Vitus integrated amp v 552/500

I’m not currently engaged with my Naim system as I’m sitting in the garden. However I think it would be a great shame if the thread descended into a ‘my mum is tougher than your mum’ debate. Nobody has to justify themselves; we like what we like and buy what we buy. On the other hand there is no need for posturing or denigration of alternatives.

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Whilst an amp might sound different when warmed up compared to cold, the amps I have heard show marginal if any discernible difference, that would take a (practically impossible) A-B comparison to be sure are really even there and not imaginary or simply my ears settling in. Certainly the music is engaging from the start, whether or not it is slightly better resolved after the first album. That said, I haven’t heard the Vitus - maybe Dunc will report.

The lol, at the end of my sentence, it was ment to be a pi55 take lol.

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Thanks for the information from Varyat and Dunc,will certainly try out one day.

Could be worth keeping in mind the speaker cables used with class A amps.
Some could provide a more troublesome load that could make them run hotter than another.
Vitus do make their own cables, unsure what type of construction used in their speaker cables.

Hi Dunc,

Glad you find the system that fits your needs and allows you to enjoy music even more :smiley:

A one box setup is indeed something extremely convenient. The cable mess generated by a multibox setup, and the volume it takes in the room, ends up being tiring :unamused:

As for the inability of a 500DR system to dig into the music, not sure I can agree.

I understand your opinion and choice is based on carefully comparing both systems, Vitus SIA25 vs. 500DR based system.

There is one element that you didn’t mention and which is part of the system: the room.

Rooms, and especially small rooms, have a massive impact on the perceived sound/music.

A hifi system is (source+amp+speakers) + room.

Naim amplifiers, especially the 300DR and 500DR have the ability to reproduce the low end with authority and details. If your speakers allow that, it’s quite enjoyable! (your speakers do).

Unfortunately, an untamed low end can cover mids and highs resulting in a “darker” or less “sparkling” sound.

My own experience of a 500DR system seems to be significantly different.

My listening room is carefully treated resulting in minimal room interaction.
– System Pics 2020

I mostly listen to classical music which means micro dynamics and details is something I value a lot.

With the new ND555 firmware update, a complete 500DR system is quite an amazing music reproduction machine.

I had the opportunity to compare it to a Soulution 711 based system and even to a Soulution 701 monoblocks based system (same speakers).

Considering the huge (really huge!) price difference, the 500DR system has nothing to be ashamed of.

In fact, in my opinion, and all things being equal, a full 500DR system is, and keeps being, a great value for the money :+1:

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Well thomas, going by what you say above, you really need to try a vitus sia, as you will be amazed at the difference, as the vitus has so much more to offer, i am will to say that you would get a massive upgrade in sound from the sia 030 and its built in dac/streamer over the naim set up.
It certainly doesn’t hurt to try one, does it?

If a Vitus can offer the same involvement and impression of urgency and life in the music, and even more naturalness, details and soundstaging for 19k, it’s an absolute bargain vs Naim ( more than 40 k with all the cables)).
If it’s really that, Naim is not a great value for money.
However for now we can’t be sure if really Vitus can give us the same foot tapping and involvement.
As Dunc said himself, he is not really a foot tapper.
So the question is still there.

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The only way is you need to try for yourself, me saying this, others saying that, really means nothing.
Dont be a sheep, open your eyes and ears and go try. I for one have been on the naim train for a very long time, and never looked at other gear, that was my choice at the time and fine.
But there is life after naim lol

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Do you think you might be pushing the proselytising a little too far? There is no better or worse, simply different. Individual tastes vary and I’m not sure that calling those happy with what they have sheep is entirely helpful.

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I don’t like agree with your usage of the term “Naim sheep”.

I mean if you said there was a vitus at say the price of a supernait 3 that could challenge the big Naim boxes, then it might be worth the effort to audition it, but at 19K, it is hardly an attractive proposition, also with the problems of heat, reliability and so on.

As I use a non Naim source and speakers, I don’t buy into the full Naim system idea, but as for as amplifiers go, I do like how Naim amplifiers sound. The vitus I heard - which I am sure is the same model you are auditioning was not enjoyable musically at all (for what I listen for), and had me wondering where all the money went, as I simply could not hear 19K worth of an amp.

Anyway - if I were to move, it would only be for active speakers now.

I had full Naim setup except speakers. Then changed to active and A class. Avantgarde integrated and Duo XD but with NDS. Totally different world. So open, so clear, midrange something very very real. I miss the punch and attact with some recordings. Source matters, I have tried Linn, MSB, McIntosh etc… but it seems that Naim is making the sound most enjoyable.

Absolutely, curiosity and open-mindedness sometimes leads to enjoyable findings. And I’m glad you’re enjoying your new amp.

In fact, I was this close to sell my whole 500DR system and go for a CH Precision C1, X1 and M1.1 based system (a wonderful 3 boxes system).

The ND555 firmware update was, for me, a significant step by changing the overall music presentation. I therefore kept my system.

But I completely agree with you. If one has the means for a change, I doesn’t make sense to not look elsewhere.

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As i said above, its no good going on just what i say or others say.
On a naim forum you will mostly get one answer, the same can be said on say a linn, vitus forum etc, so dont be a sheep and follow others, go try for yourself its the only way. You might hate it, you might love it, i for one dont know for sure, the same as you dont or anyone else does.

But for sure the vitus sia range offers much more detail, micro dynamics, wider sound stage, and a real live music sound, but like all this stuff it needsto be matched well with other components, right now in my system the cables and probably speakers are holding it back, but even so the difference is easily heard and it seems i like to hear the details.
The details are in the music, its not like the amp is putting them there, its just the way this doesn’t hide them or push another part off the music over them, if you get what i mean.

But guys you should just try one, as many reviews on this amp, just say that everyone that is into their music, should try one in their lifetime.
I dont tend to bull, if i didnt think it would be worth trying, i would say so, also i am not being pressured to sell my naim 500/552, i just feel its the way to go for me.

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Total agree Thomas.
When you feel in the right mood, book yourself a home demo, until then sit back and just enjoy the music

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While i am here, a few asked about A/B mode.

Well to start with the amp runs cooler and a big difference in surface temperature on the case.
Sound, well i guess its a bit grittier and more suited to rock music, still great detail and lovely widesound stage, but it just loses a bit off warmth and silkiness, voices lose a bit off their realness and instruments sound a bit less convincing, but it does depend on what you are listening too and its quality.
I did find last night and this morning, that listening to most 80’s stuff, class A/B was fine and that only a few tracks deserved the class A, but as soon as i started playing London grammar, Norah Jones and the like, class A was simply lush.
But the more i get to use the vitus, the more i am learning and its not a case off just switch it on or off.

Did you try out the Classic and Rock modes?

I actually had the conversation with a well known dealer the other day who sells both and said the presentation is just different. He explained that the Vitus strong point was its image depth is where it really differs to Naim and it has a lot more layering to the music.
He said that Naim gives a wonderful stereo image but in comparison to many other high end brands, not just Vitus, that the image is flat by comparison.
He went on to suggest that what we all know is that Naims strong point is that the sound is punchy and very rhythmical, lots of attack and a very infectiously engaging.

I however can’t talk from any experience tho as I haven’t heard much stuff, certainly any Vitus or even 500 series Naim.

That’s of course “mostly” rubbish. Most people here I think have a fairly open mind — look at the Morgana thread, for instance. And Naim and @Richard.Dane deserve lots of credit for allowing incredibly open debates. If I was Naim I wonder whether I would intervene more decisively when people simply “rubbish” the brand…

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I think it’s never a bad idea to listen around, especially if you’re looking for a change in box bulk or sound. I could never find speakers able to scale a symphony orchestra in a way that was convincing for me until I experienced Shahinian, having decided to troll off for a demo notwithstanding the large amounts of codswallop written about them that completely miss the point. I’m now lining up a Vitus audition in the same way I tried the Linn and Rega two-box solutions or some recent hybrid valve gear. It may be no more to my taste than they were, but I think it’s worth a punt and certainly a better use of my time than theorising about it online…