Specification and Design

As a considerable amount of the contents of the Nova are shared with the Atom and Star, I will avoid going over the same ground in huge detail. Like the smaller streamers, it uses a platform that was designed from a clean sheet of paper for the task, rather than amalgamated from existing bits of software and hardware to form an all-in-one system. The streaming section of this platform has now made it to the standalone Naim streamers, including the not inconsequentially expensive ND555 so it is clear that Naim is pretty happy with it.

The streaming platform offers the same spread of features as the other streamers. This means you have support for pretty much any format you are likely to encounter, with on board support for Spotify Connect and Tidal. This is backed up with internet radio, including Naim’s own curated content. AirPlay is also fitted, although AirPlay2 is not despite now being present on the Mu-So Qb - presumably because Naim would rather you kept your multiroom aspirations in house.

Where Naim has been proactive is the inclusion of Google Cast and the quality of the fitment. If you are sitting saying “what about streaming service x”, the Cast section is 192kHz capable so you are perfectly able to send a top flight Qobuz Sublime subscription to it without harming the signal in any way. The art will still appear on the front, the control will still most likely be from the device you were running the Naim app on and the effect will be pretty much indecipherable from using the app direct.