Усилители мощности стерео — Vitus Audio SS-025

Vitus Audio of Denmark lists the SS-025 as the stereo amplifier model of its Signature range. It takes technology from the SIA-025 integrated amplifier and from the SM-011 monoblock, which in turn is derived from the Masterpiece Series MP-S201. Vitus created it as the companion to the SIA-025 Mk.II for bi-amping, and its build is essentially the SIA-025 without the line stage, with upgraded internal parts in place of that section. The UK price range is GBP 24,000 to 27,000 including VAT.

Key specs that matter

Output is about 300 W per channel into 8 ohm and about 600 W into 4 ohm in class AB, with an intelligent class A region covering the first watts that the user can switch on or off. Connections comprise a single balanced XLR input pair plus a single RCA pair, both with 10 kohm impedance, and the slew rate is quoted at 35 V per microsecond. One pair of speaker terminals is fitted per channel, with an output impedance of 75 milliohm. Bandwidth runs past 800 kHz, noise sits more than 100 dB under the signal, and distortion plus noise is under 0.01 percent. The case measures 435 mm wide, 135 mm high and 467 mm deep including binding posts, and weighs 37 kg.

Engineering and use context

Vitus states that fitting this much power into a relatively small chassis was the main design challenge for the SS-025. Mains draw depends on the bias setting - under 1 W in standby, 90 W in class AB and 150 W in class A. The body parts are aluminium and the heat sinks are hidden inside the case. Because it is a pure power amplifier with no volume control, it needs a preamplifier or a source with a variable output, and Vitus names the RD-100 DAC and preamplifier and the MP-D201 converter with its built-in line stage as suitable front ends. The regular colour choices are white, black and silver, and the most requested special finishes are titanium tones in orange and grey plus a dark champagne, giving buyers six choices in total.

Pairing

Vitus describes the SIA-025 Mk.II integrated amplifier, the SS-025 and the SCD-025 Mk.II CD player as a three-box system, where the integrated drives one section of the loudspeakers and the SS-025 the other. Output doubling into the lower load makes low impedance speakers a suitable match, and in the bi-amped setup each amplifier can be given the section of the speaker that needs the most current.

Alternatives

Below it sits the Vitus RS-101 from the Reference range, a two-channel design built around the circuit of the RI-101 integrated amplifier.