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David Berning Quadrature Z or Vitus SS-101

I've been using a Vitus SS-101 for some time and it's certainly a fantastic amp. I've been wanting to try a great tube amp that's not sloppy in the bass and i've negotiated the purchase of a David Berning Qaudrature Z. I will a/b test on my system and sell the one that loses the shootout. Any thoughts on what's the better amp?
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jtimothya
612 posts
 
I've not heard the Vitus but had the Quadrature Z in my system for a week or so. The Berning amp has the vitality, transparency and illumination of a fine OTL. (Won't debate whether it actually *is* an OTL). It revealed layers of harmonic nuance - I liked to say you could tell that Dusty brushed with the Ipana, not the Colgate. Taut, tonally fulfilling bass. Easily the fastest amp I've ever heard. Good luck - the comparo should be a lot fun and I'd like to hear your assessment.
rtn1
535 posts
 
I heard the Berning in another system. I thought it became congested during large orchestral passages. It also made too much background noise. Something to consider in your own system since this is typically overlooked on a short-term A/B demo. If you don't listen to orchestral music and are not sensitive to noise, then you may like it.
tubegroover
2,320 posts
 
Rtn1, your comments are very interesting to say the least. I have never heard either of your observations attributed to the zotl amps by Berning. Must have been some other issue. I own the zh270 which is less refined than the quadratures and the amp is neither noisy nor does it congest large music passages, to the contrary. It is both quiet and able to unravel complex music while maintaining scale. I would be most interested in the system and more of the details.
altoman
26 posts
 
I have to concur with Tubegroover. I have Quadrature Z's driving Soundlab A-1PX speakers and the amps are dead quiet and never sound congested. I can't comment on the Vitus as I haven't heard it.
darkmoebius
900 posts
 
06-20-11: Rtn1
I heard the Berning in another system. I thought it became congested during large orchestral passages. It also made too much background noise.
What were the speakers being driven? And what was the preamplifier?
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