HiFi Subjectivist ¦ Audio Forum ¦ NVA User Group

Quick background - I have had Naim kit for a number of years and was never really happy with the sound but having made a lot of mistakes in the past ££££ was reluctant to dip into "new "stuff". Anyway, I was fortunate to meet a friend of my wife's who spent a fair bit of time trying to help me with set up etc - I came to the conclusion I simply didnt like the Naim sound but was reluctant to admit it.

Having had some good chats with my wife's friend who got to understand the "sound" I was looking for, (I am not in the market for spending mega bucks but was afraid of repeating mistakes of the past). Anyway, I took the plunge and spoke to Paul and sold my Naim amps and phono stage and invested in the NVA amps and sold the Naim kit.

I appreciate and accept the limitations of my system for the time being....

Anyway, again I have about 800 or so albums which I have not played for ages as quite simply I could not listen to it without getting fatigued and every session just left me more dissapointed. In the last couple of months I have not played a CD and my vinyl has had more excercise than it had in the last 3 years. That speaks volumes and I am delighted with my decision and am listening to music again, which after all, is what its all about isnt it ?

Phono stages - I have been reading up and see a lot of critisicsm of them being overpriced for "whats in the box". So the question is, what audible gains would I get from investing in an NVA phono stage? It would probably be the P1 as I would find it difficult to justify the expense of the P2 given the limitations of my current TT, (or am i wrong)?

I am not a "techy" and to be honest not that interested in "whats in the box" but more interested in audible gains.

Sorry for the rambling post

Chris

I do not play much vinyl but when I had the chance to buy a used NVA phono 1, at very low cost, some years ago I jumped at it. I was astounded at the difference it made. Previously I had used the phono input of integrated amplifiers. My low opinion of vinyl changed and I have had to spend quite a bit on my digital source (Mscaler) to significantly better it. My TT is a 1983 vintage Rega 3 with S shaped arm. The cartridge is a Denon high output MC. If you are serious about vinyl you need to hear the NVA phono 1.

If you can, try a Phono 1 & a Phono 2 in your system. And decide for yourself as to which is best for you.

Look out for used deals. As well as any sale items. You already have a working phono amp. So it's not like there's any mega hurry.

And look out for deals on alternative turntables. If something comes up at the right price, take a punt on it.

Get the best phonostage you can afford, don't underestimate it's importance, in your shoes I'd go for the Phono 2 with the option of upgrading by adding a 2nd power supply at a later date. I have always been very happy with my Phono 2 with two ps, one tip keep the stage and ps as far away from each other as possible, they do come with long connecting leads.

antonio66 wrote: ↑Tue Apr 05, 2022 5:01 am Get the best phonostage you can afford, don't underestimate it's importance, in your shoes I'd go for the Phono 2 with the option of upgrading by adding a 2nd power supply at a later date. I have always been very happy with my Phono 2 with two ps, one tip keep the stage and ps as far away from each other as possible, they do come with long connecting leads.

We now make the P2 with 2 supplies (120va per channel) in one box: https://nvahifi.co.uk/products/nva-p2-phono-pre-amp-mc

The P1 is very good at the price, and it is a long way ahead of the Rega Fono, to my ears - I owned the Fono about 6 years ago. The P2 is a big, big jump in performance, again. Whenever I have demonstrated them together, the credit card has always appeared within 10 minutes for the P2!

It is all about power supplies.
As a victim of having heard the difference between the P1 and P2 (and the old debit card having suffered as a result!) I can confirm that while the P1 was a huge step up from what I had before (an ickle Pro-ject thingy,) the P2 gives you a bit more again. One of them is definitely worth a punt with a 30 day trial, and let your own ears decide.

Thank you for all your replies; no one knows you better than yourself and if I hear a P2 I know I will buy it. It is just whether my system justifies the cost but as you say try before you buy is great.

Ponders.......

Lindsayt wrote: ↑Mon Apr 04, 2022 5:04 pm If you can, try a Phono 1 & a Phono 2 in your system. And decide for yourself as to which is best for you.

Look out for used deals. As well as any sale items. You already have a working phono amp. So it's not like there's any mega hurry.

And look out for deals on alternative turntables. If something comes up at the right price, take a punt on it.

I have only just started playing vinyl again as I hated it with Naim - i have looked at a few TT's but see no point in getting another Rega as I don't believe there is any VFM - TT's are ridiculous prices due I suppose to the resurgence in interest in Vinyl - any suggestion that won't involve divorce proceedings

ChrisNeil wrote: ↑Wed Apr 06, 2022 10:38 am Thank you for all your replies; no one knows you better than yourself and if I hear a P2 I know I will buy it. It is just whether my system justifies the cost but as you say try before you buy is great.

Ponders.......

It does justify a P2- but u would also be ok with a P1
Peter