I have a Nova in my living room system. I bought it initially to use as a single-box player then as a transpoort for an Audio Note DAC I had ordered. It worked very well in both roles. I love AN DACs, and would recommend either the 2.1x Balanced or the 3.1x Balanced. My 3.1x really showed up the DAC section of the Nova. While the built-in DAC no slouch, the Audio Note showed it to be a little thin, sterile and mechanical sounding.
Keep in mind that the Audio note 3.1x was a DAC that cost well over twice the entire price of the Nova. For a more rational price, maybe a Benchmark would be worth investigating, or a Musical Fidelity Tri-Vista 21.
Keep in mind that the Audio note 3.1x was a DAC that cost well over twice the entire price of the Nova. For a more rational price, maybe a Benchmark would be worth investigating, or a Musical Fidelity Tri-Vista 21.