on Digikey or Mouser you will find very differently priced parts, torroid or EI. Steve Guttenberg Audiophiliac 32,331 views. Looking for a Class A JL Hood 1969 amp? In the pantheon of audiophile electronics, Parasound stands among those at the top with its storied history, vast product range and legendary performance. Here's a comparison to a Schiit Vidar. Do yourself a big favour -- go for the Vidars. This power amp is a little more pricey, but has some really amazing features. Coming in at $699 and a California based manufacturer, what Schitt promises you is an ultra-high-end amplifier, without the ultra-high-end price. Neither was the big EI core power transformer (not pictuired). At $699 price point, it’s not easy to find grade AB amplification with the same kind of performance, manufacturing and expandability. I would like to make a direct comparison, but I definitely do not want to spend funds to be disappointed and left with unsellable garbage like the A23 or S19. Schiit Freya, Schiit Freya S, Schiit Gungnir Multibit, RME ADI-2 DAC FS, Parasound A 23 (2), PrimaLuna Prologue Five (2), Schiit Aegir (2), Schiit Vidar, Mytek Brooklyn amp, Wharfedale 10.1, KEF LS50s, Tannoy XT8 Fs, Harbeth 30.2s Anniversary Editions. The Vidar seems spot on neutral in terms of tonality (give it ten minutes to warm up). While we think the vidar is a great value for the money and the features, our mission is to help you choose what fits your room best. Review. The issues with the JLH69 are as follows: only 10 watts (completely unsuitable for most modern speakers); can only be purchased from iffy Chinese vendors on AliExpress or eBay, so buyer beware; requires modification (light soldering of a film cap) for it to be competitive. Check them out! Nice review. Crest CA-2: I’ve recommended the better pro amps over audiophile amps costing up to $2000. Is there any particular reason why EI transformers are better? Schiit Vidar is a great choice if you are an audiophile on a budget or if you are trying to find your first entry-level audiophile-grade power amp. The price point is very similar to the Vidar and has some serious features that any audiophile would be extremely proud of. There are some great alternative power amps that have most, if not more of the same specs. (In terms of power, not tube output). The Halo P3 stereo preamplifier is no exception, providing solid performance and features, coupled with tremendous value ($799 retail), which is what Parasound has been all about for years. The Marantz MM7025 has a power button, unlike the Vidar, which is eco-friendly, and flat out a better feature. I hope that they didn't get these great specs by using a bunch of negative feedback. Hot Schiit, the Vidar power amp - Duration: 2:23. The biggest improvement, though, was in my vinyl playback system (Clearaudio Concept w/ Concept MC cartridge, PS Audio GCPH phono stage, Audio by Van Alstine Avastar preamp, Zu Essence speakers). Frankly, this is the most perplexing position I've found myself in on my audio journey. Worst case you’re spending an extra $100, which isn’t bad at all. Parasound was founded in 1981 by Richard Schram, and the company has been offering audio products under their own name as well as for OEM sales since then. I’ve seen cheaper binding posts and torroids on power amplifiers at least five times the price of the Vidar. ORFAS members can rest assured that the Vidar does not threaten their $5000+ amplifiers. THD vs. frequency . The Vidar is a 100/200W (into 8/4 ohms) power amplifier in stereo mode. When used in the monoblock configuration, the Vidar can accept balanced lines (XLR). Balanced outputs from preamps or sources tend to run hotter (higher voltages). If you already decided on purchasing this product, use the button below to go to Schiits website to order. The Vidar actually matches the H2 ability to convey heft and impact. Schiit Gungnir Vs. Produces 150 watts per channel into an 8 ohms. Again, there is a standby mechanism (unlike the Vidar), channel status and heat indicators. More power is always better right? The price is very similar, depending on the time of the year. So how does the Vidar stack up to other amps? Supposedly, dealers asked Hegel to make a MOSFET amp because MOSFET was all the rage back in the day. Jason Stoddard at Schiit has recommended that we start with one Vidar and use it single-ended (RCA). The Vidar is not a giant killer. Schiit Aegir Amplifier, Stereo Times Paul Szabady, Stereo Times "The Schiit Aegir amplifier shows every sign of being a break-through product: one that combines exceptional music-making and rhythmic sophistication with the purity, natural-ness, detail, and timbral accuracy associated with the highest quality amplifiers. Schiit Saga preamp with Schiit Yggdrasil (tweaked). From memory, the M-22 is faster, albeit more rounded on the edge of attacks, and significantly more resolving, explosive, and lively. I am currently using the Vidar in biamped system. On the flip side, without the cooling system, the power amp is much more efficient, and doesn’t produce the extra fan noise. Features The Halo A 23+ stereo power amplifier ($1495 USD) measures 17.25”W x 4.2”H x 15.25”D and weighs 27 pounds. ... 2x Parasound A23 Parasound P5 Cambridge Audio DACMagic Plus Sony PS3 x4 @3foot runs of 10ga Belden speaker wire. I’m sure many people will not listen to him because of the unnatural fascination with “balanced” raging in the home and personal audio worlds. No-Excuses Amp, No-Brainer Price Vidar is nothing less than a no-excuses, exotic-topology, Class-AB, linear-supply, microprocessor-controlled, power-doubling, dual-mono-ish, intelligently-managed, drives-almost-anything power amp. However, it is very good and it is made in the US. :ksc75smile: Intermodulation 13+14kHz test. If you spec different transformers with the same ratings, primaries, secondaries, etc. If Vidar can best the Parasound Halo A23, that will be impressive. [tcb-script ]amzn_assoc_tracking_id = “musicaudiostar-20”;amzn_assoc_ad_mode = “manual”;amzn_assoc_ad_type = “smart”;amzn_assoc_marketplace = “amazon”;amzn_assoc_region = “US”;amzn_assoc_design = “enhanced_links”;amzn_assoc_asins = “B003R7KMSS”;amzn_assoc_placement = “adunit”;amzn_assoc_linkid = “cfc02822e2f5b254828e175ceb0cf20f”;[/tcb-script][tcb-script src=”//z-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/onejs?MarketPlace=US”][/tcb-script]#2. In our Klipsch RP-280F review, we mentioned that this amp is a phenomenal duo. The #Schiit stack finally lives. * Given Schiit’s marketing approach, I am sure that this statement was tongue-in-check. At this price tag, the best alternatives that match Vidar’s features and cost are the Marantz MM7025 Stereo Power Amplifier, the Parasound 2125v2 150 Watt Stereo Power Amplifier, and the Crown XLi3500. My plan (such as it is - I spend most of my time thinking about world domination ) is to upgrade the amp and so I purchased this Saga and I will pair it up with some similar budget-but-hi-fi amp like perhaps Schiit's soon to be sold class A/B 100/200 watt (can't remember the name) or perhaps a Parasound A23, etc. However, normal folks can rejoice that the Vidar is a superb amp for the price – a high value, an extreme value. There is such as thing as too much gain (noise on higher efficiency speakers). The problem that we have with it is it isn’t very eco friendly, causing it to not last as long as it should. Like the Schiit vidar, it has a balanced XLR and RCA inputs and binding post and speak on outputs. A lot of torroids can be purchased for cheap from China. It is on kind loan from a member. And audiophiles believe all this stupid shit. The company’s Stateside direct sell model means pricing is super sharp: US$699. On a side note, these power amps are very eco-friendly. The above impressions were arrived at using two systems: Now compared to some other amps not on hand (to memory, and my memory is usually pretty good about these things, mainly because I tend to use the same references, or know how things triangulate): In conclusion, the Schiit Vidar is a fanastic value power amplifier. (DAR’s product launch week preview can be read here). Monoprice is also designed and engineered in the US, which is nice to know. Okay. There is also an efficient forces air-cooling mechanism, which prevents excessive thermal buildup. This combination is quite wonderful. I personally prefer the sound of bipolar transistors and dislike MOSFETS, although there are some exceptions. Balanced is supposed to be better right? This is to be expected when comparing to epic vintage Japanese gear during their golden era. The Vidar isn’t even close to the M-22. Schiit Yggdrasil - Schiit Freya - Parasound JC1 - PMC Fact12 Óscar Sánchez. First and foremost, power output and amplification type are the most important things about power amps. With 160 W per channel into 8-ohm and 240 W per channel into 4-ohm loads, this is a beefier amplifier than its slim look suggests. With that said, we urge you to keep reading because we break down what’s great and what’s not about the Vidar. If they did, it will need a valve preamp to fix the sound. This product delivers class AB instead of class D. A/B amplification is preferred by most high-tech audiophiles because it produces cleaner sound and less distortion. However, the Vidar exhibits superior bass clarity, texture, and articulation – the H2 in comparison has a bit of haze and murkiness in the bass and lower mids. I must say I'm surprised. The features include both RCA and XLR inputs, DC trigger input / output, flasher input, 4-way posts and a remote control connector. The downside to the M-22 is lack of power. [tcb-script type=”text/javascript”]amzn_assoc_tracking_id = “musicaudiostar-20”;amzn_assoc_ad_mode = “manual”;amzn_assoc_ad_type = “smart”;amzn_assoc_marketplace = “amazon”;amzn_assoc_region = “US”;amzn_assoc_design = “enhanced_links”;amzn_assoc_asins = “B01KKFVKAI”;amzn_assoc_placement = “adunit”;amzn_assoc_linkid = “cfce6a93dce7ab8cfac7f3ed27c436c0″;[/tcb-script][tcb-script src=”//z-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/onejs?MarketPlace=US”][/tcb-script]#3. If you don’t know much about audio equipment, buying a power amp is just the beginning expense. In a world where high-end amps meet affordability, we spill our guts out on the Schitt Vidar review. However, the Vidar is still more than competent. This power amp is priced very similarly and it offers just as much, if not more value just like we mentioned in the schiit vidar review. Going back to the vidar, there is no standby or auto-standby. Second, you can use the vidar in mono mode, and dual mono mode with two units. There’s nothing better than that sound of a high-end power amplifier hooked up to your favorite loudspeakers to enjoy a movie night, gaming day or just music in the air tonight. The H2 is brighter with zippier transients, so is more demanding of component matching (or just pad down the treble on the speakers). Vidar – “Veedar” – lovechild, son of Odin, second in strength only to Thor and the mythological Norseman lending his name to Schiit’s Audio’s first power amplifier. It’s not the clearest; the bass is rounded, lacks ultimate control, articulation, and impact. If money isn’t an issue, your choices will increase significantly. Here’s your ultra-high-end amplifier, without the ultra-high-end price. Now compared to some other amps not on hand (to memory, and my memory is usually pretty good about these things, mainly because I tend to use the same references, or know how things triangulate): Parasound Halo A23: At about When I replaced my Parasound Halo A23 with a Vidar amp last year there were many improvements that were immediately obvious. The design is sleek and has a gold plated RCA input jacks and loop output jacks. The Schiit amps convey better detail, untangle complex musical passages more realistically, and still sound exciting and want you to really lean into the music. The Vidar handily beats the CA-2 in all aspects. Those are the two amps I am most strongly considering purchasing. Obviously we would all love if it had a cooling system so it wouldn’t get so hot. The $1000.00 I saved over the Yggy went towards a Parasound Halo A23 amplifier which will arrive on Friday. Parasound emphasizes that their products are supported from their San Francisco headquarters, and at dozens of authorized service centers across the US. Let’s blow up this high-end nonsense. The bass quality is first rate, comparable with the best. 2x Parasound A23 Parasound P5 Cambridge Audio DACMagic Plus Sony PS3 x4 @3foot runs of 10ga Belden speaker wire ... high-resolution capable, Burr-Brown DAC chip, and clean, clean, clean. I like the Vidar enough that I am going to keep it even though I have another amp I like better with my high efficiency speakers. We analyzed hundreds of reviews by customers and we believe it is better to go with one of the alternatives we suggested. This is the answer to the Parasound A23 Halo. There is no active cooling system, but all the produced heat is handled at the front and top panels. 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