[Guy 13]

Hi all.
Please share with me your experience and thoughts about the following :
Which one should I go for ?
(Good) Virtue Two and Trends PA-10.2 are both battery operated.
(Good) Virtue Two and Trends PA-10.2 are both powerful enough for my needs. (15wpc+)
(Good) Trends PA-10.2 as the Tripath technology,
( ? ? ? ) What about the Virtue Two ? ? ?
(Good) The Trends PA-10.2 is almost half the price of the
Virtue Two !
(Good) The Trends PA-10.2 is 1/3 the size of the Virtue Two.
(Good) I can order the Virtue Two from Danny with other GR products.
(Bad) I have to order the Trends all by itself from Hong Kong.
The trends PA-10.2 will be use with my computer or in my bedroom.
Waiting for your comments and advice.
Have a nice day.
 
Guy 13 in Vietnam.

[Bear]

I think you are referring to the Trends TA10?  the PA10.2 is a headphone amp?

[PSB Guy]

Assuming you are talking about the Trends TA 10.2:
The Virtue Two will give you up to 87 wpc into 4 ohms (half that into 8 ohms), depending on the power supply you use (there are many choices, including batteries). It is not limited to use as a computer amp, it can be used as the base of a full-sized system, in a full-sized room. It is also based on the Tripath chipset, like the Trends. It has a subwoofer output, something very few other T-amps have. It has five different colour choices, if that matteres to you. I personally have no experience with the Trends unit, but I do own a Virtue One and a Virtue Sensation M901. Check out their circle for other people's opinions...

[walkern]

One of the former importers of Trends Amps now imports a similar product.  I've done biz with the folks at Audio Magus on several occasions, and have been VERY happy with their products and service.  Here is a link to his "version" of the TA 10.2: http://www.audio-magus.com/product_p/109415.htm
He also offers more powerful Tripath chipset amps that might be competitive with the Virtue.  I haven't heard the Virtue amps, nor any of the more powerful Audio Magus options, so not much help there I'm afraid.

Might be worth checking out, since this way you aren't ordering from China.

Neil

[dvenardos]

Very happy owner of the Virtue Two here. Great amp, great company. Danny is also getting Sonicap versions of the Virtue One.2, those should be interesting.

[FredT300B]

The Trends PA-10.2 is a preamp/ headphone amp. The TA-10.2 is an amplifier. I'm not familair with it, but the ad info indicates it's a TA-10.1 with some upgraded parts. I have a 12V battery powered TA-10.1 with upgraded Auricap input caps, copper heat sink, etc. I also have a Virtue One with both the 30V AC supply and the 28V battery supply.

The Trends amp uses a tripath chip that's rated at 6 watts into 8 ohms at 0.1% distortion. The Virtue uses a much more powerful chip. In my experience the Trends amp, much like my 3.5 watt SET tube amps, runs out of steam with most speakers. It's fine for listening to background music, but not capable of room filling volume levels with my 90dB sensitivity speakers. The Virtue's speaker driving cabability is comparable to my 60 watt Cambridge Audio Azur 540A. In other words, it will drive most speakers to a good room filling volume with no signs of strain.

The sound quality of the two amps is very different. The Trends is a bit strident sounding to my ears while the Virtue sounds more like the far more expensive Krell integrated I also use in the system. This is true whether I'm using the AC supplies or the batteries with either amp. I believe you'll be happier with the Virtue.

[Guy 13]

I think you are referring to the Trends TA10?  the PA10.2 is a headphone amp?

Hi Bear.
Sorry, you are right, I wanted to write TA-10.2
Thanks.
Guy 13 in Vietnam.

[Guy 13]

Assuming you are talking about the Trends TA 10.2:
The Virtue Two will give you up to 87 wpc into 4 ohms (half that into 8 ohms), depending on the power supply you use (there are many choices, including batteries). It is not limited to use as a computer amp, it can be used as the base of a full-sized system, in a full-sized room. It is also based on the Tripath chipset, like the Trends. It has a subwoofer output, something very few other T-amps have. It has five different colour choices, if that matteres to you. I personally have no experience with the Trends unit, but I do own a Virtue One and a Virtue Sensation M901. Check out their circle for other people's opinions...

Hi, PSB Guy.
When I saw the PSB word, I immediately knew you were a Canadian because PSB is a loudspeaker manufacturer from Canada. As you might know already, I from Montreal, Quebec.
Yes, I am talking about the TA-10.2
15 wpc is enough for me, since all my speakers are 95db efficient.
I will go with sealed acid gel batteries, the same type I have on my Honda 100cc motorcycle. They cost only 10 USD each for a 12V. 7Amps. I already have a 4amps charger.
When I mentioned using it with my computer I was referring to the computer being my source, if I am satisfied with the sound, I will then move it to my main listening room.
I am glad to learn that the Virtue Two use the same Tripath technology as the Trends.
The wide choice of color case is unimportant to me, but thanks for mentioning.
The fact that the Virtue Two as the Tripath technology and that it’s sold by Danny, makes me forget about acquiring the Trends.
Thanks for the information, it’s helpful.
Have a nice day.
Guy 13 in Vietnam. 
 

[Guy 13]

One of the former importers of Trends Amps now imports a similar product.  I've done biz with the folks at Audio Magus on several occasions, and have been VERY happy with their products and service.  Here is a link to his "version" of the TA 10.2: http://www.audio-magus.com/product_p/109415.htm
He also offers more powerful Tripath chipset amps that might be competitive with the Virtue.  I haven't heard the Virtue amps, nor any of the more powerful Audio Magus options, so not much help there I'm afraid.

Might be worth checking out, since this way you aren't ordering from China.

Neil

Hi Neil.
The name Audio Magus came up several times with my web search.
Thanks for the link; I had a look at it.
Since I will be going back to Canada next year, I think I will continue doing business with Danny and later on buy from him a Virtue Two and maybe by that time, he will be offering us an even  better Virtue and a lower price ? ? ?
Thanks for the info, it always help.
Have a nice day.
Guy 13 in Vietnam.
(For one more year)

[Guy 13]

The Trends PA-10.2 is a preamp/ headphone amp. The TA-10.2 is an amplifier. I'm not familair with it, but the ad info indicates it's a TA-10.1 with some upgraded parts. I have a 12V battery powered TA-10.1 with upgraded Auricap input caps, copper heat sink, etc. I also have a Virtue One with both the 30V AC supply and the 28V battery supply.

The Trends amp uses a tripath chip that's rated at 6 watts into 8 ohms at 0.1% distortion. The Virtue uses a much more powerful chip. In my experience the Trends amp, much like my 3.5 watt SET tube amps, runs out of steam with most speakers. It's fine for listening to background music, but not capable of room filling volume levels with my 90dB sensitivity speakers. The Virtue's speaker driving cabability is comparable to my 60 watt Cambridge Audio Azur 540A. In other words, it will drive most speakers to a good room filling volume with no signs of strain.

The sound quality of the two amps is very different. The Trends is a bit strident sounding to my ears while the Virtue sounds more like the far more expensive Krell integrated I also use in the system. This is true whether I'm using the AC supplies or the batteries with either amp. I believe you'll be happier with the Virtue.

Hi Fred.
Sorry my mistake, I wanted to write TA-10.2 not PA…
Your are the man, you own both; therefore you should know what you are talking about !
6wpc with my 95db efficient GR V1 or Audio Nirvana full range drivers is enough for me.
Well, since you have the listening experience with both units, I will take your advice and go for the Virtue Two and the added free bonus is that the Virtue is sold by Danny, for me that one more good reason to go wit the Virtue Two.
Thanks for your help.
Have a nice day.
Guy 13 in Vietnam.
Note :
Is there any one that has a picture of the back of the Virtue Two.   

[Guy 13]

Very happy owner of the Virtue Two here. Great amp, great company. Danny is also getting Sonicap versions of the Virtue One.2, those should be interesting.

Hi Don.
Thanks for sharing with me your experience with the Virtue Two.
I have always been skeptical about up-grades vs money spent on that option. I am not convinced it’s worth the extra money, I don’t mean you cannot hear a difference, but all those upgrade options always are too expensive to my liking, but I might give a try for the Sonicap for the Virtue Two and see if I was wrong about that up-grade.
Thanks and have a nice day.
Guy 13 in Vietnam.
Note : Danny is a great guy to do business with.

[FredT300B]

Hi Fred.
Your are the man, you own both; therefore you should know what you are talking about !

Thanks! I should mention that I didn't intend to imply that the Trends isn't a good amp. It's a very good amp for the price, but to my ears the Virtue is in an entirely different league, very close to my other ss amp, a Krell that retailed for $2.5K. Here it is in the system with the battery power supply:

[Guy 13]

Thanks! I should mention that I didn't intend to imply that the Trends isn't a good amp. It's a very good amp for the price, but to my ears the Virtue is in an entirely different league, very close to my other ss amp, a Krell that retailed for $2.5K. Here it is in the system with the battery power supply:

Hi Don.
Thanks for the picture.
How about the speakers ? ? ?
Guy 13.

[PSB Guy]

Note :
Is there any one that has a picture of the back of the Virtue Two.

Here's the back of the Virtue One.2, same as the Two except for the label...
http://store.virtueaudio.com/PhotoGallery.asp?ProductCode=VRTU%2DIA%2DVAONE%2E2%2DPBF%2D1&PhotoNumber=8
I am indeed in Canada, near Toronto. Been to Montreal several times to see Habs games, it's a beautiful city, one of my favourites. I also use my computer as my main source, what I meant to say is that the Virtue amps have more than enough power for just about any ROOM, be it office or living room. I think you'll be very happy with the sound you will get from the Virtue Two, and yeah, I've heard Danny is great to deal with. Cheers.

[dvenardos]

Guy, I don't think Danny is charging more for the Sonicap One.2. It is the standard sonicaps and not the sonicap platinum bypass that is so expensive. One of the big differences between the Virtue One and the Two is the Auricaps upgrade. I have had both the One and the Two here at the same time and I liked the Two much better than the One. I tend to be skeptical about these things too.

Hi Don.
Thanks for sharing with me your experience with the Virtue Two.
I have always been skeptical about up-grades vs money spent on that option. I am not convinced it’s worth the extra money, I don’t mean you cannot hear a difference, but all those upgrade options always are too expensive to my liking, but I might give a try for the Sonicap for the Virtue Two and see if I was wrong about that up-grade.
Thanks and have a nice day.
Guy 13 in Vietnam.
Note : Danny is a great guy to do business with.

[DaveC113]

Thanks! I should mention that I didn't intend to imply that the Trends isn't a good amp.

I have one, and I don't mind saying it's not a good amp. 

It's very "tweaky" and responds strongly to changes in power and cabling. I was tweaking stuff that I thought had nothing to do with the amp ( I thought a lot of my issues were room acoustics), but after getting a decent tube amp all the "issues" went away. Issues such as poor imaging ("hearing" the speakers), off tones on some instruments, stridencey, and more...  I also tweaked the amp, using a lead acid battery with capacitor bank for power, upgrading caps, etc. It helped, but didn't make the amp less tweaky or cure it of all it's issues.

[Guy 13]

I have one, and I don't mind saying it's not a good amp. 

It's very "tweaky" and responds strongly to changes in power and cabling. I was tweaking stuff that I thought had nothing to do with the amp ( I thought a lot of my issues were room acoustics), but after getting a decent tube amp all the "issues" went away. Issues such as poor imaging ("hearing" the speakers), off tones on some instruments, stridencey, and more...  I also tweaked the amp, using a lead acid battery with capacitor bank for power, upgrading caps, etc. It helped, but didn't make the amp less tweaky or cure it of all it's issues.

Hi Dave.
Thanks for sharing with me and others Audio Circle members your (Bad) experience with the Virtue.
Many times, it’s when you get different opinions that you can build up your own opinion, that’s one of the many benefits of Audio Circle.
According to you, it’s not a good amplifier, how about if you re-phrase that and say instead : It’s not an amplifier that suit your needs or an amplifier that is not to your liking ! Is that better or you really think that the Virtue is not good ? Many people bought it, can it be that bad ? Not that I want to say it can’t be that bad, I never heard the Virtue that why I am asking the opinions of Virtue owners.
Do you still have the Virtue or is it in the attic or in the garage ?
How about your new tube amp. What make and model ?
At one time I had a Naim solid state amplifier (60wpc) and a pair of B&W - DM-3000 (88db)and I did not like it, I found the sound too aggressive, could not listen to music for more than one hour. Now I own a Decware SE-84C+ (2wpc) that drives a pair of GR Research V1 and I am very happy. Minds you, 6 to 8 wpc would be better to drive the V1 even at 97db efficiency.
Well, the Virtue is now at the bottom of my wish list, I will give it a try when I don’t know what to do with my money, which will not happen soon…
Have a nice day.
Guy 13 in Vietnam.

[dvenardos]

He is talking about the Trends amp not the Virtue.

[Guy 13]

He is talking about the Trends amp not the Virtue.

Hi all.
See, that's what happens when you work 7/7 for 15 years and when you are 62 years old + and when everyday the temperature is 33C+/95F+ it makes your brain go... Sorry, you are right, I was talking about the Trends.
Danny would not offer us something that is not good.
Guy 13 in super hot Vietnam.

[fredgarvin]

I've heard a Kingrex with the Kingrex power supply, it sounded very nice, it had a very open presentation with plenty of heft. It's also a T amp and might be another good contender.