OK I have combined neilwoottons comments so far into one post.
I played the gracious host hiding my cards close and not playing NVA until later, some very nice equipment, no doubt some of it room dependant but none the less my listening room unusually favours all. Some other amplifiers not pictured including an Icon Audio stereo 20pp which probably the cheapest tooby here I liked the most. The worst was a Unison R S6, wooly, boomy and confused. The AI500 was sounding lovely, best of the tubes, but I knew it would be. The Naim was hilarious, shockingly bad, all bloated bass and just slow. It was a vinyl friendly day with no digital front ends used. Music included the usual suspects, Pink Floyd, Nick Drake, Dave Brubeck, Miles D etc. JL Hooker, the healer, Willy Nelson, lots of classical and acoustic sets.
Alot of comparison arguments etc, switching speakers trying to create synergy, critique of individual pieces. Then I hooked up the NVA and it was literally a show stopper, 180g Wish you were here, we all know the intro and everybody just shut up, have to say the phono 2 is a game changer through the Living Voice. Again, I keep saying it, but you could see the confusion. First comment was " that's the finest analogue sound I've ever heard " all talk turned to the diddy A20/P20. How much is this gear, what's available, where to buy etc. I know I am a convert but I must say the difference's were not subtle. Alot of people rethinking their approach.
I really enjoyed the day, funny in many ways, educational and alot of " I told you so ! "
One of the biggest surprises of the bake off was the comparison between an Avid Pulsus phono stage a friend of mine recently acquired, I knew it was coming and having warmed up and listened to the phono 2 for a week was keen to compare them. At £1300 the Avid has won superb reviews and is a well made bit of kit although not as stylish as the NVA in my eyes. A thorough A/B was performed and what struck everyone first was how low the Phono 2's noise floor is, not an easy task with a 0.4mv cartridge, a real blackness from which music emanates, the Avid was alot busier in this respect. Through the Living Voice both phono's presented air and attack in spades with the NVA leading (majority opinion) the way. It was most obvious on Nick Drake's pink moon with his guitar just sounding shockingly "real" through the phono 2. It was agreed by everyone the phono 2 was just the best phono used on the day regardless of cost etc.
Well, quick opinion on the cubes, after a good clean and polish
I have set them up using forum advice and it took me about 10 minutes to dial them in. The best way to describe it is they "snapped into place". Different presentation than the norm in the fact they portray a musical performance and fill the room rather than firing at you. Much as a live set would. Using ls1, Graham Slee phono (phono 2 has been packed, carefully away !
) and A20/P20, bass is tight and tuneful, vocals are superb through them and what struck me most is separation. I speak as I find and if they were crap I'd say, I expected alot of faffing to get them right after previous comments but it was very easy. They are very, very good indeed.
Set up the AP50 with 2 temporary feet, very impressed, I now understand the comments "the further up the NVA ladder you go you simply get more"
More dynamics, headroom, bass and attack. Will let it warm for a few days and report back.
