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Armed with fully developed frequency extremes, the Viva’s strong sound can comfortably fill a 25m² or larger space with 87dB loudspeakers. This we usually don’t associate with 300B amps. And I’m not merely referencing sublime esoteric Jazz discs with small ensembles but electronica like Daft Punk’s Tron.Legacy soundtrack, the earlier StereoSound sampler or Laurie Anderson’s Big Science. The Preciso handles instrumental separation with aplomb to show off their individual spaces and dynamic actions.
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This gets us to the midrange, the part of the sonic spectrum that will be key to a potential buyer’s decision. Here the Preciso sounds predictably different than most valve amps. It’s here where we pay for the aspects already covered. Simply put the midrange isn’t as concise as it is with other 300B amps. Push/pull operation lowers THD and increases output power but also introduces limitations in resolution. This isn’t bad but the midrange is simply less impressive than are other elements of the Viva’s sound.
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The lower part of the midrange is slightly thin. Recessed lower midrange and upper bass where most recorded energy falls ‘saves’ some necessary drive current, understandable given the choice of output device.
This requires deliberation about ancillaries. For me it meant replacing my usual Acrolink Mexcel 7N-DA6300 interconnect with the softer 8N-A2080III Evo instead, the Acrolink Mexcel 7N-PC9300 power cord with the warmer Live Cable Signature. Ditto speakers. The Preciso would fancy boxes from Harbeth and Spendor. I’d avoid highly transparent variants. Here it’s important to add some weight to the lower midrange. Then we arrive at splendid dynamics without compression and good timbre.
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It is worth also considering the choice of output tubes. I would recommend carbon variants like Sophia Electric’s Princess 300B/c which have stronger warmer bass. I would avoid the lighter-sounding mesh plates. Then the Italian amplifier allows us to configure a system around cult tubes without encountering most of their usual compromises. The Preciso looks splendid to boot which isn’t unimportant.
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Description: The Preciso is a stereo integrated tube amp with solid-state power supply. Its form factor is attractive due to rounded edges, professionally executed automotive lacquer (many colors are available) and submerging the tubes. The latter isn’t mere stylistic stunt but helps protect the valves which are prone to HF noise. Their sockets and related input circuitry are thus placed inside the shielded chassis. Metal shields connected to the input tube sockets further confirm this approach.
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On the fascia we have two knobs, one for volume in the middle and an input selector to the right plus a power switch and IR receiver. All controls are tucked deeply into milled recesses of the front panel. On the back we get four unbalanced line inputs on gold-plated chassis-mount RCA sockets. Next to those are single non-gold-plated loudspeaker terminals and the obligatory IEC power socket all deeply recessed.
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It appears that the front and back are varnished MDF while the top and bottom covers are thick aluminum plates. The electronic circuitry is assembled in classic point-to-point fashion. The signal proceeds from the input sockets via short unshielded cables to a nice mechanical switch placed close to the back panel via a long axle to the front. Ditto for the blue Alps potentiometer which the signal encounters next. From here we reach the grid of the first tube, the double triode Sovtek 6N1P-EB. This is either the first amplification stage or input buffer. The driver stage for the output tubes is another Sovtek tube, the double triode 6H30P-EB as also found in my Ancient Audio Air CD player. Behind it with inverted phase for one of the outputs we end up with the class A biased direct-heated 300B triodes in push/pull. For the American market there also is a 2A3 version.
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Point-to-point montages involve a lot of hookup wiring and here it’s no different. The passive parts are of high quality like the RS polypropylene coupling capacitors. On the output tubes and in their power supply there are splendid BHC electrolytic capacitors. In other places there are Rubycon caps. There are two EI transformers, one truly oversized, one merely big. Those are supported by a choke. Voltage rectification is by transistor bridges. The output transformers are very big double C-core types resembling those I have seen in the far more expensive Ancient Audio monos.
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opinia @ highfidelity.pl |
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