Golden Oldies

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29mile
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Golden Oldies

Unread post by 29mile »

Looking for some advice about a pair of vintage NVA monoblocks. They look like they are from the 80's with old style aluminium case and original boards. But they have 300va IPL transformers ( 30-0-30V ) and therefore a high spec A70 ( usually 160va I think ) but with only have 2 smoothing caps.

Any suggestions as to how to upgrade them ?

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Fretless
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Re: Golden Oldies

Unread post by Fretless »

From the heat sinks I would say they were 1990's production model.

Best to wait for Ithilstone (Tomasz) for technical advice on refurb/upgrade.

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savvypaul
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Re: Golden Oldies

Unread post by savvypaul »

Do they work?
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NSNO2021
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Re: Golden Oldies

Unread post by NSNO2021 »

Ah I wondered if they would turn up on here. If they are the eBay ones I was the under bidder 😏
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.
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Re: Golden Oldies

Unread post by Ithilstone »

Those look like very early 90s - original parts and nicely cleaned.

If it is working and showing correct voltages I would not attempted any "upgrades".
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29mile
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Re: Golden Oldies

Unread post by 29mile »

Yes they are running very sweetly indeed Tom ( if anything a little 'softer' than current models but still very much NVA ). I have not checked the voltages yet. Should they be around 42/3 V DC ?

And sorry about my ebay bid ! It was a bit of a blind bid given the poor pictures but turned out ok in the end.

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Re: Golden Oldies

Unread post by NSNO2021 »

I tried asking the seller a few questions and he seemed clueless, you did well and I am a tad envious 🙂
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

29mile
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Re: Golden Oldies

Unread post by 29mile »

Yes the buyer had them listed originally as A40's but the cases looked bigger.

I may change the RS 4700uf caps ( now pushing 30 years old ) to SuperTech slit-foil ones recommended by Steve in his DIY build. Looks like a straight replacement and that's about the limit of my very basic soldering skills. The ILP transformer was very well spoken off by Richard but I think they closed down in 2000's.
Potentially you could put in another transformer and caps to bring it up to A80 spec as there could be enough room in the case. But this is way way beyond my limits.

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