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Crown vs Vidar

I will soon be purchasing my first Hi-Fi equipment in 40 Years!  Yes, that is how long the DC 150 A series II has lasted. It still tests at 93W RMS and sounds really great.  I have settled on  Shiit Freya to replace the old and still going crown  SL-1.  Even now after hearing McIntosh, Levenson. Krell, (very impressive) the difference in sound I still like this system.  I am wondering if a Vidar will sound better than this old Crown Amp?  I know with the mentioned high end amps it would be no contest. But the Vidar is rated close to the Crown and affordable on my budget. 
 I am a Speaker builder and have 4ft 8" 3 way vented towers. The response rolls slowly off from 30hz and highs with a titanium compression unit with a dayon 3" dome mid. The highs are on a variable ipad. I like how this amp really gets it on never giving out on the lows.
My townhome is small and the listening area is about 15x20 my ears being 15ft from the speakers. I like the detail, the strings,  the voices, solid lows.  I would sure like a side by side on the two Amps.  Has anyone owned both?  If so, what do you think?
Here is the review on the Crown.  Thank you for your valued opinion. 
https://kenrockwell.com/audio/crown/d-150a-series-ii.htm
128x128pcrhkr
rodman99999
6,018 posts
 
OK; so- there's a 5% restocking fee, if you don't like the Vidar.   To even be close, to a fair comparison, you should replace every one of that old Crown's electrolytics, first.     It's got a few.
mofojo
2,172 posts
 
Have to say I picked up a used Crown XLS1500 a few days ago. It is very open and detailed sounding and grabs ahold of those woofers like they are in a vice. Very impressed so far. Running with a tube preamp. 
pcrhkr's avatar
pcrhkr OP
261 posts
 
Update , with what lttle time I have ,  I was blessed to have a Shiit frend at work.  I borrowed a saga preamp, Bifrost Multibit DAC my friend had laying around after he upgraded to a Freya,, Yiggy,  mono Vidars.   The change in sound was remarkable and much better!
Velvet voices, details I never heard before from the innuous mini MK 3.
I told him about the experience he said he relaced the Freya + because it did not have balannced outputs needed for two vidars running mono block to his Maggies.  So soon I will be testing a spare Vidar, Freya.  I already bought his Bifrost at half of new cost.  I can rent a Crown 2502 for $35 a week and compare. One thing I did learn by switching to my old PL 1 crown the soundstage opened up, more detailed and seemed faster?  Music flowed instead of just being there. Not the majesty of the DC 150 series II but more with the music. My hope would be a no contest from the old stuff. I can also side by side with the Crown if I want though for power it would be real overkill for 70W RMS speakers.  I am sure i would need to dial it down to half just to protect the speakers.  I will let you know my opinion later!
Cheers!  PCR


pcrhkr's avatar
pcrhkr OP
261 posts
 
Update, bought a Primaluna EVO 100,  and not looking back. A new level of audio sound above Shiit Vidar, Crown, and in a higher league.  Both sounded good but could not compete against the 30W / channel prima luna with my DIY towers. Absolutely impressed. I could not be more pleased.
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