that with the room treatment, a well integrated sub is worthwhile for the overall presentation of music as well as the LFE’s on movies in a well balanced 2.1 system.
1 Like
yes, the need for all this is the new set of problems that I meant 
And barely a musical instrument except electronics goes below a frequency that the Kanta 2 is well capable of representing. Sure, a well integrated sub in a treated room maybe after proper measurements can bring good things, but personally my advice would still be to see if there is any problem. Or rethink the whole plan really, this seems all very odd to me.
2 Likes
Only asking but…is the balance awry here i.e. over-speakered?
That’s not really true. The lowest note of a piano is around 27hz, which is about 10hz lower than the specified bottom frequency of the Kanta 2. Now that is quite lot, considering that full range speakers lose a lot of power in the lower registers (below 100hz), which you can also see in the frequency response of for instance the Kanta 2:
A decent sub will have no trouble compensating that loss of power up to the crossover frequency:
I said “barely”, not “none”. And it will not be unrepresented, 25 Hz are still there with -20 dB. Which is a lot of dropoff, but our brain reconstructs it from the harmonics as well, which is why standmount speakers do not all suck big time in a completely unusable way.
A 4-string bass in standard tuning on the other hand has a 41 Hz minimum, which the Kanta 2 does with minimal dropoff. Given how much piano music I personally listen to, and how often (not) the lowest key is used in it, I for one can live with this.
And while a sub helps with that, you create yet another crossover frequency, phase issues, etc. I am not saying that subs are useless, but it takes a lot of care, and my recommendation would STILL be to first rethink the apparently poorly thought-out plans and then to see if there are real problems to solve
1 Like
I once told Richard Lord that I didn’t believe a Sub was required in a well sorted hi-fi system. He didn’t agree, but then he wouldn’t, but he offered a test in my system at the time but we didn’t get around to it for various reasons.
Accordingly I remain of the view, unless persuaded otherwise, that if you wish to watch Star Wars then a Sub may improve the experience, if you need it in your system it lacks balance.
@ both above, no a sub is obviously not required in a hifi system. But neither is a 555DR for that matter.
It’s all a matter of subjective opinion whether anything is really needed or not. And it’s subjective what constitutes a realistic representation of source material.
To some people it may be achieved by adding a dedicated speaker that can produce the lowest frequencies properly such as a subwoofer, to others it may be by adding separate power supplies to reduce noise or improve other aspects of the music.
Different strokes for different folks…
Remember, though, that a sub will impact on the whole presentation, not just the low frequency, if done right. Certainly not essential, but I’ve found that it improves the overall scale of things.
5 Likes
Yes it moves air, which is an important aspect of how we experience real/live music. It’s one of the reasons why live concerts sound so great, it’s because we can physically feel the music, besides hearing it. That is what subwoofers do.
3 Likes
Sure, I am only recommending that the OP finds out what is subjectively needed. Adding a sub can definitely make things worse if it is not well integrated, and IMHO integrating it it properly very much suggests proper measurements. As things stand, I believe there are bigger problems to solve first.
My lowly Monitor Audio floorstander does that too. Not as well, certainly, but it’s not as if its an un-physical experience. And even a sub won’t get you everything, even 5 Hz still represents things like drafts in a large hall that can be felt as being there. All a question of tradeoffs.
Sure but because of the rolloff in full range speakers you will have to play them very loud in order to feel them. With a subwoofer that isn’t needed, the power is always there, also in softly playing music.
Yes there is always room for improvement, 10-15hz is already really difficult for most subs to reach… 
Cannot agree, I feel bass at normal and lowish volume. Sure not as much surely, but you make it sound as if it was like wearing headphones. Maybe not having a Nova helps, I do believe that this very much improved with my system compared to the previous one with same speakers, so as the OP does not even have the Nova yet, I STILL recommend they should first rethink and/or try what they really want
Maybe, however a separate power amp is a recommended upgrade to the Nova (as stated on the web site) so one presumed it’s designed in and not so much of a leap of faith. Not all of my Naim purchases have been through audition, on the odd occasion I’ve bought on the basis that Naim say it’s an upgrade and have never been caught out yet. Depending on location it’s not always possible to audition before purchase and one is forced to trust in the brand…
1 Like
Sure, as a later upgrade and maybe stepping stone why not. But from the outset is odd
2 Likes
Well i didn’t intend to imply that… But with 20-30db attenuation at those low frequencies, it will be 3-4 times softer/quieter than the rest of the music. So you would generally need a bit higher playback volume to get a decent amount of air moving…
1 Like