Trying my Naim Supernait2 on the Avantgarde Duo XD today ...

[joeinid]

Vacuum tubes absolutely win out for ultimate musicality, especially on horns. There’s no doubt I love tubes, but there’s also no doubt that I hate tubes. Maintenance, noise, finding the perfect replacement or NOS and hopefully catching them before they go down run through my mind. I’m especially a little worried because my system is usually on 12+ hours a day and almost all weekend.

Now having the Duos as my main speakers, I’m on a mission for the “perfect” solid state amp for them.

I decided to try the Naim Supernait2 today. Naim takes a long time to run in and warm up but so far, I’m enjoying this combo. It’s dead quiet and very revealing. Soundstage not as large, tall, wide or deep as my better tube amps but it’ll need more time to run in. I love Naim in general and hope this combo blooms a little more. So far so good though.

[Shadowfax]

Joe, have you heard the little Hattor SS Int?

http://www.hattor.com/ncore_integrated.html

[Shadowfax]

Joe, have you heard the little Hattor SS Int?

http://www.hattor.com/ncore_integrated.html

Ha, probably overkill for the Duo. It drove all the Pure Audio Project speakers effortlessly.

[joeinid]

Joe, have you heard the little Hattor SS Int?

http://www.hattor.com/ncore_integrated.html

Very interesting and cool looking. I have not heard them but was looking at their passive preamps a little while ago.

[Shadowfax]

I got to play with both that little SS guy as well as their Hybrid Int with the Pure Audios. The ncore was really nice, quiet, effortless and at first I thought the volume knob was odd, but the feel and control was super. Cool little metal remote comes with it also.

[joeinid]

Thanks Brian!

[KeithR]

You might find a pair of used Valvet Class A monos - they were designed on horns and are *very* quiet. I loved them on Zu. They also don't run particularly hot with only a single pair of transistors in the output stage.

Obviously FirstWatt is the other choice, but don't you already have a XA25? How did that sound?

[the professor]

Have you ever tried the SuperCap DR with your Supernait2?

It usually increases the soundstage etc.

[jadedavid]

2nd on the Valvet amps.
The E2 is a class A single ended SS amp. Very sweet with great detail and just plain musical.
Might be just the ticket.

[joeinid]

Have you ever tried the SuperCap DR with your Supernait2?

It usually increases the soundstage etc.

Not the Supercap but I have the Hicap? I think. From the Naim forum, they say that the Supercap is a little more analytical but I’d have to experience it for myself.

I know you have Naim experience, you think it would be a definite improvement?

[joeinid]

You might find a pair of used Valvet Class A monos - they were designed on horns and are *very* quiet. I loved them on Zu. They also don't run particularly hot with only a single pair of transistors in the output stage.

Obviously FirstWatt is the other choice, but don't you already have a XA25? How did that sound?

I've heard of but not heard Valvet. An older brother has my XA25. He wanted it before I even contemplated Duos. I know Mike was not crazy about the XA25 on his Duo Mezzo but I am trying to get him to bring it back or pay me. I need to hear it. I do have a SIT-3 on order with no idea of a ship date.

2nd on the Valvet amps.
The E2 is a class A single ended SS amp. Very sweet with great detail and just plain musical.
Might be just the ticket.

Interesting, two recommendations on Valvet. I'll take a look.


Another friend recommended Sugden IA-4. https://www.sugdenaudio.com/ia-4-integrated-amplifier



Any thoughts on this one? 33wpc Class A.

[the professor]

It does. The HiCap give more umth and control the SuperCap is that plus more refinement and soundstage. Either don't give more prat, but more hifi things. They also don't change the warmth/color of the sound.

Not the Supercap but I have the Hicap? I think. From the Naim forum, they say that the Supercap is a little more analytical but I’d have to experience it for myself.

I know you have Naim experience, you think it would be a definite improvement?

[Etunes]

Second amp for my Uno XD's is the darTZeel 108. I really enjoyed the XA25 but prefer the Dart.

[KeithR]

Interesting, two recommendations on Valvet. I'll take a look.

Another friend recommended Sugden IA-4. Any thoughts on this one? 33wpc Class A.

From memory, I preferred the Valvets to the SIT 1/2. The SITs truncated decay despite having a big spooky SET-like midrange. The F7 sounded promising at a show last year though.

Sugden is another good idea. My Devore dealer basically uses them exclusively with the Gibbon series. Sweet sounding amp. You might send an email to J Halpern to confirm compatibility with AG.

[Paul]

No! send email to Holger Fromme to confirm compatibility with Sugden

[joeinid]

It does. The HiCap give more umth and control the SuperCap is that plus more refinement and soundstage. Either don't give more prat, but more hifi things. They also don't change the warmth/color of the sound.

Thanks Jock!

[joeinid]

Second amp for my Uno XD's is the darTZeel 108. I really enjoyed the XA25 but prefer the Dart.

Actually, I can absolutely see the Dart being a great match. Hmmmm, won't be cheap but probably worth it. I remember one of the best combos I ever had was my CJ GAT and Dart 108 amp. OMG! For me, it was a superb match. I loved it more than Dart's own preamp.

[joeinid]

No! send email to Holger Fromme to confirm compatibility with Sugden

Hahahahahahahha!

[Mike]

No! send email to Holger Fromme to confirm compatibility with Sugden

LMAO.

[Paul]

Joe, I love love the Sugden sound so musical and much tube-like. We should get one of each

[joeinid]

Joe, I love love the Sugden sound so musical and much tube-like. We should get one of each

I know we talked about this. We need to talk more

[joeinid]

For all the Valvet recommendations, I found this! Holy cow!


http://www.10audio.com/valvet-e2.htm

[Etunes]

I've had 3 dart pre's so no doubt to me they are amazing . Now though I'm using an Air Tight ATE-2001 two box full function pre and find great synergy with a tube pre and SS amp. I'm told the 108 was voiced on horn speakers not sure of the model #

[joeinid]

I had 2 Darts and would love to hear one now on my Duos. Too bad I didn't really discover the Duos years ago. I would still have some of the amps that I'd love to try now

[IAmRael]

This is the one!

http://www.lavardin.com/lavardin-itE.html

[joeinid]

This is the one!

http://www.lavardin.com/lavardin-itE.html

Looks great too. Thank you.

[Kuoppis]

Obviously FirstWatt is the other choice, but don't you already have a XA25? How did that sound?

I wanted to suggest the XA25 as well, would be interesting to hear what you think of the combo.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[joeinid]

I wanted to suggest the XA25 as well, would be interesting to hear what you think of the combo.


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I’m going to have to try and get it back or buy another. I’ll let you know what happens.

[joeinid]

A little update on the Naim SN2.

After running a little more than 24 hours, she’s almost back to her old self. That’s a great thing. You can tell when a piece is freshly out of the box or sitting idle for a long time, it’s a little harsh, constricted, thin and just not relaxed. Well, what a change a day makes and since the Duo are so revealing in a good way, I could tell it was not as musical as Naim usually sounds. Right now it’s sounding wonderful. Soundstage grew in all directions, definitely smoother on top and more of the classic Naim meat on the bone. Sounds so clear and open as well. I might not need to do anything and just enjoy my current amp rotation.

D@mn, I freaking love these Avantgarde Duo. I’m up way too late and smiling like a fool.

[Paul]

D@mn, I freaking love these Avantgarde Duo. I’m up way too late and smiling like a fool.

Makes me chuckle

[the professor]

That's awesome Joe. Makes me want to try Naim on the Duos.

[joeinid]

I’ve always wanted their higher end gear but darn it’s expensive. No doubt AG loves tubes, but this is interesting.

[Anatta]

I'd try this Luxman on the Avangardes.

http://www.luxman.com/product/detail.php?id=24

[joeinid]

I never realized they had that, I’ll check it out. Could be great.

[Jack]

That little Luxman does look like a winner.

[Toomey]

Any reports on the Chord DAVE driving the Avantgarde’s ?

[joeinid]

I've never heard any Chord product but I know several here that love their gear.

[Toomey]

Thanks Joe.
Has anyone else heard a Chord Avantgarde combination ?

[veindoc]

like you could easily add a tube power amp to the Hattor and leave it off or active depending on your mood.