[Crummwoody]

A short post- review of the NP1.
As always, the opinion is based upon to "our ears (wife and I), our room, our preferences blah, blah blah.  YMMV

We found, like almost all equipment, the NP1 benefited (as well as suffered) from system synergy.

With streaming with iFi Zen streamer, Gustard R26 Dac, NAD C658 as preamp and Dirac processor into GoldenEar Triton One speakers- we felt that the NP1 played all the notes but was a bit flat and two dimensional.  Low level listening was somewhat uninteresting.  Listening at moderate levels was pleasant, but didn't draw us in. 

We then changed the NAD to fixed output and inserted a Schiit Freya+, outfitted with vintage GE and Sylvania tubes.  The tubes tested "as new" rather than claiming to be New Old Stock.
Re-calibrated Dirac with new setup. The overall sound of the system now sounded superb:  Low level listening, moderate volume, high(ish) volume- everything was more holographic, vocalists and instruments sounded real and in the room with us.  Presentation was neutral to very slightly warm.  Not at all fatiguing.  Before, we were considering returning the NP1- now, it's staying and we're excited to try it with other speakers in the collection.

Some other amps in my collection include:  First Watt SIT3, PrimaLuma Dialogue Premium (KT150 output tubes), Hypex Ncore 400, Sony VFET TA-5650, Concept 11.0 and many more..
The combination of Freya+ and AVA NP1 doesn't take a back seat to any of the above.  Is it "the best"?  Probably not- but the combination is more than worthy and highly recommended.

I could write more, but trying to keep this short.

[sean619]

Impressive amp collection and thanks for sharing. How does NP1 compare to the Hypex Ncore 400?

[Crummwoody]

Impressive amp collection and thanks for sharing. How does NP1 compare to the Hypex Ncore 400?

Fair question.  I maintain a journal of listening impressions of systems for comparison purposes.  That said, I haven't had the NCore in rotation recently- but if pressed for answer I'd say the NCore is more transparent, neutral and has tighter bass than the NP1.  That's great on the best recordings, but the NP1 is a bit more forgiving of lesser quality tracks.  Of course, the power is far more with the NCore- but at the listening levels I enjoy, not a huge factor.

[I.Greyhound Fan]

We finally were able to try the CA-1 with the DVA as a DAC in my son's system with his Wharfedale EVO 4.4 speakers and a Rythmik F12se sub.  We compared it to his Cary SI 300.d Integrated.  The CA-1 sounded great.  It is detailed and very transparent. It is smooth sounding and non-fatiguing.  However, the Cary had more detail, a wider sound stage and the music had more texture and weight.  This did not surprise me given the cost of the Cary.  2 years ago, we compared the Cary to a $10K Luxman Integrated and the Cary sounded better in almost every aspect.  My point is that the Cary is an Audiophile Unit and performs like one and lives up to its price. 

The CA-1 performs way above its price point and is a bargain at $1599.  If I were to build a system with a moderate budget, the CA-1 would be on the top of my list.

[AllanS]

Thanks again for your father and son impressions Larry!
Having now listened to every digital pre and CA1/NP1 combination, do you have an impression of how, other than I/O, the CA1 and DVA DP preamp sections compare?
The DVA DP and CA1 have their own appeal, but the DVA DP as a preamp hasn’t been commented on that I’m aware of.

[jandrews]

This is what I'm curious about as well.
I want to know how the DVA pre works with the NP1.
I suspect they are a good pairing, but I'd like to know before I pick up the DVA to pair with my new NP1

[I.Greyhound Fan]

This is what I'm curious about as well.
I want to know how the DVA pre works with the NP1.
I suspect they are a good pairing, but I'd like to know before I pick up the DVA to pair with my new NP1

I did not get to hear the DVA with the NP-1.  However, my son did in his system, and he said it was an excellent combination and found no real faults.  He still prefers his Cary with the DVA as a DAC.  The Cary has a full sound with great dynamics and great detail.

The DVA/NP1 combo has a more airy and transparent sound.  My son and I prefer a full, tonally rich midrange that still has transparency.

I will see if my son will write a brief review this weekend.

I did get to hear the DVA as a preamp with the Cary using the Cinema bypass input.  It sounds great as a preamp.  Clear, detailed, wide sound stage, neutral sound with excellent transparency. It was smooth sounding and had good dynamics.  My son and I preferred the Cary by itself with the DVA as a DAC but we could be perfectly happy with the DVA as a preamp. Preferring the Cary is a matter of taste.  It has a fuller midrange, slightly wider and deeper sound stage and detail.  Dynamics are also a little better.

[sean619]

From your description the Cary might be similar to the SET 120 or SET 500

[I.Greyhound Fan]

From your description the Cary might be similar to the SET 120 or SET 500

Yes it is similar.  But the Cary has more detail and is a bit smoother than the SET amps which are fabulous in their own right.

[sean619]

I haven't heard the CA1 or NP1, but the way folks describe it I picture a Bryston sound. 

[I.Greyhound Fan]

I haven't heard the CA1 or NP1, but the way folks describe it I picture a Bryston sound. 

I can't comment on that as I have only heard 1 Bryston system and it was 4 years ago at RMAF. 

[AllanS]

Yes it is similar.  But the Cary has more detail and is a bit smoother than the SET amps which are fabulous in their own right.

I don’t know how it sounds, but the SI-300.d is a gorgeous bit of kit.  I’d sit in the LP just to stare at it.  And I was probably better off not knowing that Cary Audio is less than 10 miles away.

[I.Greyhound Fan]

I don’t know how it sounds, but the SI-300.d is a gorgeous bit of kit.  I’d sit in the LP just to stare at it.  And I was probably better off not knowing that Cary Audio is less than 10 miles away.

Yes it is a good looking Integrated and it sounds great.  I like the fact that you can stream TV audio through its built in DAC and it converts it to DSD automatically so TV audio sounds great.  You can stream via wifi or BT.  300wpc at 8 ohm and 450 at 4 ohms.  They say it would be able to double its output at 4 ohm but it is limited due to not enough heat sink for it to put out 600 wpc at 4 ohms.  It sounds way better than the Parasound Halo A21 that I gave him.  Cary has lowered the price over the years.  My son bought one that was 9 months old for $2700.  And we preferred it over a $10K Luxman integrated in an in store head to head comparison.  It was a Luxman that I coveted but not anymore.  I just may buy the Cary when I down size from my Pass amp and BAT preamp.  It all depends upon what speakers I end up with.

I wish AVA would come out with a higher power Integrated.  However the NP-1 and CA-1 had no problems driving my Maggies to fairly loud volumes.  Although, the Maggies have better dynamics with more power at loud volumes.  But the AVA gear sounds great at low volumes like most of their gear.

[TomBo]

Larry and team, nicely done. Was just contemplating that the cooler weather always brings people indoors...and do you tend to listen to "the stereo" more in the MN winters? I know I do, as I came from Edmonton, Canada. What a great gift to be able to enjoy the music as many of us do ...close your eyes and it's pure virtual reality...

[I.Greyhound Fan]

Larry and team, nicely done. Was just contemplating that the cooler weather always brings people indoors...and do you tend to listen to "the stereo" more in the MN winters? I know I do, as I came from Edmonton, Canada. What a great gift to be able to enjoy the music as many of us do ...close your eyes and it's pure virtual reality...

I listen mostly in the late fall and winter.  I don't do much listening in the spring or summer.  The warm weather season is so short here that I am usually doing outdoor activities (like road biking and hiking with my Scottish Deerhound) until the big freeze occurs and then I hate to go outdoors.  I have to say that global warming is changing the weather patterns here and the fall is a lot warmer than it used to be.  Even the winters are getting a little milder.  I am going to drop down to 0.6 hours at work next year so I will have more time on my hands to listen to music.