As a long time user of the original AV1 I have appreciated its ability to add to my vinyl and CD listening experience based on the Naim propriatory decoding algorithms.

Can someone enlighten me regarding the AV2's abilities. What is the AV2 users experience with creating a 5.1 soundfield from vinyl and CD sources. Do you prefer it to staight 2-channel listening?

Best regards

Hans

Hi Hans,

I haven't heard the AV1, so I cannot compare but I own an AV2.

As a preamp I find it very good. I am using a DVD5 with it and prefer using the DVD5s DAC to using the AV2s DAC. It's just two different sounds.

The DVD5s is IMHO a bit cleaner and more detailed whilst the AV2s DAC seems to add some extra punch and weight.

The AV2 has PLII Music and Movie plus DTS:Neo Cinema and Music. I have tried them all and it is a nice change what it does to certain music.
No idea what your taste in music is, but I find it can add some cool elements to music like Marilyn Manson or Nine Inch Nails, who like to use all sorts of soundstage-tools like phase-alterations, special mics etc. to create a very 3-dimensional sound.
The AV2s processing modes can emphasize this even more.


But in the end, I must admitt that using the direct mode and listening in stereo has always proven the most satisfying on good recordings.

So, if you like what your AV1 adds or what any other DSP can add, then I would guess the AV2 is a great choice. It is very musical compared to other AVRs I have heard and even the DSPs sound better. And you get a great stereo preamp as well, so win win

Btw, I think PLII and DTS:Neo only create 5.0. I think the subwoofer is only used if you set your speakers to "small". But I could be mistaken.

Thanks for your comments HT.

Is there noone else who listens to music through their AV2's?

Hans

quote:

Originally posted by HansW:
Thanks for your comments HT.

Is there noone else who listens to music through their AV2's?

Hans

Hi Hans

I'm using my CD5/FC2 through the AV2 at the moment. It keeps the cd player out of the main systems which appears to have given it a little lift.

I just use it direct anyway. Using the DAC's softens it up a bit.

Jay

CD = 2 channel, AV = 5.1 for me...

AV2 roughly = 112 performance wise.

I find the straight AV2 excellent for listening to 2 channel music. I am starting to wonder what adding a 282/252 will do for the whole experience though.

I don't use the added soundfield functionality for 2 channel listening - Straight stereo mode is my strong preference. I have tried the 5.1 gubbins but I find it just confuses the imaging and the music becomes less involving.

If you do use a genuine 5.1 source though the AV2 is stunning.

In direct mode, I find it very good. I use the DACS in my Esoteric DV-50, and its just amazing.

Wish I'd kept my 72 to connect into it. But then again, I'dve needed to get a hicap to power that too.

Roy.

I use a 202 but I know that if I needed to liberate some cash quickly for whatever reason I could quite happily go back to just the AV2. I still use it as a DAC for my Apple Airport Express to stream itunes and it's great at that (Worryingly close to my CD5 with lossless rips actually...)

I have found a DVD5 through AV2 and old, old NAP 140 very musical. I may lack some ultimate resolution but it always makes music.

I later had this setup with a 175 powering front left and right along with the centre channel (no surround or rear).
In 2 channel quite a bit better
- note to self, get 140 serviced.

Adam,

I'd be interested in the differences you found between the 140 and the 175. I currently use a 140 to drive my center and another 140 to drive my rears. I've contemplated in the past picking up a 175 to do all 3, but so far I've only heard that there wouldn't be much difference.

What would you suggest on this ?

Thanks,
Roy.

Hans,

As stated above the AV2 as a pre-amp leaves something to be desired. However, the thing which sets Naim apart from the competition is, in my opinion, musicality.

This runs from Music DVDs & DVDA through to DVD soundtracks.

I no longer use a Naim pre (now use EAR), or indeed a Naim power amp (Now Class A power) for my stereo duties - but the AV2/DVD5 still present a fully cohesive picture.

Prefer it to straight stereo? Sometimes, depending on the source material. I must admit my favourite is still DVDs with PCM soundtrack ...if I'm excluding LPs.

Have an audition ...I did, and never took it back!

Martin

quote:

Originally posted by Adam Meredith:
I have found a DVD5 through AV2 and old, old NAP 140 very musical. I may lack some ultimate resolution but it always makes music.

I later had this setup with a 175 powering front left and right along with the centre channel (no surround or rear).
In 2 channel quite a bit better
- note to self, get 140 serviced.

note to Adam:- get surround channels and sub!

quote:

Originally posted by Roy Donaldson:
I'd be interested in the differences you found between the 140 and the 175. I currently use a 140 to drive my center and another 140 to drive my rears. I've contemplated in the past picking up a 175 to do all 3, but so far I've only heard that there wouldn't be much difference.
What would you suggest on this ?
Thanks,
Roy.

I'd say that I preferred the 175 to my, as then, unserviced 140.

The sound on music with the AV2/175 is very unforced and natural. The convenience of the 175 cannot be ignored and it certainly keeps pace with my 2 channel system of NAP 250 with SL2s - at the sort of volumes I use for watching DVDs.

Note to self - must switch on the surrounds and get sub.

Hi,Hans

Started off with AV2,DVD5,175,a pair of n-sats,n-cent and the n-sub.Just a decent 3.1 system in a modest room. Stereo mode was selected for music cds inorder to take advantage of the n-sub harmonising with the n-sats. Quality of the music is by no means inferior.

Then got started to vinyl recordings, bought a Roksan Radius 5, 'K' prefix and a vintage flatcap. Played through the av2 as direct mode. Somehow vinyl playback seems to be missing something that I couldn't put finger to it.

Ventured into 5.1 system and got a pair of n-sats as surround speakers and a nait 5i. AV2 was hooked to the 5i using the unity gain fuction. Thus it freed the left/right channels of the 175 for the surround speakers. The radius 5 was played straight to the 5i instead.

I have been enjoying my vinyl sessions since then though I can't say what made the difference. The Unity gain function has also brought audio improvements to cd playback as well.