ONE.2 and Sensation listening impressions

virtue · « **on:** 20 Dec 2009, 12:23 pm »

Guys,

I'm pissing my pants every day in anticipation of getting product out the door. Sensation is now baked and at 30v is the best sounding amp we've ever made. The soft-start is killer and it's got just a bit more of everything going for it. With 3 inputs, a remote, and that gorgeous "Melissa" enclosure... it's really a stunner. Sheer joy to the eyes, ears, and fingers.

Sonically, the ONE.2 is right up there as well. Production prototypes of both are making rounds and I've created this thread for listening impressions to be posted in the next few weeks. The higher-voltage TWO.2 and THREE amps are still a few prototypes away - March/April is my best guess.

So what's the plan? The magic number is 60. That's the maximum number of days that customers will wait for merchandise after paying for it before hating the vendor - us. So I'm waiting until I can positively guarantee delivery in 60 days or less from the moment you pre-order.

For Sensation, the wrinkle is boat-time. It's just too heavy to air-ship. For the ONE.2 I'm waiting until the actual production prototype is playing noise. Even though the last ONE.2 was 98% perfect, we did make small changes to the board; should any one of those changes cause a major problem, it would be yet another 3-4 weeks before we could make more boards. So I wait and pace in my pajamas.

The moment I see the smoke-signal from Taiwan, that the ONE.2 is A-OK, I will email the mailing list and post here, that the pre-order race is beginning. To the chagrin of my dealers (sorry guys), we're going to run a 3-week pre-order special, maximum 5 per customer. The ONE.2 will be yours for $299 + shipping, as discussed in this forums months ago. Please order units for yourselves and family before telling your friends. We're making 500 pieces and I expect to sell out fast.

As much as the ONE was an instant classic (voted Value Product of the Year by Stereomojo), the ONE.2 is an even better value. It's quieter and more forgiving of high-current supplies (ie. 30v, 10+ Amps), has a more sensitive sub-out (+5db) and less turn-on pop, faster to break-in, includes 2 sets of input caps out of the box to support bass management with a simple jumper, and includes the world's most cost-effective stepped potentiometer. All of us have upgrade fever but isn't it nice when you can buy a product that doesn't need one? We always try to make our products as regret-free as possible and the ONE.2 is the next logical step in that direction.

You're probably asking what happened to the special features on the "classic" TWO that never made it to the ONE.2. Specifically the T-copper posts and Auricaps. Nobody believed me when I put it in the product description, but those parts were just too expensive to put in this amp. If you own a TWO, hold onto it. For what you paid for it, it remains the steal of the century. I will cry if I ever see one on Audiogon for less than $400. Just don't do it!

For those of you who loved the Auricaps, there will be another option for you. We're allowing GR Research to offer a Sonicap version of the ONE.2. It will be available in late Feb/early March directly from GR Research.

Finally, as mentioned earlier, we're doing something fairly unprecedented for existing customers in this price range. We're going to give you a major upgrade for free + shipping: a soft-start circuit. It's not the prettiest thing in the world (Jason can post photos) and my OEM thinks I'm nuts (they've joined THAT club) but it's just something we had to do. If you ever heard these amps on batteries or with 10A linear PSUs (ie. astron or antek @ 28v or 30v) you would contemplate suicide if you didn't have that option, which would in turn, kill me. So there it is. You'll give me your original order # and I'll give you a coupon worth $40 (the list price of the soft-start).

Very best,

Seth

taddeo62 · « **Reply #1 on:** 20 Dec 2009, 01:02 pm »

Hi Seth,
I'm writing from italy and I'd like to kown if the pre-order series is reserved to US market or do you take orders also from my country.
Thank You
Alessandro

virtue · « **Reply #2 on:** 20 Dec 2009, 02:16 pm »

YES! If I do not receive at least 100 orders from Italy I will be very disappointed. We share the passion!

All shipments will be declared at 100% value. If you don't like paying so much duty, vote out the socialists. Why keep any of your money when government bureaucrats can spend it so much more wisely! The VAT is a boa constrictor and I'm sure that we'll have it soon in the USA as well.

Oh, one more thing. The binding post configuration one the "classic" ONE made GR Research customers furious. They prefer solid core wire and attaching them to the unit was very hard. With the ONE.2, we rearrange the posts to put both left ones on the left and both right ones on the right. The cover is cut out on both sides so using spades isn't so much of a riddle.

JohnR · « **Reply #3 on:** 20 Dec 2009, 02:31 pm »

How much is a Melissa? I'm just a bit confused on this one... thx

taddeo62 · « **Reply #4 on:** 20 Dec 2009, 02:46 pm »

Thanks Seth
I will order one amp! Anyway you probably don't know that our prime minister Silvio Berlusconi is not the kind of typical socialist party member, but, due to international crisis (it's said) taxes didn't change. Here in italy we are charged more or less 50 % in taxes and in the last 20 years they have been regularly increased. VAT (here is called IVA) is just one of them. How can I make the order?
Alessandro

virtue · « **Reply #5 on:** 20 Dec 2009, 04:21 pm »

Hey Alessandro,

As my note says, I will not accept pre-orders until I get absolute confirmation from the factory that there were no issues with the production PCB. I will know around December 25th and will then allow orders to be placed at www.virtueaudio.com. There will be no discount code; the "sale" price will reflect the pre-order price, for 3 weeks and then I will end the "sale."

It seems that there is no problem that doesn't justify a tax increase from Western governments today.

Very best,
Seth

buzzy · « **Reply #6 on:** 20 Dec 2009, 04:37 pm »

Quote from: virtue on 20 Dec 2009, 02:16 pm

If you don't like paying so much duty, vote out the socialists. Why keep any of your money when government bureaucrats can spend it so much more wisely! The VAT is a boa constrictor and I'm sure that we'll have it soon in the USA as well.

Quote from: virtue on 20 Dec 2009, 04:21 pm

It seems that there is no problem that doesn't justify a tax increase from Western governments today.

It always bums me out in a major way when I've happily forgotten all my problems and all the world's problems, and I'm thinking happy thoughts and humming happy tunes, and I slam into a comment from someone who just can't bring themselves to shut up about politics on audio boards.

PSB Guy · « **Reply #7 on:** 20 Dec 2009, 06:12 pm »

Unfortunately, business poeple like Seth have to deal with nasty things like VATs and duties, so that the rest of us can sit back and just enjoy the fruits of his labours. Cut the man some slack, sit back, and bask the glow from the LED of one of his amps or CD players. Cheers.

doorman · « **Reply #8 on:** 20 Dec 2009, 07:29 pm »

Yes, I agree. It obviously wasn't intended as a"political rant"
Don

dvenardos · « **Reply #9 on:** 20 Dec 2009, 10:23 pm »

Since that is his girlfriend, I am betting pretty darn expensive.

I believe Seth has said that sensation "classic" (the reborn original design that has been improved and is going into production) is going to be around $600 and something, but the price was never finalized. I could be wrong on that so don't quote me.

Quote from: JohnR on 20 Dec 2009, 02:31 pm

How much is a Melissa? I'm just a bit confused on this one... thx

mr_bill · « **Reply #10 on:** 20 Dec 2009, 10:42 pm »

What is the Sensation and what will be the difference between the Sensation and the Virtue 3?
Thanks.

Quote from: virtue on 20 Dec 2009, 12:23 pm

Guys,

I'm pissing my pants every day in anticipation of getting product out the door. Sensation is now baked and at 30v is the best sounding amp we've ever made. The soft-start is killer and it's got just a bit more of everything going for it. With 3 inputs, a remote, and that gorgeous "Melissa" enclosure... it's really a stunner. Sheer joy to the eyes, ears, and fingers.

Sonically, the ONE.2 is right up there as well. Production prototypes of both are making rounds and I've created this thread for listening impressions to be posted in the next few weeks. The higher-voltage TWO.2 and THREE amps are still a few prototypes away - March/April is my best guess.

So what's the plan? The magic number is 60. That's the maximum number of days that customers will wait for merchandise after paying for it before hating the vendor - us. So I'm waiting until I can positively guarantee delivery in 60 days or less from the moment you pre-order.

For Sensation, the wrinkle is boat-time. It's just too heavy to air-ship. For the ONE.2 I'm waiting until the actual production prototype is playing noise. Even though the last ONE.2 was 98% perfect, we did make small changes to the board; should any one of those changes cause a major problem, it would be yet another 3-4 weeks before we could make more boards. So I wait and pace in my pajamas.

The moment I see the smoke-signal from Taiwan, that the ONE.2 is A-OK, I will email the mailing list and post here, that the pre-order race is beginning. To the chagrin of my dealers (sorry guys), we're going to run a 3-week pre-order special, maximum 5 per customer. The ONE.2 will be yours for $299 + shipping, as discussed in this forums months ago. Please order units for yourselves and family before telling your friends. We're making 500 pieces and I expect to sell out fast.

As much as the ONE was an instant classic (voted Value Product of the Year by Stereomojo), the ONE.2 is an even better value. It's quieter and more forgiving of high-current supplies (ie. 30v, 10+ Amps), has a more sensitive sub-out (+5db) and less turn-on pop, faster to break-in, includes 2 sets of input caps out of the box to support bass management with a simple jumper, and includes the world's most cost-effective stepped potentiometer. All of us have upgrade fever but isn't it nice when you can buy a product that doesn't need one? We always try to make our products as regret-free as possible and the ONE.2 is the next logical step in that direction.

You're probably asking what happened to the special features on the "classic" TWO that never made it to the ONE.2. Specifically the T-copper posts and Auricaps. Nobody believed me when I put it in the product description, but those parts were just too expensive to put in this amp. If you own a TWO, hold onto it. For what you paid for it, it remains the steal of the century. I will cry if I ever see one on Audiogon for less than $400. Just don't do it!

For those of you who loved the Auricaps, there will be another option for you. We're allowing GR Research to offer a Sonicap version of the ONE.2. It will be available in late Feb/early March directly from GR Research.

Finally, as mentioned earlier, we're doing something fairly unprecedented for existing customers in this price range. We're going to give you a major upgrade for free + shipping: a soft-start circuit. It's not the prettiest thing in the world (Jason can post photos) and my OEM thinks I'm nuts (they've joined THAT club) but it's just something we had to do. If you ever heard these amps on batteries or with 10A linear PSUs (ie. astron or antek @ 28v or 30v) you would contemplate suicide if you didn't have that option, which would in turn, kill me. So there it is. You'll give me your original order # and I'll give you a coupon worth $40 (the list price of the soft-start).

Very best,

Seth

cynan · « **Reply #11 on:** 21 Dec 2009, 02:54 am »

I'm having difficulty discerning whether there will be any sort of detectable sonic upgrade between a classic TWO and the Sensation - especially if the sensation is to be powered at 30v, which the TWO can handle. Note that I'm not debating that the Sensation will not be worth its asking price, due to the upgraded enclosure, remote control, multiple inputs, etc. Just wondering what components specifically will contribute to an improvement in sound reproduction over the TWO. (It would be far easier if I could just audition it..

Quote from: virtue on 20 Dec 2009, 12:23 pm

Finally, as mentioned earlier, we're doing something fairly unprecedented for existing customers in this price range. We're going to give you a major upgrade for free + shipping: a soft-start circuit. It's not the prettiest thing in the world (Jason can post photos) and my OEM thinks I'm nuts (they've joined THAT club) but it's just something we had to do. If you ever heard these amps on batteries or with 10A linear PSUs (ie. astron or antek @ 28v or 30v) you would contemplate suicide if you didn't have that option, which would in turn, kill me. So there it is. You'll give me your original order # and I'll give you a coupon worth $40 (the list price of the soft-start).

Does this mean that you will be offering free soft-start circuits to all previous customers who purchased the ONE and TWO? Did I read this correctly? That seems awfully generous if so..

dvenardos · « **Reply #12 on:** 21 Dec 2009, 04:06 am »

I can confirm this. Yes, we all get free (plus shipping) soft-start modules.

Quote from: cynan on 21 Dec 2009, 02:54 am

Does this mean that you will be offering free soft-start circuits to all previous customers who purchased the ONE and TWO? Did I read this correctly? That seems awfully generous if so..

classicjt2 · « **Reply #13 on:** 21 Dec 2009, 05:55 am »

I've been listening to prototypes of the One.2 and the Sensation the last couple of weeks, and I also have an original Two in-house.

The One.2 will unquestionably set the high-end community on its ear- the amp sounds simply amazing. Huge soundstage, big, extended bass, sweet and smooth and quiet and airy. Lively and immediate. And- very fast break-in. The original One needed quite some time to balance out, while the One.2 sounded wonderful in the first few hours. This is a big upgrade over the original ( and still great sounding) One.

The Sensation is even better. I'll go into more detail later since I want to listen more carefully to the Two (original) vs. the Sensation. But for starters- better transient detail, increased depth of stage and transparency. The Sensation incorporates much larger power supply caps, dual heat pipes, and I don't know what else. (BTW, all amps auditioned with the 130w psu).

Much more later,

James

virtue · « **Reply #14 on:** 24 Dec 2009, 04:05 pm »

Hey Guys -
The ONE.2 PCBs were delivered yesterday and they should have a sample built up soon. I'll open the pre-orders as soon as I hear some good news from them!
Seth

virtue · « **Reply #15 on:** 24 Dec 2009, 04:12 pm »

From another Sensation beta-tester:

"The Sensation is the best Tripath based amplifier I have had the pleasure to listen to. IMHO it beats the <other Tripath exotics> on sound alone, and when price is factored in it is no contest... The Sensation possess that Tripath warmness which makes the amplifier very non fatiguing to listen to... It provides excellent dynamic range with the Omegas. Soft passages do not lose any dynamic tension, and the transition from soft to loud is excellent in terms of the emotion it conveys. It is especially here where the Sensation surpasses <other Tripath exotics>... Soundstage front to back is good, but I am hoping that as the amp warms up and breaks in it will improve... Instruments are well placed and defined and posses weight and authority. Because of the inherent Tripath warmness I would describe the Sensation as a Woodwind Amp rather than a Brass Instrument Amp. This is a gross oversimplification, but it has a basis in truth... Since I use a Hard Drive based system and create playlists that come from different CDs, one of attributes I look for in an Amp is whether it allows the differences in recording quality, styles and venues to come through. The sound should not be all of the same cloth, and any amp that makes it appear to be is simply not doing the job for which it was and is intended. The Sensation passes this test with flying colors. (or colours as you may prefer). The Sensation represents excellent value and produces exceptional sound as is. Given a superior high current power supply (which I intend to do) the Sensation will approach or exceed the superlative...."

Later, this customer hooked up his high-current linear power supply.

"Simply put the Sensation has much more weight and drive with a really good power supply. The difference is akin to that of a pretty girl vs. a beautiful woman. The Sensation is very non fatiguing; you can listen for hours and hours with no thought that you need to take a break because of some low level ultimate fatiguing distortion."

classicjt2 · « **Reply #16 on:** 26 Dec 2009, 01:16 am »

Okay, so I'm cooking Christmas dinner and have 1/2 an hour before checking the roast, so I decide to hook up the Antek power supply (thanks Ivan!). High current (10 amp rating vs. the 130w psu's 3 ampere), and linear vs. switching, with a hefty torroidal transformer.

I start the player but someone is calling at the front door so I have to answer it while trying to listen for the first few notes to see if I hooked it up correctly and good thing my Blu-Ray player cues up slowly and then- Holy Smoke! The difference is gigantic! Bass rippling through our old house's wooden subfloor, new levels of clarity and detail, even at lowish volume levels. The decision to upgrade to the Antek power supply took all of 2 minutes to decide (Had to notify my wife, after all).

Just as the previous beta-tester commented, this transforms the Sensation. Beyond what I had expected.

James

Panasonic BD-60 player, Machina Dynamica Top Banana, Virtue One, Two, One.2, Sensation M451 prototype, Shahinian Obelisks, Sasaki custom cables

Meicheng · « **Reply #17 on:** 26 Dec 2009, 04:08 am »

The Virtue Sensation page says the Antek power supply is some sort of "kit" What is involved with hooking up the Antek power supply? Can you post any photos?

classicjt2 · « **Reply #18 on:** 26 Dec 2009, 06:49 am »

Virtue sent me a semi- built- out kit, meaning it had the proper connectors but no full chassis. You would need to enclose the power supply (for safety).

James

itkruglak · « **Reply #19 on:** 26 Dec 2009, 08:50 am »

FYI, The Antek power supply that was supplied to James was packaged in what is called an "open frame" configuration. This means that the components are exposed, but no harmful voltages are present to the user. It is not elegant, but it is economical. A nicer case can certainly be added.

The Antek is available with or without a fuse block. The fuse block has three separate sets of screw terminals to power three devices and three LEDs that are on unless the fuse is blown. If ordered from the Antek factory, the power supply does not come with an AC cable--just bare wires. Given the conservative factory ratings, the 300W supply is way more than enough, but higher wattages are available.

Ivan