I was using Naim at the time (42/5 DIY p/s nap 90)
and remember reading an article in hifi answers or audiophile where Richard, or one of their dealers would visit your home to improve your hifi.!
My nearest one was Truro iirc, which was quite a distance from me, but they were still willing to visit. Fast foward a few weeks, and a chap arrived armed with a P80, 2 x PSU's, an A60 and a pair of the original mdf boxed cube 2.
Turntable was a Pink Triangle PTTOO. Not sure what speaker I was using, possibly A&R Red Box. It all sounded fantastic, and I was hooked so saved up long an hard, and eventually brought an original p50/A40 and the rest is history as they say.
What was your first experience of NVA products.?
Did Anyone Do the NVA challenge in the 90`'s
Did Anyone Do the NVA challenge in the 90`'s
My noise making stuff :
Modified Arcam Alpha 5 CD Player
Inca Designs ID1P Pre
Prototype EWA A40 Power
Q Acoustics 2010i/Royd Minstrel speakers
Modified Arcam Alpha 5 CD Player
Inca Designs ID1P Pre
Prototype EWA A40 Power
Q Acoustics 2010i/Royd Minstrel speakers
- CN211276
- Posts: 6566
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Re: Did Anyone Do the NVA challenge in the 90`'s
Had not heard of NVA six years ago. I started off with the BMU in late 2016. My signature tells the rest of the story.
Main System
NVA BMU, P90SA/A80s (latest spec), Cube 1s, TIS, TISC(LS7)
Sonore OpticalRendu, Chord Mscaler & Qutest, Sbooster PSs
Network Acoustics Eno, ifi iPurifier3, AQ JB FMJ, Cisco 2940 & 2960
DH Labs ethernet, BNC & USB cables, Lindy cat 6 US ethernet cable
Second System
NVA P20/ A20, Cubettes, LS3, SSP, SC
Sonore MicroRendu, Chord Mojo 2 MCRU PSs, AQ Carbon USB cable & JB FMJ
Headphones
Grado SR325e/Chord Mojo, Beyerdynamic Avetho/AQ DF Colbat
RIP Doc
NVA BMU, P90SA/A80s (latest spec), Cube 1s, TIS, TISC(LS7)
Sonore OpticalRendu, Chord Mscaler & Qutest, Sbooster PSs
Network Acoustics Eno, ifi iPurifier3, AQ JB FMJ, Cisco 2940 & 2960
DH Labs ethernet, BNC & USB cables, Lindy cat 6 US ethernet cable
Second System
NVA P20/ A20, Cubettes, LS3, SSP, SC
Sonore MicroRendu, Chord Mojo 2 MCRU PSs, AQ Carbon USB cable & JB FMJ
Headphones
Grado SR325e/Chord Mojo, Beyerdynamic Avetho/AQ DF Colbat
RIP Doc
- Lindsayt
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Re: Did Anyone Do the NVA challenge in the 90`'s
And 25 years later NVA are trying to get the same scheme, with a 2022 flavour to it, off the ground.
Just need the Covid chocks to be taken away and we'll see if it flies...
And my first experience of NVA was reading Richard Dunn's contributions to pfm in the 2000's. That forum was always more interesting when he was posting there. The discussions he used to get involved in.
When he got banned from pfm I felt a natural sense of injustice. A few weeks after he started the first incarnation of this forum I found out about it and followed him over to here.
I first met Richard at a small amplifier bake-off in south London.
Just need the Covid chocks to be taken away and we'll see if it flies...
And my first experience of NVA was reading Richard Dunn's contributions to pfm in the 2000's. That forum was always more interesting when he was posting there. The discussions he used to get involved in.
When he got banned from pfm I felt a natural sense of injustice. A few weeks after he started the first incarnation of this forum I found out about it and followed him over to here.
I first met Richard at a small amplifier bake-off in south London.
- karatestu
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Re: Did Anyone Do the NVA challenge in the 90`'s
I can still remember seeing NVA adverts in the hifi mags mid to late 90's. The adverts always gof my attention but stupidly I never followed up on them and ended up on the Linn Naim treadmill.
I was a member of pfm when RD joined and later got banned. I liked his rants - often very long posts telling everybody exactly what he thought. It was so refreshing. Unfortunately I didn't know about HFS otherwise my release from Naim may have come sooner and saved me a lot of money and energy.
Eventually I came across HFS and spent a long time reading the archives and eventually joining. Fast forward and RD contacted me to see if I wanted to buy some amplifier boards to try in my diy amps. At the time I was modding my Avondale amplifier boards - removed input coupling cap, output zobel and thiele network. Those things made a big difference to my enjoyment of music but the NVA circuit was even better to my ears. Bought six amp boards in the end.
After trying semi omni in my diy speaker efforts I was hooked and similarly with running the mid bass wide open and only 1st order high pass on the tweeter. I ended up buying quite a few Doc mod drivers (4x12", 2x5") and later doping mg own drivers.
My first complete NVA product I bought fro RD was an AP20 integrated amp that I use in my kitchen diner. Then followed a Phono 1, BMU and several sets of LS6 speaker cable and TIS interconnect.
You could say RD very cleverly got me hooked when he offered me those nva amplifier boards. I'm very glad he did. Still pissed off I passed NVA over in the 90's but they weren't on the books at my local dealers.
I was a member of pfm when RD joined and later got banned. I liked his rants - often very long posts telling everybody exactly what he thought. It was so refreshing. Unfortunately I didn't know about HFS otherwise my release from Naim may have come sooner and saved me a lot of money and energy.
Eventually I came across HFS and spent a long time reading the archives and eventually joining. Fast forward and RD contacted me to see if I wanted to buy some amplifier boards to try in my diy amps. At the time I was modding my Avondale amplifier boards - removed input coupling cap, output zobel and thiele network. Those things made a big difference to my enjoyment of music but the NVA circuit was even better to my ears. Bought six amp boards in the end.
After trying semi omni in my diy speaker efforts I was hooked and similarly with running the mid bass wide open and only 1st order high pass on the tweeter. I ended up buying quite a few Doc mod drivers (4x12", 2x5") and later doping mg own drivers.
My first complete NVA product I bought fro RD was an AP20 integrated amp that I use in my kitchen diner. Then followed a Phono 1, BMU and several sets of LS6 speaker cable and TIS interconnect.
You could say RD very cleverly got me hooked when he offered me those nva amplifier boards. I'm very glad he did. Still pissed off I passed NVA over in the 90's but they weren't on the books at my local dealers.
DIY FREE ZONE
- CN211276
- Posts: 6566
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Re: Did Anyone Do the NVA challenge in the 90`'s
I regret not coming across NVA in the early 80s when I read the magazines and was into hifi. Things would have turned out a lot differently. As it was the Glasgow mafia, Salisbury stooges, flat. earth pissed me off so much I lost interest for thirty years.
- These users thanked the author CN211276 for the post (total 3):
- Lindsayt (Wed Jan 12, 2022 10:16 am) • SteveTheShadow (Wed Jan 12, 2022 11:07 am) • antonio66 (Thu Jan 13, 2022 4:12 am)
Main System
NVA BMU, P90SA/A80s (latest spec), Cube 1s, TIS, TISC(LS7)
Sonore OpticalRendu, Chord Mscaler & Qutest, Sbooster PSs
Network Acoustics Eno, ifi iPurifier3, AQ JB FMJ, Cisco 2940 & 2960
DH Labs ethernet, BNC & USB cables, Lindy cat 6 US ethernet cable
Second System
NVA P20/ A20, Cubettes, LS3, SSP, SC
Sonore MicroRendu, Chord Mojo 2 MCRU PSs, AQ Carbon USB cable & JB FMJ
Headphones
Grado SR325e/Chord Mojo, Beyerdynamic Avetho/AQ DF Colbat
RIP Doc
NVA BMU, P90SA/A80s (latest spec), Cube 1s, TIS, TISC(LS7)
Sonore OpticalRendu, Chord Mscaler & Qutest, Sbooster PSs
Network Acoustics Eno, ifi iPurifier3, AQ JB FMJ, Cisco 2940 & 2960
DH Labs ethernet, BNC & USB cables, Lindy cat 6 US ethernet cable
Second System
NVA P20/ A20, Cubettes, LS3, SSP, SC
Sonore MicroRendu, Chord Mojo 2 MCRU PSs, AQ Carbon USB cable & JB FMJ
Headphones
Grado SR325e/Chord Mojo, Beyerdynamic Avetho/AQ DF Colbat
RIP Doc
- Fretless
- Posts: 9348
- Joined: Wed Nov 12, 2014 12:15 pm
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Re: Did Anyone Do the NVA challenge in the 90`'s
My NVA P50 + PSU and A40 stereo that I bought from Huddersfield Hifi in 1985 are still in daily use and making great music.
Upstairs:
VinylPro-Ject 1.2 + Grado Sig Jr + Cambridge Alva Duo
DigiVolumio PC + Kiss DP-500 + Sabaj A20d
NVA: Cube2 - SSP - LS6+ Sabaj A10a {x2)
Little Bear MC2 + AQ NightHawk
Downstairs:
VinylLogic DM101 + Syrinx LE1 + Grado Sig MCX
DigiDenafrips Ares II + Volumio PC + Cambridge CXC
NVA: P50 & PSU - BMUAiyima A07 MAX + Arcam One
HP: Allo DigiOne + Sabaj A10d + AQ NightOwl
Office: Allo DigiOne SIG + SMSL M300se + Douk G4 (x2)
Mission 760 + Monolith 887 + German Maestro GMP 450
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Re: Did Anyone Do the NVA challenge in the 90`'s
I'm afraid I went onto the Naim treadmill, that after owner one of Colin Wonfor's Claymore amps (what was I thinking) I can remember buying from the Sound Org York, I seem to remember they advertised NVA, but maybe I'm mistaken after all these years. I know they also sold Exposure amps and I purchased one of the bargains of the century there, a pair of Epos ES14's
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Re: Did Anyone Do the NVA challenge in the 90`'s
I can't recall how I came across RD back in 92 but I called him up, had a chat and agreed to go and see him, working on the basis of nothing ventured, nothing gained.
I drove down to a barn conversion block of offices in Hatley St George. Richard greeted me, put on his cloak and wizard hat, bamboozled me anti hi-fi propaganda and next thing you know, I'm indoctrinated in to the NVA cult.
The RRP on what Richard proposed was the wrong side of £4k, which was £2k more than my budget. Thankfully Richard wanted a laptop and I worked for one of Europe's largest suppliers, so Richard got the most powerful Compaq laptop of the day at true trade price and I handed over £2k+ in cash and drove home with a car full of NVAs finest.
On reflection it was a fortuitous meeting because I started off on the right path. The A80s, P70(?) and PSUs are languishing in the loft. The Cubix are still going strong having been transformed , they now look very different and sound to my ears a lot better.
I drove down to a barn conversion block of offices in Hatley St George. Richard greeted me, put on his cloak and wizard hat, bamboozled me anti hi-fi propaganda and next thing you know, I'm indoctrinated in to the NVA cult.
The RRP on what Richard proposed was the wrong side of £4k, which was £2k more than my budget. Thankfully Richard wanted a laptop and I worked for one of Europe's largest suppliers, so Richard got the most powerful Compaq laptop of the day at true trade price and I handed over £2k+ in cash and drove home with a car full of NVAs finest.
On reflection it was a fortuitous meeting because I started off on the right path. The A80s, P70(?) and PSUs are languishing in the loft. The Cubix are still going strong having been transformed , they now look very different and sound to my ears a lot better.
Modified Airlink BPS 3110S with LDA DC filter
TTs, Kenwood KD 8030 with AT OC9XSH, Opera Consonance Wax Engine mk2 with modified Apheta 2 MC cart, PT TOO awaiting restoration.
LDA MCJ3 phono,Schiit Freya plus pre amp, NAD M23, Audiolab 9000 CD transport, Denafrips Pontus 2 DAC, Mano Ultra2 streamer, Cisco switch, Audio Technica ATH 70 cans, Serhan Swift Mu2 mk2 speakers & NSNO W48.5 speaker cables
TTs, Kenwood KD 8030 with AT OC9XSH, Opera Consonance Wax Engine mk2 with modified Apheta 2 MC cart, PT TOO awaiting restoration.
LDA MCJ3 phono,Schiit Freya plus pre amp, NAD M23, Audiolab 9000 CD transport, Denafrips Pontus 2 DAC, Mano Ultra2 streamer, Cisco switch, Audio Technica ATH 70 cans, Serhan Swift Mu2 mk2 speakers & NSNO W48.5 speaker cables
Re: Did Anyone Do the NVA challenge in the 90`'s
Thankfully, I never ended up going too far on the Naim ladder as I started down the DIY path thanks to PFM and people like Les W and Andrew L Weekes etc.
I used to buy all the hifi mags back in the late 80's and 90's, and even when you picked up the latest flat response, then later hifi review you knew that Linn and Naim would come out on top, but I still enjoyed reading them.
NVA, along with other brands such as Incatech, Magnum, Ion Systems, and Oxix which I have all owned over the years were highly recommended, but never better then a Naim
Things changed a bit when Ian Rankin started writing for Hifi review as he gave the thumbs up to the Pink Triangle Little Pink thing, and even let slip that he used a PTTOO which Frankland had earlier slated, without even taking it out the box apparently
He loved the old NVA Statement 1 monos driving his Linn Kanns
I used to buy all the hifi mags back in the late 80's and 90's, and even when you picked up the latest flat response, then later hifi review you knew that Linn and Naim would come out on top, but I still enjoyed reading them.
NVA, along with other brands such as Incatech, Magnum, Ion Systems, and Oxix which I have all owned over the years were highly recommended, but never better then a Naim
Things changed a bit when Ian Rankin started writing for Hifi review as he gave the thumbs up to the Pink Triangle Little Pink thing, and even let slip that he used a PTTOO which Frankland had earlier slated, without even taking it out the box apparently
He loved the old NVA Statement 1 monos driving his Linn Kanns
My noise making stuff :
Modified Arcam Alpha 5 CD Player
Inca Designs ID1P Pre
Prototype EWA A40 Power
Q Acoustics 2010i/Royd Minstrel speakers
Modified Arcam Alpha 5 CD Player
Inca Designs ID1P Pre
Prototype EWA A40 Power
Q Acoustics 2010i/Royd Minstrel speakers
- CN211276
- Posts: 6566
- Joined: Tue Aug 09, 2016 9:29 am
- Location: Cardiff
- Has thanked: 1438 times
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Re: Did Anyone Do the NVA challenge in the 90`'s
I gave up the hifi mags and lost interest in the mid 80s. I recall a comparison of high end turntables in Popular HiFi; Linn, Systemdek, Pink Triangle, Logic, JBE, Ariston. I think it was Chris Frankland. The LP12 came out on top by a wide margin. Ivor no doubt pulling the strings.
Main System
NVA BMU, P90SA/A80s (latest spec), Cube 1s, TIS, TISC(LS7)
Sonore OpticalRendu, Chord Mscaler & Qutest, Sbooster PSs
Network Acoustics Eno, ifi iPurifier3, AQ JB FMJ, Cisco 2940 & 2960
DH Labs ethernet, BNC & USB cables, Lindy cat 6 US ethernet cable
Second System
NVA P20/ A20, Cubettes, LS3, SSP, SC
Sonore MicroRendu, Chord Mojo 2 MCRU PSs, AQ Carbon USB cable & JB FMJ
Headphones
Grado SR325e/Chord Mojo, Beyerdynamic Avetho/AQ DF Colbat
RIP Doc
NVA BMU, P90SA/A80s (latest spec), Cube 1s, TIS, TISC(LS7)
Sonore OpticalRendu, Chord Mscaler & Qutest, Sbooster PSs
Network Acoustics Eno, ifi iPurifier3, AQ JB FMJ, Cisco 2940 & 2960
DH Labs ethernet, BNC & USB cables, Lindy cat 6 US ethernet cable
Second System
NVA P20/ A20, Cubettes, LS3, SSP, SC
Sonore MicroRendu, Chord Mojo 2 MCRU PSs, AQ Carbon USB cable & JB FMJ
Headphones
Grado SR325e/Chord Mojo, Beyerdynamic Avetho/AQ DF Colbat
RIP Doc