|
Review 3 of 3 Summary:
Given the sort of audio equipment I've been auditioning recently, I've completly surprised myself by choosing an amplifier (as well as a cd player) from NVA - a company I almost forgot existed. I was truly astonished by the performance produced by this amplifier, and accompanying cd player; I bought them as an interim measure whilst I finish saving for a more exotic system (Golmund digital frnt end, Final Audio Research pre-amplification, Pass Labs amps, Sonus Faber or Audio Physic loudspeakers), but the more I listen, the more I wonder whether the GBP35K I plan on investing will be worth it.
The sound is best described as crystalline; clean (but not cold), superbly dynamic (in the way that best complements the impressive transient capabilities of loudsepakers like Audio Physic Virgos or Sonus Faber Amati Homages), tuneful and wonderfully coherent.
I kept listening out for just a little grain, that hint of harshness that betrays moderately priced electronics in the company of super-high end equipment, but I was to be disappointed: It remained crisp and clean all the way to the top (the design permits the AP80 to amplify signals right up to 100kHz). And yet, synthesised with all this clarity was a mucial involvement that one would usually associate with the best 0f single-ended design.
Yes, amplifiers like the Pass Labs Aleph 2 mono amps are 'better'; excellent purity of tone, virtual reality sound-staging, the most subtle micro-dynamics, producing fine textures and portraying the real substance and body of instruments/voices in space; but I feel that an NVA AP80 gets 90% of the way there - without muddying its sound with filtering effects, or making half-hearted/compromised attempts at demonstrating audiophile qualities that many products in this price band fall prey to.
So the question for me remains, is that remaining 10% worth that extra GBP 4 - 5,000? Couple an NVA CD70 with an NVA AP80 with, say, Nordost Blue Heaven cabling, and speakers of substantial quality (ATC SCM20, Sonus Faber Electa Amator II, Audio Physic, Proac Response 1SC, or any other highly capable design) and you're in audiophile nirvana, and where you always wanted to be. Where? Right at the heart of the music.
| 
5 of 5
5 of 5
