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Post by PinkFloyd on Sept 2, 2007 10:46:31 GMT
NVA AP10H Headphone Amplifier I really like the look of this amp at www.nene-valley-audio.com/ have a read about it and also have a read of the interview.... quite interesting.
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leo
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Post by leo on Sept 2, 2007 11:18:24 GMT
Looks nice, you thinking of trying one Mike? shame theres not much info regarding its circuitry Wasn't there a place on ebay selling these at a good price
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Post by Deleted on Sept 2, 2007 11:24:28 GMT
Mike I didn't read the interview, but I had a good look at the design philosophies of many of the amplifiers and their vague circuit details, except for the big deal about teflon coated wire used .All in all, lots of hype,but not much else. Perhaps their range does sound well, with no protective fuses and stringent requirements for output cables, but one slip with an output cable connection ,and expensive internal damage. Darlington Output devices ? WOW ! (sorry for the sarcasm) Regarding the NVA AP10H Headphone Amplifier : "Headphones of 200 to 300 ohms and higher of the modern variety is the kind you should use, and are almost universal these days. " REALLY ? What about the many 32ohm headphones , and others < 200 ohms ? Perhaps their whole range sounds much better than their write ups suggests ? Sorry, must be the gloom around here recently.
Those posted DIY Speaker photos looked great. Mike, have you had a chance to look further into your DIY speakers idea ? SandyK
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leo
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Post by leo on Sept 2, 2007 12:35:07 GMT
I cannot comment on their headphone amps as I've never heard one or seen inside one but I have repaired a couple of NVA hi-fi amps, Alex is right that they used Darlingtons, infact both of these amps I repaired had a blown Darlington on one side. They wasn't to my taste but the owners seemed happy enough with them once they was repaired
Their headphone amps could be very good, if any of the forum members own or have heard one they could let us know what they think
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Post by PinkFloyd on Sept 2, 2007 12:49:11 GMT
I didn't read the interview, but I had a good look at the design philosophies of many of the amplifiers and their vague circuit details The interview is actually friggin' hilarious in places and I quote: " There is no such thing as a good component. All components are bad, but some are less bad than others. There is only one good thing and that is nothing. " " ALL components damage sound quality (music). It is like when you go to a concert. The closer you are to the stage, where the music happens, the less the chair backs and heads there are in front of you. All components have the same effect of corrupting information. " " If you wanted to design a better cow would you give the job to a cow? " " The only reason I have to use test equipment is to make sure the amplifier is safe. " " Whenever they switch on the AM transmitter, there will be a big `bang' coming out of the speaker. So it is a great disadvantage, but this is a good compromise to my mind, because it make the music better. " " Basically for purest reasons, there is no such thing as a protection circuit that doesn't influence the sound. We've tried numerous types, and we have come to the conclusion, that none of them work. " Classic
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Post by Deleted on Sept 2, 2007 12:57:49 GMT
"Their headphone amps could be very good, if any of the forum members own or have heard one they could let us know what they think"
After reading Mike's excerpts from an interview : DON'T BOTHER ! (Unless Miguel wants to do a comparison with his Maplesyrup Head Amp ?) Only joking Miguel. With a design philosophy like that, the Mapletree would eat it for breakfast ! SandyK
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leo
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Post by leo on Sept 2, 2007 12:59:26 GMT
A review of the unit would be interesting, proof of the pudding is in the eating I read a lot of the blurb from these people and I personally find it hilarious Funny thing is I've found most of the good sounding gear didn't have any of this hype on their own website
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leo
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Post by leo on Sept 2, 2007 13:09:44 GMT
" Basically for purest reasons, there is no such thing as a protection circuit that doesn't influence the sound. We've tried numerous types, and we have come to the conclusion, that none of them work. " Classic hope he's confident in the amps reliability then;) Not just blaming NVA but the times I've seen an amp go pop followed by a loud hum through the speakers, then a fizzle and the stench of fried voice coils ;D
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bullpup
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Post by bullpup on Sept 2, 2007 13:19:00 GMT
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Post by PinkFloyd on Sept 2, 2007 13:35:28 GMT
Bloody Hell Miguel that's HUGE!
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leo
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Post by leo on Sept 2, 2007 13:42:15 GMT
Bloody Hell Miguel that's HUGE! Well you did say you liked pr0n ;D shame you need a widescreen monitor to view it
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leo
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Post by leo on Sept 2, 2007 13:45:27 GMT
I actually think people would be surprised if they heard this Mapletree Miguel If I had the iron spare I'd knock one of these up just to have a taste
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Post by Deleted on Sept 2, 2007 13:58:38 GMT
Miguel Thanks for the offer that you knew I would never take you up on ! If you honestly believe it is that good, then send me the green Solo instead. You won't miss it for a few weeks ? BTW, I prefer a much wider bandwidth than 30HZ to 20KHZ. I built my first valve amplifier in a Post Master General's Department Classroom in 1955. They taught us that the frequency response of an amplifier should be at least 3 to 5 times the highest frequency to be reproduced. Alex
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Post by PinkFloyd on Sept 2, 2007 14:59:02 GMT
Returning to the UK for repair. No commercial value.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 2, 2007 21:51:39 GMT
"Returning to the UK for repair. No commercial value" Oooooh, Graham would just love that ! Miguel Again, thanks for the offer, I really do appreciate it,but I already have 2 headphone amplifiers of pretty high quality, and my Class A preamp is a fabulous headphone amplifier. Seriously though, I try to avoid too much headphone listening because of existing hearing damage and much prefer to relax in front of the speakers using my Class A Amplifier. One day, as your hearing ages, you will hopefully appreciate the difference that good wideband solid state electronics can do to improve your listening pleasure. Somehow, and I am not sure how, the retention of those higher order harmonics,seems to restore some of what you have lost due to ageing. Many experts claim that you can SENSE frequencies up to 80KHZ, and although you may no longer be able to hear frequencies that younger people can, if they are missing, things don't sound quite right. I hope this makes some kind of sense ? Alex
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Post by Deleted on Sept 2, 2007 23:00:20 GMT
RE : Many experts claim that you can SENSE frequencies up to 80KHZ Miguel I have emailed you a .pdf by the respected English designer Ben Duncan. I hope that the 5.39MB file size doesn't stop it getting through. It is a very well written book with plenty of simple explanations included.
Any other interested members can send me a PM
SandyK
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insanitybeard
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Post by insanitybeard on Sept 2, 2007 23:17:46 GMT
I'd be interested in hearing the Mapletree Miguel, and being that I own a set of Grados' it'd be good to listen to a valve amp that can drive them properly- unlike my earmax which only sounds good at lower volumes. I do own the GS1000's though, I know you don't rate them. I'd be interested to compare them against a set of RS1s. Sorry, I'm deviating again.........
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Post by Deleted on Sept 3, 2007 2:55:23 GMT
Miguel Leave those to the people rich enough to use Cryogenic cooling of their gear ! They look great, but that doesn't necessarily mean that they will sound much better than a green Solo using the current fitted I.C. (or better at all) Then there is also the opportunity with Graham's design, to plug in the latest and greatest ICs as they are released. Even if you have to use Browndog adaptors. Save the money towards a new Beetle ! Alex
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Nigel
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Post by Nigel on Sept 3, 2007 9:20:09 GMT
They look fantastic! Couldn't you hear one of these amps from one of your many contacts? Then you could suss whether it's worth forking out all that dough.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 3, 2007 10:37:35 GMT
Nigel Just remember the old saying : "Everything that glitters isn't gold" It has been my experience that many high end amplifiers (e.g. Krell) may look a million dollars, and weigh almost as much as you do, but their performance usually doesn't quite match all the hype, or their price tag. Great snob value though!. SandyK
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Post by Deleted on Sept 3, 2007 11:30:15 GMT
Miguel You usually knew when one was coming due to the lines across the TV screen, just before you heard it. I hope that luxurious looking early version still didn't have those dim 6 volt headlights ? SandyK
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Post by greg1 on Sept 5, 2007 7:21:01 GMT
... One day, as your hearing ages, you will hopefully appreciate the difference that good wideband solid state electronics can do to improve your listening pleasure... Actually I have been thinking of a headphone amp from: www.rudistor.com/soundsystems/amps.htmSpecifically RPX-33 Dual Mono (1,300 Euros) or the RPX-100 Quad Mono (2,250 Euros). However, to be honest I can not justify that kind of money. Specially since I would need a better source an possibly balance at that which would mean recablling my cans. Ouch! that would be like $10,000 worth in just one rig. Here is a short review of RPX-33: www.headphonesrock.com/Rudistor-RPX-33.html
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Nigel
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Post by Nigel on Sept 5, 2007 16:28:16 GMT
The site seems to be having some upgrades. They have reviews of other amps but I can't get them to load.
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