Vitus Signature Integrated Amplifier (SIA-025) ...

joeinid

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Thinking about this as my solid state option .....

Signature Integrated Amplifier (SIA-025)

The SIA-025 has been designed to accommodate many of our customers requests, for a real integrated amplifier in our high performance Signature Series.

But as usual, our design team went an extra mile. The result is not only an amplifier with 5 inputs (balanced
and unbalanced), a preamplifier output (for biamping purposes) and balanced speaker outputs - it raises our
technology to a new level of integration of parts. Integration was a major challenge, but necessary to fit all the parts into the fairly small chassis, which the SIA-025 shares with its siblings - the SS-010 and SS-050.

The output stage of the SIA-025, is taken from the SM-010 monaural amplifiers - sized to fit within one chassis with a balanced input buffer. The main task for this buffer, is to separate the new simplified relay based
volume control from the selected source. By putting all our efforts into developing this true balanced integrated class A amplifier, we succeeded in making the new higher level of integration perform to the standards that any customer would expect from our Signature Series.

SIA-025 adds more flexibility in terms of more inputs, the possibility of bi-amping should it be needed and lastly a full bypass function for enabling compatibility with external surround processors. Together with our SCD-010, this amplifier will form a simple, cool looking system that delivers an incredible performance.


Availability:
Late Q2 / 2010 Model:
SIA-025
Product Type:
Balanced Integrated Amplifier Inputs:
2 x unbalanced (RCA)
3 x balanced (XLR)

Outputs:
1 x unbalanced sub-out (RCA)
1 x set balanced speaker out

Dimensions:
130 x 435 x 430 mm
(H x W x D)

Total Weight:
42 Kg


Output Power:
25wpc Cl.A (RMS)
100wpc Cl.AB (RMS)

Remote Controlled:
Yes, RC-010 included

sia025-1.jpg


sia25_back_big.jpg
 
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It is a really nice integrated both sonically and visually. The Danes sure make great audio products.

The only hesitation is 25 watts of power output. One would need to be careful with speaker matching. Low efficiency / tough to drive loudspeakers are obviously out of the question. Properly matched though the amp is a dream.

What about S5?
 
I would bet that in a small to medium size room it would be great, in a big room, it would probably max out at a certain volume. BUT, even in a small to medium size room, if you put say 50 or 100 Watt class A amp(s) on the S5's, you would see that the more power you give the S5's they are going to rise to a different level than with 25 watts. The S5's are nice like that it seems, they can sound great with good small power, but then when you feed them big power they light up even more.
 
Mike...I bet you a pair of Lamm M1.2s (100wpc of Class A power) would go very nicely with the S5s, in fact superbly. The Lammies are known to have a very meaty, meat on the bones presentation which I think would complement the Magico house sound perfectly. Worth an audition. You can find a pair of M1.2 monos used on the Gon in the $11-12K range (MSRP is around $22Kish I believe).

Joe...have you ever considered Lamm amplification?
 
Thanks Cyril. I will check them out.

What about the CARY CAD 120S mk2?
Several years ago I owned a Cary v12 was a great amp with plenty of power for the price.
When I was shopping for amps recently the cad 120 mk2 was on my list. I found one used like
10 miles from my house. I went to listen to it and it was a great amp. The money was right, the amp was right. It was the mess and smell of the house I was in listening to it that changed my mind. I figured if the house was that nasty the amp was probably filled with dust and nasty and probably fruit loops from all the kids running around. So I didn't buy it. They come up a lot used for good price. I've heard most of the cary lineup and they are all great amps.
 
I'm liking my Vitus gear more everyday....

That's great to read Jim!

That one would be on my short list for sure.

Thanks Darrin.

I would bet that in a small to medium size room it would be great, in a big room, it would probably max out at a certain volume. BUT, even in a small to medium size room, if you put say 50 or 100 Watt class A amp(s) on the S5's, you would see that the more power you give the S5's they are going to rise to a different level than with 25 watts. The S5's are nice like that it seems, they can sound great with good small power, but then when you feed them big power they light up even more.

Bob,

I appreciate your experience and I see your point well. I don't play loud so I think I will be fine. The more powerful Vitus is obscenely expensive.

Mike...I bet you a pair of Lamm M1.2s (100wpc of Class A power) would go very nicely with the S5s, in fact superbly. The Lammies are known to have a very meaty, meat on the bones presentation which I think would complement the Magico house sound perfectly. Worth an audition. You can find a pair of M1.2 monos used on the Gon in the $11-12K range (MSRP is around $22Kish I believe).

Joe...have you ever considered Lamm amplification?

I have been looking lately and love what I read.
 
Mike/Joe....I was noticing the latest Jeff Rowland integrated amp (Continuum S2) recently in the audio rags (Stereophile and TAS etc...). Another option to consider. Looks nice and has impressive specs and flexibility (can add DAC and phono modules): Continuum S2 Integrated


Output Power @ 8 ohms: Continuous RMS 400 watts, both channels driven
Output Power @ 4 ohms: Continuous RMS 800 watts, both channels driven
Frequency Response: 5 Hz – 70 kHz, -3 dB @ 8 ohms
THD & Noise: < 0.05%, 20 Hz - 20 kHz
Inputs: 2 pair Balanced (XLR), 2 pair Unbalanced (RCA) / 1 pair Unbalanced (RCA), Unity Gain (Bypass)
Outputs: 1 pair Balanced (XLR), 1 pair Unbalanced (RCA) / 1 pair CE-Approved Speaker Wire Clamp
Power Supply: Switch Mode (SMPS) and universal AC input voltage
Amplifier Weight: 35 lbs / 15.9 kg
Amplifier Dimensions (H) x (W) x (D): 5.3" x 15.5” x 15.0” (135mm x 394mm x 380mm)
MSRP: $9,500

So looks like Class D amplification (switch mode power supply) but apparently Jeff Rowland Class D is supposed to sound pretty darn good. I have no personal experience with JRDG but sure looks nice:

jeff_rowland_continuum_2.jpg
jeff_rowland_continuum_2_rear.jpg
 
Thanks Cyril. I will take a look. I love the look of Rowland gear. Not a fan of Class D though.
 
So looks like Class D amplification (switch mode power supply) but apparently Jeff Rowland Class D is supposed to sound pretty darn good. I have no personal experience with JRDG but sure looks nice:
Cyril - while the Rowland Continuum S2 may utilize a class D output stage, that is not implicitly determined by the fact that it uses an SMPS. Take for example their model 625 power amp, which uses an SMPS partnered to a high bias class A/B output stage. There are also some less common examples of class D amplifiers that utilize conventional power supplies. The power supply design whether SMPS or conventional is an independent design decision from the bias of the output stage.
 
The RI-100 received a nice award in this months TAS. Joe, you're welcome to stop in and hear my S5s with my RD-100 and RS-100, which is the same amp as the RI-100. I'm glad I went for the extra power. On the Vitus website, it mentions the RI-100 and RS-100 gives up little to the Class A amps as most of the reviews.
 
Cyril - while the Rowland Continuum S2 may utilize a class D output stage, that is not implicitly determined by the fact that it uses an SMPS. Take for example their model 625 power amp, which uses an SMPS partnered to a high bias class A/B output stage. There are also some less common examples of class D amplifiers that utilize conventional power supplies. The power supply design whether SMPS or conventional is an independent design decision from the bias of the output stage.

Audio.Bill...thx for your clarification. I believe the JRDG web site states that the Continuum S2 has a Class D output stage but you are right just because the power supply is an SMPS does not necessarily mean the amp is biassed in Class D.
 
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