Vitus integrated amp v 552/500

You’re right. I’ve no idea, never heard one. Nevertheless it doesn’t bar me from trying to help. Who knows, if I tried one I might prefer it too.

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That makes no sense at all.

Nigel has taught me a lot here over the years, and the ‘focus on what engages you, not the mere a vs. b testing’ bit I’ve come to learn is critical. I do the a vs b, 15 seconds back and forth, but I also do the ‘just let the music play’ part. It’s fascinating how a listening session of a few hours, with a number of albums you love, can tell you so much if you stop thinking hi fi for a while. When it’s “right” a feeling comes over you and you know it’s right.

OK “you have the base of your Fraim upside down” was a valuable lesson too but did not impact the music so much.

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If there really is very little, or no difference, in the sound, take into account the robustness and vulnerability of the systems.

If one needs continuous, fussy twiddling to sound good, and the other reliably plays at its best regardless of temperature, furniture, cables and the like, go for the later.

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+1
Absolutely agreed, quote of the day.
Forget all about HIFI attributes such as bass, treble, etc. Which one makes you feel emotional, moves you, involves you, engages you, makes you tap your feet more often, which one is less fatigued is the one you want.

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And if all that is is equitable, choose whichever saves you most money, or most space if that is more of a premium to you!

If I may, it sounds as if you are perhaps putting yourself under a little bit of pressure in trying to decide whether the Vitus is ‘better’ (or not) than the 552/500. I’d suggest treating the Vitus home demo as what it is; a home demonstration and an opportunity to enjoy another manufacture’s product as an alternate to the 552/500 without the imperative of coming to a conclusion or making the decision to buy it. Thereafter hook up your 552/500 and give yourself some time to see if you enjoy it and whether it still satisfies you. If it still satisfies you then why bother changing; there will always be something out there that is better sounding than what you have but do you need the improvement to continue enjoying your music … and presumably the exchange arrangement offered by your dealer will still be available a couple of months from now if you eventually decide that you want the Vitus.
Hope the above helps.

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Yeah!!–I luv this thread -great to see some other Audio Nervosa knucklehead -like Moi!
Stumble and bumble into the potholes in search of Hifi heaven.
Go Dunc take it for the team so we all can get it into our thick heads.

Oh boy–it’ll only get worse :smile:!

Ah oh yes–hope you sort it-and realise whatever decision you make will probably never be the end of it!–but that’s the Hobby we all signed up for :roll_eyes:

I see Hungry Halibut our resident soother has offered to come over and make you a nice cup of tea
to sooth the troubled brow–God bless him :innocent:

Good luck Boyo

D41

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Dunc…? :thinking:

He probably made the wise decision to stay away from this thread for a little while…

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Smart. It’s difficult enough to maintain a healthy mind in this COVID-19 period as it is… :slight_smile:

Claude

And I think he has made the correct decision.
Now that things have calmed down I feel comfortable chiming in.

This thread has been interesting yet also very disconcerting. As a member of the Naim forum for close to 20 years I have seen behavior like this each time an alternative to Salisbury comes up.

This happened when a large number tried the Lavry DAC prior to Naim releasing the nDAC, when many, myself included, transitioned away from Naim digital and to the Linn DS, and when people abandoned the SuperLine and moved to the newly released Urika, etc. etc. etc.

Most of the conversation on this thread has been interesting and informative. Others however seem to only be interested in tearing down users non Naim choices, continually poking holes, and fighting the battle to defend Salisbury to the bitter end.

This thread in particular really made me sit up and take notice of the phrases Naim sheep, Naim cult etc.

Just food for thought.

Best
Gregg

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I agree.

My Naim experience began in 1984 with a Nait 1. I’ve been up and down the ladder with olive (up to 52/active SBLs), and worked in one of the leading US Naim/Linn stores. I’ve since left the fold, though I do have a nDAC which I think is excellent.

So imagine my disappointment when I converted from Naim to Exposure, finding the latter clearly preferable, at the reception on the existing forum at the time. People blamed the speaker choice, source choice, room, and just about everything else one could think of, including my personal favorite - that it was not set up “correctly.” There is a tendency amongst many here to interpret someone preferring something - anything - else as Naim “bashing.” Such statements say more about the people writing them than about anything else.

At the end of the day, it is disappointing that with as much human talent as is represented here there is not a greater acceptance of alternatives. What works for one may or may not work for another, and it is simply hubris to believe that anyone knows what will sound better than something else for someone else.

I wrote elsewhere about my experience with the phrases mentioned by Gregg, and it is, to be frank, a huge turn-off. The fora, in all their incantations, exist (now) because Naim/Focal believe it a positive element of marketing. The sycophantic and aggressive nature of some posters here threatens that.

As Gregg said, “Just food for thought.”

Best,

Bob

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Still here and made some progress thanks

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True, but I don’t let it bring me down. I think that a lot of brands with a strong following exhibit this among the “fans.” I learn from those from whom I learn, and I hear what I hear in my living room . . . so this flavor of negativity / bad manners / thoughtlessness just blows through me!

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I’m afraid I really can’t remember the names: it was the top two-box combo around 3-4 years ago. I didn’t listen to an LP12 with it.

If it was the Linn Akurate DSM, then I would not be surprised, I do not like it either.

Hello,
For a french guy, it’s not easy to follow this thread.
Could someone give a short meaning about the Vitus sound presentation.
I know quite well the Naim sound, listen several times the 500 series, tested the 552 at home but never listened Vitus electronics.
When I look to the Vitus electronics, I would say this brand offers a more lead back sound?
But it’s not correct to judge by the appearance…
Daniel

Don’t forget that the term fan is a derivation of fanatic. Some behaviour on the forum does cross into the latter from time to time and Richard does a good job at keeping them in line :grinning:

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As my previous post I still believe the most profound to the overall performance of your existing system will in the first instance come in the form of a subwoofer/s.