Advice: Upgrade steps to AV2?

NaimGaim,

I appreciate your reply to my post and reference to your "Rega P DJ" in the Hi-Fi Corner. Funny how the thread ended up providing definitions of a "red neck"!

I was actually hoping on getting more specific component recommendations, particularly on the 112/150 set-up. Maybe as a dealer you have some insight?

I am aware of the dedicated AV input/output on the 112, but from reading the recent Naim newsletter, it seems more recent Naim preamps have the ability to set the preamp gain to unity and bypass the volume control. I am assuming this applies to the 112? That was news to me, although I may have missed it from other material available on the corporate site.

I have spent time digging through previous posts on the forum, but have yet to find anyone discussing my current situation. As I am interested in replacing my current amp & pre-amp with Naim, I was hoping on hearing from owners of either 112/150 or 32.5/140 kits on just what they are doing about AV if anything? Perhaps nothing!

As I said, my first priority is 2 channel but it would be nice to one day have some AV options from whatever used Naim kit I end up purchasing.

I'm passionate about both music and film, and think there's room for both today. I think its brilliant that Naim added the AV2 to their line, and look forward to other releases beyond video switching! Hopefully one of these days I'll be able to afford it.

If you are convinced you will own a complete surround system in the future then buy an AV2 processor. Use it as a 2 channel preamplifier. Buy a NAP150 2 channel power amplifier. In the future buy three more speakers and a Naim NAP V175 3 channel power amplifier.

quote:

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Originally posted by Patrick Dixon:
I believe the accepted way to use the AV2 is to route the 2 front channels from the AV2 into a spare input on the pre (eg NAC112).

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Why? The AV2 is a 2 channel preamplifier and many channel processor. AV2 and NAP150 amplifier is a cost effective direction toward an all Naim surround sound system. The NAC112 preamplifier is not required and extra cost in this sytem. Am I incorrect?

My (limited) understanding is that the AV2 makes a very good pre as well. From digging around the forum, it appears members who own the AV2 think it is not quite as good as a 112 for stereo...

For me, it comes down to a budget issue, and frankly the AV2 is beyond my means right now. So I am trying to make a hard decision on if it makes sense to go the 112/150 route or older kit for now. This would be matched with my existing Linn Katan speakers.

Getting back to the issue of a AV2 as a pre, this is discussed in Naim's current newsletter (Summer 2002). Phil Ward interviewed Tom Johnson & Ashley Harper, two of the engineers most closelyy involved with the development of the AV2. I'll quote from Harper's response to a question about the AV2's versatility:

“AH: For me it’s the signal routing versatility and the fact that the av2 can work as a really good preamp. There’s the analogue stereo direct mode that routes the signal via the volume control and the classic Naim signal conditioning and discrete output stage to the main left and right outputs. At the same time all the digital processing is turned off.”

reductionist & Patrick - thanks for sharing your thoughts!

If 2-channel is really your first priority, follow Messrs. Parry & Payne's advice and purchase a 2-channel system that is within your budget and you like the sound of.

When you have the funds available, purchase a DVD player with inbuilt decoding and listen in stereo. Save more.

Purchase additional matching power amps (I guess you'll get more used 140s than 150s for your £) and speakers. Plug directly into your DVD player's decoded analogue outputs. If purchasing piecemeal I would opt to support rears first (with a phantom centre).

Finally, ditch the preamp and replace with AV2 (new or used) and reconnect the power amps from the DVD (and preamp) onto the AV2 via the digital output. If the preamp is better than the AV2 for 2-channel, keep it in situ for 2-channel and route the AV2 main outputs through it.

Of course if surround is your preference, start with a multichannel amp that has the full complement of preouts. Add naim power amps over time to replace internal amplification and finally replace multichannel amp (now acting as a preamp/processor only) with AV2.

Horses for courses.

cheers
alf

Hi Pac,

I had set up the AV system a few month ago, integrated from the naim system 82/250+Hi/SBL.
I bought an Roksan DSP AV processor, Linn Trikan
(chose between Trikan and Proac response cc one)
and Strata III. The sound is real good. Roksan DSP AV processor is quite basic, but it's a good one and apparently a very good pre-amp as well.
I am using L&R, centre and sub at the moment, due to the space. I have a pair of Intro as rear which install when I move later this year, both rear and centre are driven by NAP90 (X2).

I am sure AV2 is a very capble AV processor, to be honest, I am not a big fan of the new naim look. Even though I like all comtemporary style, like silver and platinium colour. I suppose everyone has their own taste.

Lobo, you got the Proac response cc. one, you are happy about them.

cheers
Martin

Hi Naimgaim,

Sorry to hear your problem on Roksan gears. Must be a nightmare to set them up and return them.
First when I got my 3-series system at the Hi-Fi shop, I had thought about Roksan Caspian range, with very good reviews. Then I decided to go for naim after the demo.

I think you meant the DSP AV processor is not as good as the others Caspian gear, as DSP AV processor also belongs to the Caspian range, in theory, they should have the same quality. Like comparing the 5-series, NAIT 5 & AV2, I think? Nope?

I can live with that at the moment, it's surely much better than Denon AV-3802 or Yamaha DSP E-800
Also It's a bargain from my usual Hi-Fi shop from brand new.

cheers
Martin

First, I want to thank everyone here for taking the time to share their experience & recommendations. You have been very generous with your time, not to mention patient with my very limited knowledge in the area. It has certainly given me something to consider!

Having spent a considerable amount of time reviewing older threads on the forum, it was great to hear from several of you who had started/contributed to previous AV-related threads. Glad to hear that you have been happy integrating AV into your Naim life!

With Naim's AV2 now on the market and the future release of the VS1, would it be appropriate to have an "AV Corner" on the forum? My sense is that there are some purists who feel that it is not worth discussing AV in this existing Hi-Fi area. It also appears that there are growing numbers of members who are interested in having some AV capabilities, either as a stand-alone system or integrated into their existing Naim kit.

What do you think of this proposal?