After reading all the many posts in this and other Threads, I had a listening appointment at my dealer (Audiovinyl in Zurich) yesterday. We listened to the new 200 series (full set with NSC 200, NAP 250, NPX 300) compared with Uniti Atom and Uniti Nova (I use Atom at the moment). Speakers were Scansonic MB 5B and Marten Oscar Duo. We listened to classical, jazz and pop tracks.
- We started with the Atom. I am always amazed at how good it sounds, especially in the ideal listening conditions at the dealer. With sensible accessories and suitable speakers, I think it’s a bargain, and in terms of price/performance ratio, it’s Naim’s best unit.
- The Nova has the same sound signature, opens up the soundstage a little wider, slightly better resolution and a little more detail in the bass, depending on the music material. Clearly audible especially with big band jazz and great classical, but no day&night difference.
- The new Classic series is very different: after switching from the Nova, the sound stage immediately moved a lot further forward. The resolution in highs and mids increases dramatically, the bass is drier. The overall sound signature does not change fundamentally and is typical Naim, perhaps a little more direct. We listened to a classical piece with vocals in a church. With the New Classic, you immediately sit in the middle of the church in the front row, hear the voices in detail and you are surrounded by the reverberation of the church - quite fascinating. After switching back to the Nova, everything moved further away. It was as if I had switched to the open entrance of the church instead of being in the front row. I moved even two steps further back outside of the church when I switched to the Atom. The effect was noticeable with all styles, most with classical and jazz.
The Scansonic speakers had a large soundstage and passed on the differences in electronics immediately. The soundstage of the Marten (as standmount speakers) was a little narrower in height. Nevertheless, I prefer the Marten. The resolution in the mid-high range is magical and beguiling - a good match with Naim