Schiit Vidar Impression Thread - UPDATED WITH REVIEW (CHECK FIRST POST)

Discussion in 'Power Amps' started by Rotijon, Jul 17, 2017.

  1. Armaegis

    Armaegis Friend

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    Yup, as a fellow Winnipegger I concur. We had snow the other day!

    I do agree with @powermatic's suggestion to biamp instead of bridge though. Keeps all the related components within a happier operating range, instead of pushing harder for no benefit.
     
  2. Kernel Kurtz

    Kernel Kurtz Friend

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    Spent the day getting used to enjoying two Vidars running mono. Not surprisingly it lives every bit up to my expectations. I probably should have done this right from the beginning. Whereas with a single amp and these Maggies I was always pushing it close to its limits all the time, having two gives me more than enough power and lets me run them at the same listening levels without making them work as hard. Pretty much as I expected. There is lots of power to spare now. I could certainly push them to self protection mode still, but it's really nice having that extra headroom and not having to use it. They run at a happy temperature now, no need for any extra fans, so it is all good. Needless to say I have a big smile on my face yet again.

    It's still going to be a problem next summer when hot weather starts again, even moreso than last summer, but I'm probably OK for the next six months or so. We'll work on the room cooling plan over the winter and be more prepared going forward.
     
  3. BeyerMonster

    BeyerMonster Guest

    What was your old setup?
     
  4. Kernel Kurtz

    Kernel Kurtz Friend

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    I bought the first Vidar when I was running some Deftech bookshelfs, and all was good. It is a truly amazing amp for the price and I would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone.

    Then I got the Maggies for a good deal thinking 200 wpc would be sufficient, but it quickly became apparent it was pretty borderline, which is certainly not Vidar's fault. Pushing it hard it was probably making more than 200 a side, but it got plenty warm doing so. I could have stopped there, but you know how this hobby is (maybe LOL). Anyway, it is completely true what they say about Maggies needing power. Conventional wisdom (such as it is on the internet) suggests that 250 would be good for MMGs, while 350-400 is about right for MG12s and .7s, and 500 or more works well for 1.7s. I've never owned MMGs or 1.7s, but I would concur that is about the right range for the 12s, and I expect the Vidars in mono are making that without having to work hard at it, so it is all good again.

    Now perhaps, at the suggestion of others above, I will bi-wire the Maggies and run the mono Vidars on the bottom end and a single Aegir in stereo for the top (just kidding. At least I think I am.....)
     
  5. George Papadi

    George Papadi New

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    I would also like to read about comparisons of the Vidar & Bel Canto amps. I need better amplification for my 35 + yr old B&W 802 Series 80 speakers which use sealed dual 6 1/2" woofers per spkr. I'm currently powering them with an old 100 watt Quad 405 II SS amp which makes for generally neutral sound with good imaging but with laidback mids & highs. I plan to fire up my pair of Theta 75 watt mono tube amps designed and built by Mike Mofatt of Schiit Audio back in the 1970s. At the time, Mike used a pair of Vandersteen 2 spkrs to voice his electronics. The Thetas are big, open, and airy sounding amps with surprisingly tight bass, but I have yet to give them a serious audition with the 802's. I should probably contact Mike and ask him which amp he predicts might be better suited to the 802's since they're both his babies. I used to hangout at his small factory in Clearwater, FL where he manufactured both his great sounding tube pre amp and dual mono 6550 amps. They recently got upgraded caps, resistors, internal wiring and sound great. But I suspect the Vidar would be a winner too as would the Bel Canto. Lots to ponder but no likely chance to compare them in a listening test.
     
    Last edited: Oct 15, 2018
  6. George Papadi

    George Papadi New

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    I agree. Nothing is gained by ridicule, unless that feeds your need to feel superior. Everyone should be allowed to express themselves without having to endure demeaning comments. Noobies learn best by mentoring not by being insulted.
     
  7. BeyerMonster

    BeyerMonster Guest

    I bi-amped my 3.6R with an active xover a long time ago and never looked back, but I don't think you'll get the gains from passive bi-wiring.
     
  8. msommers

    msommers High on Epipens

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    Anyone by chance compared Bryston to Vidar?

    Nevermind. The temptation to get the two black b-stock Vidars almost got me last night but the possibility of hum and cross-border shipping scares me too much.

    /useless post
     
    Last edited: Oct 19, 2018
  9. Kernel Kurtz

    Kernel Kurtz Friend

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    Sorry, my bad. I was actually thinking of passive bi-amping. I can see the appeal of active crossovers though. I have other hobbies in need of some monetary attention though so kicking that down the road for now. ;)

    One thing I've noticed since my last change is the high end is much brighter. So much so I have been playing with resistors to tame the ribbons a bit. No complaints about the overall sound though. I'm a happy camper.
     
  10. Brad1138

    Brad1138 New

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    I have to sell my Mark Levinson No. 331 Amp :( (I need the money)

    I am thinking of replacing it with a Vidar. I have a Freya, Mani (w/upgraded PS) and Modi MB in the system already. The Freya has some noise issues in Tube mode & I am debating on sending it back for service or not. Although I find I like passive mode best with the Tekton Lore-S' I am currently running anyway.

    But I am debating on if that is my best option. I am OK with new or used, and about $800 will be my limit.

    I read threw a lot of the previous pages, and didn't see any amps that anyone liked better (in the Vidar's price range), but I might have missed a post.

    Anyone also have a thought on how much of a "step back" it will be?

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Nov 29, 2018
  11. Priidik

    Priidik MOT: Estelon

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    How eff are your speakers, you might wanna hold on until the new Schiit Class A amp comes out.
    Whatever you end up with, please tell the story.
     
  12. Taverius

    Taverius Smells like sausages

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    98dB according to their site, whoa yeah that's wait for aegir territory if you can.
     
  13. Brad1138

    Brad1138 New

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    Actually 93 dB, they are a special version of the Lore. But relatively efficient anyway. I do switch out to some other less efficient speakers occasionally (Sjofn "the Clues" mainly)

    I just looked it up, not sure if 20 wpc will do it for me, although it is in a small room and I rarely listen above 80 dB at listening position.
     
  14. Taverius

    Taverius Smells like sausages

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    It should be enough for the Lore-s' but yeah not enough for your other less efficient speakers.

    Also it's unknown how long they will take to come to market, Jason said they're close but we all know how that went with Vidar xD

    Up to you really. The Shadow Cabinet/Jedi Council/Elder Cabal here is rather impressed with the Aegir, but you would be married to the Lore-s'.
     
  15. dBel84

    dBel84 Friend

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    Why not a heap second hand stop gap? You may have noticed a few rants about my love of the entry level adcoms.. dB
     
  16. rlow

    rlow A happy woofer

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    Assuming you’re in the U.S., a used Vidar I think would be a very good stop gap for very little cash. Also check b-stock, although I don’t think there are any currently, they frequently show up on the weekends: http://www.schiit.com/b-stocks

    Don’t think you going to find a better price than these for the performance (at least for something new-ish.) No idea how they would compare to Mark Levinson though. Another option is the Nuforce STA200.
     
  17. Brad1138

    Brad1138 New

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    I actually just found a Vincent SP 331 locally on CL for less than the Vidar. I think I may jump on that. I could always flip it and break even later on. That is pretty much my audiophile philosophy, buy used, use it for a while, and sell it for what I paid for it, if not more. I'll be selling my ML for $400 more than I paid for it.
     
    Last edited: Nov 30, 2018
  18. rlow

    rlow A happy woofer

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    Has anybody ever completed any measurements of Vidar?

    Jason said when it was initially launched that it was underrated for power - I think someone needs to take him to task on that claim! ;)

    Would also love to see how well it handles low impedances as well. I haven’t seen any external reviews of Vidar that have included any measurements.
     
    Last edited: Feb 22, 2019
  19. schiit

    schiit SchiitHead

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    Good idea! I'll get you some measurements next week.
     
  20. Greg121986

    Greg121986 Almost "Made"

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    We don't want the measurement activity of the Vidar to distract from the release of the inevitable Aegir. Maybe measure an Aegir, too while you're at it. :)
     

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