The AV2 Survives - Again

Hmmmm...... Not exactly shocked. Like the new avatar pic

Almost the same for me.

I bought for a cheap price a Yamaha RXV667 Amp with pre-out sockets.

I plugged it in the VIPS inputs of the AV2 with chord chrysalis ... well, HD sound from my Panasonic DMR-BW500 via the Yam and SD sound via the AV2 sounded quite the same !

The HD decoding sounded a very little bit more detailed but, blind testing I was absolutely unable to distinguish which unit was decoding.

I sent the Yamaha back ...

I receive, probably this week-end, a 3D TV (Toshiba 55WL863) and I'll try to borrow a Cambridge BD751 said to be excellent as an HD decoder.

Thank you, Mr. Underhill.

You know I am watching this space.  It is just these kinds of impressions that free my budget to pursue last month's Fraim, and today's S-XPS Burndy.  Steady on, AVR-4800!  Thank you, NAP-V175.

Nick

My feelings exactly Mr Underhill. I'm frequently tempted by the big flashy processors but the trusty ol' AV2 works so splendidly I really can't part with it. I'm a great believer in system empathy and I reckon in an all-Naim setup it's still the best choice.

I can still remember the move from a "Fully Loaded" TagMcLaren processor with room correction software to the AV2; a significant improvement.

Just as an aside - and this is not a "recommended by Naim" but is a purely personal observation / opinion...

I use an Octava HDMI matrix switch that has four inputs, two outputs and also pulls S/PDIF out of the HDMI stream with my AV2. (I use the two HDMI outs to drive my TV and projector.) I can then select a single input on my AV2 and just use the Octava to switch between sources.

They do several different versions of HDMI switches with S/PDIF outs (they even do one which will extract 24/192 LPCM from the HDMI feed and output it as 7.1 analogue on phonos) but my experience with them so far has been very positive - they seem to switch quickly and reliably.

...and yes, I still have my AV2 and have put it up against a number of other current processors and although it's nice that they do the high definition audio decoding I still think the AV2 "whips the llamas ass"(*) with all the ones I've tried.

Phil

(*) Does anyone else remember that phrase and where it comes from?

I believe I heard it mentioned during my last visit to Madame Slaparse's Red Raw Spanking Emporium Phil.

Wiki only has win amp whipping Llamas ass. I assume Llama was another player. 1998. 

(/me shuffles feet nervously and hopes the moderators have a sense of humour... )

Damn you Google search!

Yes, check out the big brain on Brad (or in this case, BigH47) ... yup - when Wimamp used to start up it used to play a sample that said "Winamp ... really whips the Llamas ass." ... I never bothered working out what they meant by "the Llama".

There's no prize for either of you I'm afraid - although I guess for TonyM there's the satisfaction that he did make me shoot coffee out of my nose for a second when I first read his reply. :-D

Phil

This.

Mike the Llama is the logo of Winamp's Nullsoft, who got the "Winamp whips..." line from the similarly-titled Wesley Willis song. Doesn't everyone know that??

Strangely, no...

...ah yes - but you have other interests obviously

Oh yes - you can tell it's Friday!

Phil

Hi Mike,

Looking forward to the beer!

The photo is from the trip to Son Kul in Kyrgyzstan last year, great country, well worth a visit. More horses than people. The national drink is fermented mare's milk, the most DISGUSTING stuff I have ever drunk.

As you know I am generally less than convinced about the 'HD' soundtracks ...BUT, I bought the BluRay of Shine a Light - great film of a concert, and the HD soundtrack does sound better to me; wonder if they have deliberately screwed up the DD track, just 'cause I'm paranoid doesn't mean there ISN'T someone out there trying to screw me - apart from HMG.

Hi Nick,

Been following the primaries with interest - now that Romney has been excoriated by his fellow Republicans, and moved significantly to the right, be interested how this plays out in the main election.

I've ALMOST bought a 175 on a couple of occasions, to free up half a shelf - I use a bolt together 250 for the rears and a CB140 for the center. But, I remember the thrill of buying both of these 27 & 29 years ago, as I started working my way up to 32.5/HiCap/250 x2, and somehow it would feel disloyal to jettison them. I had them both re-fettled a couple of years ago instead.

Hi Phil,

I'll take a gander.

M

Sadly I'm in the process of selling of my AV2, DVD5 and Bryston five channel amp. I've finally taken the plunge moved the livingroom round about after much nagging from the other half. I see it as sort of cash in the attic my life changed I have a huge dog now and my face in my macbook most nights. I still have my Loewe TV and in wall speakers that were used for the rears that I'm now facing so considering a streaming product to drive these. 

The AV2 won't be bettered for some time the product STILL sounds as good and even better than current products. Its a real shame IMO that Naim never followed the AV2 up. DVD5 was there ever a DVD player produced that sounds as good with CDS ? Naim was on to something with this kit then dropped the ball which is a pity. 

No Mods this is not an advert just conversation. 

This is an ad:

AV2 not for sale.

Used at least 3 hours per day for 5 years, always on.

Even the best offer will be discaded.

Original remote control almost never used, now under I-pad control.

Mine's running under Control 4.

Phil

Coo! How does that work then?

I-Pad controls it via a ND5XS (volume and inputs)

I gather there is no chance of an AV3

I have received the newest Blu Ray player Panasonic DMP-BDT500.

I use the AV2 multi input but pressing "Menu" + "Mode", I can have access to the settings of the speakers ?

I thought that it was purely analog on the multi input ?