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My new VTV Audio Class D amp arrived today

I ordered the amp from Warren with the Purifi module and the Sparkos ss3602 op amp, the latter chosen for its somewhat more relaxed sonic presentation compared to the other op amps that VTV offers.  Right out of the box, it strikes me as quite musical, without any noticeable harshness, although few inner details of the music are so far revealed.  It is dead quiet, as expected.  So with my initial favorable impressions, I will report back after it has 100 hours of run-in to comment on its SQ.  
whitestix
t_ramey
632 posts
 
The vtv site seems to be down at the moment. @whitestix  what is the gain of your amp and what preamp are you using to drive it?
soix
9,455 posts
 
@whitestix - which McCormack amp do you have and what if any mods?  Should be a very interesting comparo. 
ricevs
1,543 posts
 
How would you compare the $979 VTV Purifi amp with the $150 ac mod to other class d amps in the $1500-$2k range with no mods?

There is no way that anyone would know this without direct A/Bs.  I have not heard any other stock amp besides the VTV's in that price range.  All I can do is interpolate.  For instance, the $1528 VTV stock version is not as good as my $650 mod to the $999 VTV (from my direct experience).  There is a review just posted on the VTV site where the guy thinks the stock $999 jobbie beats his $3000 Benchmark.  There is another review on the VTV site that states the $1528 VTV beat all other class D amps that he has heard.  I have not heard the $1500 GaN monos from Orchard....or the new just today released $699 GaN from Premium Audio, or the $1500 amps from Cherry or from Nuprime. 

I listened to the $999 VTV amp with just my AC mods......but then just went right past that with the other mods.  The three orders I have for the $999 amp mod want the full $650 mod. 

When will someone with just the $150 mod A/B it against all the other amps like you want?  Probably never.  

However, with the kind of reviews the stock VTV units are getting.....I would not bet against my modded units. 

Please read this review.....the Purifi evalutator amp in the review is almost exactly the same as the VTV $999 amp.   He says it sounds at least equal to $40K Constellation mono blocks:  An interesting read.

https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/opinion/1420-purifi-audios-pint-sized-powerhouses

whitestix OP
707 posts
 
Soix,
I have the DNA .05 amp, with the Platinum Upgrades. 

t ramey,
I think the gain is around 13 db, but by connecting an internal jumper, it would increase significantly.  No need for that in my current system.  I have a Don Sachs tube preamp.  My VTV amp has no "a/c mod" so I can't answer your question.  
whitestix OP
707 posts
 
Gents,
My initial impressions of the excellent performance of this amp have been validated after 3 weeks of listening.  I honestly don't sense much difference in the SQ  in my system during the run-in process.  It is a rather neutral sounding amp, with a degree of warmth that I prefer.  I could go on with superlatives, but I will say that it is an amp that leaves me with no desire to swap it out for my other excellent tube and SS amps.  I absolutely love it and the sound reproduction it provides in my system.  It works extremely well as a companion to my Don Sachs preamp.   I gotta have tubes in my system.

I am glad that I dispensed with my less-than-favorable experiences with earlier iterations of Class D amps and tried it out.  I am very happy in all respects of its performance.   I think that it is an astonishing bargain in the realm of high end audio.  
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