[chesebert]

What the hell is this? I didn’t realize the balls people have for charging $10k+ for this third world build.

I am left speechless by the sheer audacity of some manufacturers.

 

[normie610]

What the hell is this? I didn’t realize the balls people have for charging $10k+ for this third world build.

I am left speechless by the sheer audacity of some manufacturers.

Is this one of Viva amps?

 

[chesebert]

Is this one of Viva amps?

Oh yes. It’s a beauty, isn’t it Quality parts including the $10 alps pot.

 

[Arniesb]

What the hell is this? I didn’t realize the balls people have for charging $10k+ for this third world build.

I am left speechless by the sheer audacity of some manufacturers.

Wow what a mess. Makes think that Engineer is complete amateur.

 

[DenverW]

Ouch! And I was just hearing positive impressions of the egoista from canjam…

I always appreciate when manufacturers post internal pics of their amps on the website.

 

[kevin gilmore]

mikhail direct quote
" it has to be built like that to sound good"

 

[chesebert]

This professional “review” of mikhail’s amp by 6moon says a lot about the audio industry then, and it has only gotten worse:“ Fit'n'finish is beyond reproach though clean freaks will sweat over just how to keep finger prints and dust off its high-gloss coat. Headfi.org has clearly done a wonderful job to promote this company and its products to the in-crowd of headphone aficionados.”

 

[Failed Engineer]

How was this sourced? Either way glad it's out there.

 

[alxw0w]

Point to point - everybody knows it's the best

ps. I feel pity for someone who is going to service this thing in the future

 

[fhuang]

i've heard some viva amp. it sure sounded good, just not sure 10k plus good. glad i left the game.

and single power, that bring back some memory

 

[alota]

Normally, in Italy, the owners of this brand have spoken to me as if they were superior. ahahahah

 

[ufospls2]

This is a post in response to recent discussion in the Stax x9000 thread, but felt it was way off topic and better placed here.

If I had to guess (and it is a guess) I would say that the photos of the STX internals are probably not doctored and are not a prototype, and most likely representative of a production amp. The reason I say that is based on one simple fact. Other photos exist of the internals of Viva amps, and they are very similar in terms of looks and design.

To be clear, I have never heard a Viva amp, or product. I have no experience with them, and am not passing judgement on their sonics and am not trying to bash their brand. I am simply sharing other photos which I feel back up that the STX photos, are probably real.

@Mentanalyste has mentioned that he has not received his STX yet (maybe he will share photos in internals when he does,) and also mentioned his 845 looked similar in terms of internals to the photos (if I was understanding his post correctly, please correct me if I am incorrect.)

Below are a few other internal photos

Viva Prescio Pre amp (from 6moons)

Photo of Classico 300b, taken from AudioShark from Owner of Suncoast Audio, who was (not sure if current) an Authorized Dealer

(https://www.audioshark.org/amplifie...uncoast-audio-16591.html?highlight=viva+audio)

Photo of Viva Audio Solista internals

taken from following official Viva PDF which has further in depth photos of internals (http://audiograffiti.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Image-Hifi.com-62015-Viva-Audio-Solista.pdf)

Another photo of Viva Solista taken directly from Stereophiles review

https://www.stereophile.com/content/listening-35-page-2

Viva Audio Numerico CD Transport

Taken from following post https://audiophilestyle.com/forums/...-dacs-revealed/?do=findComment&comment=428567

 

[normie610]

This is a post in response to recent discussion in the Stax x9000 thread, but felt it was way off topic and better placed here.

If I had to guess (and it is a guess) I would say that the photos of the STX internals are probably not doctored and are not a prototype, and most likely representative of a production amp. The reason I say that is based on one simple fact. Other photos exist of the internals of Viva amps, and they are very similar in terms of looks and design.

To be clear, I have never heard a Viva amp, or product. I have no experience with them, and am not passing judgement on their sonics and am not trying to bash their brand. I am simply sharing other photos which I feel back up that the STX photos, are probably real.

@Mentanalyste has mentioned that he has not received his STX yet (maybe he will share photos in internals when he does,) and also mentioned his 845 looked similar in terms of internals to the photos (if I was understanding his post correctly, please correct me if I am incorrect.)

Below are a few other internal photos

Viva Prescio Pre amp (from 6moons)



Photo of Classico 300b, taken from AudioShark from Owner of Suncoast Audio, who was (not sure if current) an Authorized Dealer

(https://www.audioshark.org/amplifie...uncoast-audio-16591.html?highlight=viva+audio)



Photo of Viva Audio Solista internals

taken from following official Viva PDF which has further in depth photos of internals (http://audiograffiti.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Image-Hifi.com-62015-Viva-Audio-Solista.pdf)




Another photo of Viva Solista taken directly from Stereophiles review

https://www.stereophile.com/content/listening-35-page-2



Viva Audio Numerico CD Transport

Taken from following post https://audiophilestyle.com/forums/...-dacs-revealed/?do=findComment&comment=428567

They just love wires, don’t they? Perhaps a huge chunk of the cost goes to labor costs, as I imagine it would be hard for the assembler to figure out which wire goes where

Jokes aside, I personally won’t spend a dime for their products no matter how good they sound.

 

[Mentanalyste]

This is a post in response to recent discussion in the Stax x9000 thread, but felt it was way off topic and better placed here.

If I had to guess (and it is a guess) I would say that the photos of the STX internals are probably not doctored and are not a prototype, and most likely representative of a production amp. The reason I say that is based on one simple fact. Other photos exist of the internals of Viva amps, and they are very similar in terms of looks and design.

To be clear, I have never heard a Viva amp, or product. I have no experience with them, and am not passing judgement on their sonics and am not trying to bash their brand. I am simply sharing other photos which I feel back up that the STX photos, are probably real.

@Mentanalyste has mentioned that he has not received his STX yet (maybe he will share photos in internals when he does,) and also mentioned his 845 looked similar in terms of internals to the photos (if I was understanding his post correctly, please correct me if I am incorrect.)

Below are a few other internal photos

Viva Prescio Pre amp (from 6moons)



Photo of Classico 300b, taken from AudioShark from Owner of Suncoast Audio, who was (not sure if current) an Authorized Dealer

(https://www.audioshark.org/amplifie...uncoast-audio-16591.html?highlight=viva+audio)



Photo of Viva Audio Solista internals

taken from following official Viva PDF which has further in depth photos of internals (http://audiograffiti.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Image-Hifi.com-62015-Viva-Audio-Solista.pdf)




Another photo of Viva Solista taken directly from Stereophiles review

https://www.stereophile.com/content/listening-35-page-2



Viva Audio Numerico CD Transport

Taken from following post https://audiophilestyle.com/forums/...-dacs-revealed/?do=findComment&comment=428567

Hi @ufospls2

Thank you for your contribution.

Yes, I should receive the STX in June. I will post exterior and interior pictures as soon as I receive it.

I validated the purchase of this amplifier after :
- 2 years of positive experience with the VIVA EGOISTA 845 (the dynamic version)
- One full day of STX listening, in a dedicated and very quiet room, using my DAC Mola Mola TAMBAQUI.

Honestly it was incredible.

After that, I could not make a comparison with other amplifiers except the IFI iESL PRo. And the difference was substantial.

As indicated on the X9000 forum, the implementation of the VIVA follow an old school : cable in the air, no circuit, to let the amplifier free with a minimum of resistance and thus distortion.

It's a choice of implementation. A manufacturing school.

My listening session was just fantastic. I can't wait to receive it to connect it to the X9000. Expected for June.

While waiting for the STX and X9000, I replaced my VIVA EGOISTA 845 by the Astell & Kern SP3000 and the FIR AUDIO Xenon 6.

 

[Thenewguy007]

Definitely looks sloppy.
Here is what Icon's 845 amp looks inside.
Super clean & organized.