NVA - P20/A20 'intro package'

[hughandella]

First off I would like to make clear that I was ( fortunately ) unaware of the 'difficult' relationship that exists between the owner/manufacturer of NVA and the owners of this and other forums before I bought the above amplifier.
I hope that people who know me and have dealt with me will accept that I am an honest and I would like to think a decent chap who just enjoys his music -- I have pretty high turnover rate of gear and so have advertised and sold a fair amount on here.
I have no axe to grind of any kind and do not want to become involved in any 'war of words' from either side

I am writing this thread simply to share my experience with the equipment bought ----- this is a very long intro I appreciate but the relationship does seem so poor unfortunately that I feel obliged to do so -- I am writing about hi fi amplifier (and cables ) not about personalities -- OK hope that's clear !!!

I have been on a gentle simplification of my system -- and the direction has been driven mostly by cost as I have not had full time work for a while and so cannot justify having several thousand £'s of gear however much I enjoy listening to it.
Therefore I was intrigued by the NVA offer of a passive pre with a 25 watt power amp, interconnect and speaker cable for £300 (!) -- I read up a little and gave it a go.
I have to say for the money ( and infact for significantly more new ) in my honest opinion the amplifiers represent tremendous value. They add no discernible audio signature that I am aware of but just seem to let the music play without being too 'bright'
I do not have the reviewers vocabulary and also am not sure I understand it when it is used by others (!) so I will just say I have just enjoyed listening and that is my only criteria.
Despite my best efforts the 'box swapper' within me is deeply ingrained and I admit I have been so impressed that I first upgraded the 'free' interconnects to a mid range 'super' sound cord (SSC) £55 for 0.5m pair and the 'free' speaker cable to LSA5 £125 for 1.5m pair --- both have made meaningful improvements ..... and as a result I have a 'soundpipe' digital interconnect and a stepped attenuator passive on order ( there is a like for like upgrade service ) ........

My system is now a Innuos/Zen music player (server&1TB NAS) > Ifi Audio DAC ( I miss the Sw1X but it had to go for financial reasons) > NVA amps > Kudos Cardea C2 speakers ( with mostly NVA cabling ) and I am very very pleased with how it all sounds

So I hope this 'review' is taken in good faith --- I can see there are some strong and possibly 'difficult/committed/passionate' characters
involved ---- I just didnt want the real important issue - the music and the equipment to get lost in it all

Feel free to comment (ofcourse !) but please dont try to drag me into anything other than a conversation about the hifi

cheers
chris

NB I am putting same review on the 'Wam' with same comments

[karma67]

well said Chris!
i would like to dip my toe in the NVA pond again,i rated the LS5 very highly,but due to a move round of my gear it wasn't long enough,i aim to get some LS6 and try a phono 2 in the new year.
glad your enjoying your set up mate

[Audio Al]

Chris as said its about the music not the battling egos

Enjoy the experience

[Floyddroid]

The phono 2 Is a great piece of kit. Well worth the money though you must keep it well away from your turntable and power supplies. The best thing to do is let the kit speak for itself without becoming embroiled in the conflict. it isn't our concern.

well said Chris!
i would like to dip my toe in the NVA pond again,i rated the LS5 very highly,but due to a move round of my gear it wasn't long enough,i aim to get some LS6 and try a phono 2 in the new year.
glad your enjoying your set up mate

[Roy S]

Really liked the A40s I got off RichB but I didn't think they were quite as good as my Quad Elites

[DSJR]

Really liked the A40s I got off RichB but I didn't think they were quite as good as my Quad Elites

Bit of a price difference there methinks Bit of a difference in power output too

[Roy S]

Bit of a price difference there methinks Bit of a difference in power output too

Fair comment. The A40s were £350 and I gave a little over £700 for the Quads off ebay. There really wasn't that much in it &, as you say, is probably more down to wattage.

[Cityboy]

That package was one of a few I was looking at to restart my musical journey after a few years out of the loop.
Seems bit of a no brainer for the low outlay and looking at reviews looks silly good value for money, plus the refund upgrade path is great option.
Best I get looking at speakers to go with it

[hughandella]

That package was one of a few I was looking at to restart my musical journey after a few years out of the loop.
Seems bit of a no brainer for the low outlay and looking at reviews looks silly good value for money, plus the refund upgrade path is great option.
Best I get looking at speakers to go with it

It is a good offer David .... personally I'd look for a pair of snell J or K's or something sensitive like that ...... mind you it plays my 88db Kudos v well .... good luck

[hughandella]

feel free to contact me re 'starter kit' from NVA --- I am mid upgrade so can possibly help out if suits ---- great place to start i must say