Vitus integrated amp v 552/500

I gave up after 2 months. I caved and tried to make a Naan with brown flour. It was bloody awful.

I find the Vitus quite interesting. There are more than one way to skin a cat and all that.

I’ve yet to hear anything that give me that live music thrill of the Naim but, I have learned over the years that support and serviceability might be slightly more important than sound quality. When straying elsewhere, I’d have to ask whether brand X is easier or harder to service from where I live. If there are dealers and distributors in country it’s great. If not, you have to really want it bad.

My feeling is that Vitus has merely a different global footprint than Naim. In my case Vitus are probably easier to support than Naim as at least they have a presence in country.

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You mean this thing?
lavry_shig3
The biggest let down. Everyone loved it except me, apparently. :expressionless:

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Yes the R100 is quite old and wasn’t on the same level as the 25 even back then. My suggestion to demo’ the Gryphon was made in the context of your question, which suggested you were considering a change to a top level integrated. In that case, it would be prudent, if you’re able to, to check out the Gryphon. I was lured away from Naim with some noise about Vitus but found the presentation too sleepy. Gryphon very different. But perhaps 25 and 30 are entirely different. Just good to have ones eyes wide open…

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R100 to RI101, was the I inserted to provide some distance from the association of R101 with going up in flames?

Thanks @kuma, exactly this one, every time when there is a big hype about something, it reminds me of this one!!! :slight_smile:

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What a load of bolleaux!

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The Gryphon does look very tempting.

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Whichever integrated amp, there has to be a lot to be said for a one box solution. I mean, four boxes to amplify the signal! I recall recently trying to explain what all the boxes did when a friend came round: that’s the power supply for that, and that’s the power supply for that, and that’s the power supply for the digital part of that, and that’s the power supply for the analogue part of that, and oh, yes, that’s the power supply for that.
He then pointed at the Radikal box and asked, so what’s that? Oh, that’s a power supply for that…

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Had the same here countless times, but not vastly different from: “Ah, I see. So that’s, well, just the CD player and then thats the pre-amplifier and that’s the power amplifier… So the pre-amp selects inputs and controls the volume, is that it? And the power amplifier, that’s what actually makes it louder? Wouldn’t it be easier if they were all in one box?” etc etc.

Frankly, there are so many things about me that people consider crazy, that’s really the last of my worries! :scream: :crazy_face: :innocent:

But I, too, would have loved to reduce the box count. I went barmy for while listening to integrateds that were sold as leaving the Naim behind in decades past and none of them did it for me, which is putting things mildly. Very politely. I won’t mention names. But I was surprised at how simply awful they sounded by comparison with the 555,552,500 I had at the time and even much lesser Naim kit. And it wasn’t just to do with PRat either…

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Agreed on getting tired of all the boxes. In my particular case:
Superline and SuperCap OUT - Urika inside the LP12 IN - net win minus 2 boxes
CD555 and 555PS OUT - Linn KDS IN - net win minus 1 box
Total count - 3 less boxes and their corresponding Fraim shelves and cabling

If I were to start all over again simplicity would rule the day. An integrated or perhaps swap my Linn KDS for a KDSM and 2 thin ethernet cables going to Linn Exact speakers. A one box solution.

It will have to be in another life - recapped and DR’d 552/500 returning back to home base in another week or two.

Best
Gregg

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It depends heavily on the model, but I really can’t see the discrepancy: ProAc’s love Tubes and Class A solid state because Tubes and Class A SS usually deliver high current, which is what ProAc’s love actually above power. As for Naim and ProAc, it is a good synergy, but not the only one; they are also fantastic with Marantz, Musical Fidelity (especially hybrids), Esoteric, Accuphase, Ear Yoshino…, as long as the power stage is up to the ProAc model in particular.

The gryphon 300 does look interesting also and once again never heard or seen one, or even seen anything about it.

Well tomorrow is going to be either a big day or take it away day, sitting here right now looking at my system and playing a few tracks after work, i cant even think about changing any off it, i think i do love my 500 and 552 lol

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Does the Vitus have a lovely friendly forum like this also Dunc?

Hi Dunc.
By all accounts the Gryphon Diablo 300 could indeed also be a worthy contender and roughly the same money too. Good luck with it :+1:t3: ATB Peter
PS. Are you in the UK btw?

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Haven’t a clue

Yes in the uk

But as said sitting here listening to it all, thinking how much better can it really get? I guess i will find out tomorrow

Nothing wrong with ending up preferring what you have already got for sure👍🏼 ATB Peter

It’s not so much ‘better’ with the components being discussed; it’s more a case of ‘different’; and the difference is immediate. You may struggle to like it without putting in some hours of listening. It may seem slower than what you’re used to; which may, initially, engage you less. But the beauty is in the expanded textures and longer decays - Vitus and Gryphon; and in the case of the Gryphon, the sheer depth and power of the bass. The 300 is a beast and Class A in the first 10 or so watts. Yet the presentation is refined and natural; effortless. But with massive power and grip when called for. It’s a Bentley Continental Supersports rather than a yellow Lambo’. My limited experience of Vitus might suggest a Rolls and isn’t to be relied upon; and, of course, I can only reference 252/250 (Lambo’) and not 500…

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Certainly interesting and looking forward to it.

The mighty 552/500 vs Vitus SIA 025 integrated. As what Eagle3333 has suggested, I do think it’s more of a case of being different rather than one being better than the other although you will end up preferring just one.

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