NVA Frankenstein setup

[antonio66]

A while ago, one of my A40 monoblocks began to malfunction (I'll get it sent off to Tomasz one of these days) and an old school-friend of mine mentioned that he had one lying spare. Very kindly, he packed it and put it in the post.

Then we run into sheaves of Brexit red-tape and delays, with the result that it took 6 weeks to get here. A year ago that would have been 6 days, max.

Anyway. The wait has been worthwhile and my NVA installation now consists of 'Big Knob' P50 preamp/phono plus PSU (1985), A40 monoblock (2014 top-mounted heatsink) and A40 monoblock (2018 without heatsink).

Just fired up and the amps have to warm through a bit. First impressions are promising.

[slinger]

Are you waiting for a thunderstorm to bring your system to life?

And are you anticipating a group of angry vilagers to turn up with pitchforks and torches to destroy your creation?

[slinger]

[antonio66]

I have said this before but it is a case of refreshing my own memory.

Switching from a mid-80's stereo NVA power amp to the 21st century schizoid monoblock version does have a major sonic impact: Definition is more solid with a sharper edge to detail and instrument placement, the soundfield is more integrated throughout the room, it feels like an extra octave of bass-extension has been added.

The NVA trademarks of transparency and open musicality are retained and increased. The two monoblocks appear to be well-matched and I assume that they are using the same board and power supply.

Happy time !

All together now:

They're creepy and they're kooky
Mysterious and spooky
They're all together ooky ...

[CN211276]

Not surprised by your findings as I found the upgraded A80s and P90 SA a sonic improvement over the ones I originally bought in 2017, not to mention the lack of hum from the mono blocks and the stepped antenuators being silent.