HiFi Subjectivist ¦ Audio Forum ¦ NVA User Group

I was browsing eBay a couple of days ago and found a P50 SA for sale. Already have a P50 (old style cermet? Volume control), but thought it would be interesting to compare the two so i bought the SA.

I really wasn’t expecting or ready for the difference
More detailed, more bass (or at least better defined), sense of space and recording acoustic more obvious. Listening to John Lee Hooker album “The Healer” I was startled by the improved attack/definition of the plucking of guitar strings - couldn’t help but start grinning with pleasure.

Now I have been happy with my system for some time now, but this was such a pleasant surprise.

Mechanically the stepped control is smooth and feels like it is a quality unit. Early days but the volume steps seem to be just right - I don’t feel like I am missing getting the precise volume that I am looking for.
As a bonus, the casework fit is better than my previous P50.

Very happy with my impulse purchase although I am not sure which version of the SA I have. Seller said he bought it a couple of years ago. The only visible difference (apart from visible fit of case) is a CE double insulated logo on the rear.

If it is the MK II version then well done Paul and Tomasz for making such great improvements to something that was already pretty damn good

Great result, (and a great album too).

We've been making the upgraded P50SA since late 2019. We have some customers who have sold their £3k pre-amps because they preferred the P50SA after originally buying it for a second system.

Less is more.

This is one of those where I'd be tempted to take a punt on P90SA if I ever saw one at a highly attractive price, as this seems to be a Spinal Tap 11 to the P50SA's 10.

In the meantime I have a big smile on my face whenever I think how little I paid for my used P50SA from ebay a few years ago.

Lindsayt wrote: ↑Thu Dec 14, 2023 8:35 pm Less is more.
…………..

In the meantime I have a big smile on my face whenever I think how little I paid for my used P50SA from ebay a few years ago.

Similar here, loving it

Hunt one down. I had the P50 SA bought a second hand P90 SA with twin power supplies, wow what a difference, it gives the music depth, I could go on. my system is all NVA plus a Gyro Dec se with Orbe platter, Is the best I have bought ever, the cube 1s with a 12 inch sound amazing. Go NVA all the way and enjoy the journey.

Thanks, but think I am done - very happy for quite some time.
I don’t normally look at eBay much, this was just a very happy chance.

Pre getting the SA I had been working through my LP’s (about 3 per day, which is a lot for me), now it may become more frequent.
just nice really enjoying what i have

Don't pop in very often but here's a thread on a lovely piece of NVA - glad your enjoying it

I've got a mid-90's P50 (wooden sides) bought new in 1996 uplifted to SA plus whatever the current spec was in about 2013 by Richard - this was replaced by a recon P90SA supplied by Paul a few years ago - which is marvellous.

The P50SA is just sitting on a shelf - just sayin' with a pair of original A80's and a wooden sided A60 will soon to join them too

Agree that this is a good thread on NVA. Makes me more aware of how late I came to the party in 2016. My NVA systems were in place within a few years and the upgrades to the latest specs in 2020 were well worth it. The amps, speakers and cables have provided an open window to improvemens of my source components. I regularly go to Ebay, but not for hifi. It is for CDs with good dynamic range before the loudness wars. The SQ benefits really come through. After all it is all about the music.