Wednesday, 07 January 2015 23:13

Swissonor VSOP integrated tube amp – review

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This fetal guy is available in two editions. Before you start playing this amp, you must be aware that entry No. 1 is for MM-pickups. Connecting to a casual signal source can get a complete shock up properly, like I did when I put line signal here. But with Swissonor`s modified Thorens TD 160 with Ortofon 2M Red, it works the way it should - and with surprisingly positive movements in addition. Or you must pursue an edition without RIAA ..

This is a quite small integrated tube amp that has minimal things that need to be checked. It is based on one single ECC 81 tube, and has four 6V6 output tubes. And it has an input selector and volume control. The only thing you have to do is input no. 1, where the signal goes through a riaa-stage adapted to MM pickup. (For MC, this goes nicely with "PPP" - a MC transformer of excellent quality. This makes sure you can use quite sophisticated pickups If you prefer). And the riaa stage is great. Better than much of what you can find on vintage amplifiers, and certainly able to compete with relatively costly separate riaa-stages costing four thousand NOK, which is the price difference between the version with and without the RIAA. In my opinion a proper integrated amplifier should have built-in RIAA, and the opportunity to play vinyl in a decent way.

In addition to this being a nice feature, it must be weighted the great synergy effect you get when you use a pure Swissonor setup. Together with the modified Thorens TD 160 and one of the Swissonor loudspeaker models, you get a very nice musical signature we will return to later.

 

The handy size and the simple, no-nonsense shapes makes this a handy device in the home. But unlike other major and heavier competitors, the VSOP-amp only deliver 2x8 watts, which may scare you off. His turns out to be sufficiant to get a more than acceptable sound pressure when used with Swissonor B.A.C.H. speakers. With a sensitivity of 94 dB at 1 watt it can shown up a sound pressure that is on the borderline to the discomfort zone.

The special, dynamic playing style I remember Swissonor managed at “HiFi Messen in Horten”, I quickly proceeded to recognize, and the total works very well. Actually shockingly good with such an affordable pickup that was in use, both at the fair and when I reviewed this equipment at home. Unlike the when I used 2M Red in my reference system, it seems like the embedded riaa-stage is able to deliver both an engaging and credible picture of music, something that seems to be an trademark of Swissonor. The special Swissonor signature is focus on achieving dynamics, something that for many of us is the most important factor in sound reproduction. With a complete Swissonor rig, even quite Chilling mm pickups will make a quite outstandingly dynamic job. So I dare not think of what that can be done with an extra dynamic duo, consisting of pickup and turntable that really brings out these factors of the music.

VSOP is not completely neutral. It has much in common with vintage tube amps based on EL34 tubes, and adds a nice tad of sound coloration in addition to emphasizing the dynamics. But this is actually only a positive contribution for very many music recordings. It happens, moreover, without that masking of details, neither in musical nuances nor sound. Here it creates a very believable realism. My experience is that a certain colorization of timbre is easily getting used to, and might be nice in the absence of striking appearance, or absence of certain frequency ranges. To emphasize the dynamics is only of the good, when we have to fight against dynamic compression on many music recordings. Exactly what happens, I don`t know, but Swissonor-timbre makes such recordings more acceptable to live with. VSOP is thus an excellent amplifier in general. Playing style is very nice if you use streaming services of different types, and you can also safely use digital players like Oppo BDP-105, which I used with good results. Timbre Match was very good.

The embedded RIAA stage also makes VSOP a very versatile item that can use turntables with a MM pickup, without use of external RIAA, and it does that in a way that is very easy to like. I faild exploring if it is identical with the separate riaa stage "PP", but sound wise both of these focus on dynamics, letting you enjoy relatively inexpensive MM pickups. Worth exploring.

 

Unfair compare?

To control test VSOP by comparing with the approximately 60 times more powerful ASR Emitter 2 Exclusive using 8 watts to operate MBL 101, I avoided. Some less demanding speaker of unfamous brand was tested, discovering that VSOP can be used in other contexts. But the limitations of power will probably damand that you ensure that the other Speakers are very easy to run. In reality they should preferably play far below 90dB at one Watt if it should work fine. But opposite I used Swissonor B.A.C.H. loudspeakers together with ASR. Not doubt that it was really overkill with all this power to so easily reel-type loudspeakers, but the special playing style of Swissonor subdued some. Loudspeakers (review to come) sounded more formal and "correct", but many would prefer 8 tube watts and Swissonor-style of playing all the way. There is thus no reason to three to four double amplifier investments if you go for those loudspeakers.

 

Conclusion

Swissonor VSOP is primarily developed and designed for use together with Swissonor`s own speakers. In such a manner it is in many ways a special tool for very effective Speakers, where one try to emphasize the dynamic aspects of the music. It therefore exists many contexts where other speakers may be appropriate. I immediately think of horn people`s preferences. In this context one may not regards Swissonor as particularly expnsive, in particular not for those who need an good RIAA. MC option PPP is available, but very many MM pickups will thrive in the company of this guy.

In right setup, this is really a very good amplifier, with attractive timbre character if you will let you engage specially by the dynamic qualities of the music. The sound is traditional tube-like, naturally enough, but pass through very well details of all kinds.

If you need much power, play mainly digital, and are dependent on remote control, you will probably wonder if there are better suited options, also from the same manufacturer. But be particularly aware, of VSOP if you like Swissonor`s speaker constructions.  In that case 8 watts is plenty, and the match is perfect. They are the hands that these these gloves are hand-made for…

 

Price with RIAA: 40.400 kr

 

Distributor: www.bebophifi.no

And in case you wondered - V.S.O.P. is short for Vacuum State amplifier with Operational Phono preamplifier

 

 

 

 

 
Read 9280 times Last modified on Saturday, 24 December 2022 13:30
Arve Åheim

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