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Reviews for Vidar

Review: Schiit Vidar
Brian Hunter, Audio-Head.com

"Bass tests proved perhaps the most impressive of the spectrum, where control was exceptional, even at high volumes and heavy load. Listening to Marcus Miller’s Miller Time from Live In America reaction times and shove were outstanding. Firm control of the situation was everywhere, with no excess flab to be found. But mids and highs were not to be outdone. The experience of listening to the system is close if not on par with many of the other front ends I’ve heard the TAD MEs partnered against at audio shows. That’s something considering the least expensive comparison totaled $6k, with higher end offerings topping much more than even that. That smooth purity of energy and tone from the very high end is hinted at here and there along the way."

 
"Comparisons to Benchmark’s DAC3 + AHB2 brought a different shade of pigment to light. While neither combination was particularity colored, the Benchmark system was much more analytical in nature. That’s not to say the Schiit gear wasn’t detailed (it very much was), but rather the approach from the LA budget company was just a tick more organic, and therefore by proxy, a bit easier to listen to. A pleasant natural tone emanates from the Freya + Vidar combination that even the demanding TAD ME1 was able to gobble up with tactile and responsive results."

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Schiit Audio Reference System, Part 1
Chris Connaker, ComputerAudiophile
"The Vidar's design will surprise the know-it-all audiophile in that it's Class-AB, not Class-D. There's nothing wrong with Class-D in and of itself, but I've been more underwhelmed than overwhelmed by the performance of most Class-D products.
 
In fact, last week I heard a pair of $16,500 Class-D Mola Mola mono amps driving a pair fo Dynaudio Evidence loudspeakers. Myself and three others in the room all thought the amps did an injustice to the loudspeakers and weren't capable of showing what the speakers could do with respect to performance.
 
One aspect of the Vidar that must be considered, is its lack of rating for mono configuration into 4 ohm speakers. According to Schiit, "Vidar will probably work fine at sane volumes, but at higher output, you may trigger the protection." Based on my testing with 86 dB efficient 4 ohm speakers, I believe the Vidar will work without triggering protection for most people using this configuration. I pushed the Vidar really hard and was unable to trip its protection mechanism. I didn't go crazy by putting on Nine Inch Nails at 110 dB and let it run over the weekend, but I did listen to Nine Inch Nails, Hip Hop, Big Band, and some heavy bass at loud levels. At no time did the pair of Vidars flinch. 
 
In fact, I concluded a listening session by playing Marcus Miller's Intro Duction from his Silver Rain album at what Faber Acoustical's Sound Meter app said was a 123.4 dB peak, and 11.3 dB max. The Vidars appeared to have very good control over the speakers, even at very high levels."
 

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Schiit Vidar Power Amplifier
Marvey (audiophool.org)
"In conclusion, the Schiit Vidar is a fanastic value power amplifier. The bass quality is first rate, comparable with the best. The mids and treble do not quite exude the magic or immediacy of the super high-end amplifiers (costing thousands and thousand of dollars) or epic vintage amplifers (no longer available or in dubious condition). However, the Vidar is still more than competent. My hunch is that the Vidar will be able to compete with amps at the $2000-$2500 point."
 
 

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Schiit Vidar/Saga: an affordable care act for your loudspeakers
John Darko (Digital Audio Review)

DAR-KO Knockout Award Winner

"With their Vidar and Saga, Schiit turn conventional thinking on its head to lay down a serious challenge to ANY amplification selling for a coupla clicks north of a thousand US dollars.

The point is, Schiit lay down the red carpet to a separates approach but without the premium. Welcome to the great leap forwards!"

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An affordable audiophile amplifier wows the Audiophiliac
Steve Guttenberg, CNET Audiophiliac

"Vidar was a perfect match with the Magnepan .7 flat panel speakers, so that's what I used for my first round of auditions. Bingo, the best of the .7s sound --  transparency, big as outdoors soundstage, gorgeous midrange -- they were all there, and I noted the treble was better than I've heard in a while. 

 
The KEF LS50 speakers also loved the Vidar, and bass output of this little speaker really surprised me. With Kid Koala's sampled and synthesized "12 Bar Blues" CD, the LS50s low-end slam belied their size.
 
Pair the Vidar with Schiit's smaller tube preamp, the $349 Saga, and that pair together runs just over $1,000. Add a set of $500 ELAC Uni-Fi UB5 monitor speakers, and that would be a hell of a system!"

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The Neoteric Listener - The Schiit Vidar Intelligent Power Amplifier
Dean Seislove, Positive Feedback

"The Vidar's impact on accurately reproducing instruments continued with more complex music, as well. Listening to Bart Schneemann's recording of Mozart's Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 25 in F major, K. 377 (K. 374e), the standard iNova rendering of this track was lovely, but maybe less captivating than it could be. The Vidar improved the discernible elements often associated with a lively and dynamic touch. Details, such as a greater percussive impact of the piano keys and an improved clarity of the oboe's tone, heightened my appreciation for the construction of the piece, as well as my overall enjoyment."

 
"In fact, the overall improvement made to my system's sound is enough to garner an easy recommendation. I also liked the fact that the Vidar has a microprocessor that regulates current and temperature to keep me from doing something stupid, like blowing it up. The very reasonable cost and the careful attention to build quality is a welcome bonus, as is the option to buy another Vidar to use in a mono block configuration."
 
 
 

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LatestInTech: Schiit Vidar
LatestInTech

"At its price, the Schiit Vidar isn’t cheap, and you’ll require a preamp to adjust its volume. However, if you consider its quality, components, design, and flexibility, it’s absolutely affordable. Also, it’s expandable to the dual-mono mode and has clean power output.

 
Vidar isn’t categorised as a low budget amplifier, but it’s difficult to find an audiophile-grade A/B amp at its price. It has excellent build quality, superior performance, and safe operation. It will power almost anything you connect it with, and it’s easy to expand to enhance your system.
 
To conclude our Schiit Vidar review, we were satisfied with this speaker amp, and we highly recommend it."

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AudioReputation: Vidar
James Longman

"Schiit Vidar is not cheap, but if you look at other Class A/B stereo amps, you’ll realize that you can hardly get better performance for $700.

 
Since this is a power amp (not an integrated amp), you will have to buy a preamp (preferably some Schiit preamp) if you don’t have one already. So, don’t forget to take the preamp price into account.
 
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. It looks great, it’s solidly built and has high-quality components, it can be used in dual mono mode, and it delivers perfectly clean and powerful output. You cannot expect more at this price point."

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SCHIIT AUDIO FREYA+ PREAMPLIFIER AND VIDAR AMPLIFIER REVIEW
Home Theatre Review: Gene Hopstetter

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Schiit Vidar Review - You Don’t Know the Power of the DARK Side!
cheapaudioman

My Expierence with the Schiit Vidar amplifier feat/specs/Sound impressions and Comparraion Str8up
Tee-Jay The Stereo-Bargainphile

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Schiit Vidar Review - You Don't Know the Power of the DARK Side!
cheapaudioman

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Schiit Vidar: My New Reference Solid State Power Amp
nadir audio

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Schiit Audio Vidar 2, Power Amp Made for Modern Audiophiles
Tharbamar

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