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I wanted to move my observations to a separate thread:
Once in a while a product comes along that is a complete game changer. A product that makes you rethink certain fundamental beliefs like you can't get tubey goodness without heat or you can't get sound from an integrated to equal top separates. Well, the NuVista 800 is that game changer.
David Baskin from Design Audio in Texas loaned me his Musical Fidelity NuVista 800 integrated. I've been listening nonstop on the Dali Epicon 8's and I cannot believe how the NuVista has transformed an already great speaker to new heights. It's truly hard to believe what I'm hearing.
The first thing I noticed was that despite all the tube goodness, this integrated runs from cold to luke warm! Second, because its a hybrid, you have SS bass control with tube mids and top end. The 300 watts a channel means the NuVista can drive virtually any speaker on the planet.
At soft volumes, the NuVista 800 shines. Step on the gas and the NuVista is up to the task without missing a beat.
The NuVista 800 has a slightly soft sound which is incredibly musical.
Although I haven't made a final decision, but at this point in time, David won't be getting this back. The NuVista 800 is a game changer and has proven itself to be an integrated amp worthy of "champion" status.
Downsides? Well, only one XLR input. That might be a downside for some. But that's one negative I'm willing to overlook when considering how incredible it sounds.
I had someone comment that the volume steps seemed a bit odd with the NuVista meaning you are turning it to about "60" out of (120) on the volume control before you reach a normal listening level. I spoke with the head of engineering today at Musical Fidelity and he explained that the steps are in equal db increments.
We talked about the design of the 800 and he explained that when the 800 was the first product in company history that they laid out the design, assembled the product and the what they built is now the finished product. He said that NEVER happens in manufacturing (i.e. no revisions to the original design).
We talked about the reliability of the NuVistor tubes and he said "well well north of 50,000 hours". The NuVistor tubes are NOT user accessible and it is not recommended that users attempt to change the tubes on their own. So yes, after 50,000 hours (20 years or so), you may just have to send the amp in for a tube replacement....or not and just keep listening for another 100,000 hours or so! Either way, he explained the NuVistor tubes are very reliable.
Musical Fidelity is currently working on a CD player and a Phonostage which will be built around the NuVistor tubes. The CD player will NOT support SACD despite my strong encouragement to the contrary. There are no current plans to build separate amps around the NuVistor tubes.
The Musical Fidelity rep explained how the 800 is receiving tremendous praise from around the globe. He discussed a recent review in a French magazine, as well as the recent review of the 800 in HiFi News (available on your iPad for download).
From a business standpoint, the first two production runs (400 each) of the NuVista 800 is completely sold out. So, I guess you could say they have sold 800, 800's!
If you are looking for an integrated (or even separates) that gives you all the magic of tubes, with solid state bass control in a single box that runs luke warm
at best and is also gorgeous with superb build quality and a price that won't break the bank - give the Musical Fidelity NuVista 800 a listen. Its a winner - a game changer - in my books.
Once in a while a product comes along that is a complete game changer. A product that makes you rethink certain fundamental beliefs like you can't get tubey goodness without heat or you can't get sound from an integrated to equal top separates. Well, the NuVista 800 is that game changer.
David Baskin from Design Audio in Texas loaned me his Musical Fidelity NuVista 800 integrated. I've been listening nonstop on the Dali Epicon 8's and I cannot believe how the NuVista has transformed an already great speaker to new heights. It's truly hard to believe what I'm hearing.
The first thing I noticed was that despite all the tube goodness, this integrated runs from cold to luke warm! Second, because its a hybrid, you have SS bass control with tube mids and top end. The 300 watts a channel means the NuVista can drive virtually any speaker on the planet.
At soft volumes, the NuVista 800 shines. Step on the gas and the NuVista is up to the task without missing a beat.
The NuVista 800 has a slightly soft sound which is incredibly musical.
Although I haven't made a final decision, but at this point in time, David won't be getting this back. The NuVista 800 is a game changer and has proven itself to be an integrated amp worthy of "champion" status.
Downsides? Well, only one XLR input. That might be a downside for some. But that's one negative I'm willing to overlook when considering how incredible it sounds.
I had someone comment that the volume steps seemed a bit odd with the NuVista meaning you are turning it to about "60" out of (120) on the volume control before you reach a normal listening level. I spoke with the head of engineering today at Musical Fidelity and he explained that the steps are in equal db increments.
We talked about the design of the 800 and he explained that when the 800 was the first product in company history that they laid out the design, assembled the product and the what they built is now the finished product. He said that NEVER happens in manufacturing (i.e. no revisions to the original design).
We talked about the reliability of the NuVistor tubes and he said "well well north of 50,000 hours". The NuVistor tubes are NOT user accessible and it is not recommended that users attempt to change the tubes on their own. So yes, after 50,000 hours (20 years or so), you may just have to send the amp in for a tube replacement....or not and just keep listening for another 100,000 hours or so! Either way, he explained the NuVistor tubes are very reliable.
Musical Fidelity is currently working on a CD player and a Phonostage which will be built around the NuVistor tubes. The CD player will NOT support SACD despite my strong encouragement to the contrary. There are no current plans to build separate amps around the NuVistor tubes.
The Musical Fidelity rep explained how the 800 is receiving tremendous praise from around the globe. He discussed a recent review in a French magazine, as well as the recent review of the 800 in HiFi News (available on your iPad for download).
From a business standpoint, the first two production runs (400 each) of the NuVista 800 is completely sold out. So, I guess you could say they have sold 800, 800's!
If you are looking for an integrated (or even separates) that gives you all the magic of tubes, with solid state bass control in a single box that runs luke warm
at best and is also gorgeous with superb build quality and a price that won't break the bank - give the Musical Fidelity NuVista 800 a listen. Its a winner - a game changer - in my books.
thx for sharing your thoughts.