Vitus SM-103 MK.II new mono blocks

[Easy Gliders]

Took delivery 3 days ago of the new Vitus SM-103 Mk.II mono blocks, which were ordered 2.5 months ago. I have previously been using the Vitus SIA-030 for 1.5 years, and am not sure how much improvement in performance the SM-103 MK.II would be. Have also been using the Vitus SS-103 during the last one month and a half.
Burning in the power amplifiers 24/7 now. Initial impression is the sound is very transparent with high clarity and powerful grips of the Marten Mingus Quintet 2 Statement Edition speakers.
A few photos of the setup attached below:


Vitus SM-103 Mk.II mono blocks with MSB Reference DAC and Marten Mingus Quintet 2 Statement Edition speakers. All cabling are Jorma Statement cables.






SM-103 MK.II sitting on Stillpoints Component Stands with Ultra 6 V2 footers.

 

[Thieliste]

@Easy Gliders How did you like the SS-103 and is it a serious upgrade coming from SIA-030 .
I own the SIA-025 and might upgrade later on to SL-103 + SS-103, i just hope it is even more engaging than my SIA-025 with much more grip on the speakers, my Thiels need huge amount of current to really sing.

 

[jonathanhorwich]

Took delivery 3 days ago of the new Vitus SM-103 Mk.II mono blocks, which were ordered 2.5 months ago. I have previously been using the Vitus SIA-030 for 1.5 years, and am not sure how much improvement in performance the SM-103 MK.II would be. Have also been using the Vitus SS-103 during the last one month and a half.
Burning in the power amplifiers 24/7 now. Initial impression is the sound is very transparent with high clarity and powerful grips of the Marten Mingus Quintet 2 Statement Edition speakers.
A few photos of the setup attached below:

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Vitus SM-103 Mk.II mono blocks with MSB Reference DAC and Marten Mingus Quintet 2 Statement Edition speakers. All cabling are Jorma Statement cables.

View attachment 105393

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SM-103 MK.II sitting on Stillpoints Component Stands with Ultra 6 V2 footers.

Stunning.

 

[Easy Gliders]

@Easy Gliders How did you like the SS-103 and is it a serious upgrade coming from SIA-030 .
I own the SIA-025 and might upgrade later on to SL-103 + SS-103, i just hope it is even more engaging than my SIA-025 with much more grip on the speakers, my Thiels need huge amount of current to really sing.

@Thieliste, the SIA-030 is a very good amplifier by itself, so I felt going to the SS-103 was not so much of an upgrade. However, the SS-103 has more bass control and is warmer sounding. I was driving the SS-103 directly with the preamp in my MSB Reference DAC, so with the SL-103 preamp the sound characteristics maybe quite different. The SS-103 + SL-103 combination should be an excellent match for your Thiel 3.7 speakers.

 

[dcathro]

Beautiful looking system in a lovely room - love the tapestries/rugs on the front wall.

 

[Thieliste]

@Easy Gliders Can you please explain to us the nuances that you have found between your SM-103s and the SS-103 that you had on loan apart from SM having a better grip on speakers and being faster amps i would guess ?
Thanks.

 

[Easy Gliders]

@Easy Gliders Can you please explain to us the nuances that you have found between your SM-103s and the SS-103 that you had on loan apart from SM having a better grip on speakers and being faster amps i would guess ?
Thanks.

The SM-103 MK.II have higher resolution and less warm sounding than the SS-103. The sound signature of the SM-103 MK.II is closer to the sound of SIA-030 and Masterpiece MP-S201 - less mellow and warm.

 

[Amir]

Thanks for sharing beautiful pictures