View Full Version : FS: Virtue Audio M451 'Sensation' Integrated amplifier with Battery PSU
jandl100
08-10-2014, 12:30
Superb class D integrated amplifier with remote control of input and volume.
See review http://www.tnt-audio.com/ampli/virtue_sensation_e.html
My unit comes with the standard PSU and also the Virtue Audio Battery PSU which provides a substantial upgrade to the sound.
The manual is available online http://www.wihifi.com/virtuemanual/Sensation_Owners_Manual.pdf
I don't have the original box but the amp will be safely packaged for shipping.
The amp is in excellent condition, except for a tiny mark on the rosewood top-plate (see photo 3) and a screw missing at the rear (see photo 2 top left) which has no apparent effect! It's all very solidly put together.
I will supply a US/UK adaptor for charging the battery PSU. and a UK mains cable for the standard PSU.
£400 plus £20 UK shipping
http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii114/jandl100/DSCF0302_zpsad31644d.jpg (http://s262.photobucket.com/user/jandl100/media/DSCF0302_zpsad31644d.jpg.html)
http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii114/jandl100/DSCF0303_zpsf834cf22.jpg (http://s262.photobucket.com/user/jandl100/media/DSCF0303_zpsf834cf22.jpg.html)
http://i262.photobucket.com/albums/ii114/jandl100/DSCF0304_zps2a3f3549.jpg (http://s262.photobucket.com/user/jandl100/media/DSCF0304_zps2a3f3549.jpg.html)
That looks the part Jerry. What did you think of its performance?
jandl100
08-10-2014, 15:02
It really is very good, I can hear why many folks think it is the ultimate chip-amp.
But, it's just a touch on the smoooth side of the divide for my uncouth tastes, just a bit too refined for me. Many folks will love it, but when it comes to choosing which amp to use my Ming Da valve jobbie wins the day for me. Others would undoubtedly disagree, some folks think my tastes run to the forward and brash, and they probably know who they are!
It really is very good, I can hear why many folks think it is the ultimate chip-amp.
But, it's just a touch on the smoooth side of the divide for my uncouth tastes, just a bit too refined for me. Many folks will love it, but when it comes to choosing which amp to use my Ming Da valve jobbie wins the day for me. Others would undoubtedly disagree, some folks think my tastes run to the forward and brash, and they probably know who they are!
l own two of these amps and they are pretty special in my world. ( Mybe not Jerry' though.)
It really is very good, I can hear why many folks think it is the ultimate chip-amp.
But, it's just a touch on the smoooth side of the divide for my uncouth tastes, just a bit too refined for me. Many folks will love it, but when it comes to choosing which amp to use my Ming Da valve jobbie wins the day for me. Others would undoubtedly disagree, some folks think my tastes run to the forward and brash, and they probably know who they are!
Quite like smooth... need to wait til the TT sells though.
southall-1998
08-10-2014, 22:02
So Jerry prefers amps that are more 'rude' sounding ;)
S.
jandl100
09-10-2014, 06:18
So Jerry prefers amps that are more 'rude' sounding ;)
S.
Yeah, gimme rude over refined any day. :eyebrows: I prefer a slapper of an amp. :lol:
-- it's a bit like that Chapter Audio Couplet 250 power amp I had - lots of folks loved it in its previous owner's system for its refined sophistication. Me, I was just bored by it! :mental:
Although the Virtue amp has a fair bit more get up and go than the Chapter amp had.
I've got 3 main amps at the moment - the Virtue, the NAD S300 class A/B solid-stater and Ming Da KT90 valve jobbie. All very good amps, but it's a bit silly, something has to go, and the other two suit me better.
jandl100
10-10-2014, 05:31
Swaps / px considered. :)
Still interested Jerry but nowt is selling at mo...........
jandl100
11-10-2014, 05:49
Aye - it's a bit slow ... swapsies?
Got the copper clone as part exchange if interested. Think you'd like it!
jandl100
11-10-2014, 22:20
A pre-amp? - trouble is I don't have a power amp at the moment - only integrateds! :doh:
A pre-amp? - trouble is I don't have a power amp at the moment - only integrateds! :doh:
could fling in a p500 :eyebrows: its a nice combo actually
jandl100
12-10-2014, 06:57
p500? - that's a mains doodad?
No, ta, I've got my mains well sorted with an AG1500 regenerator. :thumbsup:
jandl100
21-10-2014, 07:10
Bump !!
hey, how come this great amp is still on my shelves? :scratch:
--- hmm, too much talk of it being laidback, maybe. Well, it is a bit compared to some, but not compared to others!
As a guideline I'd say it is more upfront than a Lyngdorf, but more laidback than my current NAD S300. About the same as my old humungous Parasound Halo A21 - middle of the road! :)
Offers ? Swapsies? P/ex? ;)
Jerry- do not quite know how you get "laidback" sound from the amp:scratch: smooth yes but the two Sensations l have here are certainly not laidback.:lol:
jandl100
21-10-2014, 21:02
It's all relative, Andy - I think the Virtue amp sits somewhere near the middle so is probably about right! I do tend to prefer a sound a bit on the upfront side.
jandl100
25-10-2014, 07:02
Withdrawn from sale.
I hooked it up again a few days ago, and I'm really enjoying it!
I've finally realised what it sounds most like - Unison Research Unico valve/ss hybrid amps -- it's sort of got a niceness-pass filter on it. Like high-pass filters that only allow high freqs thru, this amp seems to have a filter that only allows nice sounds thru. Kind of a hint of a golden rosy glow about it, just like the Unico gear. Which is good to have once in a while, so I'm keeping it for now. :thumbsup:
Who needs warts&all stark reality, eh, when you can luxuriate in a Golden Glow. :D
brian2957
25-10-2014, 07:24
Don't think ' golden glow ' is your thing Jerry :eyebrows: Seriously though if I hadn't just bought a big old Sony TA F770ES I would have most definitely gone for this amp . Like you I'm a big digital amp fan and this has been on my radar for quite a while . However they don't seem to come up very often and I can only assume those who have bought one are very happy with it . Don't 'glow ' too much mate :lol:
Been saving up for that:) enjoy
Don't think ' golden glow ' is your thing Jerry :eyebrows: Seriously though if I hadn't just bought a big old Sony TA F770ES I would have most definitely gone for this amp . Like you I'm a big digital amp fan and this has been on my radar for quite a while . However they don't seem to come up very often and I can only assume those who have bought one are very happy with it . Don't 'glow ' too much mate :lol:
Brian these two amps are like chalk and cheese- l know this l own both.:lol:
brian2957
25-10-2014, 16:46
i can't disagree since I haven't owned both Andy . I would still like to try the Virtue Audio amp . :)
jandl100
25-10-2014, 17:25
However they don't seem to come up very often and I can only assume those who have bought one are very happy with it .
Yep, I think you're right, Brian.
The guy I bought it from has another with a supadupa PSU. Andy Tarzan is ecstatic with his.
There are a couple of forum folk who may come back to me to buy once they have freed up some funds, so I'll see how I feel about it if that does happen.
The Virtue amp has now been ensconced in my system for the last few days - I'm very happy to be listening to it, certainly no urge to heave it out at the moment!
banjoman
27-10-2014, 13:21
Yep, I think you're right, Brian.
The guy I bought it from has another with a supadupa PSU. Andy Tarzan is ecstatic with his.
There are a couple of forum folk who may come back to me to buy once they have freed up some funds, so I'll see how I feel about it if that does happen.
The Virtue amp has now been ensconced in my system for the last few days - I'm very happy to be listening to it, certainly no urge to heave it out at the moment!
I used to have this amp and liked it so much, bought another upgraded version of the same amp from the US for a LOT more dosh!
This is honestly a superb amp. Having bought a new power amp (Goldmund Job225), I am currently using my Virtue M451 as a pre and it is superb
Someone should really pick it up at this price - really shows what a T-amp can do when implemented properly
jandl100
30-10-2014, 07:45
Oh heck - I may as well move this on if anyone fancies it!
Available again for purchase, swap or p/ex. :)
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