Adding a power amp to Nova Uniti

Thanks for the confirmation. :smiley:

For what its worth my Nova/250DR sounds better than my old CDS3/XPS2/252/SC/300 most of the time, with some exceptions on CD rips. Not sure what that tells me other than its a damn good combination :slight_smile:

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I suspect this might be a minority preference…

SQ depends on many things, room acoustics, speaker choice, selection of plants in the vicinity, etc…its my minority preference (which is all that matters to me) :slight_smile:

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Interesting one. I have an early Nova which once I got my active system serviced is now acting as variable level output to NAC 282 - I’ve home demoed NDX 2 twice against it, the NDX 2 was not available when I go the Nova. The first time I tested the NDX 2 seemed streets ahead, the second with newer firmware on both I think the gap had narrowed significantly. I was considering the NDX 2 and Nova as trade-in or all in one in another room. After that last A/B I could not justify the NDX 2 as i felt it probably needed a PSU to really shine.

Equally I’d love to compare ND5 XS2 to Nova out of curiosity - I’m not sold on the displays to be honest and could live without one.

My Olive 250 worked very well attached to Nova pre-out, suspect DR would be even better.

It’s far from a logical combination to try for most though, but if you have a NAP lying around idle you just have to try it!

…its a logical upgrade according to the Naim website. Notwithstanding that though as soon as the 272 replacement appears I will probably be on the move again :wink:

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Naim also suggests Focal Kanta 2 for the Nova – which, I think, is a lot of speaker for what is essentially an XS3 cum ND5XS2 in one box…

Don’t shot the messenger… :wink:

…whare is that one on the website?

On Naim’s Nova side (Uniti Nova - Audiophile All-in-one Player | Naim Audio) scroll down, and open the “Suggested System” tab (or whatever the thingy is called by IT people).

P.S. Not too long ago I saw the Nova with a pair of Focal Kanta 1 in a major London department store. Admittedly, the system was poorly set up. Still I wasn’t sure at all whether this would be £10K well spent…

Ah, that was the special promotion at Mullets’R’Us. Some of Naim’s suggested systems are somewhat bizarre, but being partnered with Focal, they must suggest something, and of course suggesting the Kanta 2 will big up the Nova’s alleged abilities. It was pretty hopeless when I tried one with my (then) SL2s. It’s a fine all in one, but doesn’t hold a candle to an NDX2 and Supernait 3 for example, let along a full blown separates system.

Yes, as an upgrade, but not if buying new. Still think it’s a shame you can’t add a PSU.

That, and there are the Focal + Naim bundles:
https://www.focal-naim.com.au/focal-bundles

Blimey – who in this right mind would pair an Atom with Chora 826, a massive speaker? What’s wrong with a good quality bookshelf speaker for the Atom?!

FWIW, I wondered how an Atom would sound with my Russell K Red 50? For the new kitchen diner – currently under construction. Though I am not sure whether there will be any monies for hifi for a little while after that project will be finished… :woozy_face:

Yeah, I also thought it’s not exactly source first :slight_smile: Nova - 6K + Kanta 2 - 10K, but I guess it’s good for Focal :wink:
On the other hand, for someone who likes great sound without having high-end ambitions I am sure it sounds spectacular, and Clare said a lot of listening was done.

I bought mine new (together). Got a great deal on the 250DR same time as the Nova. It needed the 250DR to bring the Shahinians up to the level of the 300 I was used to.

This now has me thinking. Having just started to understand what the “DR” is, I see it would be a significant upgrade to the Nova’s power. And, as a PS (lol…PS is power source eh?) cannot be added to the Nova, an amp could be a workaround there correct? In that you could have a PS with a 250DR or 300DR with the Nova? If so, that may be a path for me. It could be stages. Add the Amp. A year later add the PS. Then in time, add speakers and another source (NDX2…) and the second system would be complete.

I had an Atom with the Chora 816. It absolutely rocked them. My neighbor outside on a large lot said they sound like a concert. I’m pretty sure the Atom would drive the 826s just fine. I stepped up to the Nova, but as I waited for the Nova to arrive and listened to the Atom I wondered if the purchase was excessive. The Atom is a quite amazing unit.

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PS is power supply :slight_smile: The 250 can’t use a PS, and the 300 can’t be without one and comes with one.

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I have been focused on the 300DR. It’ll be a while…I’d need to do a remodeling project to need it. So a couple years down the road.

Hmm. Maybe 300DR, then remodel? Lol….