[Gvt1911]

Been away from audio a long time and now looking into a new amp. I was thinking about that Schiit audio Vidar 2 amp. Need honest advise as to how it sounds. My system consists of a MF Nu Vista CD player, Dodd MLP preamp with Teflon caps, Aragon 2004 MKI amp and Quad 22L2 speakers. I am very pleased with everything, but maybe the grass is greener on the Schiit side???
Any help/comments appreciated!
Thanks

[toocool4]

The best way to know what they sound like is to try it in your own system / your room with your own ears. Schiit have a 15 day return policy which does not start until the day the kit arrives at your house, I would go that route. That way you will really know as your ears will tell you.

[newzooreview]

What is it about the system that you'd like to improve? A Dodd preamp is a gem, and the Aragon is 100W and stable down to 1 Ohm according to reviews.

I've been enjoying the new Nilai amp from Hypex. It is excellent at conveying transients, controls the bass very well, and keeps a good flow to the music. It tests as well as the new Purifi amps, but has a more musical sound. Comparison demos here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdZFAWe1Nxo

You can buy them as a kit and put them together. I got mine from VTV to upgrade the binding posts. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdZFAWe1Nxo

I had to contact them to arrange the binding post upgrade. It's not an option listed on the site, that I can see.

I like the Nilai better than my Pass Labs XA25 (now sold).

[newzooreview]

Also, have you had someone refresh the caps on the amp? After 20 or so years that could be holding back the performance.

[Gvt1911]

Thanks for the replies... I am happy with the system as it stands... I was thinking that after 25 years, modern technology has improved to a point that  a new amp should be better than an old amp... I have tried the following amps in my system:
McCormack DNA 1.25
Odyssey Khartago
Rotel RB1050
Parasound HCA 750A
 All have nice qualities but I find that Aragon to be the winner...
The Aragon is stock, was biased to spec, was advised to leave old caps alone as it is more desirable...???
All other amps mentioned are going to be sold...
Thanks

[tull skull]

Well certainly the Odyssey Khartago has tech from within the last 25 years, right? I would thank God you have found a nice symmetry in your system that gives you a tough baseline to surpass. Your previous amp choices tell me you have good taste and know what you are doing so I would rather hear your thoughts!

Try the Schiit and see. I would be interested to know your thoughts. Maybe find another Aragon and run them mono?

I guess I am thinking unless you are going to try something out of left field (for you) like tubes or something really different like(???...I'm not sure but something like the akitika kit or something with a different flavor like a Lyngdorf), you aren't going to get something that is much better.


Galion has a trial period and they have a solid state amp. Again unless you can find something that has an appreciable difference in power supply implementation or circuit topology then it probably wouldn't make a big enough difference for a change.

[SET Man]

Thanks for the replies... I am happy with the system as it stands... I was thinking that after 25 years, modern technology has improved to a point that  a new amp should be better than an old amp...
.....

Hey!

     My SET monoblocks tube amps turned 25 years old last month and I still love them!

     Newer doesn't always mean better. As for amp technology... beside the recently Class D that are now more comment. Personally I don't think there were much improvement in amp tech over the past 25 years or so. Well, my SET amps are based on 1920-30's amp technology and I still love them.

    As for your Aragon amp... I remembered back then I wanted one but couldn't afford it. So I settled for Acurus A250 which if I remembered correctly was made by the same company. Well, after that I went tube and never look back.

    Anyway, as for your now 25 years old Aragon amp... I would open it up and look at those caps in there, check for any leaking or bulging of the caps... look at the top of those caps, they should be flat. Well, don't sell the Aragon until you are sure that you found a better amp. For now just enjoy the music.

[Gvt1911]

I am turning 70 this year. Had my share or amps, preamps, speakers, etc. The Aragon was gone thru by a friend in NY that works on Viva stuff. Amp was adjusted, etc. All caps good..
My try that Vidar 2 just for Schiits and giggles...
Rebuilt many Dynaco ST70's in my life, still have a few...
Thanks

[AllanS]

Though the list does not include Vidar, I have, have had, and likely will always have a variety of Schiit gear. I’m currently running an Aegir which I do like, but to my ears the house sound tends to be on the bright side of neutral (but to be honest I’d probably say that about anything). The Vidar may be to your liking so there is really only one way for you to know.
Tech wise my take is the Vidar is old school with modern oversight so I’m not sure being new is necessary better than what you have. 
If choosing to buy any Schiit gear I will always choose new over used as the warranty is only generous to the original buyer.

[Gvt1911]

Thank you... I guess I am going to order the Vidar 2 later next month...

[I.Greyhound Fan]

I heard the original Vidar at an audio show and was not impressed.  I heard them on a 10K pair of Salk Speakers.  I found it to be a little thin sounding and nothing special.

[Gvt1911]

Thank you for your honest reply... I need to sell off some of the other amps I have before I try out the Vidar 2...

[avta]

I would also consider Nuprime amps. ( nuprimeaudio.com ) They have a number of amps in various power outputs and price. I'm using their STA 9 amp which I find is very pleasant to listen to. I've had other products of theirs over the years and always enjoyed them.

[Gvt1911]

Never did like class D amps... The only digital amp I really liked was the Spectron Musician III... Great amp , but when John passed away there was no support... NO one services them as far as I know...

[avta]

A lot has changed in those 25 years you referred to.

[toocool4]

Gvt1911 Class D amps are not digital.

Try Jeff Roland class D amps and you will think twice about class D amps, it’s all about implementation.

[Gvt1911]

Thanks, I will certainly look into the Jeff Rowland amps... Looks like something I might like...

[I.Greyhound Fan]

I would consider AVA HiFi amps.  Read the reviews on the Van Alstine circle here.  I have done several reviews of his gear as I have a non professional relationship with them.

https://avahifi.com/

[mick wolfe]

I had a Vidar and it was a decent amp, especially for the money. That being said, no experience with the current Vidar 2. I now have a Galion TS A75 and can say it's simply a more refined amplifier. Then again, it costs nearly twice as much at $1495, but still a bargain at that price. Very smooth, deceptively powerful for its rating and almost tube-like if that's what you might be shooting for. Class AB dual mono design.

[Bemopti123]

Hi.  Take my opinion as a grain of sand.  I have had many amplifiers, the oldest perhaps around 23 years old.  The reality is that with audiophilia, people like me can never be content.  Class A, low power, check.  Class A, more massive, check.  SET Class A, check.  SET, low power, check.  Op chip low power, check.  Op chip, medium power, check.  Integrateds, low, mid, high power check.  Class D, massive, check.  Class AB, massive, check.  Class A parallel SET, somewhat low power, check. 

I think most of the things that we engage in, most of the time is a simple quest for something of an audio nirvana.  Personally, it doesn't exist.

If you are convinced that the Schitt Vidar 2 will bring you better audio signature, order and use for 2 weeks and if you don't like it, return.

Our perspectives are funny, I once said this to my wife, who is enamoured with the idea of minimalism.  You can get rid of everything and sit down on the floor on a cushion and admire the empty wall on your livingroom... soon enough, you will feel that the color of the wall needs to be changed.  It is the nature of man to look for that something somewhere.

When I check your speaker profile, it might not need such high current amp as the Aragon, but perhaps you are looking for something more Prat oriented a la Naim?

From just reading your system profile, I think your system will make many people happy, but in this case, that many people have to be you.

Let us know what you do and how it turns out, perhaps you will find improvement with a new amp. 

all the best, Paul