Naim Audio; Uniti range of all-in-one music streamers launched in 2016 to global acclaim and the three models – Atom, Star and Nova – have been winning hearts and awards ever since.
Like all Naim, Uniti is designed and engineered here in England by one of the UK’s longest-established high-end manufacturers: Naim Audio celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 2023.
But if there has been one criticism of Uniti, and indeed other one-box systems, it’s that they sometimes lack a bit of oomph.
Step forward, Naim Nova Power Edition, a seriously beefed-up version of the reference Uniti player.
Fill large rooms
Delivering a whopping 150 Watts of stereo power, Nova PE almost doubles the output of a standard Nova, more akin to that of a hi-fi separates system. Which means Nova PE should easily fill large domestic listening spaces and drive most loudspeakers comfortably – from budget bookshelves to more demanding floorstanders, whilst maintaining the simplicity of use, connectivity, elegant aesthetics and sheer convenience that makes a one-box solution so attractive in the first place.
At £8599, Nova PE sits at a separates price point too, it’s aimed squarely at listeners looking for separates performance from one box, due to space limitations, personal preference or perhaps ‘significant other’ constraints. ????
A complete entertainment hub
Nova PE can be a complete family entertainment hub, wired or wireless, integrating TV, gaming consoles, multiple music sources, multiroom and party mode. Just add speakers.
However you access music, from whatever device, Nova PE obliges. All major streaming services are supported - Qobuz, TIDAL, Spotify® Connect, Apple Music - internet radio, Chromecast Built-In, Apple AirPlay2, Bluetooth® (AptX HD), Roon Ready, UPnP™ for your own CD or music collection stored on PC, NAS or USB drive and an easy access front panel headphone output.
Playback is true high-resolution, up to 32bit/384kHz. There’s analogue (RCA and 4 pin DIN) and digital (Toslink and Coaxial) inputs to add sources such as a CD player and HDMI ARC for connecting your TV.
Control is simple via the Focal/Naim App or Zigbee remote, which works even when the Nova is out of sight. And when it’s not, you can check status on the 5” LCD colour display and use the front and top panel function buttons and volume control.
PE Power
Nova PE’s 150W into 8Ω (250W into 4Ω) is more powerful than any one-box on the market. More than competitors Linn Majik DSM or Moon Neo Ace, than Naim’s own NAIT XS 3 and SUPERNAIT 3 integrated amplifiers and other top-selling integrateds from Arcam, Marantz and even heavyweights like Rega Aethos. On paper it out-punches British favourites Quad Artera and Roksan K3 power amplifiers.
How has Naim achieved this? By swapping traditional class AB amplification for Class D. Naim’s engineers have cleverly designed industry-leading class D amplification directly onto Nova’s circuit boards producing its most efficient, powerful and ecological all-in-one to date.
To Naim fans, this might scream sacrilege; it’s a brave deviation from Naim’s tried and tested Class AB designs. But Class D technology has advanced significantly in recent years and Naim simply cannot derive this level of power from AB amplification.
For that reason alone, Nova PE is destined to divide opinion but as ever, listening is everything so we would urge you to come and judge for yourself. We have a full gamut of speakers available to put PE through its paces, just get in touch.
Contact Nigel in the Carlisle store on 01228 546756 or Danny in our Newcastle store on 0191 285 7179 to arrange a demo.