Re: NVA Reviews (THIS THREAD IS ONLY FOR STASHING REVIEWS)
Posted: Wed Apr 03, 2019 2:43 pm
Cubettes/P20/A20/SSC
I had become increasingly dissatisfied with the sound of my second system in the bedroom compared to the main system. The second system is in use more now I am retired and do not have to get up early for work.
The offer on the Cubettes was too good to ignore and before they settled in I took up the offers on the P20, A20 and SSC, LS2 already being in place. The transformation in sound seems like a veil has been lifted and going into a lot of detail would be missing the wood for the trees. It now seems like musicians are playing instruments with vocals conveying emotion. The Cubettes brought about most of the improvements, the amps and interconnector increased dynamic range and bass extension. For their size the bass performance of the Cubbettes, supported by washing machine anti vibration pads, is impressive.
The new kit has replaced a Marantz amplifier and Wharfdale Diamond speakers I have had for some time. Both received five star What HiFi reviews. With the previous system I used a Bluetooth DAC because the benefits of a DAC connected to my phone were marginal. Not so with the NVA system. The system is transparent enough to show the subtle difference between the Chord Mojo and Audioquest Dragonfly Red DACs. I find the 3v output of the Mojo too high for the P20 and lower it to achieve the best results. Because of the location the music played has been of wider appeal than what is played on the main system. It has mainly comprised 70s compilation CDs ripped to WAV via the USB Audio Player Pro app which I have found improves SQ.
I must point out that the positioning of the system fits in with the lay out of the room and is therefore not ideal. The components are on top of a cupboard, with the speakers each side of the amplifiers, slightly above optimum height and not facing the listening area. One is in front of a solid wall, the other a heavy curtain. I’m sure the semi omnidirectional design comes into its own in the circumstances. Although listening has been at low levels, it can provide plenty of volume if required. The small size of the components is a plus point for the WAF factor. The footprint is little bigger than that of a small ghetto blaster which was my second system in years gone by.
I am very pleased with the system and am sure its musicality would blow away many costing much more, especially with the speakers optimally sited.
I had become increasingly dissatisfied with the sound of my second system in the bedroom compared to the main system. The second system is in use more now I am retired and do not have to get up early for work.
The offer on the Cubettes was too good to ignore and before they settled in I took up the offers on the P20, A20 and SSC, LS2 already being in place. The transformation in sound seems like a veil has been lifted and going into a lot of detail would be missing the wood for the trees. It now seems like musicians are playing instruments with vocals conveying emotion. The Cubettes brought about most of the improvements, the amps and interconnector increased dynamic range and bass extension. For their size the bass performance of the Cubbettes, supported by washing machine anti vibration pads, is impressive.
The new kit has replaced a Marantz amplifier and Wharfdale Diamond speakers I have had for some time. Both received five star What HiFi reviews. With the previous system I used a Bluetooth DAC because the benefits of a DAC connected to my phone were marginal. Not so with the NVA system. The system is transparent enough to show the subtle difference between the Chord Mojo and Audioquest Dragonfly Red DACs. I find the 3v output of the Mojo too high for the P20 and lower it to achieve the best results. Because of the location the music played has been of wider appeal than what is played on the main system. It has mainly comprised 70s compilation CDs ripped to WAV via the USB Audio Player Pro app which I have found improves SQ.
I must point out that the positioning of the system fits in with the lay out of the room and is therefore not ideal. The components are on top of a cupboard, with the speakers each side of the amplifiers, slightly above optimum height and not facing the listening area. One is in front of a solid wall, the other a heavy curtain. I’m sure the semi omnidirectional design comes into its own in the circumstances. Although listening has been at low levels, it can provide plenty of volume if required. The small size of the components is a plus point for the WAF factor. The footprint is little bigger than that of a small ghetto blaster which was my second system in years gone by.
I am very pleased with the system and am sure its musicality would blow away many costing much more, especially with the speakers optimally sited.