HiFi Subjectivist ¦ Audio Forum ¦ NVA User Group

If you can, compare your LP12 against a good idler, such as a Garrard 301 or 401. Thorens 124. Lenco (various models). Or decent direct drive. One of the heavier ones. Not the cheap lightweight plastic crap.

A few years ago I had a 1983 LP12 that had been upgraded to Cirkus, Lingo 2, late Ittok, Troika.
After reading about a bake-off at the Docs home where a variety of inexpensive used Japanese direct drives beat a similar spec LP12, I was inspired to try an EMT 930 with a Denon 103 cartridge. The EMT sounded like a grown up LP12. The LP12 sounded like an adolescent. I then also bought an EMT 950 when I saw one going for a good price in Austria. Since then EMT's have shot up in price and I can no longer recommend them unless you find one at a bargain price. Anyway, the point being that the LP12 was never the best turntable in the world. Not even close. Even though it was marketed as this.

Speakers are a personal choice. I like big, tatty, ugly, broken classic 1950's to 1970's American speakers. Because they're cheap and sound OK, once fixed. I can understand why some like NVA speakers, because they're small, reasonably priced for new kit and sound OK. I've also enjoyed a variety of DIY speakers, many of which have been very cheap and sounded OK, and some of which have cost a bit and sounded as good as any speakers I've ever heard.

A good starting point would be going to the Wigwam forum Kegworth Show. Or going to or hosting a few bake-offs.

+1

One thing I have discovered if you don't use NVA at home and live with it then you really don't know what it is capable of, especially the speakers.

Dr Bunsen Honeydew wrote: ↑Sun Feb 10, 2019 11:28 am One thing I have discovered if you don't use NVA at home and live with it then you really don't know what it is capable of, especially the speakers.

+1

guydarryl wrote: ↑Sat Feb 09, 2019 9:20 pm Like you, I listened to and enjoyed the LP12 - still enjoying it after thirty something years ( I think it was one of the last pre Cirkus) so overall cost has been a bit of a bargain. Must admit that current price LP12 would need to be passed on for a few generations to get the same return on investment.
No problem using it with NVA.

Head in the sand there i'm afraid. Gyro or better Orbe way better (+NAS favoured by DSJR), and I suspect the P6 and even possibly the latest P3 suitably isolated. Some people swapping 0ut old Lp12s for the Technics GAE. Plenty discussion elsewhere (and heated argument). Whole threads on Hoffman forum. I'm sure latest Linns are a whole lot better but the prices are just crazy.

What ever you choose, you need to be able to listen to it in your system, in your home.

If I'm not mistaken, the Cyrus One will last ten seconds once the AP50 is set up and running! You could use the One as a phono stage, taking the tape-out into a spare input on the NVA. No deep bass on the Cyrus One's phono stage though - it's rolled off below 100hz - but it might be ok. No idea if the Pro-Ject is any better though.

Pair of A70 power amps just advertised here on HFS.

I did the same over the summer, sold most of my then Hifi and purchased p20 & A20, this progressed to 2x A20s, p50, Ls5, ssc, mini BMU, phono 1 and recently 8” doc modded drivers.
I sold my stuff below market value as it would sell and I could get what I wanted sooner. Great experience, love my music now

Are you asking me about nva amps ?