The future for my nvi (also in streaming audio)

Posted by: nickpeacock on 25 September 2011

I am using an nvi + NAP 200 + Harbeth HL-P3ES, principally for (i) playing DVDs (through old Panasonic 22" LCD TV) and (ii) streaming audio via a Sonos ZP90.

 

This year will see a TV upgrade to something bigger and better, with lots of bells and whistles.

 

In practice, the nvi gives me the following facilities, more or less in order of priority (i) plays DVDs (I don't play CDs since getting Sonos); (ii) internal DAC; (iii) pre-amp and (iv) (though of less use in practice) DAB/FM radio, all in one box.

 

What I'm wondering is as follows:

 

1. Can I connect a soundbar (thinking of Yamaha YSP-2200 or better) into the nvi for audio when playing DVDs? [NB - my room size and layout leads me towards a soundbar rather than various satellites];

 

2. If so, how (ie which connections works best on the nvi and the soundbar)?

 

3. Can I continue listening to streaming audio files through the NAP/Harbeths as at present if I've connected a soundbar as well and vice versa (presumably I could turn either the NAP or the soundbar off when listening to the other...)?

 

4. Ultimately, how much more life has my nvi got left in it? I'm open to upgrading but, as you can see from the start of this post, dispensing with the nvi instantly requires more than one box (eg, S/nait plus blu-ray/DVD player). Is there a more gradual upgrade route (eg improve the DAC facility by something like an Arcam, Rega or nDac)?

 

5. Any thoughts on future speaker upgrade would be appreciated. Compact floorstanders are a possibility (eg Neat Motive 2s, Spendor A3 or A5) but nothing bigger would get past the style council.

 

Cheers!

Posted on: 25 September 2011 by DavidDever

I'm using a UnitiServe-SSD into my n-Vi (which also has the tuner module as well as RS-232), and, provided that I stick to 44.1 or 48 kHz material, it sounds great!

 

Digital sources can be processed / decoded into whatever surround format you require, though only the front L R channels can be externally amplified–center and surrounds must be run off the internal amps.

Posted on: 12 July 2012 by honeymonster
The Yamaha YSP-2200 can accept an audio feed either using optical or coax digital (SPDIF) connection (best method) or stereo analogue.
Posted on: 13 July 2012 by garyi

These products are shit. Presumably you have stereo speakers so get a decent centre speaker, forget the sound bar.

 

 

rears are not needed anyway, in terms of DVDs centre is the most important secondry speaker above the front stereos.

Posted on: 13 July 2012 by james n

Nick - I sold off my n-Vi earlier this year after 6 years. For the last 3 years it had only been used in 2 channel mode and only used for DVD and Radio. With the arrival of my NDX the n-Vi was Bly used for   DVD playback -a waste of its talents so off it went. I now use a Blu ray player with its S/PDIF output down mixed to 2 channel PCM and use the NDX as a DAC for movie sound.

 

Something like the new NAC172XS would fit well in your system - streaming, tuner and a number of digital inputs for your Sky box and other digital sources and a great match to the 200 or maybe for a one box solution, the superuniti or supernait (if you want to keep the Sonos) On purely musical terms the n-Vi is the weak point in your system at present.

 

James