Uniti is a rage of one box solutions. The nova is a streamer, and integrated amp. There is a model called the Star that also has a CD player.
Supernait is next level up, in many ways. It’s an integrated amp meaning you would put a streamer in to do the sourcing and translation and playing of the music and the Supernait covers the other bits.
The old classic series is a range of separates to which power amps like the 250 and 300 belong.
It’s fine to mix and match across all but you need experience or a dealer to know what works with what.
So when you say you are swapping the SN1 for a Nova and a SN3 and and Ndx2 it’s a bit confusing because you have a one box solution, an integrated amp and a single box streamer together. Was that what you meant?
You would only need the SN3 and the Ndx2 and they would kick arse on the Nova in my opinion.
I’m certainly not picking a fight! I wasn’t referring to you but to how the ‘community spirit’ works in many responses. Anyhow this is becoming a thread distraction.
If he does not need a record deck and phono stage and intends to use just a streamer then the SN2 would be a good choice with whichever streamer he might prefer. What music sources will he be wanting to be provided by the streamer, local files, radio streams or Qobuz/Amazon etc?
The Spendors are my favourite speaker and those D7.2’s look lovely.
I have the feeling that you may have made your decision already; but FWIW I listened extensively to Spendor D7.2s last year when demoing speakers.
They sound fantastic but are very revealing of source. However they are also quite an easy load for the amp and go loud with apparent ease especially when compared to the ATCs I eventually bought, suggesting they are more efficient than the specs imply.
So what? I think the SN1 is more than up to the task and would look at the best streamer you can afford (NDX2 at least).
Get the SN1 serviced, add an NDX2 (or Auralic streamer for the SN1 digital input?). Add a HiCap if you must.
Job done.
Edit: Spendor demo’d their D7.2s with a Cyrus integrated amp at the 2023 Bristol show - again they sounded great and didn’t need a powerhouse to drive them.
I love my naim hifi but u know what? Im not sure id recommend naim ownership to anyone any more- the size and range of opinions and issues experienced by knowledgeable owners on just this forum is off putting, members will defend naim to the hilt but actually owning naim is becoming less appealing. Streaming is certainly one area that deserves caution - it’s not like naim kit is exactly plug and play when it comes to streaming, rather it can be way way too problematic! Everything else I use in this digital age simply works- my naim kit just doesn’t! So if your dad wants to enjoy music instead of trying to fix issues maybe try another more robust platform… and I have spent tens of thousands on naim- so my bias should be pro naim. This post may result in a lot of wrath from the forum gate keepers but naim kit is expensive, new or used it should just work and it often doesn’t. To finish this post I would also exercise caution into being sucked in to the current discounted kit- it was jolly expensive at full retail and is still expensive discounted - it has a way to further drop in value and it will and, very sadly, naim can no longer boast that their obsolete equipment will always be supported/serviced/repaired. Go find a good hi fi dealer and ask what he would now buy… if I was starting out on my hi fi journey I think I’d be looking elsewhere.
There is a lot of truth in what you say but I still believe that Naim amplification is the best value for sound quality that I have come across. Streaming was never for me a Naim strongpoint but it has fallen farther behind in recent years with online streaming sources.
I had a SN 2 with HiCap DR feed by a NDX 2 into a pair of ProAc D30Rs and it was a lovely system. Three boxes on a rack was neat and easy to maintain. I could higly recommend for your dad.
…of course I did eventually add the XPS DR to the NDX 2 which was a nice uplift.
I would also suggest the 222 with an NC250, this is a great combination and there is the option to upgrade with an NPX300 at a later date. As @HungryHalibut said, you can get the 222/250 combination ex dem or second hand now for a good price. Another cheaper option would be an Atom HE and NC250 but the 222 is a big step up SQ-wise and I think worth the money. The 222 also has a very good MM phono input which could be useful if the system has a TT.
Only if analogue sources are used and / or an external ps is attached. The difference between an Atom HE and the bare 222 is shockingly small for the price. Opinion, room, ears et cetera apply …
Another member has written something very similar. I have my HE with active speakers, and it’s very good indeed. I’m not sure I’d use it with a 250 though, as they don’t seem natural partners. More practically, you can’t tell the 250 to go into standby via the HE, which is such a nice feature of the 222/250 combo. Still, if I can manage to switch two speakers off, anyone can manage just one 250.
Another Atom HE and active speakers user here. However, I did listen to the HE with a 250DR and my current speakers in passive mode. it sounded very good but I didn’t buy it as it was ex-demo, quite old and overpriced I felt.
I went for active PMC’s which, like @HungryHalibut, I feel are a better fit for the Atom HE, and to my ears they produce a marginally better SQ when comapared with the same speakers passively with the 250DR and Atom HE.
In conclusion - I’m 100% streaming (local files and Qobuz) and very happy with my one box simple set up.
I would go NSC222/NAP250 NC, as others have mentioned both can be purchased ex-demo or pre-loved, there a a good few people upgrading to the 333/332/350 set-up and leaving their 222/250’s behind.
The 222 is also an excellent centre for your HiFi needs and can be improved further by adding a NPX300 power supply at a later date if your father so wished.