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Nu-Vista 800 v. 600

Has anybody been able to compare first-hand the sonics of Musical Fidelity’s N-Vista 800.2, 600, and 800 (the last two now discontinued, I know).

I have Harbeth speakers: 86dB efficiency, 6ohm nominal impediance, minimum power requirements 25wpc (although Alan Shaw admits that they do better with 2-300 wpc), configured with mid-priced (as in a couple $K) cables, Audioquest Niagara 5000 power conditioner & power cables; and a George Merrill-designed turntable.

I'm also considering alternatives like the Levinson 5805, McIntosh MA-3500, HiFi Rose RA180, and ARC VSi75 -- but I think the Nu-Vista line might be the best fit for me.

I wouldn’t normally consider a purchase of this magnitude without a live audition, but there are no dealer/showrooms within 2000 miles of my location. And I’m just too old to be flying around the country to listen to speakers (to say nothing of the divorce that would result).

Thanks for any help you can provide.

cundare2
jjss49's avatar
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jjss49
6,612 posts
 

i have not compared, but i have the 600 and it has as much power as one would need ... my speakers have harbeth mon 40’s, super 5’s, and large spendors, as well as magnepans

it is a lovely amp with a silky smooth yet sufficiently impactful and transparent presentation, it just takes a little of the edge off of poor recordings that need it -- plenty of control and slam down below, as per top flight solid state amps... no softening at the bottom

the nuvista amps and dacs have always been musical fidelity’s finest work

cundare2 OP
265 posts
 

jjss49: Great information. FWIW, I was a tube-rolling hobbyis for years, building a system based on meticulously restored ESL-57s and 1950s-vintage Quad 2 monoblocks.  I was pretty happy with that sound (after adding a sub) for 20+ years. Today, I’d like a more "modern" sound than that -- flatter, more extended response, less "smoothing" of detail, but overall as musical and beautifully voiced as the Quads. Having said that, though, if my living situation allowed, I could still live happily with ESLs for the rest of my life!

Nonetheless, the sound you describe is almost exactly what I’m looking for right now.

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