HiFi Subjectivist ¦ Audio Forum ¦ NVA User Group

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 ?

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.

Do they work?

Ah I wondered if they would turn up on here. If they are the eBay ones I was the under bidder

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".

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.

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

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.