Hi to all… My SuperUniti has been replaced by a Nova, so what can i expect from this new beast?
Obviously it’s going to sound better, but how much better compared to my beloved SuperUniti.
The SuperUniti will be sent away for a service as the screen has died, but I can’t wait to collect the Nova…
Cheers…
Or maybe not… It’d be interesting to hear your own thoughts.
The presentation is no doubt “different” but how much “better” I’m not so sure.
Hi @Mr.Paws
For a start greater functionality but I agree with @Blythe the presentation will be likely different as opposed to outright better. But the SuperUniti will be one hell of a second system!
Enjoy,
Lindsay
I made that move and the Nova was significantly better in every way. A full fat Powerline is also a good upgrade - buy used or ex-dem.
Nova v SU - really its evolution rather than revolution; better ymmv, have both here. SU was serviced and screen changed a year or so ago. Still sounds fantastic. Serviced imho, there is not a vast difference between the two. Each unit will likely perform better by careful speaker choice, yet not always the same. If it wasn’t for my preference for Qobuz, I would be happy with either.
Room and speakers, plus your own preferences will largely determine the answer.
Interestingly I don’t recall very much by way of comments here on the forum, from peps moving up from SU to Nova. IIRC many went to 272 + NAP or other separates, otherwise I would imagine Nova likely attracted new customers. Similarly likely more comments about Nova and what speakers work better with Nova or not, than SU, likely based on increased forum numbers.
Enjoy!
edit - do let us know your conclusions in due course!
Thanks for all comments and advice.
I’ve got a Missing Link Orbit power cable which improved clarity overall so I’ll plug that into the Nova when I get it.
I’m not really expecting a massive improvement in sound quality, but I have actually heard a Nova a few years ago and I was really impressed by the build and functionality, and the Nova on quickie listen sounded more controlled and more fluid like texture than my SuperUniti…
Without knowing the age of your SU, a service may make a considerable difference to a shoot out between Nova and SU, since if the Nova is new, once both are run in, it will be interesting to learn your conclusions. This assumes you did mean service as well as a screen change on SU.
As to assertions that
while that may be a valid view, without details of any servicing or age together with speakers used and usual music preferences or genres, there are no reference points. It therefore remains very much one for you as op Mr.P to assess and conclude.
Hopefully you’ll be well pleased with it, having had one for years I think it’s a fantastic product but I don’t use it conventionally.
Upgrade potentials are somewhat limited, but it’s the nature of the beast as with the SuperUniti. I really wish it had SPDIF or optical out to be honest, I think the SuperUniti had a BNC digital out.
You can add an external NAP down the line if you wan to, I preferred it with a NAP 250 but I had one lying around anyway, but then you’re not using the Nova’s amplification.
The biggest value for money upgrade in my view is a Powerline rather than the Powerline Lite that it comes with - if you feel the itch try and borrow one from a dealer to try.
As the IEC socket is decoupled do make sure you plug the power lead in tightly as it can be easy not to.
The Atom is also a fine machine (I had one which developed a fault and by then the Nova was out so upgraded), but the Nova brings a lot more to the table.
That said a couple of years ago I was stunned by an Atom driving some Songs Faber stand mounters - possibly the most cohesive sound I’d heard in a long time.
The Unitis really are a great ‘bang for the buck’.
I took my 5 year old (so servicing not a factor) Superuniti into a dealer and compared it back to back with his demo model Nova through floor standing Pro-acs (can’t remember the precise model). Also can’t remember the music used apart from Miles’ Kind of Blue but the Grateful Dead, Blues and Reggae would definitely have featured.
The uplift in sound quality greatly exceeded my expectations. The Nova was just better in all aspects. The improved streaming capability was the icing on the cake.
I too found the Atom, Nova were a step up from their predecessors.
I currently have an Atom as a second system with ATC 11’s - it’s a really great combo. I tend not to play it too loud so it never really runs out of headroom.
I also prefer the form factor of the Atom over the Nova but that’s just me!
Nothing wrong with qute / superuniti and on a budget they present really good value and will provide the all important “Naim sound”
Enjoy the Nova, I’m confident you will find it a step up over the superuniti.
Gary
Thanks so much guys, I really appreciate the comments. I haven’t changed my system for around seven years when I purchased the SU which was a 2014 Bluetooth model. I loved it right from the start and it has entertained myself and friends tremendously. In fact, a few of my mates now have Naim gear, mainly from the pre-owned market.
I’ll definitely get the SU serviced and have a bit of fun with the Nova when I eventually collect it. I’m sure my Rega Apollo will sound ok, but I’m looking forward to listening to my NAS which has most of my near 1500 cd’s ripped on it. I’ve never been completely convinced the local streaming of my music sounds better or the same as actually playing the cd’s themselves and I know I’m straying into another discussion here, but on purchasing the Rega CDP made me realise CD is still here in good hands and sounding very good indeed. I still remember owning a CDX~2 many years go and had to sell it to fund something or other at that time and I was so depressed to let to go as it was at that time the best digital source I’d ever heard.
My Rega RS5’s are still sounding good and I’m reluctant to move them on but in time I’ll probably get some Proac’s or whatever is out there, and I’ve always had an admiration for Dynaudio, but that’s for another discussion I suppose.
Thanks always…
Quick update… I’ve had the Nova for a couple of weeks now and to be honest I wasn’t really that impressed with it. The first thing I did was plug my Missing Link Orbit mains lead in and left the Nova powered up with some radio on for a while, then had a listen to some music via the Rega Apollo. Muddy Waters’ Folk album sounded so bright and thin so I removed the ML mains lead and fitted the Naim Powerline lite. The difference was amazing, fuller sound etc much better. I just got the feeling the Nova needed running in and so I just left it on all the time for a week playing music in the evening and leaving the radio on during the day and its paid off because now it sounds superb with more detail and a much deeper soundstage and grip too.
I still plan to get the SuperUniti serviced very soon and I’ll do a comparison but already the Nova is a winner in all departments.
Reporting back soon… 
Hi @Mr.Paws
Thanks for the update. The Nova is a smashing piece of kit. It’s great that you have managed to get it up to snuff by running it in and connecting a PowerLine. Lots of people on here recommend this and it sounds like it’s doing the business for you. The Nova is a great all in one system - I hope you get many hours of enjoyment with it.
Mr.Paws mentioned the Powerlite, so whether it’s a full Powerline or the much more basic Lite version is anyone’s guess. I agree with you about the Powerline, and I used one when I had a Nova. It fills things out nicely.
Sorry I meant Powerline Lite, not the full fat version but I will be checking one out in time… 
I was very surprised to find the Missing Link cable was affecting the sound in a negative way. All ML cables I’ve used in the past have been superb and improved sound quality. As I said earlier, I’ll buy a Powerline (or borrow one).
There are lots available used, for around £350. It’s well worth it for the improvement you get.
…Another quickie update, I’ve got a Powerline on its way to me by Wednesday… Can’t wait to get it connected. Just playing some music whilst cooking, The Mavericks, ‘dance the night away’ and oh that lovely upright bass is so good even on low volume😎
There is an unwritten rule for Naim kit, which is, always use standard leads and i/cs initially.
Naim spend a lot of time trying to get everything to sound cohesive.
Sure there are alternates out there, however what suits one user, system (and room) may not suit another. Naim’s aim is to try and achieve the ideal (Naim) sound - in a sense all things being equal.
Plenty of PRaT and synergy.
The p/l will be a nice addition, but expectations should be, perhaps a nice addition, not a revolution.
Few likely don’t do a blind test, so keep an open mind! I have demonstrated blind to a listener who asked why the sound had changed - on a UQ2 - when adding a p/l.