Naim Av2 connections

Posted by: Tsvikab on 25 November 2010

Hi,
I just bought a Naim AV2 to complement my 2 channel set-up (nac112, nap150, flatcap2, CD5). I will be looking to add a nap175 in the near future. I would appreciate your input on:

1.Should I use the AV2 as a pre amp or will it be better to connect it to the nac112?

2. Until I have the nap 175 I would like to connect the AV2 to an external 3 channel amp. Can you please let me know exactly (so I will not make any mistakes)which interconnects will I need and how to connect it?

Thanks
Posted on: 26 November 2010 by Richard Dane
To be honest, there's not much in it between a NAC112 and an AV2 as a pure pre-amp. For sure, the former is more flexible in that it provides more 2 channel inputs and also allows you to power a Stageline if you're into vinyl. However, some have voiced a preference for the AV2. Of course, you have a Flatcap in there, which ups the pre-amp ante a bit. As you have both, why not try with and without the NAC112. Then you'll know for sure.

I used to have an almost identical setup for HT but did without the NAC112 as I wanted a lower box count and felt the additional inputs of the NAC112 were wasted (I didn't any other 2 channel sources attached apart from the CD5/Flatcap2). It showed me that the AV2 is a very good preamp in its own right.

As for connecting to a non-Naim 3 channel amp, you'll need a pair of DIN4 - RCA leads. Naim or Chord would be my choice. Note that only one of the RCAs will be connected for the centre channel amp connection.
Posted on: 26 November 2010 by Massimo Bertola
Tsvikab,

I add a few remarks of my own as a former owner of an AV2. I first used it as preamp, 5.1 processor and stereo DAC for the DVD5. All in all it was good, but its strength in my opinion lay in its digital domain, not the preamp facilities.
Following a small issue with electrical noises in the system I borrowed a NAC112 and tried it using - as it should - the AV2 in the unity gain AV input of the preamp.
I think that the 112 sounded marginally but audibly better, and so did my wife. A bit warmer, perhaps, and rounded off, but mellower, more >musical<, and without any treble loss (which is what is normally heard as smoothness.

I therefore suggest that you consider keeping the preamp. At the time I was told that the DVD5 was more or less like a CD5, and the AV2 more or less like a 112, but having owned and carefully heard all of the above, I can assure you that 2000/2004 vintage series 5 separates and rather underrated, and the AV2 should be destined to processing tasks only.

Regards,

Massimo
Posted on: 26 November 2010 by Tsvikab
Hi,
Thanks for the answers I will definetly try both options for the pre amp
Posted on: 26 November 2010 by Massimo Bertola
Good idea.
What I meant, of course, is that my wife too thought the 112 was a bit better...

Regards
M