Viola Audiolabs

[veindoc]

Vitus RS-100 with my Tad cr-1 Review
Completed my second four hour session and as recommended left amp for last 4 days. Tried my most favorite most familiar music as well as some classical to give a fair well round trial. Amp is demo unit, runs nice and barely warm even after four days. Very attractive and simple look with a front standbye button on left and a second right button to switch outputs from RCA or Xlr(which I used)
Music like well recorded Krall, S. Lynne or Boz Scaggs-just beautiful , sounded very nice with no stridency or difficulty producing rich treble or pleasant midrange. Bass was adequate but not as palpable as some other amps I have tried. On Brian Bromberg or electric bass by Marcus Miller just would have preferred more oomph.
The one somewhat odd quality I noted relates to soundstage width and presentation. I have several recordings both red book and hi-Rez that you can almost see and hear the individual performers. Vocal center, bass left and guitar and drums sort of right of stage. All appear in my listening triangle both with eyes open or shut to b about a 3-4 foot width firmly centered between the speakers with many of the wonderful amps I have demoed. However with this Vitus class AB amp sound appeared to b coming from individual speakers not from that imaginary center area between the speakers. At first i thought
It was just a very wide sound stage but after putting my old amp back in loop, without touching speaker positions at all , my more favorable soundstage returned. To me a true 3-d holographic soundstage, as if a central wall of sound is coming at you is one of the most desirable qualities I look for. This amp made it feel like music was coming from two individual speakers on most tracks I repeatly listened to. On less well blues tracks, no extra warmth was instilled. Perhaps there class A amps can provide this ..
I never suffered fatigue while listening but for now, viola symphony is still the finest sound I have heard with my speakers. The rep still thinks I should try the new Viola concerto, as my listening room is not huge. My new tube preamp trial begins in August. Nagra Jazz vs. Zanden 3100. I think these will match very well with whatever solid state amp I end up with.

Nick

[Ricardo Nonato]

Nick,

congratulations on the test ... I was participated in a test like this in the house of a friend, we tested Symphony and Vitus 50W Class A, and the Dynaudio Temptation.


On this occasion I had also preferred Symphony.

In your opinion, is the Symphony an upgrade to Viola Forte?


Nice regards,
Ricardo.

[veindoc]

Yes
More power
More flexibility if you move to a bigger room
More headroom and not a huge difference in price
What did u think of the class A Vitus. Did it Add some warmth to the music.

Nick

[Ricardo Nonato]

Nick,

I found the monos Vitus with great dynamics, micro details and an excellent soundstage. I felt the Vitus a little warm yes. But I still prefer the Symphony.


My friend is selling your Symphony, and I'm thinking about buying it and swap my Viola Forte.

[veindoc]

Other than its huge size it's is an outstanding amp in all aspects
Enjoy!
Nick

[socfan12]

Nick,

Thanks so much for posting your impressions! Given all I read about Vitus, I was expecting to hear something a little more positive. But we tell it like it is here at the Shark, so thanks again!

The Viola's sound like the amp to beat. Going to give the Concerto's a try?

[Ricardo Nonato]

Other than its huge size it's is an outstanding amp in all aspects
Enjoy!
Nick

Thank you.

I will take some pictures of my system and post here.


Nice regards,
Ricardo Nonato.

[veindoc]

I think perhaps Vitus class A amps r in a more upscale territory. The only review on their aB amps is a single review for the rI-100.

[Ricardo Nonato]

Guys,

some photos of an event that happened in last october here in Rio de Janeiro. The marketing director of Elac and Herve of darTZeel were present.

01.JPG02.JPG03.JPG04.JPG

[Mike]

Thanks for sharing. What speakers are those and how did it all sound?

[joeinid]

Ricardo,

Any updates on when Herve will be announcing his updates to the Dartzeel gear and the new amps? I know Dartzeel time moves slow so I don't expect to see them anytime soon.

[Ricardo Nonato]

Mike,

the speakers are Elac 249 and 509. I like darTZeel, but the combination with Elacs was not good. In my opinion, the problem was the cables and speakers, the sound seemed cold, emotionless. However, very detailed.

[Ricardo Nonato]

Ricardo,

Any updates on when Herve will be announcing his updates to the Dartzeel gear and the new amps? I know Dartzeel time moves slow so I don't expect to see them anytime soon.

Joe,

I'm not sure about this, but I learned the darTZeel will launch an integrated cheaper than the CTH-8550 with a DAC.

Do you know of any more amp to be released?

[joeinid]

Yes. I heard Herve plans on introducing mono block amps below the 458 and above the 108. I have no other details.

[Ricardo Nonato]

Excellent information!!!!!!: D

[Ricardo Nonato]

Friends,

some photos of my HT room. In the next time i will post some photos of my stereo system room.

DSC_0004.JPGDSC_0010.JPGDSC_0011.JPGDSC_0012.JPGDSC_0016.JPGDSC_0017.JPGDSC_0033.JPG

[Mike]

Nice room. What Classe product is that?

[MDP]

Friends,

some photos of my HT room. In the next time i will post some photos of my stereo system room.

DSC_0004.JPGDSC_0010.JPGDSC_0011.JPGDSC_0012.JPGDSC_0016.JPGDSC_0017.JPGDSC_0033.JPG

Beautiful room Ricardo !!!

[Ricardo Nonato]

Nice room. What Classe product is that?

Mike,

thank you... the Classe is a SSP-300 processor!

[Ricardo Nonato]

Beautiful room Ricardo !!!

Mark,

thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[joeinid]

Ricardo,

Very, very beautiful. Thank you for the photos.

[Ricardo Nonato]

Joe,

thank you!!!!

[socfan12]

Very nice room, Ricardo! Love the little knick knacks around the room, gives it a lot of character!

[Ricardo Nonato]

Thanks Allen... I like too... I feel a very pleasant when I'm in the room.

[Ricardo Nonato]

Guys,

Has anyone done an A x B test for Siltech Prince and 770L speaker cables?


Best regards,
Ricardo Nonato.

[Ricardo Nonato]

Friends,

In your opinion, could play well Viola Forte with the Amati Futura? I have a good opportunity to purchase Amati Futura.

[socfan12]

Ricardo,

That combo sounds wonderful to me! My only question would be would the Forte's have enough juice to drive the Futura's when you really want to crank it.

[joeinid]

Friends,

In your opinion, could play well Viola Forte with the Amati Futura? I have a good opportunity to purchase Amati Futura.

Ricardo,

I am interested in your opinion of the Futura. That speaker is on my short list of ones I am considering. I really love my Evolutions and I think the Futura would be a logical step up.

[Ricardo Nonato]

Ricardo,

That combo sounds wonderful to me! My only question would be would the Forte's have enough juice to drive the Futura's when you really want to crank it.

That is the question?????

A one year ago I heard the Amati Anniversary with the LS27 and Viola Forte, and the result was very good.

The problem is that right now I can only buy the speakers or the amplifier, not both at the same time.

[Ricardo Nonato]

Joe,

I the Futura!!!!!!

I have two friends who own Amati Futura, and the two setups the result is fantastic. In my opinion, they are very balanced speakers with bass well articulated, and great focus and resolution.

ps. Sorry for my bad english.

[joeinid]

Ricardo,

Please, no need to apologize. Your English is perfect. I fully understand you.

What amps/preamps are your friends using with their Futura speakers.

Joe,

I the Futura!!!!!!

I have two friends who own Amati Futura, and the two setups the result is fantastic. In my opinion, they are very balanced speakers with bass well articulated, and great focus and resolution.

ps. Sorry for my bad english.

[Ricardo Nonato]

Joe,

thank you for your warmth.

Setup 1: preamp Burmester 808MKV and MC601 mono powers. In this case my friend is waiting for the arrival of 1.2KW and CD Player Einstein The Source.

Setup 2: preamp C1000 solid state and MC601 mono powers.

[Mike]

Joe,

I the Futura!!!!!!

I have two friends who own Amati Futura, and the two setups the result is fantastic. In my opinion, they are very balanced speakers with bass well articulated, and great focus and resolution.

ps. Sorry for my bad english.

I totally agree!! And the best looking!

[joeinid]

Joe,

thank you for your warmth.

Setup 1: preamp Burmester 808MKV and MC601 mono powers. In this case my friend is waiting for the arrival of 1.2KW and CD Player Einstein The Source.

Setup 2: preamp C1000 solid state and MC601 mono powers.

Wow! That's interesting. Thank you.

I totally agree!! And the best looking!

Agreed.

[Ricardo Nonato]

In my opinion, the biggest problem is that I will not have to test the Amati Futura on my system in my room before buying. Although I know well the speakers and know their qualities. Do you think that the Amati Anniversary are harder to play than the Amati Futura?

[Ricardo Nonato]

I totally agree!! And the best looking!

Mike,

thanks!!!!!

Do you have any consideration about my setup with the Amati Futura? I would like your comments.

[Mike]

In my opinion, the biggest problem is that I will not have to test the Amati Futura on my system in my room before buying. Although I know well the speakers and know their qualities. Do you think that the Amati Anniversary are harder to play than the Amati Futura?

The Futuras are harder to drive than the Anniversarios. For one, the efficiency (90db vs 92db for the Anniversarios) and the impedance curve of the Futuras.

But - I wouldn't sweat it. I think as long as your amp is north of 150 watts/channel - you should be fine. I would suggest 250+ watts into 4 ohms if you can and it is my personal opinion that the Futuras would sound best with a clean, balanced amp. D'Agostino would be marvelous. ARC too and quite possibly Classe, DartZeel and others.

What I wasn't fond of with the Futuras was the Accuphase. Too much of a good thing - if you know what I mean. The Accuphase Class A topology combined with a warm speaker was too much.

The neutrality and sweetness of the Soulution was incredible on the Futuras.

Since D'Agostino amps are often demoed with the Futura's big brothers (Aida's) - I would suspect that's another great combination.

And personally....I would bet heavily that the Futuras and REF250/DS450M's in a biamp configuration would be incredible.

Lastly, I have seen the Futuras twice in red and once in graphite. They are spectacular in either color. They have a presence about them which is so unlike any other speaker. I just can't explain it. Like when a gorgeous woman walks into the room.

[Ricardo Nonato]

WOW Mike,

thank you so much.

I appreciate your opinion, and I understand perfectly your points. I'm afraid to buy the Amati Futura and get frustrated because of the low power of Viola Forte.

[Mike]

WOW Mike,

thank you so much.

I appreciate your opinion, and I understand perfectly your points. I'm afraid to buy the Amati Futura and get frustrated because of the low power of Viola Forte.

You're very welcome Ricardo!

Your amps are 150 watts/channel into 4 ohm loads right?

How big is your room?
How loud do you listen?
What kind of music do you listen to?

These are all key factors in determining if the amps are powerful enough.

FWIW - I think you'll be fine. Down the road - you can always upgrade/change.

[Ricardo Nonato]

Mike,

yes, 150W into 4ohms.

The measurements of my room: 5,0m x 6,5m.

I listen to music at medium volume, never too high. I like jazz, blues, classical...

[joeinid]

I think you will be fine with those amps Ricardo.

Forte Mono Power Amplifier

The Viola Forte is a compact high quality mono power amplifier developed from the advanced circuitry used in the Viola Symphony, Bravo, and Legacy amplifiers. It is rated at 75W into 8 ohms, or 150W into 4 ohms. 2 units may be bridged to give 300W into 8 ohms, or 550W into 4 ohms. These ratings are conservative. The Forte will comfortably exceed them under most conditions.

Don’t be deceived by the unit’s compact dimensions. Like its big brothers, the Forte will effortlessly deliver large amounts of power without sacrificing the ability to accurately reproduce the subtle threads in a musical performance. Dynamics reproduced without compression; stereo images re-created with excellent focus, and accurate and well controlled bass, all contribute to portraying the emotion that is the essence of a musical performance. A generously rated choke input power supply allows the Forte to easily drive even difficult speakers.

Forte Mono Power Amplifier Specifications

Output Power	75W per channel into 8 ohms 20Hz to 20kHz , THD < 0.25% 150W per channel into 4 ohms 20Hz to 20kHz , THD < 0.5% All power figures quoted are continuous average power
Inputs	2 x XLR in parallel
Input Impedance	1M ohm
Outputs	1 pair of WBT terminals per channel
Frequency Response	10Hz to 20kHz ± 0.15dB at 1W into 8 ohms 5Hz to 100kHz -3dB at 1W into 8 ohms
Power Bandwidth	5Hz to 100kHz +0, -3dB
Intermodulation Distortion (SMPTE)	1W to 75W into 8 ohms <0.075% 1W to 150W into 4 ohms <0.1%
SN Ratio	-105dB @ 1kHz 75W, C weighted
Dimensions	22.5cm W x 11.0cm H x 42.3cm D
Weights	15.9 kg

[Ricardo Nonato]

Joe,

thank you to the information.

Just out of curiosity, I had put my MC402 HT alongside Viola Forte to do some tests. And to my surprise the Viola Forte sounded better than the 402. It is logical that this test was done with the 25th Dyn, but the impression I had was that the high current of Viola Forte compensate their low power. In this test they remained virtually the same dynamics, air between the instruments and the aeration than 402. And still more refinement.

[joeinid]

Great news. I am sure the Viola amps sound great. I have a dealer after me to try Viola on my TADs. I think he's on to something.

Joe,

thank you to the information.

Just out of curiosity, I had put my MC402 HT alongside Viola Forte to do some tests. And to my surprise the Viola Forte sounded better than the 402. It is logical that this test was done with the 25th Dyn, but the impression I had was that the high current of Viola Forte compensate their low power. In this test they remained virtually the same dynamics, air between the instruments and the aeration than 402. And still more refinement.

[Ricardo Nonato]

In Brazil we have a serious problem with equipment that level, here they cost more than twice around the USA. And Viola here it is almost impossible to find.


I'm very curious to hear D'Agostino, but do not know of any here in Brazil in order to listen. And from what everyone says is an excellent amplifier.

[joeinid]

In Brazil we have a serious problem with equipment that level, here they cost more than twice around the USA. And Viola here it is almost impossible to find.


I'm very curious to hear D'Agostino, but do not know of any here in Brazil in order to listen. And from what everyone says is an excellent amplifier.

It is excellent but I think it's very important to match speakers and amplifiers. Not every amp works great on every speaker.

[Ricardo Nonato]

It is excellent but I think it's very important to match speakers and amplifiers. Not every amp works great on every speaker.

It's true!!!!!

[Ricardo Nonato]

Joe,

I think you will like to see this pic.

[joeinid]

Very nice Ricardo. That's the dealer. Very nice.

Joe,

I think you will like to see this pic.

[Chr. R.]

...

[Ricardo Nonato]

Hi Chr. R.,

Welcome!!!!!!!!!!!