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.

Product Strengths

  • Realistic tonality of instruments
  • Recreates air and space well
  • Versatile with power on tap—delivering a dynamic and realistic performance
  • A detail monster that will extract everything that was recorded

Product Considerations

  • Runs extremely hot
  • Big and needs a lot of space
  • The sides of the amplifier are hot to the touch, as are the headphone jacks and the switch
  • The 845 tubes are exposed, which could be a concern for users with small children
  • Voiced specifically for the tubes that were selected, and Amedeo advises against tube rolling

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Vs Violectric V281: Stepped up the soundstage width and depth, had more body, and was better with imaging

Takeaway: The Viva Audio Egoista is a versatile, majestic amplifier that delivers a dynamic and realistic performance, bringing out the best in any headphone. It is a statement product built to last and provide years of musical enjoyment.

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.

All

Egoista 2A3

reviews

[{"title":"Review: Viva Audio Egoista 2A3 Headphone Amplifier","link":"https://pt.audio/2016/02/06/review-viva-audio-egoista-2a3-headphone-amplifier","source":"Part-Time Audiophile","datePublished":""},{"title":"VIVA EGOISTA AMPLIFIER “A MAJESTIC MASTERPIECE”","link":"https://headphone.guru/viva-egoista-amplifier-a-majestic-masterpiece-part-ii","source":"headphone.guru","datePublished":""}]
An excellent review of a great product
/
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
An excellent review of a great product
Publisher
/
3/1/2022

Manufacturer details

  • Dimensions (w×h×d): 410×185×410 mm
  • Weight: 19 kg
  • Inputs: 4 × RCA
  • Outputs: 2 × Headphone Jack
  • Tube complement: 2 x 6C45Pi; 2 × 2A3
Egoista 2A3 continues Viva's state-of-the-art amplifier design traditions, offering a blend of incredible sonic characteristics built on a smaller chassis. Tube enthusiasts love 2A3 power tubes for speed, articulation, detail, incredible tonal range and timbre accuracy. Egoista 2A3 delivers it all with unsurpassed dynamics, driving headphones with authority and ease.
Tube enthusiasts love 2A3 power tubes for speed, articulation, detail, incredible tonal range and timbre accuracy. Egoista 2A3 delivers it all with unsurpassed dynamics, driving headphones with authority and ease. Leading hi-fi industry publication Head-Fi.org called Egoista 2A3 “addictive” and its sound “always so smooth and engaging.” According to Audiotraveller review, Egoista 2A3 “may well be the best-sounding amplifier on the market.”
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:

  • Viva Audio products feature striking Italian design, often using automotive-grade paint in a wide array of custom colors, making them visually distinctive and customizable.
  • They prioritize point-to-point wiring and zero negative feedback in their Class A tube amplifier designs, focusing on a pure, unadulterated sound signature.
  • The brand's amplifiers are known for their ability to recreate a realistic soundstage, offering a deep and immersive listening experience.
  • Viva Audio products are frequently described as having a unique ability to bring out the best qualities of connected components, including a wide range of headphones and speakers, revealing nuances and details that might otherwise be missed.

F1  

  • Positioning: An entry-level phono preamplifier designed for basic vinyl setups.  
  • Description: Delivers rich, low-noise sound with state-of-the-art output transformers and a short signal path that sets it apart from more complex designs. Differs from the L1 and Linea by focusing solely on phono applications for users on a tighter budget.

L1  

  • Positioning: A compact preamplifier built with a single chassis and internal power supply for streamlined audio performance.  
  • Description: Features an extremely short signal path with one active stage that ensures clear signal integrity, contrasting with the multi-stage design of Linea. Stands out from F1 by handling line-level sources.

Linea  

  • Positioning: A high-performance line preamplifier aimed at audiophiles seeking refined control in a more complex audio system.  
  • Description: Offers enhanced signal processing and greater versatility with advanced circuitry that surpasses the simpler designs of F1 and L1.

Aurora  

  • Positioning: A tube amplifier focused on maximum musical articulation and precise sound reproduction.  
  • Description: Uses advanced tube circuitry with an emphasis on dynamic headroom and clarity, setting it apart from the preamplifier series such as L1, Linea, and F1.

Solista  

  • Positioning: A premium integrated amplifier that combines both amplification and preamplification in one robust design.  
  • Description: Integrates dual functions with a sophisticated triode tube circuit that delivers superior detail and dynamic performance, making it distinct from the separate designs of Aurora, L1, Linea, and F1.
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Avg. Product Price
$10,001-$20,000
Used For Sale
4
 Available (Scroll Down)
Brand Popularity
349
 of 900+
Badges
Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products Listed
16
Founding Year
1996

Our take on the brand

Viva Audio handcrafts bespoke audio equipment with zero negative feedback in its amplifiers, a rare feature that enhances natural sound quality. The Italian brand is distinguished by its "V" shaped chassis with automotive lacquer finishes, combining classic techniques from audio's golden era with modern technologies, with each component hand-built and tuned by founder Amedeo Schembri.

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Brand Page

Our interview with the brand

What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?

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From our interview with
.
Brand Page

What if you spend more?

Product image
Viva
Egoista STX
23750
23750
/
2
Reviews

Viva Egoista STX is the newest addition to the celebrated Viva Egoista family of headphone amplifiers. Egoista STX is specifically designed for high-end electrostatic headphones like STAX or HiFiMan. Egoista STX is capable of realizing the full potential of electrostatic headphones that no existing amplifiers can match. It is the first electrostatic headphone amplifier that can produce deep realistic bass. Effortless, clear sound, lack of distortion, natural tonal balance and ultra-wide dynamic range make Viva Egoista STX the best product in its class available on the market. Its performance will enchant the most demanding music aficionado and convince the most critical audio connoisseurs.

Viva Audio handcrafts bespoke audio equipment with zero negative feedback in its amplifiers, a rare feature that enhances natural sound quality. The Italian brand is distinguished by its "V" shaped chassis with automotive lacquer finishes, combining classic techniques from audio's golden era with modern technologies, with each component hand-built and tuned by founder Amedeo Schembri.
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Expand Details

Product Strengths

  • The Egoista STX is a visual work of art, especially with the tubes lit up
  • It brings out more of what electrostatic headphones are capable of reproducing
  • It produces a sound that is smooth, detailed, appealing, and addictive
  • The amp adds more life and body to the sound
  • The STX makes the music sound bigger and more appealing

Product Considerations

  • The review sample's main body color was a slightly uninspiring grey
  • Beyond the tubes, power cable, and manual, no other accessories come with this amp
  • Any source connected to the direct input should have its own volume control, for safety's sake

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Vs Stax SRM-D50—the STX was noticeably smoother, giving the solo clarinet more body and dimension during its solo

Takeaway: The Viva Audio Egoista STX headphone amplifier looks and sounds gorgeous and can make electrostatic headphones sing unlike anything else. It can bring additional legitimate musical enjoyment.

Video review

Our take on the brand

Viva Audio handcrafts bespoke audio equipment with zero negative feedback in its amplifiers, a rare feature that enhances natural sound quality. The Italian brand is distinguished by its "V" shaped chassis with automotive lacquer finishes, combining classic techniques from audio's golden era with modern technologies, with each component hand-built and tuned by founder Amedeo Schembri.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page

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