Vapor has used Arte Forma gear over the past year in shows to bring out the best in what our speakers have to offer. This past RMAF, Newport Beach, and Axpona have all featured the Due Volte 805 tube based SETs, and as many here already know, we got a best of show mention from John Atkinson at Newport, and best of the best from Pez for the Nimbus/Arte Forma/Empirical/Antipodes system at RMAF 2013. Even the folks at Scaena were stunned by what these monoblocks were able to add to their sound over their fine AR amplifier.
The Due Volte is a very stylish amplifier at a very reasonable price for something so unique. For those looking for something to bring that extra refinement to the sound of their systems, especially if they have speakers boasting 88dB/W or better sensitivity, these monoblocks should be very high on their list.
Due Volte uses a custom wound output transformer that delivers frequency response from below 20Hz to beyond audible, a powerful output triode in the 805A-T, the ultra linear 6SN7 input tube and the ubiquitous 6L6G driver tube. For those who like to tube roll, there are myriad options that work with this amplifier. Top quality components are used throughout the circuitry. And the input is direct coupled from stage to stage all the way to the transformer primary. The only capacitors in the signal path are those used to bypass the bias circuitry, and those are MKP type polys.
Stunning looks, tube choices, and gorgeous sound all in one package, Due Volte and Arte Forma truly do bring the Art of Sound into your room, especially with a Vapor Speaker system at the receiving end of the power chain.
Arte Forma can be obtained by contacting Aire Audio: contact@aireaudio.com
Those in the Nashville, TN area, please contact Atelier-13:
http://www.atelier13-usa.com/
Complimenting
Due Volte is a matching preamp,
Thalia, based on a quartet of 6SN7 dual triode tubes. It sports 3 single ended inputs, two outputs, and no silicon anywhere in the signal path.
Arte Forma also offers a sumptuous 2A3 SET integrated amplifier,
Aida, for those with high sensitivity systems. We ran this particular amplifier on Sunday with Nimbus and were easily filling the very large room with crystal clear sound. Imagine what it could do for systems using speakers with sensitivity higher than 95dB/W. No circuit boards or silicon, fully hand wired point to point.
And for those who like the convenience of a remote controlled integrated amp with a little more power, Arte Forma has an excellent KT88 based push-pull that offers exceptionally clean noise floor, optical volume control, with 4 inputs. Output is stable into 4 Ohms. Seen below is
Elyssa. For a review of Elyssa:
http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/0813/arte_forma_audio_elyssa.htm
And finally, Arte Forma's entry level push-pull integrated amplifier, Zaya, is an EL34 based amplifier with 3 inputs.
