I once owned a 20.1 - a great little amp. I understood that they were designed by Nelson Pass and built by Cary . I believe a Mitch Friedman owned/ran N.E.W. - I think the aforegoing is correct but if not someone else please chime in.
Seeking info N.E.W. Nirvana Electronic Works A20
I've got a N.E.W. A20 which I bought used. (or is it A20.1 ; I don't know)
I'm seeking info on the company, the amp, etc. Please post any info you've got.
I've heard the N.E.W. A20 was copied off the schematic of the First Watt Aleph J when that schematic was posted (Was it posted on Pass D.I.Y.? I can't find it there....)
Apparently the reason the N.E.W. company isn't around any more has something to do with the fact they were using the schematics provided to the D.I.Y. community to build a commercial product. That IS bad karma for sure, if true.
I'm using the amp to power the ribbon tweeters in my tri-amped Magnepan MG 3.6 speakers and it sounds real nice in that capacity.
I've read the amps were manufactured by Cary for N.E.W. I've also read that Cary will service them. I am trying to find out if this is true, maybe Cary will reply....
PLEASE- ANY info you have would be useful.
I'm seeking info on the company, the amp, etc. Please post any info you've got.
I've heard the N.E.W. A20 was copied off the schematic of the First Watt Aleph J when that schematic was posted (Was it posted on Pass D.I.Y.? I can't find it there....)
Apparently the reason the N.E.W. company isn't around any more has something to do with the fact they were using the schematics provided to the D.I.Y. community to build a commercial product. That IS bad karma for sure, if true.
I'm using the amp to power the ribbon tweeters in my tri-amped Magnepan MG 3.6 speakers and it sounds real nice in that capacity.
I've read the amps were manufactured by Cary for N.E.W. I've also read that Cary will service them. I am trying to find out if this is true, maybe Cary will reply....
PLEASE- ANY info you have would be useful.
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Milosz, A bit of information that you will learn in time. Everyone copies circuits. If you look in the RCA Tube manual you will see many circuit published for tube amps. I also know that the same exist for solid state designs. There is truly aren't any new evolunationary designs that are different from 30 years and longer. The difference is that parts are much better today than it was back in the day (many years ago). That contributes mostly to getting a quieter background, and other audiophile improvements. Noise is reduced to much lower levels. That along with circuit improvements to accomodate the changes in parts and with improved power supplies is what has kept audio alive for many years as it evolved. A lot of gear from over the big pond simply copies the circuit from a book and then markets the gear in a great chassis and sells it for mega bucks prices. Understand, that not all manufactures of gear from across the big pond do this. But some don't put the care in power supplies as they should. Some actually build excellent power supplies and take care in building it's gear and the way it sounds. That's why I will not buy gear from across the big pond unless it has a U.S.distributor. New on the other hand did what many have done for years They took a circuit, gave it a very good power supply and dressed it up with a great Chassis. Regardless whose circuit it was it was and is a great design. Mitch Friedman found excellent designers to assist him with his designs as well as make improvements to his designs. This happens all the time. It's a shame NEW is gone but their products were legit, well made and sounded very good. So don't think for a moment that it is BAD KARMA it was poor managent of a company that sent it to it's early grave. I have never owned any of their products but I do have a designer friend that did some work for NEW in it's start up and beyond before they folded. |
Milosz, A bit of information that you will learn in time. Everyone copies circuits. If you look in the RCA Tube manual you will see many circuit published for tube amps. I also know that the same exist for solid state designs. There is truly no evolunationary designs that are different from 30 or more years ago. The difference is that parts are much better today than it was many years ago. That contributes much having a quieter background, and other audiophile improvements. That along with circuit improvements to accomodate the changes and with improved power supplies is what has kept audio alive for many years. A lot of gear from over the big pond simply copies the circuit from a book and then markets the gear in a great chassis and sells it for mega bucks prices. Not all gear from across the big pond do this. Som actually build excellent power supplies and take care in building it's gear. That's why I will not buy gear from across the big pond unles it has a U.S.distributor. New on the other hand did what many have done for years They took a circuit, gave it a very good power supply and dressed it up with a great Chassis. Regardless whose circuit it was it was and is a great design. Mitch Friedman found excellent designers to assist him with his designs as well as make improvements to his designs. This happens all the time. It's a shame NEW is gone but their products were legit, well made and sounded very good. So don't think for a moment that it is BAD KARMA it was poor managent of a company that sent it to it's early grave. |
Hmmm....I have a N.E.W. A-20 that I bought on Audiogon shortly after buying (and loving it)I emailed Nelson Pass and asked him about the rumors did he or didn't he design it. Since he seems a modest man with a good sense of humor he simply said he was familiar with the product. Anyway I had mine re-capped and..all I can say is Wow. Yes the they are great amplifiers and for the price I paid for mine a bargain for sure. |
Milosz. The A 20 was designed by Nelson who always wanted to design a small Class A amp. He didn't feel it was commercially viable so he entered into the partnership with Ted Bennett and Mitch Friedman. No bad karma. In fact the opposite. The NEW products were amazing valuers for the $$$. You don't listen to shiny metal knobs and blocks of sculpted metal. The DC amps were revolutionary for there time!!. |
Looking at this old thread after a long time.... Thanks for all the info. Interesting to know that Mr. Pass was actually involved with the company so this is not an unauthorized commercialization of a design he generously gave to the DIY community. That's good to know. My NEW 20.1 has been in daily use since I bought it in 2009.... so it's going on 9 trouble-free years now. Great little product and was a bargain on the used market. |
Interesting to know that Mr. Pass was actually involved with the company so this is not an unauthorized commercialization of a design he generously gave to the DIY community.http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/pass-labs/6786-dca-33-amp.html |
calclassa BTW: Nelson Pass did design a A20 in 1977 but I don’t believe he had anything whatsoever to do with the N.E.W. A20 or A20.1 it could just be a ripoff clone as Nelson I believe didn’t have any copy writes or patents on his original A20 for the diyer’s " I emailed Nelson Pass and asked him about the rumors did he or didn’t he design it. Since he seems a modest man with a good sense of humor he simply said Bottom of page http://www.firstwatt.com/articles.html It was a diy project or the diy’ers to make. http://www.firstwatt.com/pdf/art_classa_20.pdf Lot at the parts and power supply in the one above, the NEW insides looks pretty thread bear in comparison, especially the power supply caps, and output transistor count https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTbFS3FA6uYjnrw8Kqg9YwrOfrTHtGCCvISgWGC9q8Rtbh0... Cheers George |
I have two A20s that I bought from Mitch in 1994. Still have the bills of sale! I currently have a pair of Rogue monoblocks, a Pass integrated and a pair of Pass mono blocks, a pair of Manley 250s, and a couple of PS Audio integrated. The A20s hold their own against any of them. And does some things better than any of them. |