I have just bought a pair of mono block valve amps off ebay, basically to "scratch an itch" that i had to at least try a valve amp.

Never heard of these amps (AVREAVOX arcana 82`s) so with a bit of trepidation i bought them, uncoupled my 135`s and installed them using a Flashback Cable (Thanks for the speedy delivery Dave) through my 82 pre.
Turned on the music ...................... Wow a veil has been removed from the sound emanating from my speakers.

Its just so crystal clear, the soundstage is improved, wider and deeper and the blackness well it defies description, what a fantastic upgrade or is it a down grade??? cost of these babies £250 the pair !!!!!

Anybody out there with any info/experience on these amps would be gratefully received.

Andy

Didnt Hayden Boardman used to sell these amps? There was a matching pre to go with them aswell. I did look into them before I bought my Ming Da but there were earth/grounding problems being reported IIRC. Generally well thought off but needed a bit of work to sort out there problems...perhaps yours have been sorted.

Do a Google and i'm sure you will come up with some forum threads, possibly on DIYaudio or Audioasylum.


Paul.

yes i bought a pair from haden 3 yrs ago use everyday in office
not had to change valves yet
sound is as above
super clear
lifelike

I have just bought a pair of mono block valve amps off ebay, basically to "scratch an itch" that i had to at least try a valve amp.

Never heard of these amps (AVREAVOX arcana 82`s) so with a bit of trepidation i bought them, uncoupled my 135`s and installed them using a Flashback Cable (Thanks for the speedy delivery Dave) through my 82 pre.
Turned on the music ...................... Wow a veil has been removed from the sound emanating from my speakers.

Its just so crystal clear, the soundstage is improved, wider and deeper and the blackness well it defies description, what a fantastic upgrade or is it a down grade??? cost of these babies £250 the pair !!!!!

Anybody out there with any info/experience on these amps would be gratefully received.

Andy


Isn't it great when a new component gives you that "WOW - incredible!!" experience! :)

I hope you've bought some flame-proof overalls ... you just pointed out to all those PFM Naim tragics that, well, perhaps Naim amps really aren't all that good! :D

Given the experience you've just had, as Naim preamps (I believe) do cut the tops and bottoms off the frequency response, so Naim power amps don't get into trouble, you should find your new valve monoblocks sound even better with a pre that doesn't shape the envelope?

Regards,

Andy

I hope you've bought some flame-proof overalls ... you just pointed out to all those PFM Naim tragics that, well, perhaps Naim amps really aren't all that good!

Sorry...I wasn't convinced.

I hope you've bought some flame-proof overalls ... you just pointed out to all those PFM Naim tragics that, well, perhaps Naim amps really aren't all that good! :D
He owes it to the Naim preamp.
A valve preamp is not going to necessarily improve things.

He owes it to the Naim preamp.
A valve preamp is not going to necessarily improve things.


I agree with you ... but any preamp which does not shape the signal - ie. passes DC-to-100Khz - has a good chance of making those valve amps sound better.

Regards,

Andy

I agree with you ... but any preamp which does not shape the signal - ie. passes DC-to-100Khz - has a good chance of making those valve amps sound better.
Not really.
Certainly, my experience didn't jive with the theory.

Surprised to see this thread raise its head again, its almost 2 years old.

My system has now changed completely going from 18 black Naim Boxes to None and I have not regretted it for one minute.