NuVista 800's in the shop
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I bet that system sounded great Bo. Thanks for sharing.
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Yes it was. Many B&W haters even liked it a lot. The limitation of B&W are still their crossovers. You don't have a lot of depth. When I did audition the 800D, it was the same limitation. So I stopped with B&W. Because when you want to go to a higher level in highend depth is an essental part of it. These days 3 dimensional sound has become my trademark. It is the easiest way of beating other shops in audio. These days I do consulting in sound&vision. I love the freedom and you have much more time for your clients. I worked for over 6 years in a speciality shop in sound&vision for over 6 years of time. After that I did consulting. From 2007 till 2009 I did run a speciality shop in sound&vision. But I didn't want to work in a shop anymore. I love my freedom for consulting.
What speakers are you running now?
Oh - and you must hear the new XA.8's and even better, XS gear. I've had .5, .8 and XS. The XS is incredible. Dead quiet backgrounds, tremendous bass control, effortless dynamics, 3D soundstage and a sweet sweet sound.
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Oh - and you must hear the new XA.8's and even better, XS gear. I've had .5, .8 and XS. The XS is incredible. Dead quiet backgrounds, tremendous bass control, effortless dynamics, 3D soundstage and a sweet sweet sound.
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When I would have unlimited money I would buy the XS300 blind. For me it is that simple and clear. I owned the XP-20 for over 2 years of time. It is a very good pre-amp but I was not 100% convinced. That is why I always say: Pass Labs make stunning amp and very good pre amp, not stunning. I didn't listen to the XS pre amp. I said to Desmond that I think Pass labs should create a new preamp including roomcorrection. I have done a lot of visits from 2005 till 2007 at people with sets between 10.000 euro and more than 150.000 euro. Many had acoustic problems. Often the endresults were not that good. You can spend a lot of money on audio but the acoustics often have a big influence on the overal sound.
Till 2010 I always had very expensive stereosets worth till about 95000 euro. I liked surround as well, but I had problems with the qualoity it gives. Until I bought an Onkyo 808 just for fun as a second set beside my stereo set. I found out that it could create a deep and wide stage. Until that Primare was the cheapest brand I sold what is capable of creating a 3 dimensional stage. I sold brands like: Marantz, Denon, Cambridge, NAD, Rotel and Arcm for over 8 years of time. I know their properties very well. For me they are 2 dimensional brands. Onkyo can build a much wider and deeper stage than all these brands. You need speakers which can build a wide and deep stage, because without it the depth is all gone. These days I sell a lot of Monitor Audio. The reason is very simple; it is the only brand in the world which cheapest spakers till the Platinum series who all can build a wide and deep stage. For the first time i can sell 3 dimensional sound to many many people. Because all shops sell 2 dimensional sound for these prices.
In 2010 I started to use Audyssey. In the past I sold Tact/Lyngdorf, but their roomcorrection system is fully useless for highend. I found out that you loose a lot of dynamic when you measure like the way Audyssey usses it. 2 years ago i found out that I have a photographic memory in sound. Within 10 seconds when I use a number I know well, I know were all instruments are, hom much depth, resolution and how big the instruments are. When you change a part in the system I can compare the new situation with the old one. In my head I can put them beside eachother. I know which one is better and why?
I am also an Audyssey installer, so I use and sell Audyssey Pro. And now comes the key. In my head I had thoughts about measuring more dynamics/resolution. So what I did was measuring at different places and heights. I created my own way of measuring, the results were superior to the Audyssey way in every aspect. I learned to use the system form a highend perspective. Thta is totally different than how Audyssey uses it. Thise people are smart, but do not have highend skills and have no idea about the sound and proportion of instruments and voices.
With a Onkyo PR-SC5509 with my way of measurment I outperfom a Pass Labs XP-20 with a Pass Labs poweramp. So what are the differences?
- I can play a lot louder compared to the XP-20 before the needle starts to move.
- There is more resolution. For example; the articulation of voices is a lot more open and clear. You hear breathing, moving lips, word endings on a sss, ttt or th so much better.
- Instruments and voices are more physical toucable. You hear 2nd and 3th voices on a recording more loud and clear.
- more speed and better dynamics.
- a higher blacklevel what make instrtuments and voices much more palpable.
- I can create my own targetcurves. I read articles about humanhearing. I adapted the targetcirves after the information about human hearing. Beside a much better articulation I also created to listen to the edge of a voice. I compared recordings with my system and highend systems of clients. The edge of a voice was not noticable at there set. They became frustrated that I had so much more details.
Audyssey pro is a lot more than only roomcorrection, they use sustems like Audyssey EQ and volume what give you details which are not there even with expensive pre amps. The volume of the right and left speaker is always identical. There is more, I also created what I call: stealth low freq. In the past I sold many Rel subwoofers. Also the more expensive ones. To be honest they were to slow and You did not have a perfect integration. I always found subwoofers fully useless for stereo use. At all the people who use Rel and Velodyne subwoofers, even with Revel subwoofers I di not hear the level I was hoping for. But the Monitor Audio PLW-15 and my way of Audyssey Pro changed it all. The PLW-15 uses a lowfreq unit of 15 ich made of ceramics and alluminium. This makes the respons and timing a lot better than the REL and Velodyne subwoofers. In the past we used the rel subwoofers till max 60-70 hz. Because they were too slow to be used at higher freq. From 80hz low freq become palpable. Cause of the much faster response of the PLW-15 I did test it at much higher freq. I found out that I can easily use it till 140hz without stress. I use a Purist Audio powercable and a new Audioquest pure silver Wild Dog interconnect. ( the new reference for subwoofercables) Thes cables give the subwoofer an even higher stealth integration level.
So what is stealth low freq/steatlth integration? This is when a subwoofer fully dissapears ( at a big audio show last year were I was the absolute sound with my own system people often said: why you do not use your subwoofer: I said what you hear is stealth integration. It was new for all people even for shopowners who had a sho in audio for a long time. Now you even hear and feel the energy were it is on the recording. This was what I dreamed of and now it was there. When I play a song with a double bass or big drum on the left side, you hear and feel the energy comming from there. Even this is 2,5 metres from were the subwoofer is standing. A distributer in highend audio ( Wadia/Sonus Faber/ Audio research/ Wilson/Transparent/Revel) who is a surround specialist as wel said: you have gold in our hands. You can put the whole highend market upside down like no other person can. I said to him and many clients who heard it that people on Audiogon said that i was a liar. They laught but sais that they understand there reactions. Because you believe it untill you hear it. This is the same story about the Onkyo with my way of measurement beating the XP-20. Now I can only use words, but I can say one thing: I am a lot better in sound than in words. I can create exactly as what I say in words. Because the best and most convincing sound always will win.
Till 2010 I always had very expensive stereosets worth till about 95000 euro. I liked surround as well, but I had problems with the qualoity it gives. Until I bought an Onkyo 808 just for fun as a second set beside my stereo set. I found out that it could create a deep and wide stage. Until that Primare was the cheapest brand I sold what is capable of creating a 3 dimensional stage. I sold brands like: Marantz, Denon, Cambridge, NAD, Rotel and Arcm for over 8 years of time. I know their properties very well. For me they are 2 dimensional brands. Onkyo can build a much wider and deeper stage than all these brands. You need speakers which can build a wide and deep stage, because without it the depth is all gone. These days I sell a lot of Monitor Audio. The reason is very simple; it is the only brand in the world which cheapest spakers till the Platinum series who all can build a wide and deep stage. For the first time i can sell 3 dimensional sound to many many people. Because all shops sell 2 dimensional sound for these prices.
In 2010 I started to use Audyssey. In the past I sold Tact/Lyngdorf, but their roomcorrection system is fully useless for highend. I found out that you loose a lot of dynamic when you measure like the way Audyssey usses it. 2 years ago i found out that I have a photographic memory in sound. Within 10 seconds when I use a number I know well, I know were all instruments are, hom much depth, resolution and how big the instruments are. When you change a part in the system I can compare the new situation with the old one. In my head I can put them beside eachother. I know which one is better and why?
I am also an Audyssey installer, so I use and sell Audyssey Pro. And now comes the key. In my head I had thoughts about measuring more dynamics/resolution. So what I did was measuring at different places and heights. I created my own way of measuring, the results were superior to the Audyssey way in every aspect. I learned to use the system form a highend perspective. Thta is totally different than how Audyssey uses it. Thise people are smart, but do not have highend skills and have no idea about the sound and proportion of instruments and voices.
With a Onkyo PR-SC5509 with my way of measurment I outperfom a Pass Labs XP-20 with a Pass Labs poweramp. So what are the differences?
- I can play a lot louder compared to the XP-20 before the needle starts to move.
- There is more resolution. For example; the articulation of voices is a lot more open and clear. You hear breathing, moving lips, word endings on a sss, ttt or th so much better.
- Instruments and voices are more physical toucable. You hear 2nd and 3th voices on a recording more loud and clear.
- more speed and better dynamics.
- a higher blacklevel what make instrtuments and voices much more palpable.
- I can create my own targetcurves. I read articles about humanhearing. I adapted the targetcirves after the information about human hearing. Beside a much better articulation I also created to listen to the edge of a voice. I compared recordings with my system and highend systems of clients. The edge of a voice was not noticable at there set. They became frustrated that I had so much more details.
Audyssey pro is a lot more than only roomcorrection, they use sustems like Audyssey EQ and volume what give you details which are not there even with expensive pre amps. The volume of the right and left speaker is always identical. There is more, I also created what I call: stealth low freq. In the past I sold many Rel subwoofers. Also the more expensive ones. To be honest they were to slow and You did not have a perfect integration. I always found subwoofers fully useless for stereo use. At all the people who use Rel and Velodyne subwoofers, even with Revel subwoofers I di not hear the level I was hoping for. But the Monitor Audio PLW-15 and my way of Audyssey Pro changed it all. The PLW-15 uses a lowfreq unit of 15 ich made of ceramics and alluminium. This makes the respons and timing a lot better than the REL and Velodyne subwoofers. In the past we used the rel subwoofers till max 60-70 hz. Because they were too slow to be used at higher freq. From 80hz low freq become palpable. Cause of the much faster response of the PLW-15 I did test it at much higher freq. I found out that I can easily use it till 140hz without stress. I use a Purist Audio powercable and a new Audioquest pure silver Wild Dog interconnect. ( the new reference for subwoofercables) Thes cables give the subwoofer an even higher stealth integration level.
So what is stealth low freq/steatlth integration? This is when a subwoofer fully dissapears ( at a big audio show last year were I was the absolute sound with my own system people often said: why you do not use your subwoofer: I said what you hear is stealth integration. It was new for all people even for shopowners who had a sho in audio for a long time. Now you even hear and feel the energy were it is on the recording. This was what I dreamed of and now it was there. When I play a song with a double bass or big drum on the left side, you hear and feel the energy comming from there. Even this is 2,5 metres from were the subwoofer is standing. A distributer in highend audio ( Wadia/Sonus Faber/ Audio research/ Wilson/Transparent/Revel) who is a surround specialist as wel said: you have gold in our hands. You can put the whole highend market upside down like no other person can. I said to him and many clients who heard it that people on Audiogon said that i was a liar. They laught but sais that they understand there reactions. Because you believe it untill you hear it. This is the same story about the Onkyo with my way of measurement beating the XP-20. Now I can only use words, but I can say one thing: I am a lot better in sound than in words. I can create exactly as what I say in words. Because the best and most convincing sound always will win.
In 1999 I bought the B&W 802 nautilus, I owned them for 6 years of time. In 2005 I bought a set of B&W 800 S of only a few months old. I was aware that depth gives you a higher level in sound than 2 dimensional sound. After 2 years I knew one thing for sure. I want a wide and deep stage but within this stage I want a very sharp and realistic proportion of instruments and voices just as in real. When I auditioned the B&W 800D I knew one thing for sure, I stop with B&W. I wanted a wider and deeper stage. There was no other option than to stop with B&W. I played with them for over 8 years of time, I was ready for a new level for the absolute sound.
I bought a set of Monitor Audio Pl-300. They gave a lot more details than the B&W. The stage was a lot wider and deeper. When I bought the XA-100.5 and XP-20 I even could play over 1 metre beside the speakers as well. I used the Meridian 800DAXv4 as a source for a long time. The timing and speed was also superior to the B&W 800S which I owned for over 2 years of time. But....I didn't like the sound of the Pl-300 with classical music. I loved the B&W 800S with classical music a lot. I stopped listening
to classical music. I also don't like speakers with Thiel&Partner units. Because a violin sound a lot different in real. The same thing about the coloration of a cello. This I also hated with the Pl-300. For a perfectionist like me there is no room for error. Because I am always aware how I want it to sound. I do this for a living so sometimes I sell stuff when I need the money.
In 2012 I bought a set of the Pl-200. I already owned the PLW-15 that time. The Pl-200 is 2 years put on the market. Monitor Audio changed the design and also the crossovers. It is a lot faster than the Pl-300. The stage is a lot wider and deeper compared to the Pl-300. Also with the huge stage instruments and voices are more palpable. And they play classical music like I want it. I started to listen to classical music again. The Pl-200 with the PLW-15 with my way of Audyssey Pro outperforms the Pl-300 with the PLW-15 with ease. I sold 4 pair of Pl-300's of clients who owned them. After they heard my Pl-200 with the PLW-15 they wanted the same.
What makes the Pl-200 with the PLW-15 with my way of Audyssey pro unique? The stage is very deep and wide with the use of a Pass Labs poweramp. The Onkyo PR-SC5509 can build a very wide and deep stage as well. In this pricerange this is unique. For example a Marantz 8801 would be fully useless to create the same wide and deep stage. With the Onkyo PR-SC5509/Audyssey Pro (my way) makes the stage almost 1 metre wider compared to the stage with the XP-20. The ribbontweeter used in the PL-200 give so much more details like the dimaond tweeter of B&W. But the biggest difference is that instruments and voices are more physical apparent compared to a dome tweeter. But... there is even another big advantage; the ribbon tweeter can project the instruments and voices more loose from the speaker in front of you. This makes the stage even bigger. So you get a fully free 3 dimensional stage at a level most people can only dream of. I use them to the max because I am aware of all their properties. My way of using properties always give you amuch higher endresult than the (simple) way othert audio shops works. I can see and hear 3-4 steps further than they do. You always have an advantage. Testing and listen to music for hours a day I keep the advantage.
With the stealth integration of the PLW-15 and the PL-200 you get a have a response of 16hz till above 100.000 hz. This gives you much more information then when you use speakers which starts at 30 or even 25 hz. I also use stillpoints ( stillpoint dealer) ultra SS5 under the subwoofer and PL-200. With the roomcorrection I can play as loud as I want. Without any problem with the acoustics. This is a new level of freedom in sound quality what is priceless. The Pl-200 has a spl of 118 db. You can play at extrme high volume leveles without any stress. Same thing about the PLW-15. My way of Audyssey pro gives you so much more authorithy and grip over the overal sound.
Bobby ( The Netherlands)
I bought a set of Monitor Audio Pl-300. They gave a lot more details than the B&W. The stage was a lot wider and deeper. When I bought the XA-100.5 and XP-20 I even could play over 1 metre beside the speakers as well. I used the Meridian 800DAXv4 as a source for a long time. The timing and speed was also superior to the B&W 800S which I owned for over 2 years of time. But....I didn't like the sound of the Pl-300 with classical music. I loved the B&W 800S with classical music a lot. I stopped listening
to classical music. I also don't like speakers with Thiel&Partner units. Because a violin sound a lot different in real. The same thing about the coloration of a cello. This I also hated with the Pl-300. For a perfectionist like me there is no room for error. Because I am always aware how I want it to sound. I do this for a living so sometimes I sell stuff when I need the money.
In 2012 I bought a set of the Pl-200. I already owned the PLW-15 that time. The Pl-200 is 2 years put on the market. Monitor Audio changed the design and also the crossovers. It is a lot faster than the Pl-300. The stage is a lot wider and deeper compared to the Pl-300. Also with the huge stage instruments and voices are more palpable. And they play classical music like I want it. I started to listen to classical music again. The Pl-200 with the PLW-15 with my way of Audyssey Pro outperforms the Pl-300 with the PLW-15 with ease. I sold 4 pair of Pl-300's of clients who owned them. After they heard my Pl-200 with the PLW-15 they wanted the same.
What makes the Pl-200 with the PLW-15 with my way of Audyssey pro unique? The stage is very deep and wide with the use of a Pass Labs poweramp. The Onkyo PR-SC5509 can build a very wide and deep stage as well. In this pricerange this is unique. For example a Marantz 8801 would be fully useless to create the same wide and deep stage. With the Onkyo PR-SC5509/Audyssey Pro (my way) makes the stage almost 1 metre wider compared to the stage with the XP-20. The ribbontweeter used in the PL-200 give so much more details like the dimaond tweeter of B&W. But the biggest difference is that instruments and voices are more physical apparent compared to a dome tweeter. But... there is even another big advantage; the ribbon tweeter can project the instruments and voices more loose from the speaker in front of you. This makes the stage even bigger. So you get a fully free 3 dimensional stage at a level most people can only dream of. I use them to the max because I am aware of all their properties. My way of using properties always give you amuch higher endresult than the (simple) way othert audio shops works. I can see and hear 3-4 steps further than they do. You always have an advantage. Testing and listen to music for hours a day I keep the advantage.
With the stealth integration of the PLW-15 and the PL-200 you get a have a response of 16hz till above 100.000 hz. This gives you much more information then when you use speakers which starts at 30 or even 25 hz. I also use stillpoints ( stillpoint dealer) ultra SS5 under the subwoofer and PL-200. With the roomcorrection I can play as loud as I want. Without any problem with the acoustics. This is a new level of freedom in sound quality what is priceless. The Pl-200 has a spl of 118 db. You can play at extrme high volume leveles without any stress. Same thing about the PLW-15. My way of Audyssey pro gives you so much more authorithy and grip over the overal sound.
Bobby ( The Netherlands)
Pass rules!
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It is as it is. As friends and clients always say; his sound is exactly as he descibes it. I like things to be open and honest. When I say to them that people at forums say that it is very direct and some peope find it provocoble. They don't know you. The reason why I am this direct is that I visit to many peoole with highend sets and the overal sound was very poor. My approach is maybe different by very effective. And that is why the best and most convincing sound always will win. This is how I work. I want to win and outperform any other audioshop all the time. This is the funpart of my work!
sharkmouth
Active member
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I'll do the popcorn ....now where did I put that special margarine.
mep
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I do admire your confidence in your knowledge and abilities to bring the best out of a given system.
Music is my biggest passion, I want more people to enjoy music as I do. I do this work because I want happy people. In the 16 years that I work in the world of sound&vision I have seen to many people who were not happy with what they bought. The same thing about all those products which are not that special, and they still cost a lot of money. It feels like a mission. I want to create a higher level in quality in sound for every single person.
I have a goal in life and that is to start a foundation for people who have nothing or no chance to create a better life. I see this as the highest thing I can achieve in my personal life. For a long time I didn't know how to achieve this. I thought it is not possible. But in the last 2 years things really changed in my life. I became more aware that my insight and knowledge is a lot bigger than most other people who work in this world. I never saw it as work. Because it doens't cost a lot of energy. When I started in 1998, I was busy with audio for 80 hours a week, it was that addictive. All the tests has given me a lot of insight in audio and music. That is why I can hear and see the properties of each individual tool in a set. People get the best endresult in sound and they even help people who have nothing.
I want to make professional photos and videos of the money I use for this foundation. I want to make all things open and clear. But I also hope to convince people that life is not about personal benefit. But helping those who have nothing or no option to create a better life for themselves.
Audio has become a part of who I am as a person. Because I started with music and audio when I was 6. It has become a second nature. This I want to use for all music lovers. Best sound for every single person!
I have a goal in life and that is to start a foundation for people who have nothing or no chance to create a better life. I see this as the highest thing I can achieve in my personal life. For a long time I didn't know how to achieve this. I thought it is not possible. But in the last 2 years things really changed in my life. I became more aware that my insight and knowledge is a lot bigger than most other people who work in this world. I never saw it as work. Because it doens't cost a lot of energy. When I started in 1998, I was busy with audio for 80 hours a week, it was that addictive. All the tests has given me a lot of insight in audio and music. That is why I can hear and see the properties of each individual tool in a set. People get the best endresult in sound and they even help people who have nothing.
I want to make professional photos and videos of the money I use for this foundation. I want to make all things open and clear. But I also hope to convince people that life is not about personal benefit. But helping those who have nothing or no option to create a better life for themselves.
Audio has become a part of who I am as a person. Because I started with music and audio when I was 6. It has become a second nature. This I want to use for all music lovers. Best sound for every single person!
Moby
New member
I know I'm new to posting here (I have been lurking for a while), but the thread of the OP has been well and truly hijacked. With all due respect, can we return to the topic, the NuVista 800, which i'd very much like to hear about?
You are right, I think you have to listen to it. I did presentations of MF for the distributer for some years in my country. I sold and owned the better MF gear. When you compare MF with Pass Labs it is my opinion that Pass Labs is still better in soundrealism and the stage is wider and deeper. These parts are very important in the world of highend. But maybe they made steps and now these parts are better. At the end you have to find it out yourself. Because audio always will be a personal matter.
Once in a while a product comes along that is a complete game changer. A product that makes you rethink certain fundamental beliefs like you can't get tubey goodness without heat or you can't get sound from an integrated to equal top separates. Well, the NuVista 800 is that game changer.
David Baskin from Design Audio in Texas loaned me his Musical Fidelity NuVista 800 integrated. I've been listening nonstop on the Dali Epicon 8's and I cannot believe how the NuVista has transformed an already great speaker to new heights. It's truly hard to believe what I'm hearing.
The first thing I noticed was that despite all the tube goodness, this integrated runs from
cold to like warm! Second, because its a hybrid, you have SS bass control with tube mids and top end. The 300 watts a channel means the NuVista can drive virtually any speaker on the planet.
At soft volumes, the NuVista 800 shines. Step on the gas and the NuVista is up to the task without missing a beat.
The NuVista 800 has a slightly soft sound which is incredibly musical.
Although I haven't made a final decision, but at this point in time, David won't be getting this back. The NuVista 800 is a game changer and has proven itself to be an integrated amp worthy of "champion" status.
Downsides? Well, only one XLR input. That might be a downside for some. But that's one negative I'm willing to overlook when considering how incredible it sounds.
If you are looking for an integrated (or even separates) that gives you all the magic of tubes, with solid state bass control in a single box that runs luke warm
at best and is also gorgeous with superb build quality and a price that won't break the bank - give the Musical Fidelity NuVista 800 a listen. Its a winner - a game changer - in my books.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
David Baskin from Design Audio in Texas loaned me his Musical Fidelity NuVista 800 integrated. I've been listening nonstop on the Dali Epicon 8's and I cannot believe how the NuVista has transformed an already great speaker to new heights. It's truly hard to believe what I'm hearing.
The first thing I noticed was that despite all the tube goodness, this integrated runs from
cold to like warm! Second, because its a hybrid, you have SS bass control with tube mids and top end. The 300 watts a channel means the NuVista can drive virtually any speaker on the planet.
At soft volumes, the NuVista 800 shines. Step on the gas and the NuVista is up to the task without missing a beat.
The NuVista 800 has a slightly soft sound which is incredibly musical.
Although I haven't made a final decision, but at this point in time, David won't be getting this back. The NuVista 800 is a game changer and has proven itself to be an integrated amp worthy of "champion" status.
Downsides? Well, only one XLR input. That might be a downside for some. But that's one negative I'm willing to overlook when considering how incredible it sounds.
If you are looking for an integrated (or even separates) that gives you all the magic of tubes, with solid state bass control in a single box that runs luke warm
at best and is also gorgeous with superb build quality and a price that won't break the bank - give the Musical Fidelity NuVista 800 a listen. Its a winner - a game changer - in my books.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk