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
- 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.
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 STX
reviews
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An excellent review of a great product
/
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
An excellent review of a great product
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
Video Review
Manufacturer details
Features
Specifications
- Dimensions (w×h×d): 410×185×410 mm
- Weight: 21kg
- Inputs: 4 source inputs and 1 Direct Input bypassing the preamp stage
- Outputs: 2 × Five Pin Stereo Electrostatic Headphone Jack connectors
- Tube complement: 2 × 300B; 2 x 6C45Pi; 2 x 6H30PI
Description
Egoista STX Viva Audio is proud to present its first dedicated electrostatic headphone amplifier. 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.
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.
Release Timeline
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.
Select products
Select product comparisons
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
$20,001-$30,000
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
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What competes at this price?
MASS-kobo
Model 465
20140
/
Released
2024
This model465 adopts the independent left and right power, twin balance monaural. A clean, stress-free sound that does not feel the presence of the amp is a sound appropriate for a flagship model.
MASS-kobo is a hifi amplifier brand. Each unit is hand-assembled by a single craftsman, Mr. Masuda, who personally tests and selects every component through an extensive binning process that limits output and creates long lead times. The brand embraces unconventional design choices, including intentionally high output impedance (~10Ω balanced), switch-mode power supplies in summit-tier amps, and build-to-order practices with sequential serialization and optional personal delivery by the craftsman himself.
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Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Exceedingly clean, detailed, linear, and transparent sound is delivered without adding color, pushing headphones to their limits
- Exceptional build quality, with hand-selected, tested, and matched components ensuring optimal performance
- High impedance output provides stronger performance with lower sensitivity headphones than its raw wattage number would suggest
- Razor sharp imaging and unparalleled instrument separation delivers every nuance in the music
Product Considerations
- Rocker power switch looks and feels cheap, disrupting the aesthetic
- Soundstage isn't the widest and may sound a bit up close and personal
- Does not give the same punch or slam as some other amps, lacking those massive capacitors found in other amps with reserve power
- High output impedance means some highly sensitive headphones and most IEMs will experience some level of change to the frequency response
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to the Zale hm1, the Mascobo 465 is enhanced in terms of image and detail
- Compared to the Cayin Soul 170HA, the MASS-kobo's sound is more pristine and transparent, while the Soul offers a perceived warmth and elevated body, the Soul also cannot keep up with the dynamics and immediacy of MASS-kobo
Takeaway: The Mascobo 465 is a high-end headphone amplifier that is meticulously built and provides exceptional detail and clarity to the sound. It's a great choice for audiophiles seeking a top-tier listening experience with high-end headphones.
Video review
Our take on the brand
MASS-kobo is a hifi amplifier brand. Each unit is hand-assembled by a single craftsman, Mr. Masuda, who personally tests and selects every component through an extensive binning process that limits output and creates long lead times. The brand embraces unconventional design choices, including intentionally high output impedance (~10Ω balanced), switch-mode power supplies in summit-tier amps, and build-to-order practices with sequential serialization and optional personal delivery by the craftsman himself.
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