NVA P50 S80: Less is More from this Great Value British Pre Power Amp Bundle
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- Опубліковано 22 сер 2024
- In this episode, David goes on a voyage of discovery, revisiting the recently reborn NVA brand - having owned a classic AP30 integrated back in the 1980s.
He and Mike audition the bargain-priced P50/S80 pre/power amplifier bundle, and come away beguiled by its sweet sound and super value for money.
Each episode of Mike and Dave's Hi-Fi Riff features their unedited, unexpurgated views about all manner of weird and/or wonderful hi-fi designs.
Mike has a huge wealth of knowledge from his hi-fi retail years, and David’s written about hi-fi for thirty years. Now Editor-in-Chief of StereoNET, he's picked up a few tips along the way.
So relax and enjoy some one-take hi-fi riffing - and do leave your comments below.
Don’t forget to hit the Subscribe button, this one goes up to eleven!
The eighties-tastic title tune is called ‘UFO/Mike’s Jumper’, and used with the express permission of our old pal and rights holder Simon Lythe.
I was very interested to hear your comments regarding NVA.I was the Technical and Production Director of Tresham Audio which Richard Dunn and I set up during the late 1970's where we designed and manufactured a range of high quality professional studio amplifiers and High Fi Pre and Power MOSFET amps.
Richard, was the Sales and Financial Director and I first met him when I worked for Audio T in Cambridge and he was a Salesman for Acoustic Research speakers.
Before Tresham Audio was purchased by Tannoy some 3 years later, we were developing a smaller integrated Hi quality bi polar 50wpc amp and had produced a prototype which Richard took before Tannoy removed the Tresham products for manufacture in Scotland.
I went with Tannoy to continue developing Tannoy-Tresham products and Richard started NVA.
I am pleased to hear that NVA are still alive following the sad loss of their founder
Thanks Mark, a great story. It would be nice if you could email us via the link in the 'About' section, as I'd love to talk to you about the early days of NVA.
Thank you so much for this review. It jogged my memory that I still had my old NVA P50/ A40 monoblocs in storage and the memories you stirred up caused me to dig them out, dust them off and power them up for the first time in nearly 2 decades. I'd almost forgotten just how sweet, expansive and engaging they sound. Just lovely. 'Not exactly sure where I'm gonna put up another system but they're not going back to that closet. Ever.
Tacoma,Wa,USA
I hope NVA send their big monoblocks for review. Maybe their best Pre amplifier too. Fingers crossed.
I'm sure we can arrange that. Stay tuned. As Larry Sanders used to say, "No flipping!"
Eagerly waiting for this to happen 🎉😊
Just before Xmas a mate of mine bought this pair to use with his recently re-built IMF ALS-40 speakers, based purely on my having pointed him at your recommendation in this video. We were a bit unsure how the amp would cope with the IMFs as they’re not the most efficient of loudspeakers, but knowing he had nothing to loose so long as he made his decision within the first 30 days he went for it and needless to say they are staying, and coping effortlessly with the speakers. Sounds lovely and plenty loud enough in a room that is on the larger side of average for a UK living room.
Took delivery of mine yesterday - it didn't take too long to make me think it was a wise purchase.
Today (after leaving them looping the Brandenburg Concertos overnight) they sound excellent. I look forward to when they are fully bedded in.
Other kit - Rega Planar 3 with Exact cartridge, Fono MM Mk5 and Wharfdale Pacifics.
Alternative feeds are a Marantz CD63 Mk2 KI signature, optical output from the TV and from the laptop (ripped CD tracks and UA-cam vids).
Wish I had done this a long time ago . . .
Amps run in and sounding glorious. Great support from the NVA team as well.
Just before Christmas I added a pair of the special run "Forum Edition" M160 monoblocks in order to bi-amp the speakers.
These come in the same case as the S80, leaving me with 4 equal-size black boxes - so they look smart as well as sounding sublime.
Now I'm being tempted by their phono stage, in the same case. So then I would need to get the headphone amp to balance everything with a sixth black box . . .
Hello from Montreal, thank you for your honest critiques of gear. A funny observation about British gear is it’s size compared to components across the pond. I see the Rush albums or part of the albums on the wall. Maybe lower them so people can enjoy them. All the best
Moving Pictures and A Farewell to Kings on the back wall. Personally I think we should aim the camera higher so we just see the album covers :-) Mike
Great review talk whatever it is love it
Hi-Fi Riff don’t you think it’s better to demo for 30 days in your own space ? Then you would know how it actually sounds with your room acoustics, and any other matching equipment that you’re pairing it with.
Really enjoying your show gents another great nostalgic old v new comparison.
I very interested if you have any comments on creek equipment, well amplifiers , “back in the 80,s “ i listened to naim , audiolab 8000a , cyrus 111 , at a dealer and went in the end for the creek 4040s2 ….over the years i have tried so many new offerings , even new creek destiny to which i sold on … something special about that particular model ….just wonder would love to hear your thoughts, maybe an upcoming riff ? Cheers
We're big Creek fans, and will duly oblige. I've still got a Destiny somewhere in my cupboard, I think!
@@MrVinylista ah sorry my rubbish writing abilities, i sold on the Destiny , as i preferred the 4040s2 , to which i still have and use , not sure you have one of those in the cupboard, i even tried a s3 4040 but that didnt have the same captivating sound a the S2….,anywAy ramble over great channel
I absolutely adored the 4040 s2.
For me, the ultimate budget hi-fi system was the rega 3, creek 4040 and Royd A7 speakers.
The whole system cost about £600, but sounded a million dollars.
@@michaelevans7015 Complete with Rega R100 (née Supex) moving magnet!
Interesting review. I've enjoyed all of the videos so far. It would also be interesting to see a couple video tours of your respective systems?
Thanks Yeti. Yes, Mike and I are gearing up to do special episodes on our own systems. In fact we both have several so it could be a mini-series!
@@MrVinylista Excellent! Look forward to watching the videos on due course, and a little more background about your (!multiple!) system choices. :)
Love to have a go with this setup, considering selling my Vincent gear to give it a go. Still not convinved over the perspex, finger prints and dust being the main culprits?
I`m looking at this, only problem is the power isnt as big as my Vincent...
Mike has a naim nait class
Great video guys! I live in Toronto, and already have an Exposure 2510 which I love, and i'm looking for another amp for a second system. How does the NVA pP50/s80 compare to the Exposure 2510? Considering that you both have some history with these systems, I very much appreciate your opinion... Cheers,
Very favourably.
The NVA is "2112", the Exposure "Signals".
NVA is a bit raw, but accomplished. Exposure more polished, but maybe a little less smile factor.
Mike
@@Hi-FiRiff Good to know ! i didn't get the whole Rush reference because I haven't heard 'Signals' yet. I guess I am in for a treat ! I will listen to 'Signals' before I purchase the NVA though. thanks !
@@Hi-FiRiff oh man, what a great analogy - I am loving 'Signals' but '2112' is a belter of an album..
what about bridge have you tried it bridged, that would be worth doing and buying two
Would this combo run a Falcon ls 3/5a?
Touch and go!
Mike
Am trying to match my rotel power amp I was told that the nva 50/90 will be a gd match what’s your view and where in London can I hear them
Please invest in a proper microphone for these videos.
5:40, sorry but it has to be said Richard was not a "lovely, lovely guy" in my or many other people's experience. He was a dreadful human being; bigoted, homophobic and his own worst enemy. Perhaps now he's gone NVA might be able to get themselves going.
he wasnt like you say, he was a reliable, kind, smart human being, never had a problem with him
@@yurisvekachuk8970 I'm sure our mileages may vary. But he actually threatened me (because his amps didn't work), and virtually threatened a lot of people I respect in hifi. He was a homophobic, insecure bigot.
@@yurisvekachuk8970 I mean, at one point a few years ago, he sacked his own website's admin....
DNM??????
Far away. DNM has only the perspex and external power supplies in common with these.
I truly admire NVA🫡💎🇬🇧🫵🌞♾️✨🎶🆙✅📢