Vitus integrated amp v 552/500

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…

Drawn back to this thread like an addiction.

A few comments.

Vitus and Naim present music differently. Both make top class products. Some will prefer one over the other.

What I dislike is the implication that people with 552/500 (I have 552/300) NEED to listen to a Vitus. There’s enough compulsion, obsession and doubt in this hobby and too much consumption in the world for this to go unchallenged.

A little bit of humility, recognition of subjectivity and perhaps a little more respect for the suppliers of this forum platform might not go amiss.

.sjb

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I think if you read back on this thread, i have not rubbish naim, in fact i said i have enjoyed my experience with the brand for over 20 years, i have also said many times that this is my view and mine only, also said many times you need to try for yourself, if you ever feel the need.
I have just highlighted the difference that both have against each other, and the things that i have found out along the way.
People will always defend what they have etc, as thats human nature, some much more than others and thats fine, as i for one dont care what system you have or want to achieve. All i am trying to do is show what i have found, if thats upsetting then i will stop answering, not a problem.
Cheers dunc

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Seconded. For this reason I truly admire the spirit of the forum. If I were to post something similar on the Harbeth forum, I would be ridiculed by other members on the forum before my posts are removed by the moderator, and perhaps banned from posting on the forum. Just for expressing that something sounds better than the Harbeth, or the speakers sound better with select amps.

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Hi Michealb,

I hadn’t the opportunity to listen to Shahinian speakers. They must be pretty well designed if they’re able the handle the dynamic range, or scale, of a symphony orchestra while being able to provide the needed “details” that give the illusion of the real thing.

I found that Magico speakers do a great job at reproducing huge ensembles. The Magico M series are simply amazing, unbelievably good. The S3 MkII are also brilliant speakers.

Most of the speakers I owned or listened to, weren’t able to do the job. Some were very good at reproducing voices and small ensembles, but with piano and symphony orchestras… well, a big mash.

Magico speakers are really worth an audition.

I have a 552/500/CD555 based system and in its current guise its almost 1 year old and everyday I look forward to my evening listening session. Everyday. I have owned HiFi since I was 16 years old, I am now 41 and the level of engagement I get currently I have never experienced before. I am sure I could get a HiFi system which would impress me more, give me more detail, impress my friends more, give a wider sound stage etc etc BUT would I still be addictively hungry to listen everyday and feel almost a bit flat if I don’t with another system? Its not a risk I am currently willing to take as a year long home demo is a bit of an ask!!

We all strive for different things and for me the Naim sound was something I was always looking for and never finding and I never felt the magnetic levels of draw that I feel right now.

Ultimate Enjoyment vs Ultimate Impressiveness is a compromise I am willing to make. I will say I am personally yet to hear a better system but I am not a HiFi show, dealer loiterer kind of guy so my experience is probably somewhat limited compared to others here.

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DCS and Vitus are often demonstrated on the Stillpoints ESS rack.

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With your rack I doubt your putting to use 100% of possible performance.

I don’t think it’s especially respectful to enjoy the hospitality of Naim’s forum and then use it as a platform to imply that Naim’s customers are ‘sheep’ who - in your opinion- should forsake the brand.

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Does the Vitus dealer habitually use the sheep epithet when referring to Naim owners or is it from the Vitus forum that you picked up the habit? There’s a certain aspect of trolling about it wherever its entered your mindset.
Should we call you a Lotus eater?

You’re welcome to call me a "snake eater . . . " As I earned that title the hard way.

:wink:

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Actually deep fried locust isn’t bad either.

It is on stillpoints and with them you can just put it straight on the floor if you wish, so the racks not so important, but obviously i need a rack or i would have no floor space.

Sheep? Baaaa! :slight_smile:

To be fair to @Dunc , it wasn’t him who introduced the term ‘sheep’ in to the lexicon of this thread - look back to @glevethan 's post ~#471+ (478?) which, IMV, gives a fair assessment of what sometimes goes on. It’s hardly a pejorative term considering how partisan some forums can be, as identified by other posts above.

As general comment, this Forum’s rules also (generously) enable discussion about other manu’s kit - and without it (especially in the Streaming Room), this might turn in to a very dull place.

I’m sure we’ve all expressed our enthusiasm for our new kit, Naim or not, around these parts - and @Dunc is only doing this and, for several of us around here, it’s been an interesting journey in understanding his thoughts & findings, with not a little flak at times around set-up & more.

…it’s time for beer!

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As for the sheep remark, i was merely using a phrase mentioned on this thread by others days ago, didnt think that it would cause an issue, as wouldn’t have used it.
Anyway moving on lol

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Really. A rack is not so important ??
Admittedly picking at straws, but vital straws nonetheless

Not what I was referring to, but agree . . .