Vitus SM-011 & SL-102 MK2

D

Donald Thumb

New member
Joined
Dec 4, 2016
Messages
10
Hello everyone!
First post but long time reader :)

First of all, please excuse my english, is not my mother language, will try my best to write correctly.

I'm building a dedicated listening room in my house (24 square meters), and will buy a pair of Rockport Atrias (just fell in love with this speakers).
Right now my source is a Metrum Pavane DAC (will upgrade to DAC TWO modules soon) and a Melco N1Z, rack is a bamboo Quadraspire SV2T.
For cables I'll get a full Shunyata Alpha cable loom, and also Shunyata Eiger (Denali's soon to be released 230v version).

The only doubt I have is with amplifiers and preamp.
I have an eye on Vitus SM-011 monoblocks and SL-102 MK2 preamp...how does that combo sound with Rockports?
Another options could be Ayre MX-R Twenty & KX-R Twenty or Gryphon Colosseum & Pandora preamp...is the Vitus better than the Ayre & Gryphon combos?

I love the aesthetics of the Vitus, but sonics are the nº1 priority, I would be grateful if someone can tell me if the Vitus are the ticket for my audio nirvana :D

Also read that Stillpoints are a must have with Vitus, is that truth? I'm a bit skeptic on that subject
 
Hi John - nice to meet you! Welcome to Audioshark. Congrats on the Rockports.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Thanks for the warm welcome!

PS: funny thing is that my name is John, and put the username as a wordplay with Donald Trump...are you a magician or what? :congrats:
 
Donald Thumb said:
Hello everyone!
First post but long time reader :)

First of all, please excuse my english, is not my mother language, will try my best to write correctly.

I'm building a dedicated listening room in my house (24 square meters), and will buy a pair of Rockport Atrias (just fell in love with this speakers).
Right now my source is a Metrum Pavane DAC (will upgrade to DAC TWO modules soon) and a Melco N1Z, rack is a bamboo Quadraspire SV2T.
For cables I'll get a full Shunyata Alpha cable loom, and also Shunyata Eiger (Denali's soon to be released 230v version).

The only doubt I have is with amplifiers and preamp.
I have an eye on Vitus SM-011 monoblocks and SL-102 MK2 preamp...how does that combo sound with Rockports?
Another options could be Ayre MX-R Twenty & KX-R Twenty or Gryphon Colosseum & Pandora preamp...is the Vitus better than the Ayre & Gryphon combos?

I love the aesthetics of the Vitus, but sonics are the nº1 priority, I would be grateful if someone can tell me if the Vitus are the ticket for my audio nirvana :D

Also read that Stillpoints are a must have with Vitus, is that truth? I'm a bit skeptic on that subject
Click to expand...

I was a doubtful about what Stillpoints would bring to the party. Four Ultra SS did make a night and day improvement to the sound. I would say they are an essential accessory for Vitus electronics.
 
FWIW, Andy Payor (Rockport) uses Gryphon electronics in the factory. Not sure if they continue to use them.
 
Yes I know that Andy Payor uses Gryphon amplifiers in his listening room, so definetely there is sinergy between them, but I'm very curious on the Vitus amps, there's almost nothing about SM-011 and SL-102 MK2 on the web.
Build quality looks top notch, but would like to know how good they are. This is a once in a lifetime purchase for me
 
Donald Thumb said:
Yes I know that Andy Payor uses Gryphon amplifiers in his listening room, so definetely there is sinergy between them, but I'm very curious on the Vitus amps, there's almost nothing about SM-011 and SL-102 MK2 on the web.
Build quality looks top notch, but would like to know how good they are. This is a once in a lifetime purchase for me
Click to expand...

Donald - the SM-102/SL-102 mk2 might be the way to go.
 
That would be nice, but out of my budget :(
Also, I like the form factor of SM-011 much more. 80W at 4 ohms of pure class A and 0 Feedback would be enough for the Atrias in a room like mine.
I see that you have Vitus gear with your Magicos (beautiful system you have!), could you compare the Vitus with other brands like Accuphase/Ayre/Gryphon?
I'm looking for a "tube without tubes" type of sound, and noiseless "black background"

Mike said:
Donald - the SM-102/SL-102 mk2 might be the way to go.
Click to expand...
 
Vitus SM-011 & SL-102 MK2

Donald Thumb said:
That would be nice, but out of my budget :(
Also, I like the form factor of SM-011 much more. 80W at 4 ohms of pure class A and 0 Feedback would be enough for the Atrias in a room like mine.
I see that you have Vitus gear with your Magicos (beautiful system you have!), could you compare the Vitus with other brands like Accuphase/Ayre/Gryphon?
I'm looking for a "tube without tubes" type of sound, and noiseless "black background"
Click to expand...

Thank you so much.

I can't compare it to Gryphon because Gryphon has left the U.S. market.

Compared to Accuphase, I much prefer the Vitus.

Compared to Ayre - both are equally excellent. The Vitus is smooth, organic and liquid sounding. The Ayre is a sound unlike any other SS. It really is an amp that goes right up the middle between tubes and SS.

BOTH Ayre and Vitus are tube like without the tubes. Tough to choose.

My HUNCH is that the Ayre MX-R20 might be more tube like than the 011, but the SS-102's and SS-103 (and the SIA025) bring that argument back into focus for Vitus. But without a direct comparison to the 011 (I have the SS103), I can't say for sure.

You are DEFINITELY on the right track with your selections.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Re: Vitus SM-011 & SL-102 MK2

Vitus class A is my favorite SS amp with the Boulder 2000 series plus (I heard the 2160). I have heard the Gryphon Mephisto, Colosseum, and Antileon Sig. The Vitus is extremely fluid, liquid, full bodied, dense, and nice tone. You have to go for class A though. Boulder is clean, transparent, great inflections, more power. Vitus is not as fast as Spectral or Gryphon, but Boulder is that fast. I prefer both to the other two. Both are different sounds. choose your pic. The Dan Agostinos are the best amps I heard on the Alexandria. All are expensive. Luxman is my favorite amp for a lower cost, without having to jump to an expensive Vitus or Boulder.

I have never compared the Ayre, Darts, etc yet, so can't say anything about those.
 
I too own Rockport Atrias. Great speakers!

I love my VAC Signature SE preamp with it (but it is tubes). I demoed a whole bunch of preamps about a year ago and my 2 favorites were VAC and Zanden. I am currently experimenting with various amp options... I have had a Hegel H30 but I have the bug for a change.

Every listener is different, but I find the Rockports benefit from a little tube warmth. They can rock out, but they are still rather polite compared to some speakers. I will be trying out a Nagra Classic amp tomorrow with them. I have narrowed my amp choices down to Nagra Classic, Ayre MX-R 20 and VAC 200iq... I would go mono with each. I do think these speakers like some power.

One thing about these speakers, they never cease to amaze me at how they will fully reveal any change you make in your system. Good luck - and let us know what you decide.

Good luck!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top