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Reviews 81
Paolo Reggiani
Feb 17,2025I bought a custom-made set of monoblocs with SE230 boards powered by C-transformers and a Grad 1 preamp with ASR-Z shunt power supply from Avondale. I am a very happy chap with this equipment, which replaced a Naim 552/250 combo. The system is paired with a set of Totem Hawk speakers and uses Naim CDX2 and SMSL Sanskrit Dac/Macbook as sources. I am missing absolutely nothing and are very pleased with the results. The craftmanship is excellent. Looking forward to the announced Magnetrac TT arm. Highly recommended.
Jamie
Jun 26,2024I have owned Les' products for over 25 years now. I recently decided to upgrade to the new RMS SE230 mono amplifiers, 821 Preamp with AR boards and the new ASX power supply. You couldn't knock the smile off my face with a cricket bat, I am that happy. Thank you Les and Gavin.
David
May 22,2024New ASX Power supply. The power supply is absolutely fantastic and transforms the system yet again. I thought the change to SE200 boards was dramatic, and it was; the ASX takes everything to yet another level. I feel like I now have the best system I have ever heard. At a macro level it seems like you are listening to direct master tape versions of everything, the whole performance and feel of every track has immediate impact and the music is presented in a way that I haven't heard before. At a micro level you can really hear the way the performers are playing their instruments and the feel that they have, where there is real technical brilliance you hear it and can discern who really were the best. As usual the service from Les and the team was excellent.
Mr Mace
Apr 29,2024The APX2 has been powering my 82 for two weeks now and replaced a snaps2 which was serviced and dragon newt regulated by witchhat 2 years ago. My source is an nd5 xs2 and my amp is an unmodified 160. The APX2 has made a big improvement. Every sound is more detailed, cleaner and clearer, more realistic and warmer. Drums are tighter and resonate more. The vocals are more natural and smoother. The brittleness and harshness I was so accustomed to ( I used to think that the volume was simply to loud ) has gone. But what really got me is the new dynamic and powerful undercurrent of bass my Sbl's have found! I was happy with the bass before and it was by no means lean! But this is different, like there's a hidden sub! And this is in an airtight but timber framed, rockwoolled and plasterboarded room with solid hardwood flooring. Makes for a much more dramatic listening experience. Really impressed and pleased with this upgrade and will definitely be purchasing more products in the future, especially the crossovers. Les and Gavin are clearly audio sorcerers!
Jeff Sibley
Mar 01,2024Purchased 4 x SE230 amplifier boards to replace 4 x NCC-300 boards in my monobloc power amplifier cases. After 3 weeks or so from fitting these amps, the sound quality from my system has been transformed - never sounded so good! Everything has improved - top end smoother with no harshness, imaging no longer two-dimensional, improved midrange clarity, vocals and ease of listening, I've not experienced with other amplifiers. I highly recommend these amplifiers. Thanks again Les and Gavin!!
Cat Francis
Jan 30,2024My SE230 power amplifier arrived today, kindly built by Gavin at Avondale Audio. I have an NCC300 amp, also built by Avondale in a Naim Classic case which was astounding, the last power amplifier I thought I would need to purchase. Welcome to the SE230, cold and straight out of the box the sound was phenomenal, greater detail, strong controlled bass and the soundstage increased. I was blown away by the SE230; I know the NCC300 is a superb amplifier, the SE230 is even better. After an afternoon of throwing the most difficult, over and under engineered music at it, I couldn't get rid of the smile of satisfaction this amplifier was making my body feel. Thank you Les for picking this project up again and for Gavin in making the amplifier, once again you have made me a very happy chap. Keep up the fantastic work you do; I may be knocking at your door again.
Jon
Jan 10,2024I recently bought an ASR2 Regulator board for my Naim HiCap from Les & Gavin. I had some issues removing the original board but they were very helpful with advice on how best to proceed. Once fitted, the ASR2 has transformed the sound of my Naim 32.5/HiCap/250, giving extra focus, clarity and tight control from high to low frequencies - and seemingly an extra octave of bass! I had read that it was a worthwhile upgrade but wasn't prepared for just how much of an improvement it would make. I'm no expert with a soldering iron but fitting it was very straightforward. Would definitely recommend.
henry Puizillout
Sep 11,2023I finally finished installing my Avondale elements 2 months ago, and everything is working perfectly. The system is now running smoothly and listening is great: it's not demonstrative (so much the better), there's an energy and a breath that I love. Just "Made for Music" as Heybrook used to say in his heyday. Several friends came to listen and no one was impressed, as they listened they fell under the spell, I think that's where you recognise a good system! On the technical side, I kept the connections to a minimum, both in the power supplies (230 AC and DC supply) and in the audio circuit, where I used as few connectors as possible. For example, I don't have any mains sockets, the wires are connected using Wago plugs on the cables that come directly from the house electrical circuit breaker (3 separate power supplies: Digital, Amplification, Analogue). It's completely voluntary not to have systematically grouped cables like Naim does for its equipment, I think it's not always a good thing, manufacturers do it to save wiring time and reduce assembly errors. The fields induced in cables can be "harmful ». I built a power supply for my Naim preamp with a TPR4 module, and an amp with 2 HCR 200 modules, 2 NCC 220 QUDOS modules. Keep up the good work.
Chris Harris
Apr 13,2023Just to state from the off set I have been involved with "Naim" on both sides of the counter for many years, So after upgrading to a Townshend Audio Allegri passive Pre Amplifier and having not given much thought to adding a Power Amplifier, Just by chance a good friend had available after going Active a Naim Audio power Amplifier with Avondale conversions known as a Zap250. So thinking I must at least take a listen removing any preconceptions I may have had and forgetting I may be racing with the devil and not ignoring the fact that there are many very happy Avondale customers out in the field. So plugging in the Zap250 and with next to no warm up time I realised this was the Amplifier for me. The ease it places on the music in a relaxing ,realistic way (not laid back) is just breathtaking. Also the ultra low noise floor and blackness between instruments and vocals is so very believable in its presentation along with it's great timing and pace which is very important. After living with the Zap250 for a few weeks and enjoying every listening session often late into the night it was suggested to me to further upgrade to the latest / current SE230 modules along with the SSMS soft start module. so it seemed logical to continue my love affair with AA. Having packed and shipped the Amplifier back to their HQ in Hebden Bridge it was returned in under 5 days along with photographic evidence of the work completed which was a lovely touch.I can only say with the new additions in the form of the new modules it's just so much more of the same a real music machine no more no less !! and for any Avondale owners without the latest SE230 / SSMS modules it's a no-brainer I guess there should be some technical back up in this write up but as Avondale themselves say - whatever measurements read you should not ignore what you're actually hearing. This fully blown Avondale Amplifier is now a permanent keeper in my system - Thank you AA.
michael harrison
Apr 01,2023ASR2 is an unbelievable upgrade. Better and cheaper than the DR and totally DIY if you want👍
Laughton Marcus
Mar 16,2023I bought an external crossover for my SBL loudspeakers and had my NAP250 power amplifier upgraded. These two modifications transformed the sound from my Naim 52/250 system. I used to have an active olive system with SNAXO/Supercap/second 250 and loads of speaker wire everywhere. I loved the sound but sold it because it was taking up too much room. I can honestly say my single 250 system now sounds at least as good -- it also takes up much less room and won't be so expensive to service. I'm very glad I made the leap of faith.
Warren King
Mar 10,2023I have bought several products from Avondale Audio over the last couple of years and will definitely being buying more. As well as designing and producing electronics of the highest quality, their communication has always been friendly and patient. What has prompted me to finally post a review? While all of my Avondale purchases have been deeply satisfying, my most recent purchase (the ASR) is quite extraordinary. Thanks Avondale :-) I'll be back...
MR CHRISTOPHER BRAY
Feb 13,2023Having dealt with Les on a few occasion over the last few years I was looking forward to my visit to Avondales new premises nr Hebden Bridge . What a truly idyllic setting it is this coupled with the warm welcome I received from both Les and Gavin made for a very enjoyable visit . The purpose of my visit was to upgrade my S100 with the new SE 230 boards . Having installed NCC 220 boards a couple of years ago I was more than happy with the result and made a decision it was definitely my endgame amplifier . That is until I started reading about the new boards and “ upgradeitus “ got the better of me . Without doubt it is the best decision I have made in over 40 years of box swapping and upgrading various components . Having let the boards settle for a few days I can only report the sound from my system is truly superb and streets ahead of anything I have previously experienced. The sound from NCC 220s was excellent but these new boards have taken my listening experience to a whole new level . Everything is just more musical with the slam, bass and overall dynamics way beyond my expectations . Vocals are more realistic with low level detail unsurpassed . Make no mistake I believe these boards will compete with the very best I can only dream what the SE 400 s sound like . Another real winner Les , for me without doubt your best yet , good luck and best wishes for the future .
eric duprat
Jan 02,2023sociètè compétente pour la mise a niveau d appareils naim audio , large choix de modules ,personnel expérimentè ,je recommande
Steve Adcroft
Oct 27,2022Les sent me a new minicamp 6, ive just completed building a nap110 amp with this in, sounds way better than it did, fast delivery and one hell of a product. This was only one of many modules i have had from les and they all live up to expectations Keep up the good work Les
Nigel Cottam
Aug 04,2022I have known Les for many years and I have been a very happy customer, professional and always out to help with advice.I have lived with Les’s mono amps for many years now and enjoyed the musical pleasure they have given me, clear natural crisp involving sound ,amazing deep soundstage with pace and drive . Les puts a lot of effort into his work with a passion on circuit board design with clinical perfection and the outcome is amazing sound quality. I am looking forward to upgrading. See you soon. Nigel
Stephen Bruv Sawney
Mar 13,2022I've been interested in these crossovers since I learned of their existence a couple of years ago. Recently I decided to "take the plunge" and purchase a pair. I spoke to Les at Avondale who was extremely helpful and generous with his knowledge and time. My system: Rega Saturn R Cd Player - Naim Nac 72 (with RSL cards) - RSL ZapCap power supply - Naim NAP 250 - Naim SBL. A pretty reasonable system. I received the crossovers a few days ago and "wow"! If I had known the effect they would have I would have purchased them years ago. I heard the difference in seconds. The overall sound signature of the speakers doesn't change but everything just seems to snap into focus. It's hard to describe. I'm hearing things that I knew were there but never really heard before if that makes any sense. There is more detail, more clarity, more separation. The music just feels cohesive, solid and, most importantly, not tiring or harsh to listen to. This is not a small change. If you are using Naim SBL's you should hear these before you spend thousands on new amplifiers, cables, etc.
MR N CURTAIN
Feb 20,2022My Avondale experience started a few years ago when Simon Hamnett called in with a set of new grilles for my Linn Isobariks, as the originals had crumbled to pieces. Before leaving, he wanted me to hear something ‘special’ and returned a couple of minutes later with a NAP 250 and a smile. My first thought was that I already had one, so what could be different? Simon explained about Les and his astonishing work with the NCC 200 boards and I was soon left speechless when the old Briks started to take on a whole new dimension. Simon told me the difference would be ‘night and day’ and he was right on the money. I contacted Les almost immediately and It wasn’t long before he arrived with a pair of NCC 200 olive 135’s, which gave astonishing clarity, bass and separation. I heard instruments in pieces never distinguishable previously and my love for music was rekindled in an instant. The upgrade was also enhanced by the TPR4 module in the HiCap, which added greater depth and smoothness. My pre-amp is a Naim 202. Les is currently fitting the NCC 300 modules to the 135’s and has lent me a pair of 180’s fitted with the same kit in the meantime. These take the sound to another level altogether and anyone who says that Briks are ‘old hat’ coloured and harsh need to hear these driven properly. I would mention that the units in the Isobariks were original and somewhat tired, so I asked Simon to replace those with new Scanspeak 2008 Ferro Fluid tweeters and matched pair Falcon B110 mid-range drivers. Upon arriving back home, the first disc I played was Diana Krall live in Paris and you would think she is in the room. The introduction to the original Tubular Bells has a bassline not heard before and the overall soundstage is immense. It’s all there, even a low volume. I cannot speak highly enough about Les, his work and professionalism and if you’re looking to transform an old Naim system at a fraction of the cost of new replacements, then look no further than Avondale. Trust me, you will be blown away.
Ewen Brown
Feb 10,2022Just fitted this drop in module to my Olive XPS. The ease of doing this is testimony to the thought put in to the design and the care and advice offered by Les. Note he demonstrated the procedure on Avondale FB page to follow. As for the sound, straight off it was like having a totally new CD collection. Detracts nothing from the Naim sound, but adds greater separation, clarity, crisper treble and deeper richer bass. So much more detail that I am hearing things in tracks I have never heard before. A great piece of engineering and a significant upgrade. Should have done it sooner.
2 Avondale Road Newbold, S40 4TF, Chesterfield, GB
http://avondaleaudio.com
R Marsh
Mar 08,2025Responsive and flawless after-sales service coupled to fantastic products. What more could anybody want? Avondale stuff has never faild to exceed all my expectations.