Website author headshot
Cameron Oatley
ExtremeHiFi
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi

Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.

What reviewers think

Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.

What are hifi reviews useful for? (1) Identifying products you should demo in person at a dealer. (2) Learning which products reviewers unanimously praise as the best they've heard (this means they probably are legitimately great). (3) Identifying a product's attributes that satisfy your idiosyncratic needs and tastes. Beyond that, we often discount what reviewers say because they heap praise on most products—and are often apprehensive about publishing strong criticism or comparisons between products. Further, they seldom have more than a few products on-hand, often relying on their memories to compare past products. Always listen for yourself.

Manufacturer details

  • Drive mechanism: Philips CD Pro 2LF (modified by VA)
  • Digital output: 1x XLR (AES/EBU) / 1x RCA (S/PDIF)
  • Sample rate: 192kHz
  • Resolution: 24bit
  • Master clock: 24.576 MHz +/- 1 ppm
  • Power consumption standby: <1W
  • Power consumption operation: 35W
  • Dimensions (HxWxD): 135 x 435 x 428 mm
  • Weight: 26kg
  • Material: Aluminium for body parts
Improving on the quality of the transport used in our SCD-025 Mk.II proved to be a difficult task. A dramatic new approach was required to define a new reference standard for CD transports. We use the same modified Philips CD Pro 2 LF as found in the SCD-025 Mk.II, but for the Masterpiece Series we go a step further with even more detailed mechanical and electrical modifications resulting in a highly precise drive.
Manufacturer Site

Brand highlights

Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:

  • They deliver a sound that is musical and emotional, aiming for an involving experience rather than sterile hi-fidelity.
  • Components are often modular in design, constructed with matched transistors and high-quality components and local shunt-regulated power supplies, allowing for interchangeability and future upgrades.

RS-101

  • Positioning: Entry-level stereo power amplifier in the Reference Series.
  • Description: Offers 300W per channel at 8Ω. Features an intelligent Class A bias for enhanced musical detail, distinguishing it from higher-end models like the SS-025, which offer more power and refinement. This model is ideal for those seeking high performance at a more accessible price point, without the advanced features of the Signature or Masterpiece series.

SS-025

  • Positioning: Mid-range stereo power amplifier in the Signature Series.
  • Description: Delivers 300W per channel at 8Ω, similar to the RS-101, but with enhanced clarity and musicality due to its design based on the SIA-025 and SM-011. It offers a more refined soundstage compared to the RS-101.

MP-S201

  • Positioning: High-end stereo power amplifier in the Masterpiece Series.
  • Description: Stands out with its massive 500W per channel at 8Ω, doubling the power of the SS-025, and includes a mono mode for bi-amping. Its superior build quality and power make it ideal for large spaces.
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Avg. Product Price
$30,001-$40,000
Used For Sale
12
 Available (Scroll Down)
Brand Popularity
371
 of 900+
Badges
Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products Listed
21
Founding Year
1995

Our take on the brand

Vitus Audio is a hifi brand that follows a unique "Kaizen" philosophy of continuous improvement in their product development, with their Reference Series paradoxically serving as their entry-level line while maintaining reference-quality standards. Their amplifiers feature distinctive engineering choices, including fixed resistor networks for volume control and fully regulated power supplies for output stages, while their DACs use advanced upsampling technology developed with Anagram Technologies.

Look inside the brand

Brand Page

Our interview with the brand

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From our interview with
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Brand Page

What if you spend more?

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What competes at this price?

Aurender
MC20
32100
/
Released
2022
Check Amazon
Aurender is a hifi brand focused on digital music servers that offers unique storage configurations with user-installable drives up to 16TB, particularly beneficial for audiophiles who prefer streaming services. Their servers feature specialized components like Oven-Controlled Crystal Oscillators for AES/EBU output and dual-mono DACs with analog R2R stepped-attenuator volume controls, which minimize noise and jitter for superior sound quality.
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Our Summary

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Video review

Our take on the brand

Aurender is a hifi brand focused on digital music servers that offers unique storage configurations with user-installable drives up to 16TB, particularly beneficial for audiophiles who prefer streaming services. Their servers feature specialized components like Oven-Controlled Crystal Oscillators for AES/EBU output and dual-mono DACs with analog R2R stepped-attenuator volume controls, which minimize noise and jitter for superior sound quality.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page

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