I just took delivery of a Vidar 2 to fill in for my 52 year old Sansui AU-555A integrated amplifier, which just blew out one channel. I am thrilled with the performance of the new amp! It is bringing new levels of detail out of music that I am very, very familiar with, such as a clear sense of the felt hammer striking a bass drum in McCoy Tyner’s Fly with the Wind, which stood out from the small orchestra in Rudy Van Gelder’s studio! It brought tears to my eyes!
Thanks for an excellent review. The fact that you like the sound quality of the Vidar 2, given that you normally listen only to tube amplifiers, is a very strong point in its favor. I'm considering the Vidar 2 for my classroom audio, for which I use Triangle Borea BR08s. Also interested that you find the Aretha a good match with the Vidar 2s. Thanks again!
Thanks for the video! I just found your channel and subscribed. I ordered one of these, their Kara preamp, and the Skoll phono stage today. I wanted to get a full set of separates going so that I can mix and match other units in whenever I find a good deal. I’m looking forward to continuing the hi fi journey.
I own the OG vidar coupled with the Freya Noval tube preamp. An excellent pairing but I had to roll tubes to tame the high end. The stock 6n1p were too harsh on top. Amperex ecc88 in the buffer stage and 6cg7 in the gain stage are magical adding a touch of holographic sound and smoothing out the top. The Vidar 2 would probably sound even better. I am driving Audio Physic Padua speakers. Great review
I have 2 mid level AB amps sitting around, and a Parasound A23+ that you mentioned, and a Schiit Lyr headphone amp which is that continuity circuit conbined with a 6n7 front end. By far, far and away the best sounding amps I have are the Orchard Audio Gallium Nitride circuit class D monoblocks with the GaN power supplies. Mops the entire floor in pure rich sound quality and I laugh at your 22 lbs because these are the size of a newborn kitten, and run *cool* to the touch. I know, class D, youre already rolling in your future grave.
I believe it is more likely an A/B amp. Usually amps like these run a small percentage in A (5% or so) because the resistors run very hot in A. My understanding is the sound quality is higher in A but the resistors run at max which generates the heat. My amp has a switch from A to A/B. A/B sounds excellent as well.
I have a Schiit Freya +N pre-amp and was considering a pair of these to go with it. I am turning a bedroom into a listening room. I have also been considering Magnapans, but the LRS were too small for my current system/room (that is probably not true) and didn't want to spend the money on the 1.7i because I don't know how I will like them. Now I have room for the LRS+ and may get a set.
@@drde4010 I also have a Freya N, with one Vidar 2. It's a good combo and I can only assume that a pair of Vidars in mono would be even better. I definitely recommend experimenting with tube rolling in the N, though.
I would like to get the Vidar 2 and run it in Bridge mode to power my Home-built JL W6V3 Subwoofer. However, I can only input a RCA input from my Belles Aria integrated Amp into the Vidar2 to run it in the Bridge mode. Could I use a RCA to XLR adapter? I presently have a High-End RCA OCC Cable running from an Adcom GFA-565SE to the Sub with no noise issues.
Nice to hear you really like the Vidar 2. How do you compare it to the Parasound Halo 23? Just received the Schiit Skoll class A phono preamp. It’s superb, textured , and very tube like. Sounds like a piece of equipment you would enjoy.
Very interesting to hear about how the fortes do with a more powerful amp. I'm also super curious to hear your recommendations on the Elekit 8600 vs the dynaco 35, I think the 35 is more affordable... Especially in terms of the tubes..
Here's my opinion on the 8600. It reminded me a lot of the sound signature of the Decware Zen. The main difference though is that the 8600 had a bigger soundstage and more power presence. The Zen sounds smaller. I then later found out that the 8600 was using lundahl transformers which probably explains why it sounded so extraordinary. The ST35 just tends to sound a bit more balanced on the top end. In other words, certain instruments don't appear to sound as forward, which makes it easier to listen to a lower listening levels because you still hear other instruments in the background very well. The 8600 is a little more exciting to listen to, while the 35 sounds a bit more relaxed. Both are amazing!
@@drde4010 Thanks so much for that detailed response, the 35 from the dynakit link that you shared looks like a great deal. The Elekit 8600 and 8900 look great and I love building kits, but once you get them with a few options and start buying tubes for them it gets expensive fast!
I don't think watts = volume in the way you described. Typical line out is 2.0v. Unless you are listening really loud, your preamp is usually attenuating the signal going into the power amp. If you're listening at modest volumes, the speakers are probably only drawing a couple watts from the amp. Assuming input gain on two different power amps is the same, for a given volume position on your preamp, they should play at the same volume even if there is a big difference in available watts. The watt rating makes a difference when the speakers need to draw a lot of power because they're inefficient, playing played loud, big transient peaks in the music etc.. having more watts has more to do with how much power you have on reserve, not how much power you have to get going.
I don't believe it is a Class A amplifier...............but an enriched class AB ........ REAL Class A amplifiers are few..........and they run VERY HOT !
Interesting video. Thank you for sharing your experience. That being said, let me offer a suggestion regarding your choice of LP labels. You have this fantastic system, but I see in the background one of the (IMHO) garbage EU label LPs. You have a pretty darn nice system and would really be able to appreciate higher quality of LP. Those EU reissues are basically mp3s pressed on vinyl. Please don't take this as a snobby criticism (because that never happens in Audiophile-Land), but rather a recommendation to a fellow analog music lover. There are so many incredible labels out there putting out great all analog (or even well done digitally sourced material (There's still love for you Mofi)) that putting money into the pockets of these garbage labels is just a big waste of money. Again, thanks for sharing your knowledge. Cheers!
Thanks for sharing. I agree some of the labels presented may not be the best. One of my favorites even with digitally recorded LP's are those by DOL, or at least for me in my opinion. Usually when I do a music demo, I try to select higher forms of recording quality. If I'm just trying to enjoy myself listening to LP's, as long as they don't sound too compressed, I find it enough to enjoy. In all, I agree about the importance of what you're saying though. Glad to see you are a fellow analogue admirer too.
@@drde4010 If I might make a suggestion, try LPs from these labels: Blue Note Tone Poet series or their Classic Series; Impex; "some" of the Craft releases (the recent Contemporary Records reissues are killer); anything from Analog Productions will blow you socks off; or the new OJC reissues (from Craft) sound fantasic. If you were someone with a mediocre system, I'd not bother with these recommendations, but you have a system that will truly make these LPs shine. Not sure how much of an analog guy you are, but if you are interested in hearing what a quality pressing sounds like, try one of these labels. (NOTE: Stay away from the Blue Note 75th anniversary series. They were all from digital files and are not worth the money.) Cheers!
@@vcp93 thanks. I’ll take another a closer look at some of my LP’s. I have many and wouldn’t doubt I have some of what you mentioned. Thanks for the compliments on the setup. I appreciate that you appreciate it. 👍
The real gem at Schiit is the Aegir, if you can live with 20W/channel. However, I was surprised to find that it could effortlessly drive my 86dB B&W Matrix 805s, while producing an open and transparent sound, with zero hardness.
@@drde4010 I've had 4 Aegirs and only one of the four could work with a 4.5 ohm dip (B&W Matrix 3 series 2 - 8ohm nominal / 90dB efficient) Aegir is much better sounding than Vidar (which I also use to drive Kef R3) but only for speakers that do not dip anywhere near 4 ohm.
@@drde4010 a little warmer, much like a tube amp but way more detailed and better decay than Vidar, but only suitable for easy to drive speakers. (your Klipsch would be perfect)
@@joenogueira2801 100% agree. The only amp that surpasses the Aegir(within reasonable cost)is the Sugden A21SE, which it should at four times the cost.
I just took delivery of a Vidar 2 to fill in for my 52 year old Sansui AU-555A integrated amplifier, which just blew out one channel. I am thrilled with the performance of the new amp! It is bringing new levels of detail out of music that I am very, very familiar with, such as a clear sense of the felt hammer striking a bass drum in McCoy Tyner’s Fly with the Wind, which stood out from the small orchestra in Rudy Van Gelder’s studio! It brought tears to my eyes!
Great review, I am looking forward to the LRS review. Actually I look forward to all of your videos. Thanks for taking the time to do them.
My pleasure thank you!
Thanks for an excellent review. The fact that you like the sound quality of the Vidar 2, given that you normally listen only to tube amplifiers, is a very strong point in its favor. I'm considering the Vidar 2 for my classroom audio, for which I use Triangle Borea BR08s. Also interested that you find the Aretha a good match with the Vidar 2s. Thanks again!
Fascinating. I suspect the tube pre with a solid state power is a secret weapon. Marshall’s guitar amps made that way punch above their weight.
I had an early Vidar, it was very weak in the low bass, very thin sounding - glad to hear they fixed it.
Same here. It also was a bit veiled in the mids. It wasn't quite there for clarity and focus.
Now you need to compare it to Aegir, arguably Vidar’s “less mainstream” and more esoteric (more tubelike?) sibling
Thanks for the video! I just found your channel and subscribed.
I ordered one of these, their Kara preamp, and the Skoll phono stage today. I wanted to get a full set of separates going so that I can mix and match other units in whenever I find a good deal. I’m looking forward to continuing the hi fi journey.
Wonderful, thanks for sharing and please get back and let me know how you like your set up once you have it settled in. 👍
I had the original Vidar and found that it did have a tubey, warmer sound with more bass that you would get from say, a quad of EL34's.
I own the OG vidar coupled with the Freya Noval tube preamp. An excellent pairing but I had to roll tubes to tame the high end. The stock 6n1p were too harsh on top. Amperex ecc88 in the buffer stage and 6cg7 in the gain stage are magical adding a touch of holographic sound and smoothing out the top. The Vidar 2 would probably sound even better. I am driving Audio Physic Padua speakers. Great review
Yeah, it’s good to experiment with tubes to roll off the top
I have 2 mid level AB amps sitting around, and a Parasound A23+ that you mentioned, and a Schiit Lyr headphone amp which is that continuity circuit conbined with a 6n7 front end. By far, far and away the best sounding amps I have are the Orchard Audio Gallium Nitride circuit class D monoblocks with the GaN power supplies. Mops the entire floor in pure rich sound quality and I laugh at your 22 lbs because these are the size of a newborn kitten, and run *cool* to the touch. I know, class D, youre already rolling in your future grave.
I believe it is more likely an A/B amp. Usually amps like these run a small percentage in A (5% or so) because the resistors run very hot in A. My understanding is the sound quality is higher in A but the resistors run at max which generates the heat. My amp has a switch from A to A/B. A/B sounds excellent as well.
Thanks for sharing.
I think you might have meant to say “transistors,” rather than “resistors.”
Yeah, Vidars are Class A/B and Aegirs are Class A.
Good review. Dig your channel.
Thank you!
I have a Schiit Freya +N pre-amp and was considering a pair of these to go with it. I am turning a bedroom into a listening room. I have also been considering Magnapans, but the LRS were too small for my current system/room (that is probably not true) and didn't want to spend the money on the 1.7i because I don't know how I will like them. Now I have room for the LRS+ and may get a set.
Are you in California?
@@drde4010 I also have a Freya N, with one Vidar 2. It's a good combo and I can only assume that a pair of Vidars in mono would be even better.
I definitely recommend experimenting with tube rolling in the N, though.
I would like to get the Vidar 2 and run it in Bridge mode to power my Home-built JL W6V3 Subwoofer. However, I can only input a RCA input from my Belles Aria integrated Amp into the Vidar2 to run it in the Bridge mode. Could I use a RCA to XLR adapter? I presently have a High-End RCA OCC Cable running from an Adcom GFA-565SE to the Sub with no noise issues.
Nice to hear you really like the Vidar 2. How do you compare it to the Parasound Halo 23? Just received the Schiit Skoll class A phono preamp. It’s superb, textured , and very tube like. Sounds like a piece of equipment you would enjoy.
Very interesting to hear about how the fortes do with a more powerful amp. I'm also super curious to hear your recommendations on the Elekit 8600 vs the dynaco 35, I think the 35 is more affordable... Especially in terms of the tubes..
Here's my opinion on the 8600. It reminded me a lot of the sound signature of the Decware Zen. The main difference though is that the 8600 had a bigger soundstage and more power presence. The Zen sounds smaller. I then later found out that the 8600 was using lundahl transformers which probably explains why it sounded so extraordinary. The ST35 just tends to sound a bit more balanced on the top end. In other words, certain instruments don't appear to sound as forward, which makes it easier to listen to a lower listening levels because you still hear other instruments in the background very well. The 8600 is a little more exciting to listen to, while the 35 sounds a bit more relaxed. Both are amazing!
@@drde4010 Thanks so much for that detailed response, the 35 from the dynakit link that you shared looks like a great deal. The Elekit 8600 and 8900 look great and I love building kits, but once you get them with a few options and start buying tubes for them it gets expensive fast!
@@chelillingworth9466 I wish the 8600 could be had for the same price as a 35 but I think the 8600 is one hell of an amp!
Best deal in hifi!
What about Topping B200?
Any ground loop hum with the Erhard preamp with the Vidar2? Or any other amps? Thx!
Nothing unusual or objectionable. It’s surprisingly quiet.
Vidar will go into thermal mode
Ran 420w@4ohms D w/LRS
Upgrade 350w@4ohms AB
Both did great, AB sonically best
350w@4ohms AB ran 1.7is & 20.7s
Very interesting bit of information, thanks for sharing!
A review of the Parasound a23+ or the old a23 would be nice... 😊
ua-cam.com/video/yGFL1tyvTgk/v-deo.html
I don't think watts = volume in the way you described. Typical line out is 2.0v. Unless you are listening really loud, your preamp is usually attenuating the signal going into the power amp. If you're listening at modest volumes, the speakers are probably only drawing a couple watts from the amp. Assuming input gain on two different power amps is the same, for a given volume position on your preamp, they should play at the same volume even if there is a big difference in available watts. The watt rating makes a difference when the speakers need to draw a lot of power because they're inefficient, playing played loud, big transient peaks in the music etc.. having more watts has more to do with how much power you have on reserve, not how much power you have to get going.
Great points thanks for sharing.
I don't believe it is a Class A amplifier...............but an enriched class AB ........
REAL Class A amplifiers are few..........and they run VERY HOT !
Interesting video. Thank you for sharing your experience. That being said, let me offer a suggestion regarding your choice of LP labels. You have this fantastic system, but I see in the background one of the (IMHO) garbage EU label LPs. You have a pretty darn nice system and would really be able to appreciate higher quality of LP. Those EU reissues are basically mp3s pressed on vinyl. Please don't take this as a snobby criticism (because that never happens in Audiophile-Land), but rather a recommendation to a fellow analog music lover. There are so many incredible labels out there putting out great all analog (or even well done digitally sourced material (There's still love for you Mofi)) that putting money into the pockets of these garbage labels is just a big waste of money. Again, thanks for sharing your knowledge. Cheers!
Thanks for sharing. I agree some of the labels presented may not be the best. One of my favorites even with digitally recorded LP's are those by DOL, or at least for me in my opinion. Usually when I do a music demo, I try to select higher forms of recording quality. If I'm just trying to enjoy myself listening to LP's, as long as they don't sound too compressed, I find it enough to enjoy. In all, I agree about the importance of what you're saying though. Glad to see you are a fellow analogue admirer too.
@@drde4010 If I might make a suggestion, try LPs from these labels: Blue Note Tone Poet series or their Classic Series; Impex; "some" of the Craft releases (the recent Contemporary Records reissues are killer); anything from Analog Productions will blow you socks off; or the new OJC reissues (from Craft) sound fantasic. If you were someone with a mediocre system, I'd not bother with these recommendations, but you have a system that will truly make these LPs shine. Not sure how much of an analog guy you are, but if you are interested in hearing what a quality pressing sounds like, try one of these labels. (NOTE: Stay away from the Blue Note 75th anniversary series. They were all from digital files and are not worth the money.) Cheers!
@@vcp93 thanks. I’ll take another a closer look at some of my LP’s. I have many and wouldn’t doubt I have some of what you mentioned. Thanks for the compliments on the setup. I appreciate that you appreciate it. 👍
Good input. I learned this the expensive way. I bought some LP’s from Germany and UK. Terrible pressings.
How do you put the Vidar at the 9:00 position? I don’t understand as there is no volume control on it.
I just meant when each amp is connected to the same preamp.
@@drde4010 I see. Thanks
The real gem at Schiit is the Aegir, if you can live with 20W/channel. However, I was surprised to find that it could effortlessly drive my 86dB B&W Matrix 805s, while producing an open and transparent sound, with zero hardness.
Yes, I've heard nice things about them. They're supposed to be the choice for efficient speakers is my understanding.
@@drde4010 I've had 4 Aegirs and only one of the four could work with a 4.5 ohm dip (B&W Matrix 3 series 2 - 8ohm nominal / 90dB efficient) Aegir is much better sounding than Vidar (which I also use to drive Kef R3) but only for speakers that do not dip anywhere near 4 ohm.
@@joenogueira2801 from the reviews it appears they have a warmer sound signature?
@@drde4010 a little warmer, much like a tube amp but way more detailed and better decay than Vidar, but only suitable for easy to drive speakers. (your Klipsch would be perfect)
@@joenogueira2801 100% agree. The only amp that surpasses the Aegir(within reasonable cost)is the Sugden A21SE, which it should at four times the cost.