Yep I called both the Utah and the westlake dealers. Both out of business.
Calling Canada for gear is not gunna happen. I've got a call in to the broker who operates here on the gon. Tho I really want the Vitus gear that's a level up from what he has. Fingers crossed cause I know it's some solid gear. Not giving up yet. And thanks guys for being on the gon and helping.

documentroom December 25, 2014 03:24

One of those USA dealers you refer to, Westelake Audio, has been out of business for years(its in my local town)...too bad the web page isn't updated more. Can't vouch for the other two sites on the Web page posted by Melbguy.
Gear does tend to wear out and/or need service periodically, and when it happens its nice to have more local support.
Happy Holidays,
bob

mribob December 24, 2014 22:06

Hey Documentroom, according to VA's website they have three US Dealer's & one Canadian Dealer. Vitus gear is made with extremely tight tolerances and built quality. They are using very expensive machinery to machine parts in-house and print their own boards. I've found their gear to be very reliable & have only heard of one issue with the new RCD-101 sacd player, however that issue related to the Sony SACD drive which was one of the new OEM parts.

melbguy1 December 24, 2014 20:26

I'm confused. With Vitus not having a dealers in the United states things could get bad. I've been calling everyone around in reference to this company. I would be so bummed if I bought into this line and had a unit go south. Last thing I want to do is send gear overseas to get fixed. I guess this is anouther dead end.

documentroom December 24, 2014 17:50

Charles, your comments are like saying "I Like the look of that house" and deciding to buy it on that narrow criteria, when the framework and sound-proofing is substandard. You get what you want now, but find you wake up with a headache in years to come. Btw, I cited Boulder purely to highlight the large difference in engineering and build quality, not make a sonic comparison which is how you've take my comments. I obviously own a Vitus amp which suggests what my preference is. Personally, I wouldn't touch Constellation with a 10 foot pole. Yep, my mileage seems to be varying a lot here.

melbguy1 November 29, 2014 13:04

Hi Mel
In no way can I dispute another person's "subjective" findings as they naturally vary from one person to the next. I'm in no position to comment on the built quality of the amplifiers either. All I can state here is what I heard with my own ears. I'd choose the Constellation over the Soulution amps I've listen to. I didn't care for what I've heard from Boulder either in the past. Vitus was preferable to Boulder and Soulution for my taste. Again these are just one man's personal impressions. It's likely my individual taste are very different from perhaps yours or the WBF folks that you cite, that's all.The audio systems we develop in our homes reflect what type of sound we desire or seek. Boulder and Soulution probably have impeccable built quality, I just don't care for their sonic results. Good components require good engineering but there's also art involved as well(the human touch and intervention factor). As always YMMV.
Regards,

charles1dad November 29, 2014 12:58

Charles, 'Stereo' on WBF rated the Constellation Centaur as "bronze" standard behind even Hegel. He rated Vitus Signature Series as "gold standard". He wasn't joking when he described Constellation as having average construction. Toga posted some photos on Audio Afficionado showing a power supplies for the Boulder 1060 and Centaur which highlight the striking difference in the standard of engineering. The Centaur looked like an 80's design and has a rabbit's warren of wiring, whilst the Boulder has impeccable design/engineering. You may not be able to view the above photos unless you're a member on there.

melbguy1 November 29, 2014 02:18

This year at CES I heard Constellation driving the Magico S5(can't recall the front end) it was very good during a long listening session. This amplifier sounds better with Magico than the Soulution amps I've heard with them.A matter of taste I realize.

charles1dad November 27, 2014 19:56

Doc, if you're going solid state, both brands you mentioned are good choices for synergy with S5. Though with Constellation I'm just going by reviews & show feedback as I haven't heard any Constellation gear. Lets us know how the auditions go.

melbguy1 November 27, 2014 06:50

That's a great article I read it the night I read your post while doing research. My choices are no going to be between the constlation mono amps I think there called the 1.0. And the Vitus. Can't wait. Going to find a Vitus desler around me. I really need theses new amps to last me a few years. Fingers crossed.

documentroom November 27, 2014 00:00

YW Doc, btw here is a guy who is driving his Q7's with a Vitus RI-100 with the optional phono stage (and the RS-100/RD-100 is better!).

melbguy1 November 21, 2014 22:34

Melbguy1 your very right. I'm in the process of getting my act together and looking for amps. Very good food for thought that was offered up. Vitus has all was blown me away at the shows. At the moment I just set up my rig in a small room and am in the deign phase of new room. Nice to be in our finale house. And just knowing I'm about to do some big construction make my stomach turn. Fun stuff. Any other suggestions from the good people on the gon helps. Budget is always and issue but there's allways ways around it if try hard enough. Thanks team.

documentroom November 21, 2014 16:13

Good luck with your new room Doc. The S5's should hold their own in a big size room, but to be frank, I don't think your current ARC amps will enable your S5's to properly pressurize your room. If I can offer a suggestion, fyi Scot Hull from Part-time Audiophile just posted an interesting review of the Vitus RS-100 power amp & RD-100 dac/preamp which uses an updated version of Vitus's excellent analogue relay-based volume control which has "true" analogue inputs. The RS-100/RD-100 not only offer excellent bang for your high end buck & have excellent synergy with Magico, but will properly control your S5's in a large size room, or any speaker you throw at them. Scot rated the RD-100 preamp favourably against his Pass XP-30 pre. Just some food for thought.

melbguy1 October 13, 2014 20:36

Sorry everyone my system is all boxed up as I made the big move to our finale beach home. Construction on the new house is almost dune and then I can start to do my build out on my new critical listening room. It's a huge room and I will need to make sure I get it right. Have not been on the gon for awhile. I'm sure new gear will be a must. Hope all is well.

documentroom October 13, 2014 18:59

D are you pairing the G1 with S5?

Congrats on the new acquisition.

lapierre October 06, 2014 04:49

Sorry... Meant to write S5's, not 3's. Did not mean to slight your new speakers in any way.

mribob September 30, 2014 05:49

JT;
Wow; great new stuff. Your room must now sound as close to Nirvana as you had hoped. The S3s seem to be a perfect fit for your room, and your love of the Magico special sound. Let me know when you are ready to invite folks over for a listening session...wine's on me!
Congrats, and enjoy the music.

mribob September 29, 2014 14:24

Congrats on your system Doc. I also own a pair of S5's and share your enthusiasm for them. They are warm, amazingly resolving, dynamic, well balanced, coherent and have a slightly more laid back presentation than the Q3's. They respond well to some warmth upstream, so the ARC amps are a very good choice. Great choice with the AMG tt, Airtight cart & Ref 2SE phono stage. They are all great value and should work in perfect harmony. That would be the tt I would buy if I was venturing into vinyl.

Also it is pleasing to see your careful attention to detail with AC power, isolation & room treatments. We're on the same page there. Overall very nice rig good sir!

melbguy1 September 23, 2014 12:30

Peter great to hear from ya. Had to give it a few days to let my ears adjust before I spoke on the change. We'll beyond the obvious that the s5 is full range, I notice some real changes in the upper freq. More detail and extension for sure. What caught me by surprise was that placement was much easier tho I'm still making small changes to tow in and speakers depth tho I'm real close. The s5 seams like at no mater what gain level they play about the same with the rest of the team mates. They must be more sensitive then the mini as amp is not working as hard tho could be full sound being a helping hand with that. My current room size is no problem and I bet a smaller room would be ok. This room is 19 by 16. As far as looks this is another factor to consider cause there is not a speaker more beautiful then the mini. S5 higher in fidelity easier to drive and ok to look at so there staying. When my new house and most importantly my new critical listening room is dune I will revisit but I think I found a great speaker for my rooms and my style of music I listen to. Very fun and enjoyable. Oh and there heavy. Real real heavy. If that maters. Q series I'm sure has benefits but for some reason the s5 mocks them by doing its thing so well. As they develop there sound over the next few weeks I will add input I'm sure. This new room I'm gunna build will be one of my last. After over 15 control room studios and listening rooms I'm dune. Will try to make it one of my best sounding room. Fingers crossed.

documentroom June 09, 2014 19:40

Hey, congratulations on the S5. So tell a fellow Mini 2 owner how they compare in your system.

peterayer June 08, 2014 20:18

Thanks Albert gunna keep my on those polymer audio speakers tho. I heard them at a shop a few days ago. Need to get a better understanding of them before I go all out on that type of price. At the end of summer I will begin on my last room design so my system will shut down till construction is dune. Thanks s5 are fun.

documentroom June 08, 2014 12:29

Congrats on the Magico, I hope it brings you much joy.

albertporter June 08, 2014 06:54

System edited: Added Magico s5 this week. Just incredible. My new room to be built at the end of the summer will need a speaker that can handle a large room. Exciting times.

documentroom June 08, 2014 01:30

Hi about 2 years ago I went from the Finite rack to the Grand Prix Audio Silverstone F1...they did EXACTLY what you are describing with your HRS. I know exactly how your feeling now and what you're hearing.

Congratulations!

jfrech February 12, 2014 19:04

Peter you have a great eye. You read my mind when I got the rack in I started thinking about those silver q1 Magicos. Na I'm sticking with the minis for now. I've been moving gear around a bit. And trying some tweaks. I like the TT on the stand better. When on stand imaging and low end freq. tighten up. System is coming together nicely. In a few days I should have a better understanding of what my needs are. Good times.

documentroom February 12, 2014 00:55