Stereophile (Fremer's) Review of Musical Fidelity;s Nu-Vista 800 Integrated Amp....

cmalak

cmalak

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http://www.stereophile.com/content/...-800-integrated-amplifier#m7dHxA7HJeAcPSdS.97

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It's interesting that MF's take on the amp is that it's a music lover's amp in that it has loads of midrange texture, a slightly rolled off top end, a solid bottom end but not the last word in resolution or transient attack. Sustain and decay of notes are all there and give the full measure of the musical event. What's interesting is that I know quite a few ASers who tried this amp out and who ended up returning it or flipping it because they thought the top end was a bit strident and in your face (which happens to match my experience with MF gear, albeit their mid-fi gear in the form of their A5 integrated amp and CD player - my first foray into the high end). In any case, goes to show how we all hear differently. Anyhoo, thought I would post it for those who tried it out so that they could compare notes with MF's impressions, as well as for anyone who is still interested in checking this piece of gear out.

Here are some of MF's concluding remarks:

The Nu-Vista 800 is a powerful, technically capable integrated amplifier that I'm sure will measure well—like all Musical Fidelity products. But instead of an assault on the state of the art designed to wring every last detail from every recording, regardless of the potentially negative consequences, the Nu-Vista 800 is more an easy-to-listen-to product aimed at the music lover. That is neither an audiophile putdown nor damning with faint praise: After all, it's possible to be an intense lover of music and someone who loves to wring from every recording every last detail, regardless of the consequences. But I suspect Antony Michaelson has had his fill of audiophiles on a quest for the ultimate in detail retrieval: I think he's more interested in reaching lovers of music by making things that sound really good.
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At $12,999, this is not an inexpensive product, but it's one that will bring a CD collection to new life and, when matched with the right associated analog gear, do the same with LPs. (I'd go solid-state phono amplification, with a lean, fast cartridge.) That imaginary customer could take home a Nu-Vista 800 and confidently say, "I'm done."
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Cyril - my friend Jerry bought mine and he loves it because it has great "bite" on the top end.


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I still have mine and my observations would probably marry up more closely with Fremer's than with those who think the top end is strident or shrill. Of course, system matching is everything and I'm running mine through a pair of Joseph Pulsars . To my ears , there is a warmish glow from those Nuvistors and the bottom end ? Who knows - mine's a desktop system so the amp's never going to really get the chance to strut it's stuff
 
Cyril - you are correct. All of us who had one, found it VERY sibilant. I wonder if they corrected it in later models, because I know ours were some of the first to be produced and I did complain to Musical Fidelity. Maybe they listened and made some adjustments? Don't know.
 
kiwi_1282001 said:
Possible, also the amount of run in time and the type of partnering equipment will also impact whats heard.
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I have to say that my impression of this amp aligns pretty well with Fremer's. I've had mine for several months, and it is well broken in. Playing through my system (below), it is warm, refined, musical, addictive. Lovely highs and full, articulate, physical bass. Midrange is very natural. It is not bright or sibilant within the context of my system. Listening to it right now...flamenco sketches--beautiful.
 
kiwi_1282001 said:
Thanks for sharing this Arsh . Does the Nuvista drive the Wilson's ok and what amp were you using prior to it?
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Hi Kiwi, the NuVista drives the Sashas easily. I previously had (still have it actually) a MF KW500, which I liked a lot, but it was getting old. I need it retubed. It is actually a great amp. The NuVista, however, is more refined and a step up in every way. I have listened to Alexias driven by ARC separates (25k monoblocs and 13k preamp) -- not in my room-- and actually prefer the sound I have. It seems more natural. That ARC system sounded good, but not real; rather a bit artificially highlighted detail and less focused, solid images. I also listened to Sashas driven by top of the line Mac separates (also not in my room), and I had a similar impression to that with the ARC system. Of course, this is all about personal preferences, not what is "best." But that is my impression.
 
kiwi_1282001 said:
Thanks for the reply Arsh. My short audition with the NuVista found it to be natural sounding as you have said. Did you notice any changes to the sound over time?
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You are very welcome, Kiwi. I let it break in for about 350 hours of continuous play before I did any serious listening. After that point, I don't think I haven't noticed any significant changes in the sound. It has been great from the start. It's a very addictive, musical amp. I find that I am listening to music more than ever before.
 
Stereophile (Fremer's) Review of Musical Fidelity;s Nu-Vista 800 Integrated A...

I'm now wondering if the first batch was flawed in some way. I did complain to MF and maybe they made some adjustment?! When Joe and I had ours (early adopters), it was quite sibilant, but otherwise beautiful sounding. The person that has mine now loves it because it has "bite".

Strange...

I would love to hear these later renditions of the NuVista 800.


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Arsh said:
You are very welcome, Kiwi. I let it break in for about 350 hours of continuous play before I did any serious listening. After that point, I don't think I haven't noticed any significant changes in the sound. It has been great from the start. It's a very addictive, musical amp. I find that I am listening to music more than ever before.
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Sorry for the typo there. It should read that I don't think I have noticed any further change since the break-in period was complete.
 
Mike said:
I'm now wondering if the first batch was flawed in some way. I did complain to MF and maybe they made some adjustment?! When Joe and I had ours (early adopters), it was quite sibilant, but otherwise beautiful sounding. The person that has mine now loves it because it has "bite".

Strange...

I would love to hear these later renditions of the NuVista 800.


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Mike, when did you have yours? I got mine in March of this year.
 
Arsh said:
Mike, when did you have yours? I got mine in March of this year.
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August 2014. Mine (and Joe's) were in the first batch of 7 that were made.

I'll be honest....if it didn't have that "bite" as Jerry calls it (and he loves...go figure), I would still have it. Other than the sibilance, it was FANTASTIC. I LOVED it. If they fixed the sibilance, then it's a game changer.
 
kiwi_1282001 said:
The treble on the NuVista is neither strident nor sibilant and my system with an Esoteric source, Nordost cables and Raidho speakers would tell me very quickly if there was a problem in these areas. I'm going to write about my detailed findings soon [in my system thread] but if an opportunity comes up to audition the latest build -- grab it Mike.
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Ralph, I will for sure. I've already reached out to my MF North American contact to discuss.

Mike
 
Mike said:
Ralph, I will for sure. I've already reached out to my MF North American contact to discuss.

Mike
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Mike, I definitely agree with Ralph. Do you think yours was completely broken in? I wonder if that may have been the issue. Nevertheless, it may be worth your giving it another try. I also think that my speakers and cables are pretty revealing so I would expect to hear a problem with the amp if there were one.
 
Arsh said:
Mike, I definitely agree with Ralph. Do you think yours was completely broken in? I wonder if that may have been the issue. Nevertheless, it may be worth your giving it another try. I also think that my speakers and cables are pretty revealing so I would expect to hear a problem with the amp if there were one.
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I'm also curious about the new NuVista CD player. Should be arriving soon to the U.S.
 
Arsh said:
Mike, I definitely agree with Ralph. Do you think yours was completely broken in? I wonder if that may have been the issue. Nevertheless, it may be worth your giving it another try. I also think that my speakers and cables are pretty revealing so I would expect to hear a problem with the amp if there were one.
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oh yes, I would estimate at least 500 hours. Like you, I kept thinking "man, it just needs more hours". But alas, no luck. I REALLY think it was the early production issues.
 
Mike said:
August 2014. Mine (and Joe's) were in the first batch of 7 that were made.

I'll be honest....if it didn't have that "bite" as Jerry calls it (and he loves...go figure), I would still have it. Other than the sibilance, it was FANTASTIC. I LOVED it. If they fixed the sibilance, then it's a game changer.
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After several months of use, I find the Nu-Vista 800 to be very "chameleon like". I believe it allows a stronger influence of upstream gear to shine through. It can change from sweet.....to a more lean and detailed presentation. All very dependant on surrounding gear and cabling. But it still maintains its detail and grip as a signature. This is a very interesting piece of gear, that provides many surprises....as gear is changed.
I only found brightness a tad hot, when using Nordost cabling in conjunction with the Spatial speakers (using compression drivers). I have tried this integrated with B & W 802's, Spatial Lumina Statements, Polymer Audio Research Masters, and currently the Talon Firebirds. These Firebirds can be VERY bright sounding. But I toned them down just a tad with Stealth Audio Dream 12 speaker cables, and everything fell into place. So far as I'm concerned, this Nu-Vista has been a real joy to use.

Jerry-
 
I must have had one of the early batch productions as well (I've had one for a year now) and never noticed any sibilance or aggressiveness in the treble.
 
Hi new to AS.
This thread sparked a thought on mine. I own the 800 and spent a long time demoing before buying. I tried the MF M8, naim, audio research, devialet but settled on the MF as it felt the best match with my focal 1028. Warmer and full bodied sound.
However the new amp I received has never quite met the same levels as the demo version I had. It felt a little flatter, thinnee and less involvingif that makes sense. Still good but not as I remember. I put it down to the fact that my "great" wife changed from carpet to wood flooring in between but this has got me wondering lol...
By the way are you guys running them with or without spiked feet? Any difference? I know I could try it but it it is a big amp and I'm not as mobile as I used to be lol
 
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