[cladane]

Good questions as since then Abyss headphones landed on earth. How does the Viva manage them comparing to Cavalli Liquid Gold or Luxman P700 u ??
And being an SE design, isn't it a weakness ??

 

[bmichels]

Well I just heard the Egoista today at the High-End Show in MUNICH, with the LCD-3 but also with my Ultrasone ED5. I was blown away by it's IMPACT !  My ED5 never sounded like this !
 
The associated DAC/CD, the VIVA NUNERICO, provided apparently a very good match for the Egoista, but... I hesitate to spend  $ 10.000 for an unknown DAC/CD for which I have no infos on the used technology, and that is  coming from a Speaker/Amp manufacturer.  Designing a DAC, is a very different task for a company specialised in the analog/HP s ? VIVA is never designed digital before !?
 
--> Can someone tell me how the NUMERICO DAC/CD compare with other TOL DACS ?  For $10.000 you have some very very respected TOL DACS+CDs  coming from company specialised in Digital design !!
 

 

[cladane]

About the Egoista P Paya (casques&headphones)got in touch with Viva and is going to order one to demo it in France.
Regarding the DAC I would look at TotalDAC.

 

[El Cucuy]

I'm glad to see that you had such a pleasant experience with the Viva components at the show.  
I would submit, however, that you allow for Amedeo's knowledge as a designer of bespoke audio components, who's been very passionate about bringing to market items that sing, musically.  Remember, the Egoista can only give you as good as the signal it was getting and from the tone of your enthusiasm (or surprise) - the combination did just that for you.

I must admit, even after being the US West Coast retailer for Viva products for the past 9 years, the Numerico surprised both the importer and I when we used it for the first time at the Home Entertainment Show in Newport Beach. As we're pre-disposed to showing our Viva rooms mostly with vinyl, we just looks at each other when we fired up the Numerico and said "wow, Amedeo did it again!".  Anyway... I know that's not really saying a lot for you but anyone here who's met me at these shows will get it.

Best regards, 

Dan Muzquiz
Blackbird Audio Gallery
Santee, CA.

 

[bmichels]

I know, I was with Pierre at the Munich's show, and eventu day we came back to VIVA s booth to listen to the EGOISTA against and again

TotalDAC is indeed a Nice solution.

 

[El Cucuy]

Being an SE design, putting out 18 watts of Class A power for headphones is absolutely no weakness.  The clean signal path and the 845 tubes do a splendid job - the Solistino integrated (which is what the Egoista is based on) drives most of the speakers we carry quite nicely and with authority with that very same power output.  Cladane, I hope some time you'll have the opportunity to have a listen for yourself and you'll see what I mean and what bmichels experienced.  

Best regards, 

Dan Muzquiz
Blackbird Audio Gallery
Santee, CA

 

[cladane]

Thank you El Cucuy for the feedback.
 
Since I read F Iacone review we organized with Casques&Headphones a contact with Viva and we will listen in France at the Egoista with great pleasure.
Let's the Munich show lights be off.

 

[Klonk]

I heard it at the Munich Show too. Very impressive amp. However there was smaller prototype head amp there, (although small is relative in comparison to other head amps it is still a monster). In a way I preferred the smaller amp less power (different tube) but to my ears it  sounded smoother. 

 

[Yoga]

Hmmm. Very tempting amp.
 
Klonk - this smaller amp, was it from Viva?

 

[Klonk]

Hi Yoga, yes it is new head amp by Viva Audio. It looks like one of their pre amps, but it is a head amp. I really liked it a lot, unfortunately I don't remember what power tubes were used in it. But it sounded beautiful with a very similar sound signature to the bigger Egoista head amp, just with less power. I am very tempted, but it still is rather pricey, without knowing exact retail. I wonder, if member bmichels didn't listen to it?

 

[thinker]

  I heard it at the Munich Show too. Very impressive amp. However there was smaller prototype head amp there, (although small is relative in comparison to other head amps it is still a monster). In a way I preferred the smaller amp less power (different tube) but to my ears it  sounded smoother. 

I was also at Munich, the smaller VIVA amp was with 2A3 tubes and i found it to be a perfect match with Audezes.The amp is extremely airy (wich is good for Audezes) and neutral ,open and dynamic .I asked about the price if i remember right it was around 6000 USD

 

[Klonk]

I just remembered I took two pictures. @thinker, thank you, it could well be a 2A3.
 

 

 

[bmichels]

Well, like you all, I was VERY impressed by the "big" Egoista and I am even considering selling my Eddie Curent EC445 to get an Egoista. 
 
but... what do you think about their NUMERICO  DAC/CD Player ?   Of course, since the impressive sound of the Egoista came from the Numerico, the Numerico must be good, but... VIVA is not a company know for it's digital designs. 

 

[Klonk]

The whole package HeadAmps Numerico Dac/Players sounded great to me. But that was the first time that I heard any of their products, hence I don't know how much was down to the Numerico that it sounded so great. But all in all a fantastic sounding combination. 

 

[bmichels]

and...great looking