Quick background - I have had Naim kit for a number of years and was never really happy with the sound but having made a lot of mistakes in the past ££££ was reluctant to dip into "new "stuff". Anyway, I was fortunate to meet a friend of my wife's who spent a fair bit of time trying to help me with set up etc - I came to the conclusion I simply didnt like the Naim sound but was reluctant to admit it.
Having had some good chats with my wife's friend who got to understand the "sound" I was looking for, (I am not in the market for spending mega bucks but was afraid of repeating mistakes of the past). Anyway, I took the plunge and spoke to Paul and sold my Naim amps and phono stage and invested in the NVA amps and sold the Naim kit.
I appreciate and accept the limitations of my system for the time being....
Anyway, again I have about 800 or so albums which I have not played for ages as quite simply I could not listen to it without getting fatigued and every session just left me more dissapointed. In the last couple of months I have not played a CD and my vinyl has had more excercise than it had in the last 3 years. That speaks volumes and I am delighted with my decision and am listening to music again, which after all, is what its all about isnt it ?
Phono stages - I have been reading up and see a lot of critisicsm of them being overpriced for "whats in the box". So the question is, what audible gains would I get from investing in an NVA phono stage? It would probably be the P1 as I would find it difficult to justify the expense of the P2 given the limitations of my current TT, (or am i wrong)?
I am not a "techy" and to be honest not that interested in "whats in the box" but more interested in audible gains.
Sorry for the rambling post
Chris
Phono stages
- CN211276
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Re: Phono stages
I do not play much vinyl but when I had the chance to buy a used NVA phono 1, at very low cost, some years ago I jumped at it. I was astounded at the difference it made. Previously I had used the phono input of integrated amplifiers. My low opinion of vinyl changed and I have had to spend quite a bit on my digital source (Mscaler) to significantly better it. My TT is a 1983 vintage Rega 3 with S shaped arm. The cartridge is a Denon high output MC. If you are serious about vinyl you need to hear the NVA phono 1.
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: Phono stages
If you can, try a Phono 1 & a Phono 2 in your system. And decide for yourself as to which is best for you.
Look out for used deals. As well as any sale items. You already have a working phono amp. So it's not like there's any mega hurry.
And look out for deals on alternative turntables. If something comes up at the right price, take a punt on it.
Look out for used deals. As well as any sale items. You already have a working phono amp. So it's not like there's any mega hurry.
And look out for deals on alternative turntables. If something comes up at the right price, take a punt on it.
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Re: Phono stages
Get the best phonostage you can afford, don't underestimate it's importance, in your shoes I'd go for the Phono 2 with the option of upgrading by adding a 2nd power supply at a later date. I have always been very happy with my Phono 2 with two ps, one tip keep the stage and ps as far away from each other as possible, they do come with long connecting leads.
- savvypaul
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Re: Phono stages
We now make the P2 with 2 supplies (120va per channel) in one box: https://nvahifi.co.uk/products/nva-p2-phono-pre-amp-mcantonio66 wrote: ↑Tue Apr 05, 2022 5:01 am Get the best phonostage you can afford, don't underestimate it's importance, in your shoes I'd go for the Phono 2 with the option of upgrading by adding a 2nd power supply at a later date. I have always been very happy with my Phono 2 with two ps, one tip keep the stage and ps as far away from each other as possible, they do come with long connecting leads.
- savvypaul
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Re: Phono stages
The P1 is very good at the price, and it is a long way ahead of the Rega Fono, to my ears - I owned the Fono about 6 years ago. The P2 is a big, big jump in performance, again. Whenever I have demonstrated them together, the credit card has always appeared within 10 minutes for the P2!
- CycleCoach
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Re: Phono stages
It is all about power supplies.
As a victim of having heard the difference between the P1 and P2 (and the old debit card having suffered as a result!) I can confirm that while the P1 was a huge step up from what I had before (an ickle Pro-ject thingy,) the P2 gives you a bit more again. One of them is definitely worth a punt with a 30 day trial, and let your own ears decide.
As a victim of having heard the difference between the P1 and P2 (and the old debit card having suffered as a result!) I can confirm that while the P1 was a huge step up from what I had before (an ickle Pro-ject thingy,) the P2 gives you a bit more again. One of them is definitely worth a punt with a 30 day trial, and let your own ears decide.
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- Lindsayt (Tue Apr 05, 2022 2:29 pm)
I think I might be in the HiFi trade.
I am not currently seeking treatment for this.
Current System: Linn LP12 Lingo Ekos Troika, NVA PHONO2 with BBPSU, NVA AP20 (White), Quad ESL 57s &/or NVA Cube3s (White)
I am not currently seeking treatment for this.
Current System: Linn LP12 Lingo Ekos Troika, NVA PHONO2 with BBPSU, NVA AP20 (White), Quad ESL 57s &/or NVA Cube3s (White)
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Re: Phono stages
Thank you for all your replies; no one knows you better than yourself and if I hear a P2 I know I will buy it. It is just whether my system justifies the cost but as you say try before you buy is great.
Ponders.......
Ponders.......
Tweaked Rega RP3 - Sumiko Moonstone/Dynavector10x5
Rega Fono Mk5/ TTPSU
Naim CD5X
NVA S150
NVA P50 Mk 2
NVA LS3
Epos M15 speakers
NVA LS3 speaker cable
Teufel streamer
Rega Fono Mk5/ TTPSU
Naim CD5X
NVA S150
NVA P50 Mk 2
NVA LS3
Epos M15 speakers
NVA LS3 speaker cable
Teufel streamer
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Re: Phono stages
I have only just started playing vinyl again as I hated it with Naim - i have looked at a few TT's but see no point in getting another Rega as I don't believe there is any VFM - TT's are ridiculous prices due I suppose to the resurgence in interest in Vinyl - any suggestion that won't involve divorce proceedingsLindsayt wrote: ↑Mon Apr 04, 2022 5:04 pm If you can, try a Phono 1 & a Phono 2 in your system. And decide for yourself as to which is best for you.
Look out for used deals. As well as any sale items. You already have a working phono amp. So it's not like there's any mega hurry.
And look out for deals on alternative turntables. If something comes up at the right price, take a punt on it.
Tweaked Rega RP3 - Sumiko Moonstone/Dynavector10x5
Rega Fono Mk5/ TTPSU
Naim CD5X
NVA S150
NVA P50 Mk 2
NVA LS3
Epos M15 speakers
NVA LS3 speaker cable
Teufel streamer
Rega Fono Mk5/ TTPSU
Naim CD5X
NVA S150
NVA P50 Mk 2
NVA LS3
Epos M15 speakers
NVA LS3 speaker cable
Teufel streamer
- Latteman
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Re: Phono stages
It does justify a P2- but u would also be ok with a P1
Peter
Analogue Source -
Denon DP47f; AT-VM95SH- RigB 9
GL-59; ARB uni pivot; AT- Signet mc
Nva phono mm/mc
Doug Self balanced Pre amp
Akai 4000DS mk2 R2R
Digital Sources- Argon Pi4 v2; IfI iUSB 3.0, Ifi Neo idsd Dac;
Tidal / Radio Paradise
Amplification Nva 300va mono blocks
Speakers Lii Audio F-15 in Open Baffle; Ls6
Weiduka AC8.8- for digital sources
Mini BMU for analog sources
Denon DP47f; AT-VM95SH- RigB 9
GL-59; ARB uni pivot; AT- Signet mc
Nva phono mm/mc
Doug Self balanced Pre amp
Akai 4000DS mk2 R2R
Digital Sources- Argon Pi4 v2; IfI iUSB 3.0, Ifi Neo idsd Dac;
Tidal / Radio Paradise
Amplification Nva 300va mono blocks
Speakers Lii Audio F-15 in Open Baffle; Ls6
Weiduka AC8.8- for digital sources
Mini BMU for analog sources