Longdog Audio P6100M Biamp 2x2 (4 units)
13 lost · Anchored, Artisan, Characterful, PRaT, Reference, Romantic
Against the Anchored brief, the Longdog Audio P6100M Biamp 2x2 (4 units) keeps the slot decisively.
NVA AP20 (Limited Edition)
Integrated amplifier
Relative price
below typical
Among the 59 integrated amplifiers in the catalogue, this one is below typical.
A band places a component against its peers and carries no price. It is deliberately the only price indicator on this page: a second one, measured against a different set, would narrow the two together far enough to give the figure away.
What it is
NVA integrated (passive-preamp + power on one chassis). Low-power; suits high-sensitivity speakers and the NVA Cube. Same low-capacitance-cable requirement.
Competition record
Assessed against 19 rivals across the sixty systems: it takes the slot in none of its 60 head-to-heads.
Where it gives ground
The dimension the engine names as the weakest link, counted across every head-to-head it lost.
- low-level clarity ×9
- tonal body ×4
- timing and drive ×1
Who it comes up against
NVA S80 Stereo
8 lost · Artisan, Cavity-Native, Characterful, Intimate, PRaT, Reference, Romantic, Silent Path
Against the Characterful brief, the NVA S80 Stereo keeps the slot decisively.
Audiolab 9000P
5 lost · Anchored, Characterful, PRaT, Romantic, Silent Path
Against the Characterful brief, the Audiolab 9000P keeps the slot decisively.
Sugden ANV 50
4 lost · BBC Sound, Twin Arms
Against the Twin Arms brief, the Sugden ANV 50 keeps the slot decisively.
On its own merits the NVA AP20 (Limited Edition) is the weaker integrated amplifier for that brief.
It sits well below the share of the budget this brief aims at the integrated amplifier position.
Leema Hydra II
4 lost · Cavity-Native, Characterful, Romantic
Against the Cavity-Native brief, the Leema Hydra II keeps the slot decisively.
NVA S300 Stereo (Artisan)
4 lost · Artisan, Cavity-Native, Intimate, Reference
Against the Intimate brief, the NVA S300 Stereo (Artisan) keeps the slot decisively.
Icon Audio Stereo 30 SE (KT150)
3 lost · Vocals-First
Against the Vocals-First brief, the Icon Audio Stereo 30 SE (KT150) keeps the slot clearly.
With the Tom Evans Groove+ SRX MkII, the pairing gives up most on tonal body.
On its own merits the NVA AP20 (Limited Edition) is the weaker integrated amplifier for that brief.
It sits well below the share of the budget this brief aims at the integrated amplifier position.
Audio Note P1 SE
3 lost · Intimate, Silent Path
Against the Silent Path brief, the Audio Note P1 SE keeps the slot decisively.
EAR Yoshino V12
3 lost · BBC Sound, Vocals-First
Against the BBC Sound brief, the EAR Yoshino V12 keeps the slot decisively.
With the Rega Aura Reference MC, the pairing gives up most on low-level clarity.
With the Falcon LS3/5a Gold Badge, the pairing gives up most on low-level clarity.
On its own merits the NVA AP20 (Limited Edition) is the weaker integrated amplifier for that brief.
Exposure XM9 Biamp 2x2 (4 units)
3 lost · Artisan, PRaT, Reference
Against the Artisan brief, the Exposure XM9 Biamp 2x2 (4 units) keeps the slot decisively.
EAR Yoshino 890
2 lost · Intimate
Against the Intimate brief, the EAR Yoshino 890 keeps the slot decisively.
Chord ULTIMA 6
1 lost · Cavity-Native
Against the Cavity-Native brief, the Chord ULTIMA 6 keeps the slot decisively.
Longdog Audio P6100M (pair)
1 lost · Anchored
Against the Anchored brief, the Longdog Audio P6100M (pair) keeps the slot decisively.
Exposure 3510
1 lost · Twin Arms
Against the Twin Arms brief, the Exposure 3510 keeps the slot decisively.
On its own merits the NVA AP20 (Limited Edition) is the weaker integrated amplifier for that brief.
Sugden A21 Signature
1 lost · BBC Sound
Against the BBC Sound brief, the Sugden A21 Signature keeps the slot decisively.
With the Harbeth P3ESR XD2, the pairing gives up most on low-level clarity.
With the Naim NVC TT MM/MC, the pairing gives up most on low-level clarity.
On its own merits the NVA AP20 (Limited Edition) is the weaker integrated amplifier for that brief.
Rega io
1 lost · Twin Arms
Against the Twin Arms brief, the Rega io keeps the slot decisively.
On its own merits the NVA AP20 (Limited Edition) is the weaker integrated amplifier for that brief.
Leak Stereo 230
1 lost · Vocals-First
Against the Vocals-First brief, the Leak Stereo 230 keeps the slot by a whisker.
On its own merits the NVA AP20 (Limited Edition) is the weaker integrated amplifier for that brief.
Creek 4040A
1 lost · BBC Sound
Against the BBC Sound brief, the Creek 4040A keeps the slot decisively.
With the Falcon Q7 Complete@Home, the pairing gives up most on timing and drive.
With the Rega Aria Mk3 MM/MC, the pairing gives up most on low-level clarity.
On its own merits the NVA AP20 (Limited Edition) is the weaker integrated amplifier for that brief.
lacking gruntHi-Fi Choice 1992 (orig AP20)
Quad Artera Stereo
1 lost · Silent Path
Against the Silent Path brief, the Quad Artera Stereo keeps the slot decisively.
What the reviewers said
sweeter hue... velvety texture Hi-Fi Choice 1992 (orig AP20)· Harmonic texture
organised and detailed... airiness Hi-Fi Choice 1992 (orig AP20)· Spatial resolution
lacking grunt Hi-Fi Choice 1992 (orig AP20)· Dynamic coherence
bass lacks weight and impact Hi-Fi Choice 1992 (orig AP20)· Bass extension
How it scores
Clarity
- Spatial resolution 74 from listening evidence
Voice
- Harmonic texture 74 from listening evidence
Bass
- Physical impact 58 from specification
- Bass extension 66 from listening evidence
LowerVolume
- Low-level noise floor 72 from specification
- Micro-dynamic resolution 72 from specification
- Tonal consistency 72 from specification
Specifications
| power 8ohm w | 20.0 |
|---|---|
| power class | AB |
| line input impedance kohm | 47.0 |
| has phono | False |
| dimensions mm | 240/80/240 |
| notes |