iFi NOVAFrom real comments

Verdict distilled from 16 mentions across 11 aspects in comments under product review videos.

Positive sentiment44%
PROS 44%
CONS 56%

Rank based on 16 mentions across 11 aspects

View the verdict as

Buy this if...

  • You've noticed ground-loop hum or speaker buzz iFi's filtering could fix
  • You want a cable priced more reasonably than premium rivals like AudioQuest
  • You already run a highly resolving system where past cable swaps were audible

What users love

Skip this if...

  • You believe power cables can't affect sound after the internal PSU
  • You're not willing to pay above a basic stock cable price
  • You want objective proof rather than subjective before/after impressions

What users complain about

Compare in seconds

Based on user comments

Best choice
1Mid
Roland Blues Cube Artist~$999 · similar price
Lightweight and gig-friendlyTube-like tone and feelExcellent clean channelExpensive, hard-to-find Tone CapsulesInconsistent or harsh crunch channelNo included footswitch
Roland Blues Cube Artist~$999 · similar price
Lightweight and gig-friendly
Tube-like tone and feel
Excellent clean channel
Expensive, hard-to-find Tone Capsules
Inconsistent or harsh crunch channel
No included footswitch
Best value
2Mid
Orange OR15~$1,099 · similar price
Exceptional versatilityGreat with pedals / clean platformLong-term keeper ampCleans not its strongest suitFizzy or excessive gain out of the boxStock preamp tubes considered weak
Orange OR15~$1,099 · similar price
Exceptional versatility
Great with pedals / clean platform
Long-term keeper amp
Cleans not its strongest suit
Fizzy or excessive gain out of the box
Stock preamp tubes considered weak
3Mid
Marantz PM7000N~$1,199 · 1.2× pricier
Detailed, warm sound qualityGood speaker pairing versatilityHEOS streaming and internet radio convenienceAirPlay over Ethernet reliability issueDAC only active via optical/coaxial inputsLacks classic gold Marantz aesthetic
Marantz PM7000N~$1,199 · 1.2× pricier
Detailed, warm sound quality
Good speaker pairing versatility
HEOS streaming and internet radio convenience
AirPlay over Ethernet reliability issue
DAC only active via optical/coaxial inputs
Lacks classic gold Marantz aesthetic
4Value
Roland JC-22~$699 · 1.4× cheaper
Great pedal platformLush onboard chorusExceptional clean toneBackground hiss/humWeak onboard distortionSome pedals don't pair well
Roland JC-22~$699 · 1.4× cheaper
Great pedal platform
Lush onboard chorus
Exceptional clean tone
Background hiss/hum
Weak onboard distortion
Some pedals don't pair well
5Mid
Marantz PM8006~$1,199 · 1.2× pricier
Warm, musical Marantz house soundHigh-grade components and build qualityExcellent phono stageInconsistent Source Direct behaviorBass can feel lightFiddly remote and volume control
Marantz PM8006~$1,199 · 1.2× pricier
Warm, musical Marantz house sound
High-grade components and build quality
Excellent phono stage
Inconsistent Source Direct behavior
Bass can feel light
Fiddly remote and volume control
6Value
Yamaha THR30II~$599 · 1.7× cheaper
Versatile connectivity (line out, USB, Bluetooth)Portability and battery powerDeep tone-shaping via appHigh price for the categoryWireless (Line 6) reliability issuesOccasional boxy/metallic or erratic tone
Yamaha THR30II~$599 · 1.7× cheaper
Versatile connectivity (line out, USB, Bluetooth)
Portability and battery power
Deep tone-shaping via app
High price for the category
Wireless (Line 6) reliability issues
Occasional boxy/metallic or erratic tone
7Upper
Fender '65 Princeton Reverb~$1,499 · 1.5× pricier
Exceptional clean toneLush spring reverb and tremoloCompact size and low wattage for home/giggingStock Cannabis Rex speaker criticizedLimited headroom vs larger FendersToo loud for apartment breakup without attenuator
Fender '65 Princeton Reverb~$1,499 · 1.5× pricier
Exceptional clean tone
Lush spring reverb and tremolo
Compact size and low wattage for home/gigging
Stock Cannabis Rex speaker criticized
Limited headroom vs larger Fenders
Too loud for apartment breakup without attenuator
You are here
8Mid
iFi NOVA~$999
Premium look and presentationAudible improvement reported in comparisonsFlexible, easy to routeWidely dismissed as placeboPerceived as overpriced for production costNo confirmed follow-up testing
iFi NOVA~$999
Premium look and presentation
Audible improvement reported in comparisons
Flexible, easy to route
Widely dismissed as placebo
Perceived as overpriced for production cost
No confirmed follow-up testing

Who wins on what (similar price)

Ranked by what users actually praise

Overall Impression

Some users report tangible noise and buzz improvements. Multiple commenters describe real-world gains: one owner bought a second Supanova and their speaker buzz went away, another using iFi's 12v PSU with noise cancelling called the difference huge, and a video comparison claimed listeners could hear the effect even over YouTube if their system was resolving enough. These accounts push back against the idea that all cable differences are imagined.

Skeptics argue any effect is placebo, not physics. Several commenters dismiss the concept entirely, pointing out that by the time AC passes through a component's internal power supply and rectifier, the cable's characteristics are irrelevant. One called it 'snake oil,' noting noise cancelling is already built into every power adapter for free, while another sarcastically credited all perceived gains to the 'placebo effect' correlating with cost.

Value and build quality draw mixed reactions. The NOVA is seen by some as fairly priced compared to far pricier options like AudioQuest, and its flexible, hefty construction is appreciated for easier routing. Others feel it's overpriced given actual production costs, and pricing has reportedly climbed from $169 to $299, prompting some regret from those who waited.

Outdated / Not-accurate data?