AV2 user needs help with amp upgrade

Is it only a HT system or combined with stereo?

Emmanuel

All opinions are my own, and reflect those of the organisation i work for, even if not stipulated.

You could trade one of your 150's in for a NAP175. That would give you 5 channels. If you're after six channels, for 6.1 surround, probably best to pick up another 150.

Jay

Yabba, dabba, doooooo

Emmanuel, my current set-up is combined with stereo. I should have mentioned that the AV2 is serving as both pre-amp & processor.

Jay, thanks for the suggestion. IMO the main benefit of the 175 is reducing boxes (which does become important!). 6.1 is a "nice to have" especially with more DVDs available with the EX flag. Right now, I can't see myself trading in for a 175.

[This message was edited by pac on THURSDAY 09 January 2003 at 02:21.]

I've got a completely separate 6 channel set-up in another room (not Naim )and the centre rear was a subtle but worthwhile addition.

Jay

Yabba, dabba, doooooo

Is your system mainly used for music or for watching films with?

If you listen to a lot of music, probably worth considering the idea of adding a stereo only pre-amp.

I dem'd an AV2 a couple of months ago and found that whilst it's pretty good as a stereo pre-amp, that even a 112 will easily outperform it.
Go give it a try and see what you think.

Mike,

For now, I've found the AV2 handles music as well as film. One day I do hope to upgrade to a stand-alone pre-amp!

You may recall some of my previous posts to your early threads from last year on the AV2 & 112. Short version: AV2 does the job.

So my first upgrade step is on another amp....

-regards

quote:

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Originally posted by Mr_Sukebe:

I dem'd an AV2 a couple of months ago and found that whilst it's pretty good as a stereo pre-amp, that even a 112 will easily outperform it.
Go give it a try and see what you think.

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[/QUOTE]Originally posted by pac

You may recall some of my previous posts to your early threads from last year on the AV2 & 112. Short version: AV2 does the job.

[/QUOTE]

I was seriously thinking about trading in a 112 to get an AV2 and run it like you do pac. Looking at the above quotes it looks like I ought to think again.
Given the choice I guess I should keep the 112 for stereo music rather than use the AV2 in that mode. Right??

GEOFFP

Geoff,

I'd suggest you run a search for "AV2." You'll find some good discussion on the AV2 in the context of the 112. That way you will get a better feel for some of the issues/views. Since you have the 112 you will want to demo an AV2 with music as well.

For me, the 112 was not enough of a gain over the AV2 to consider this worthwhile. Now a 202 is a different story. The Naim "recommended systems" bears this out, with the 202 listed as a potential upgrade for AV2 users (see Naim web site).

Hope that helps...

Bump...

Looking for help still on my original question on amps. I appreciate any help here!

TIA

Pac

You got an answer mate . Anything better than a 150 or second hand 90/140/180 will be wasted if you're keeping the AV2 as a pre for music too.

Jay

Yabba, dabba, doooooo

Jay,

1) Using the AV2 as a pre is not a long-term fix (although it does do a very nice job with music). A future upgrade for me would include either a used 102 or 202.

2) Amps above 150 wasted with AV2? Not sure I accept your conclusion made above. Naim themselves are suggesting the upcoming NAPV 145 as a recommended upgrade for AV2 users (see "Suggested Systems"). This is a mono version of the NAP250, and is listed for launch next month. Sorry not trying to be difficult, but your conclusion is just not obvious to me!

3) Considering my upgrade path includes a pre at some stage will money be well spent on buying a more powerful amp to dedicate to stereo now?

Hope I've laid out my thinking & questions more clearly. Thanks for the reply.

Sorry Pac - I didn't explain myself very well did I

My recommendation was based on you using the Av2 as a pre for music. It's kinda agreed (as much as anything can be) that the AV2 ranks alongside Nait 5 or 112 performance levels. In the context of a CD5/Av2/??? system it wouldn't make much sense going to anything higher than 90/140/150/180/200 level. "Unless" you had overly demanding speakers, large room or just plain wanted too (which is bloody good enough reason in my book)!

Things change of course if you have longer-term plans. Which I see you do

So assuming you want the extra channel for 5.1 and 6.1 in the short term and in the longer term are looking at getting a 102/202 for music replay then something like the 200 makes good sense.

Hope that helps more.

Jay

Yabba, dabba, doooooo

Jay,

Thanks for the additional input.

I have no experience with the 180, but the NAP 200 did seem like a slight improvement over 150 to my ears. This was done with different combinations of 112, 102, & 202 +hi-cap. In the context of using my AV2 as a pre, I'm not really sure if there would be much gain now as you point out. Longer term, a 200 would appears to be good vfm combo with a 202.

I have no clue what impact a 250, used or new, would have with a AV2. I realise it would be a major jump, but I wonder if it would be a poor use of funds considering my existing kit. So I can understand why you say it probably does not make much sense going beyond 180/200 level at this stage.

I'm looking to make a qualitative & vfm amp upgrade that may not be obviously additive with my existing AV2 serving as a pre. Having fun but still far from making much sense of it all!

Thanks again.

Pac,

How about a 175 and a Snaxo?

You can go active with the 150's and use the 175 for the other channels.

I am not sure how it compares to the other options in terms of bang for your buck, but it is worth considering.

cheers
Gus

Gus wrote:

quote:

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How about a 175 and a Snaxo?

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I appreciate the suggestion Gus. Active appears to be audio nirvana for many and certainly something I'd like to try one day. I'm sure my Linn Katans would be very happy active!

I have noticed with interest that a few Forum members with entry level Naim kit seem to be adopting active. So maybe it's not just for the CDS3/552/SNAXO 3-6/2x500 set?

I have a pretty dim understanding of active requirements, but my sense is that my priority should be to sort out a proper pre and improve my source before going active. This may just be a misconception on my part???

Pac,

I haven't heard the AV2 as a pre yet, so I can't comment on its ability. However there are a AV2 and an old, old used 52 going in S for similar prices and I'd like to do an A/B one of these days. If it happens I'll give you an update.

I have a 42.5/250 at home so that also feels a bit out of wack and I have been looking for a new pre.

cheers
Gus