IMPORTANT - there is no protection circuitry or filtering on the output of our amplifiers (that's one of the reasons why they sound so good!), so care must be taken in use. Do not short circuit the output; doing so will fatally damage the amplifier boards. Do not use high capacitance speaker cables as these could damage the amplifier by creating a virtual short-circuit at high frequencies. Do not use bi-wiring with non-NVA cables. Do not use Litz, Goertz or woven cables. Do not twist cables together. Avoid cables with a capacitance of greater than 200pf per metre (failure to do so will invalidate our warranty) and do not use non-NVA cables over 10 metres in length. The best sounding speaker cable for NVA  and the perfect electrical match, is our LS series of low capacitance cables. Proof of purchase of NVA speaker cable, or another suitable low capacitance speaker cable, may be required when submitting any NVA amplifier for warranty repair.

Placement & Reasonable Use
At all times during use, you must ensure adequate ventilation space around the top and sides of the amplifier (minimum 3 inches) for air to circulate. The amplifier must sit on it's own feet (removing or replacing the feet will void our warranty), never place the acrylic base directly onto any surface or other component. Do not place the amplifier on top of anything that generates any level of heat. Models with a heatsink fitted to the top cover (S150, S300, M300, M600) will disperse heat upwards and must not be covered, in any circumstances. The S80, INT250 & INT400 / 400SA  (and heritage models such as A20, A30, A40, AP20, AP50, AP70) disperse heat from the base.

NVA amplifiers are designed for domestic use at normal domestic listening levels, for normal periods of time. They are not PA or 'party' amplifiers. Playing the amplifiers at high volumes into difficult loads and / or for extended periods of time will cause the amplifiers to overheat and, within a space of time, may cause catastrophic failure of the amplifier, beyond economic repair. The only 'running in' required is to leave the amp(s) powered on at all times. The capacitors will be fully formed after the amps have been left on for 72 hours.

NVA amplifiers do not contain an automatic thermal cut out device. We advise monitoring amplifier temperature if you are uncertain in any way about the volume levels that you wish to listen at. Put most simply, if the amplifier is uncomfortable to touch at the surface of heat dispersion (see above), it is too hot and should be switched off, immediately.

Putting The System Together For The First Time
1. Lower the volume control(s) to minimum on pre-amplifier / integrated amplifier (do not connect any cables, yet)
2. Power on power amplifier(s) / integrated amplifier from the switch on the rear panel
3. Connect source interconnects to pre-amplifier / integrated amplifier input(s)
4. Connect pre-amp output interconnects to power amp(s) - ignore this step if using integrated amp
5. Connect speaker cables to speakers FIRST
6. Connect speaker cables to the amplifier starting with black
7. Check the selector switch is in the right position for your intended source, play some music and turn up the volume

Cable Management

  • Never twist or tie cables together – let them run independently
  • Keep signal cables away from power cables
  • Allow space between cables (proximity creates unwanted capacitance)
  • Ensure all connections are secure and not stressed
  • Ensure cables are not stretched

Temporarily Powering Off
For best sound the amplifier should be left powered up. Electricity consumption is very low. It is for this reason that the power switch is located on the back panel, where it may not be easy to reach. Turn the amplifier off when you do not intend to listen to it for extended periods. If you decide you need to power down, switch off music source, make sure the volume is set to minimum then power the amplifier off from the switch on the rear panel. In this case it is not necessary to disconnect any cables.


Powering Back On 
Switch off music source (failure to do this may damage your equipment), lower the volume control(s) to minimum on pre-amplifier / integrated amplifier, then power the amplifier on from the switch on the rear panel. You may notice a small 'bump' type noise through the speakers when you power back on. This is normal and will not damage your speakers.

Adding / Removing Inputs On Integrated Amplifier
Powering down of amplifier is NOT required but NEVER unplug inputs while the amplifier is playing music

1. Switch off music source (failure to do this may damage your equipment)
2. Lower the volume control(s) to minimum
3. Add / remove source input cables, as desired
4. Check the selector switch is in the right position for your intended source, play some music and turn up the volume

Adding Or Removing Inputs On Pre / Power Amplifier System
Powering down of amplifier is NOT required but NEVER unplug inputs while the amplifier is playing music

1. Switch off music source (failure to do this may damage your equipment)
2. Lower the volume control(s) to minimum
3. Add / remove source input cables at the pre-amplifier, as desired (DO NOT disconnect pre-amplifier output cables to power amplifier)
4. Check the selector switch is in the right position for your intended source, play some music and turn up the volume 

Adding Or Removing Outputs On Pre-amplifier / Changing The Pre-amplifier Or Pre-amplifier Output Cables
Powering down of amplifier is NOT required but NEVER unplug inputs while the amplifier is playing music

1. Switch off music source (failure to do this may damage your equipment)
2. Lower the volume control(s) to minimum
3. Remove the speaker cables from the amplifier ONLY starting with the red (NEVER remove speaker cables from speaker end when performing this operation)
4. Add / remove / change preamplifier and / or pre-amplifier output cables, as desired
5. Re-connect speaker cables to the amplifier starting with black
6. Check the selector switch is in the right position for your intended source, play some music and turn up the volume

Dismantling The System
1. Switch off music source (failure to do this may damage your equipment)
2. Lower the volume control(s) to minimum on pre-amplifier / integrated amplifier
3. Remove the speaker cables from the amplifier FIRST starting with the red
4. Disconnect the interconnect cables from pre-amp to power amp at the power amp end FIRST
5. Power off the amplifier from the switch on the rear panel 

Cleaning
Apply a spray of Windowlene to a fine-grade microfibre glass cloth and then wipe the acrylic surfaces. 

Remove dust from anodised aluminium heatsinks with a lint free cloth or by careful use of a compressed air blower (such as those sold for blowing dust from computer keyboards).