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INT80 FORUM LTD EDITION INTEGRATED AMPLIFIER - now available
The NEW NVA - User Reviews - post your review here
- Thread starter savvypaul
- Start date
P50 WITH MERIDIAN POWER AMP
I have received my pre-amp and it works very well with little volume required on my 556 power amp. More importantly it functions well in my set up, stunningly so. To think I could thrown a massive amount of money at “top end” pre-amps and not heard any improvement. The whole set up gives a proper sound stage enabling each performer to be heard, and if you close your eyes you can position them on stage as at a live performance. In conclusion I must say a big thank you to you in helping me choose the P50. Best regards, Howard
I have received my pre-amp and it works very well with little volume required on my 556 power amp. More importantly it functions well in my set up, stunningly so. To think I could thrown a massive amount of money at “top end” pre-amps and not heard any improvement. The whole set up gives a proper sound stage enabling each performer to be heard, and if you close your eyes you can position them on stage as at a live performance. In conclusion I must say a big thank you to you in helping me choose the P50. Best regards, Howard
P50SA
Well I have listened to the new NVA P50sa and have to say I was very impressed! I have the original NVA P50sa to compare it with and no doubt about it the improved model has more than the edge on the original which is already very good indeed. I would never have thought this in a passive design which is nearly identical, but you live and learn. For me there was more immediacy and it sounded more open - with improved treble.
Well I have listened to the new NVA P50sa and have to say I was very impressed! I have the original NVA P50sa to compare it with and no doubt about it the improved model has more than the edge on the original which is already very good indeed. I would never have thought this in a passive design which is nearly identical, but you live and learn. For me there was more immediacy and it sounded more open - with improved treble.
P50SA / A40 / LS6
Detail. Not plastic, studio monitor detail. Just, perhaps, more information retrieval. In live recordings of solo piano I can hear the creak of the piano stool and the intangible mass of the instrument on a concert stage, and a sense of the occasion and atmosphere unique to a/that live event. Details I'd not heard before on recordings well known to me: Shura Cherkassky live at the Salzburg Festival in 1968; Dietrich Fisher-Dieskau and Gerald Moore at the same festival during seasons spanning 1956 - 1965. These were supreme, God-like artists. And now I can really hear just how great they were. A large depth of sound, front to back, side to side, top to bottom. It's the space around instruments, there is an acoustic dimension, be it the venue of recording or how an engineer has staged things at the desk. The timbre of instruments is more apparent. Acoustic instruments do not simply present the tones of a scale or the harmonies of chords, but instead they sound like they should: analogue and with physicality, as if they are in the room. It's far more natural. It sounds and feels real. There is more musical impact. Bad recordings have variably sounded better or worse than I have heard. This has been a very difficult thing to pinpoint. But the revelation of detail, as mentioned, has been enlightening and maybe there lies the problem with bad recordings: things are laid bare. My perspective is that this is an overall improvement - more of the good with more of the bad.
Detail. Not plastic, studio monitor detail. Just, perhaps, more information retrieval. In live recordings of solo piano I can hear the creak of the piano stool and the intangible mass of the instrument on a concert stage, and a sense of the occasion and atmosphere unique to a/that live event. Details I'd not heard before on recordings well known to me: Shura Cherkassky live at the Salzburg Festival in 1968; Dietrich Fisher-Dieskau and Gerald Moore at the same festival during seasons spanning 1956 - 1965. These were supreme, God-like artists. And now I can really hear just how great they were. A large depth of sound, front to back, side to side, top to bottom. It's the space around instruments, there is an acoustic dimension, be it the venue of recording or how an engineer has staged things at the desk. The timbre of instruments is more apparent. Acoustic instruments do not simply present the tones of a scale or the harmonies of chords, but instead they sound like they should: analogue and with physicality, as if they are in the room. It's far more natural. It sounds and feels real. There is more musical impact. Bad recordings have variably sounded better or worse than I have heard. This has been a very difficult thing to pinpoint. But the revelation of detail, as mentioned, has been enlightening and maybe there lies the problem with bad recordings: things are laid bare. My perspective is that this is an overall improvement - more of the good with more of the bad.
P50SA
I received my P50sa yesterday. This is the second NVA item that I have with a stepped attenuator, I already own an AP70 which I sent back to Doc to have the attenuator fitted. It was difficult with that one to assess the improvements in sound quality due to the time between sending the amp to Doc and getting it back but the sa is better. Even if improvements hadn’t been apparent was worthwhile for me though because it resolved an issue with channel imbalance at low levels that bothered me with the standard pot. With the P50sa replacing the P20 and feeding the A20x that I recently bought from eagwok the difference was immediately noticeable. Even with only a few hours listening to the music it was immediately apparent that it was more vibrant and enjoyable. Cymbals are clearer with improved decay. After further listening over a few hours reed instruments sounded closer to the real thing. I’ve not heard a lot of string instruments in my time but they sounded closer to what I hear through the AP70sa than they did before using the P50sa. I also own an AP20 that is currently doing duty as my headphone amp, when it was used to drive speakers I remember it sounded a lot closer to the P20/A20x combo than the P50sa/A20x, for me this underlines the benefit of the stepped attenuator. I don’t think the sa is an option with the AP20 which is a shame as it would make a nice upgrade for it.
I received my P50sa yesterday. This is the second NVA item that I have with a stepped attenuator, I already own an AP70 which I sent back to Doc to have the attenuator fitted. It was difficult with that one to assess the improvements in sound quality due to the time between sending the amp to Doc and getting it back but the sa is better. Even if improvements hadn’t been apparent was worthwhile for me though because it resolved an issue with channel imbalance at low levels that bothered me with the standard pot. With the P50sa replacing the P20 and feeding the A20x that I recently bought from eagwok the difference was immediately noticeable. Even with only a few hours listening to the music it was immediately apparent that it was more vibrant and enjoyable. Cymbals are clearer with improved decay. After further listening over a few hours reed instruments sounded closer to the real thing. I’ve not heard a lot of string instruments in my time but they sounded closer to what I hear through the AP70sa than they did before using the P50sa. I also own an AP20 that is currently doing duty as my headphone amp, when it was used to drive speakers I remember it sounded a lot closer to the P20/A20x combo than the P50sa/A20x, for me this underlines the benefit of the stepped attenuator. I don’t think the sa is an option with the AP20 which is a shame as it would make a nice upgrade for it.
P50SA
Step by step. I have now added a P50sa to replace my P20. With each step I find an improvement to the SQ has followed which in many ways I didn’t expect to be so obvious. Although the P50sa needs a little higher adjustment to the volume control to reach a realistic level an immediate bass boost was evident through my Cubettes along with a smoothness of delivery which is just great! As the doc suggests this pathway is addictive and when will it stop - LS1 to ? when funds allow!
Step by step. I have now added a P50sa to replace my P20. With each step I find an improvement to the SQ has followed which in many ways I didn’t expect to be so obvious. Although the P50sa needs a little higher adjustment to the volume control to reach a realistic level an immediate bass boost was evident through my Cubettes along with a smoothness of delivery which is just great! As the doc suggests this pathway is addictive and when will it stop - LS1 to ? when funds allow!
P50SA
I've been running p50sa everyday since Friday. Moving from my active pre to the p50sa made for a few changes. Things acquired a certain weight and solidity, making the sound through the active pre seem a bit thin and ethereal in comparison. My initial impression was one of losing some high frequency detail, but listening more I came to realise that this was more a case of lower frequencies having greater presence than of the high frequencies being absent. Overall the presentation seems more natural now - less hi-fi - and, listening to familiar tracks, I've heard details that I've not heard before; particular in very densely layered music, individual layers are coming through more distinctly now. The imaging is also a little different, not obviously better or worse, just different. The experience with the p50sa has left me even more intrigued to try NVA amplification, which I'm now very much looking forward to doing.
I've been running p50sa everyday since Friday. Moving from my active pre to the p50sa made for a few changes. Things acquired a certain weight and solidity, making the sound through the active pre seem a bit thin and ethereal in comparison. My initial impression was one of losing some high frequency detail, but listening more I came to realise that this was more a case of lower frequencies having greater presence than of the high frequencies being absent. Overall the presentation seems more natural now - less hi-fi - and, listening to familiar tracks, I've heard details that I've not heard before; particular in very densely layered music, individual layers are coming through more distinctly now. The imaging is also a little different, not obviously better or worse, just different. The experience with the p50sa has left me even more intrigued to try NVA amplification, which I'm now very much looking forward to doing.
P90SA
I have only had the P90 upgrade to SA running a short while now and can say it is impressive. I will admit I was a tad skeptical as to how much better it might be but I can honestly say I heard an improvement straight away , the original sounded good but this is like another veil has been lifted ( Yes cliche I know, But !) its the best description I can give , listening is easier if that makes any sense . I am very pleasantly surprised indeed . Also its not fully run in yet as the resistors will take a little time to burn in. I must say Paul and the team at NVA have been excellent with communication both quick and informative I can't fault them at all.
I have only had the P90 upgrade to SA running a short while now and can say it is impressive. I will admit I was a tad skeptical as to how much better it might be but I can honestly say I heard an improvement straight away , the original sounded good but this is like another veil has been lifted ( Yes cliche I know, But !) its the best description I can give , listening is easier if that makes any sense . I am very pleasantly surprised indeed . Also its not fully run in yet as the resistors will take a little time to burn in. I must say Paul and the team at NVA have been excellent with communication both quick and informative I can't fault them at all.
P50SA
My original P50SA with stepped attenuator had become very noisy when changing the volume and one channel was dropping out at some volumes when wiggling the knob (which was easy to do without intention because it was quite heavy/stiff in operation). An email to Paul and his quick phone call back gave me my options of either being talked through opening the case and where to apply contact cleaner which they obviously couldn’t guarantee how long it would last or sending the amp to them and the new, better more reliable stepped attenuator fitted. I went with the latter and the communications and turn around in less than a week were superb. Putting the pre back into my system and sparking it up amazed me as it was straight out of the box. The sound stage was much wider with greater depth than the original. Which was no slouch. I can’t wait to see how it develops with more use. Well done lads!
My original P50SA with stepped attenuator had become very noisy when changing the volume and one channel was dropping out at some volumes when wiggling the knob (which was easy to do without intention because it was quite heavy/stiff in operation). An email to Paul and his quick phone call back gave me my options of either being talked through opening the case and where to apply contact cleaner which they obviously couldn’t guarantee how long it would last or sending the amp to them and the new, better more reliable stepped attenuator fitted. I went with the latter and the communications and turn around in less than a week were superb. Putting the pre back into my system and sparking it up amazed me as it was straight out of the box. The sound stage was much wider with greater depth than the original. Which was no slouch. I can’t wait to see how it develops with more use. Well done lads!
P90SA
As the crackling of the right side knob was annoying, the offer of the modification, coupled with an improvement in sound quality, was very timely. By the time I was able to take it up some very favourable comments had been posted which I can now fully concur with. The operation of the volume controls is now smooth, completely silent and the improvement in sound quality is more than subtle. A very noticeable increased sense of separation and space, particularly in respect of depth, is apparent on favourite albums I have streamed on high resolution Qobuz. The multi layered guitars on Led Zeppelin’s “Ten years gone” is a prime example of this increased sense of depth with instrumentation coming into and going out of the mix with a greater sense of clarity and coherence. A contrasting track which springs to mind is “Tears” by Rush. The acoustic guitars in the forefront sound further removed from the backing strings adding to the overall sense of emotion conveyed by the vocal. The upgrade is worthwhile, good value and I am pleased.
As the crackling of the right side knob was annoying, the offer of the modification, coupled with an improvement in sound quality, was very timely. By the time I was able to take it up some very favourable comments had been posted which I can now fully concur with. The operation of the volume controls is now smooth, completely silent and the improvement in sound quality is more than subtle. A very noticeable increased sense of separation and space, particularly in respect of depth, is apparent on favourite albums I have streamed on high resolution Qobuz. The multi layered guitars on Led Zeppelin’s “Ten years gone” is a prime example of this increased sense of depth with instrumentation coming into and going out of the mix with a greater sense of clarity and coherence. A contrasting track which springs to mind is “Tears” by Rush. The acoustic guitars in the forefront sound further removed from the backing strings adding to the overall sense of emotion conveyed by the vocal. The upgrade is worthwhile, good value and I am pleased.
P50SA
Silver wire upgraded P50 arrived late evening thank you. In a little test of my own I hooked up my second system speakers via my A20. (Q Acoustics 3020i bookshelves). Well all I can say is an immediate noticeable difference, you are correct in your description of more transparency and definition. I used Tool's latest album as a 'test' (although I don't really test listen anymore, sometimes it's a habit) and I can identify a good amount of separation in the recording now...and well, just more detail, what I like about NVA gear is the honest presentation of recordings. Saving Friday evening for the main speakers (Rega RX3). So personal subjective review aside, well worth the cost of the upgrade. Looking forward to seeing (hearing really) what your phono stages and speaker design for next year.
Silver wire upgraded P50 arrived late evening thank you. In a little test of my own I hooked up my second system speakers via my A20. (Q Acoustics 3020i bookshelves). Well all I can say is an immediate noticeable difference, you are correct in your description of more transparency and definition. I used Tool's latest album as a 'test' (although I don't really test listen anymore, sometimes it's a habit) and I can identify a good amount of separation in the recording now...and well, just more detail, what I like about NVA gear is the honest presentation of recordings. Saving Friday evening for the main speakers (Rega RX3). So personal subjective review aside, well worth the cost of the upgrade. Looking forward to seeing (hearing really) what your phono stages and speaker design for next year.
P50SA
Absolutely stunned by this new Pre !! I’m not sure what you guys have done (well yes I do because you’ve said ) but it works. Will look to see if funds allow sooner rather than later and will be in touch. This change will happen before the LS7 I’ve decided as there such an improvement that sounds amazing with my LS6.
Absolutely stunned by this new Pre !! I’m not sure what you guys have done (well yes I do because you’ve said ) but it works. Will look to see if funds allow sooner rather than later and will be in touch. This change will happen before the LS7 I’ve decided as there such an improvement that sounds amazing with my LS6.
P50SA
Just an update on the P50sa upgrade, I had my daughter around this afternoon and she noticed what I have noticed this last week, that all the instruments seem to have there own space and everything is a lot more defined i.e. the tone of guitars, studio effects. It is like I can see into the music and pick out more information. The upgrade is really well worth the £260 I paid. Thanks once again.
Just an update on the P50sa upgrade, I had my daughter around this afternoon and she noticed what I have noticed this last week, that all the instruments seem to have there own space and everything is a lot more defined i.e. the tone of guitars, studio effects. It is like I can see into the music and pick out more information. The upgrade is really well worth the £260 I paid. Thanks once again.
P50SA
Well I have listened to the new NVA P50sa and have to say I was very impressed! I have the original NVA P50sa to compare it with and no doubt about it the improved model has more than the edge on the original which is already very good indeed. I would never have thought this in a passive design which is nearly identical, but you live and learn. For me there was more immediacy and it sounded more open - with improved treble.
Well I have listened to the new NVA P50sa and have to say I was very impressed! I have the original NVA P50sa to compare it with and no doubt about it the improved model has more than the edge on the original which is already very good indeed. I would never have thought this in a passive design which is nearly identical, but you live and learn. For me there was more immediacy and it sounded more open - with improved treble.
P50SA
I have only listened to the upgraded P50 SA for one evening but it had me up until midnight, it is a revelation ( a full review will follow in due course) but yesterday evenings session alone has me reaching for the credit card to order the upgrade for my personal P50 SA. I must admit I was sceptical at first that a switch, resistor and wiring upgrade would make such a profound improvement in the experience of listening to music along with of course, the tactile improvement makes it an absolute pleasure to turn up the volume for one is not met with a cacophony via the loudspeakers and a clunking in the case.
I have only listened to the upgraded P50 SA for one evening but it had me up until midnight, it is a revelation ( a full review will follow in due course) but yesterday evenings session alone has me reaching for the credit card to order the upgrade for my personal P50 SA. I must admit I was sceptical at first that a switch, resistor and wiring upgrade would make such a profound improvement in the experience of listening to music along with of course, the tactile improvement makes it an absolute pleasure to turn up the volume for one is not met with a cacophony via the loudspeakers and a clunking in the case.
P50SA
My P50SA arrived back earlier in the week but only had a chance to check it out yesterday. To say I'm chuffed is an understatement. Upon opening the box it was like unpacking a brand new item which was a really nice touch, as are the gloves. Streaming from my NAS, first up was Kyuss - Blues for the red sun, then Danzig - III How the gods kill, before switching to vinyl and cranking Poison Idea - Feel the Darkness. None of these are audiophile recordings blessed with huge amounts of recording budget thrown at them and listening yesterday was the best I've ever heard them. More clarity and presence in vocals and separation of the players in the band. In use, the new SA is really nice when setting the volume, over the years I'd got use to the old one but have to admit it is nice not to have the crackles.
My P50SA arrived back earlier in the week but only had a chance to check it out yesterday. To say I'm chuffed is an understatement. Upon opening the box it was like unpacking a brand new item which was a really nice touch, as are the gloves. Streaming from my NAS, first up was Kyuss - Blues for the red sun, then Danzig - III How the gods kill, before switching to vinyl and cranking Poison Idea - Feel the Darkness. None of these are audiophile recordings blessed with huge amounts of recording budget thrown at them and listening yesterday was the best I've ever heard them. More clarity and presence in vocals and separation of the players in the band. In use, the new SA is really nice when setting the volume, over the years I'd got use to the old one but have to admit it is nice not to have the crackles.
S80
Amp arrived today, thank you. Could not wait to try, I did not know what to expect which makes the whole experience exciting. Not listened to any of my systems for about 2 week, but I do remember what the main system sounds like when last used. It was using a valve amp and it sounded really terrific. Well, the S80 amp was in place 5 mins after it arrived and boy, I'm in heaven. It does sound very natural and the mids - wow. There is a humongous smile on my face at this moment. Very enjoyable. It will now be left on forever. You do realise I have to go through my collection of vinyl and cd's all over again.
Amp arrived today, thank you. Could not wait to try, I did not know what to expect which makes the whole experience exciting. Not listened to any of my systems for about 2 week, but I do remember what the main system sounds like when last used. It was using a valve amp and it sounded really terrific. Well, the S80 amp was in place 5 mins after it arrived and boy, I'm in heaven. It does sound very natural and the mids - wow. There is a humongous smile on my face at this moment. Very enjoyable. It will now be left on forever. You do realise I have to go through my collection of vinyl and cd's all over again.
S80
After acquiring an old NVA P80 pre-amp and being astounded by its revealing nature, I decided to pair it up with an S80 as I'd never had a matched system. I was also fascinated by the NVA approach. So how does the S80 compare to my beloved quad and 30kg boutique tube amp? (which is clearly in another league sonically compared to the quad). Giving some time to allow the caps to form to spec before really paying attention I was pretty much blown away with the sound this little amp was making. I felt like all my other components had been upgraded, even my speakers seemed to be in a new league and had come to life. It gives what I can only describe as 'the magic' and the magic is only something I've experienced with tube amps only this was better, the sound is fuller but not bloated, detailed but never harsh or fatiguing. there is a better sense of realism, textures and spatiality... its easy to isolate individual instruments or vocals. Rhythm and timing are also exceptional. The 30 day home trial means you have nothing to lose if you're curious and customer service is brilliant, not to mention the fantastic finance options. I agree with the description that this may be all you ever need if you have sensitive speakers. I have various speakers, some hard to drive so I have made use of NVAs excellent upgrade path and now have an S150 soon to be upgraded to the S300. Highly recommend both company and product!
After acquiring an old NVA P80 pre-amp and being astounded by its revealing nature, I decided to pair it up with an S80 as I'd never had a matched system. I was also fascinated by the NVA approach. So how does the S80 compare to my beloved quad and 30kg boutique tube amp? (which is clearly in another league sonically compared to the quad). Giving some time to allow the caps to form to spec before really paying attention I was pretty much blown away with the sound this little amp was making. I felt like all my other components had been upgraded, even my speakers seemed to be in a new league and had come to life. It gives what I can only describe as 'the magic' and the magic is only something I've experienced with tube amps only this was better, the sound is fuller but not bloated, detailed but never harsh or fatiguing. there is a better sense of realism, textures and spatiality... its easy to isolate individual instruments or vocals. Rhythm and timing are also exceptional. The 30 day home trial means you have nothing to lose if you're curious and customer service is brilliant, not to mention the fantastic finance options. I agree with the description that this may be all you ever need if you have sensitive speakers. I have various speakers, some hard to drive so I have made use of NVAs excellent upgrade path and now have an S150 soon to be upgraded to the S300. Highly recommend both company and product!
S80
I thought the P50 or even a direct connection via NVA SSP iii from my Dac to my class d monoblocks was special. The sound quality was good and I enjoyed the experience. However, a number of people on the HFS Subjectivist forum had suggested that class d can’t touch the performance of the current NVA power amps never mind their mono blocks. So when I was offered a chance to trial a S80 over 30 days I took the plunge. Rather sceptically I connected up thinking this better be good! Initially, as I had been warned, things were a little scratchy - that’s a technical term - so I kept the music flowing overnight with the P50 volume at zero to help burn in. Day two was an extended listening session with random music playing from my network player. Gradually things came together and the sound quality is now - day 12 - fantastic. I don’t use that word glibly, but detail, soundstage, vocals, bass, blackness, little details on well known tracks are all evident and even my wife has given the sound her seal of approval! Absolutely gobsmacked as the music has flowed everyday since purchase as I work my way through my extensive library - long may it last! I have no connection with NVA - I just enjoy listening far more than I used to, and I have been dabbling with hi fi for a long time. Both the P50 and the S80 are keepers! Thank you!
I thought the P50 or even a direct connection via NVA SSP iii from my Dac to my class d monoblocks was special. The sound quality was good and I enjoyed the experience. However, a number of people on the HFS Subjectivist forum had suggested that class d can’t touch the performance of the current NVA power amps never mind their mono blocks. So when I was offered a chance to trial a S80 over 30 days I took the plunge. Rather sceptically I connected up thinking this better be good! Initially, as I had been warned, things were a little scratchy - that’s a technical term - so I kept the music flowing overnight with the P50 volume at zero to help burn in. Day two was an extended listening session with random music playing from my network player. Gradually things came together and the sound quality is now - day 12 - fantastic. I don’t use that word glibly, but detail, soundstage, vocals, bass, blackness, little details on well known tracks are all evident and even my wife has given the sound her seal of approval! Absolutely gobsmacked as the music has flowed everyday since purchase as I work my way through my extensive library - long may it last! I have no connection with NVA - I just enjoy listening far more than I used to, and I have been dabbling with hi fi for a long time. Both the P50 and the S80 are keepers! Thank you!
S80
The packaging and white glove were a nice touch- the amp is hidden deep in my system fed by P20, ssp mk2 and ls6 to the doc modded drivers in a large cube like enclosure. After a brief chat with Paul today and his enquiry about the A20 prompted me to dig deep for an honest response as honestly it’s has been fit & forget (and now this review from what I said). It’s amazing, never been happier with the music, the bass has especially become richer over time as it’s settled in and is now so musical- I remember being at Ants and listening to his ‘large’ full range and amazed at the delicate bass line / control from such large beasts- well I have that pleasant sensation in my own room- the bass is not forced and is proportionate to the type of music whether it’s AC/DC, Rag n Bone-man or London grammar. I did a back to back ‘test’ one evening with a audiophile friend (pre- Cv-19) and both agreed at that time the initial difference was the tonal richness from vocals- vocal image held the stage better- very positive evening. I love this little amp and honestly as it’s hidden it maybe out of sight but in reality it can’t be forgotten.
The packaging and white glove were a nice touch- the amp is hidden deep in my system fed by P20, ssp mk2 and ls6 to the doc modded drivers in a large cube like enclosure. After a brief chat with Paul today and his enquiry about the A20 prompted me to dig deep for an honest response as honestly it’s has been fit & forget (and now this review from what I said). It’s amazing, never been happier with the music, the bass has especially become richer over time as it’s settled in and is now so musical- I remember being at Ants and listening to his ‘large’ full range and amazed at the delicate bass line / control from such large beasts- well I have that pleasant sensation in my own room- the bass is not forced and is proportionate to the type of music whether it’s AC/DC, Rag n Bone-man or London grammar. I did a back to back ‘test’ one evening with a audiophile friend (pre- Cv-19) and both agreed at that time the initial difference was the tonal richness from vocals- vocal image held the stage better- very positive evening. I love this little amp and honestly as it’s hidden it maybe out of sight but in reality it can’t be forgotten.
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