Preview:
http://parttimeaudiophile.com/2012/12/01/on-the-bench-clearwave-symphonia-7r/#more-4487more here when paired with the Vitus Audio amplifier:
http://parttimeaudiophile.com/2012/12/20/mini-review-vitus-audio-sia-025-integrated-amplifier/#more-4550"Okay, so back-busting aside, the spec sheet for the VA SIA-025 claims it puts out something like 25wpc in Class A mode; in Class A/B, this moves to 100wpc. I suspect that what this means is that there’s always 100wpc available before the amp starts the climb up toward distortion/exhaustion, but that only the first 25 are Class A (when that option/mode is selected). This is important only in that there never seemed to be only 25wpc on tap, even when it was cranking away in Class A — I seriously could not get this amp to kerfluffle. I hooked it in to friendly speakers, because that’s all I really have here, but I got no indication that there was a bottom to the well of power the amp was able to draw from. YMMV, but I’m willing to bet that this 25wpc will go a lot farther than you might be expecting it to. Just saying.
My favorite pairing was with a $4,695 pair of Clearwave 7R loudspeakers. These stand mounts feature a RAAL-ribbon tweeter and an Accuton mid/bass driver. I’ll have a lot more to say about these loudspeakers soon, but let me offer that the cabinets are all bespoke as shit — the pairing here was, actually, quite the (visual and aural) feast and I was so distracted I don’t think I took a single picture that entire week. Sorry. But there is a thing that VA gear seems to have with ceramic loudspeakers that is mesmerizing. Not sure precisely why, or what’s going on, but the two go together like peas and carrots. Err … okay, like caviar and water crackers? Whatever. I found it intoxicating."
