[AVASupport]

I’m considering trying my Decware z-box with the NP1 as a single source pre.  It’s a tube buffer with a published output impedance of “<1k Ohm”. I’ve read that it’s actually 300 Ohms.  The NP1 needs greater than 1kOhm.  Any thoughts if this would be cutting it too close ?

I think you misinterpreted the NP1's specs:

Maximum source impedance: 1kΩ. Not suitable for use with unbuffered "passive preamplifiers" [emphasis added].

The NP1 wants a source with low impedance, not high (i.,e., from 0Ω up to 1kΩ). Almost all buffers and active preamplifiers have an output impedance that's less than 1kΩ. The main reason we published the maximum source impedance spec is to discourage people from using the NP1 with so-called "passive preamplifiers." These often have output impedances as high as 50kΩ.

[sean619]

I’m considering trying my Decware z-box with the NP1 as a single source pre.  It’s a tube buffer with a published output impedance of “<1k Ohm”. I’ve read that it’s actually 300 Ohms.  The NP1 needs greater than 1kOhm.  Any thoughts if this would be cutting it too close ?

You will likely be fine. Your source (DAC or CD player) should be able to drive the RCA cable. If you want to be extra careful, use as short a cable run as possible and a low capacitance cable. The Blue Jeans LC-1 is the lowest capacitance cable that I know of.

If you have a problem, it will show up as a high frequency roll off.

The best explanation for how this all works is here: http://www.rothwellaudioproducts.co.uk/html/the_truth_about_passive_pre-am.html#:~:text=The%20reason%20why%20low%20output,be%20no%20loss%20of%20signal. 

[jandrews]

Thanks all
I just mistyped..Yes I understand the NP1 wants a low output impedance source.  Just got tied up.
great.  Given that the NP1 needs a source with an output Z below 1kOhm and the Decware buffer is below that, should be fine...
And I tested it this morning and it was totally great.

[jandrews]

After further listening , just want to say to any other ls3/5a users that the NP1 drives these 15-Ohm / 83dB  speakers beautifully.
Very controlled … bass that feels like it starts and stops on a dime.  Soundstage outside the L/R physical placement of the speakers.  Feeling very good about this pairing for my listening space.  I have not tired them with an all class A solid state amp yet as many like to do.  They were previously hooked up to my Van Alstine El34 Ultravalve which is also a superb but different experience. Just need to settle on the right preamp (or digital pre) at this point.  (This system will be in my city apt…streaming only) so no need for phono now.

[AudioTrapezoid]

Looking at purchasing a new amplifier and came across the AVA NP1 and CA1. Besides the integrated nature of the CA1 and multiple inputs, phono stage, headphone out, etc. are the actual amplifiers in these two exactly the same? Should I expect same sound quality across both? Thank you in advance!

[AVASupport]

Besides the integrated nature of the CA1 and multiple inputs, phono stage, headphone out, etc. are the actual amplifiers in these two exactly the same? Should I expect same sound quality across both? Thank you in advance!

The amplifiers in the CA1 and NP1 are very closely related, but they are not identical. First, they operate at different gain, the CA1 delivering 36.4dB of gain compared to the NP1's 26.3dB, and they have different ANA compensation as a result. Second, the opamps used in the first stage of the ANA architecture are optimized to the different roles they play, with the CA1's chosen to work optimally being driven by the simple passive volume control ahead of it and the NP1's chosen to work optimally with typical line-level sources.

Subjectively, they are very similar. But if you don't need the additional gain, switching, or other features the CA1 provides, we feel the NP1 delivers a slight performance edge.

[mannishjoy]

So, when I acquired a Musical Fidelity A1 to AB vs. The CA-1 I had no intention of keeping it. I got it for a price I could sell it for and I reasoned I'd try a different flavor in my Q Acoustic Concept 50 and then realize I was wasting time with a "big audio" piece that doesn't come close to Van Alstine. I've never come across a "big audio" piece in the same Van Alstine price range that could put up any kind of fight with Van Alstine products,  but the A1 has a sumptuous liquidity that I haven't heard in any other amplifier. I found this beginning, as I'm not averse to spending top dollar for preferred performance. In a previous Vandersteen system I had a Hegel H590 which retails for 11k, ultimately in that system I upgraded performance from the Hegel to a Holo Spring 3 KTE DAC feeding Van Alstine DVA M225 monoblocks...heretofore, that was the best system I had put together to my ears. I was forced to sell that entire system because of a move made for a family circumstance. I've been experimenting with a system rebuild ever since.

Gobsmacked that I preferred the A1 over the CA-1, I decided the A1 should be put up against the DVA M225 monos, so I required them last week. Gobsmacked again, even though the DVAs were driving my Q Acoustics beautifully, and with superior presentation to the CA-1, every time I had the DVAs hooked up I was missing the A1...I always switched back to the affordable "big audio" 25 watt integrated. And so it stays
 

[mr_bill]

Very high praise considering the competition you've had

[Clarinetmonster2]

Hello all, new here. I’ve been reading this thread with great interest as I’m on the hunt for a new integrated to pair with my Harbeth C7es3’s. So I guess first question is do we think the CA1 would be a good match for them? I had a croft phono integrated I sold that was nice and I just tried a Marantz pm-ki ruby that is nice but not a perfect match to my ears. The highs were a bit too rolled off on the Marantz and the midrange a little recessed with the Harbeths. Other amps I’m considering are Exposure 2510, Musical Fidelity M5si or M6si and used Naim Xs3 or Supernait 2.

[I.Greyhound Fan]

I would be more inclined to use an amp that has a full tonally rich midrange for Harbeths although I never heard your model.   The CA amp has a lot of air and transparency but with some speakers can be a little thin in the midrange. I reviewed this amp for AVA.  A better match would be his SET amps not to be confused with SET tube amps.  Or his 225 monoblocks.

[sean619]

I would be more inclined to use an amp that has a full tonally rich midrange for Harbeths although I never heard your model.   The CA amp has a lot of air and transparency but with some speakers can be a little thin in the midrange. I reviewed this amp for AVA.  A better match would be his SET amps not to be confused with SET tube amps.  Or his 225 monoblocks.

The SET 120 would be brilliant. Absolutely no thinness in midrange. It is big and bold sounding.

[jandrews]

@I.Greyhound Fan

Given your observations about the CA1/NP1 and its air and transparency, what then would be an appropriate speaker pairing?  A speaker that is more bass heavy to begin with and potentially rolled off a little on top?
Been thinking it would be good with my Fritz Carbon 7’s since they are very full and very natural and complacent on the high end.  I own the NP1 and the Fritz’s but they are in different cities and haven’t had the opportunity to use them together yet.   
(The Fritz’s have been paired with a SET120 for the past couple years)

[Clarinetmonster2]

Thanks guys for the quick and succinct responses. Ah well, I had high hopes but it sounds like it’s not to be…I appreciate the suggestion of the previous integrated and I’m sure it would sound great with the Harbeths, but after living with the Croft phono integrated for about 6 years, a remote has become a necessity for me. So I’m down to Belles Aria, Musical Fidelity M6si and Exposure 2510 at this point. Wish me luck and thanks again!

[I.Greyhound Fan]

@I.Greyhound Fan

Given your observations about the CA1/NP1 and its air and transparency, what then would be an appropriate speaker pairing?  A speaker that is more bass heavy to begin with and potentially rolled off a little on top?
Been thinking it would be good with my Fritz Carbon 7’s since they are very full and very natural and complacent on the high end.  I own the NP1 and the Fritz’s but they are in different cities and haven’t had the opportunity to use them together yet.   
(The Fritz’s have been paired with a SET120 for the past couple years)

Thats a tough question without a budget.  For under 1200.  I would go with Wharfedale Diamond series.  Above that price point, Monitor Audio Silver, Magnepans,  Some Dynaudio Models.  Dali's  maybe.  I think that speakers that have a full and tonally rich midrange and one that has a little warmth.

[dlparker]

I've been giving my CA1 a workout and this morning I fired it up and listened to some old favorites that I hadn't listened to in a while, I listened to both hi-res flacs (macbook digital out to AVA Dac MK V to CA1) and vinyl (Denon DP-30L II, Grado Black). I have listened to these songs many times over the years, on vinyl since the late 60s early/mid 70s and hi-res digital since around 2000. I compared the two driving a pair of Philharmonic Affordable Accuracy Monitors (the 2nd version) and then driving Grado 225x headphones out of the CA1 headphone output.

WOW! I was listening to stuff that I'd been dissecting for years, trying to learn some of my favorite guitar parts, and I heard detail that I have never heard before with both vinyl and digital. Two in particular, the original Temps '75 Shakey Ground and Dobie Gray's '73 version of Drift Away. Especially on Drift Away I was totally lost in the music. I was about about a half a nanometer from laughing out loud and stomping my feet. Think of Ray Charles rocking back and forth at the keyboard.

THANK YOU FRANK! YOU LIVE ON!!!

'scuse me while I listen some more...

[KLH007]

New review of the NP1 from PTA; https://pt.audio/2025/03/02/audio-by-van-alstine-np1-power-amplifier-review/

[jmc207]

New review of the NP1 from PTA; https://pt.audio/2025/03/02/audio-by-van-alstine-np1-power-amplifier-review/

Thanks for the review link!

[dlparker]

Listening to my CA1 this morning. Not really listening to it - listening to the music. I guess this post is more about the discontinued Mk V DAC. I'm using both coax and optical inputs, so I used the usb input for the first time. Feeding it with a macbook pro going through an OWC hub.

I'll keep it simple:

WOW!!!

[jandrews]

are you saying the usb input sounds better than the spdif input?
That's usually not the case.
wonder if it's the similar on the DVA preamp?

[AVASupport]

@dlparker, glad you like your AVA setup!

For anyone who might be wondering, the digital and analog circuits inside the DVA Digital Preamplifier and the DAC MK5 are nearly identical. It's the same digital front end, the same DAC IC, the same gain modules, etc. The only differences worth mentioning are that the output filters on the DVA Digital Preamplifier are configured for a little more gain, and there are two sets of them to produce the differential output. (If you want more detail on this, check out Mithat's blog post.)

The DVA Digital Preamplifier also has some additional firmware built in to allow the volume to change, but when it's set to maximum it's identical to it not being there at all.

So, if you want a DAC MK5 experience, just turn the DVA Digital Preamplifier all the way up and you'll have it, with a bit more output.