Vivids with T+A amps or integrated

[sbo6]

I was curious if anyone has experience with T+A and Vivids. I heard an HV T+A preamp + monos and HV T+A integrated with several Magicos and very much like the full bodied yet detailed and quite dynamic sound I heard.

 

[sbnx]

I have heard various amps on my vivid G1's. Never heard T+A on Vivid only on Magico. Didn't much care for what I heard there but it is all system dependent.

Spectral -- not enough current to effectively drive the woofers
Jeff Rowland -- solid bass but just didn't quite do it in the mids
Luxman -- Nice!
Mola Mola -- not a fan of the sound of this amp
AudioNet -- My current amplifier -- warm yet detailed, great imaging and open soundstage, dynamic
Gryphon -- Earth shanking bass, detailed, sweetness

 

[sbnx]

Some amps I have heard but not in my system:

Dartzeel monoblocks -- heard this several times. Fantastic sound. I am skeptical if the stereo amp is capable of running the woofers on the Giya
Jadis -- melt in your seat kind of sound. very relaxed, warm sound.
Constellation -- not heard too much or too long but overall no complaints

Overall, the vivid's are going to easily let you hear the character of the amplifier. Although Vivid specs the speakers at 6 ohm load they are not really a consistent 6 ohm load. You can see this in the measurements published online. They are 3-4 ohms in the bass and 8+ ohms in the mids/highs. This means that they are a little harder for an amplifier to drive than you might expect based on the specs. To me, the Giyas are polite on the top end and neutral/revealing. If they are fed junk then they will spew junk. My preference is to add a touch of warmth/sweetness with whatever amp. But YMMV.

 

[sbo6]

Thanks sbnx. Can I ask which T+A you heard on the Magicos? From what I have heard the HV (high voltage) line is a level above their other lines and what I heard on Magico S5s and M3s.

 

[sbnx]

Thanks sbnx. Can I ask which T+A you heard on the Magicos? From what I have heard the HV (high voltage) line is a level above their other lines and what I heard on Magico S5s and M3s.

I honestly don’t know the model. It was at a show. The A3’s with T+A. The sound was not so good. Could have been just a poor setup. I believe a lot of people like T+A but i dont have experience with it.

I have listened to quite a few amplifiers with my G1’s and wanted to convey the various experiences with them. Have you heard the T+A in your system? I hope you can find a dealer that will allow you an in home demo before you spend.

~Todd

 

[sbo6]

Thanks again. I have heard that Luxman and Gryphon are very good with Vivids like you said. And I heard G1s at a Dallas Vivid dealer using the big Gryphon stereo amp and it sounded excellent. Also, an in home demo with T+A will be tough especially since I would look to buy whatever amp used.

 

[sbnx]

sbo6, i’m guessing you heard the vivids at scott warrens place. That’s where I heard the Dartzeel’s. I’m pretty sure if you asked Scott would bring a couple amps to your place to audition. Luxman, Gryphon, Audionet, Constellation — Dealers choice. Or i should say your choice.