The new Vincent Audio SV-228 is an integrated amplifier that features the manufacturer’s well-known hybrid design and that adds some very cool features. According to the manufacturer itself, the SV-228 is the consistent evolution of one of its most successful amplifier models, the SV-227 MK. It sports a completely new design, in which a VU meter embedded in the front paneland offers enough power to drive almost any speaker.
Vincent Audio is a German brand that was born in 1995 as a trademark of the Sintron Distribution group. Sintron continuously develops the brand’s products, which represents a continuous orientation towards two-channel stereo in the high-end class. In its range of products we find two electrical concepts. On one side are the solid state productsequipment based on pure transistor technology.
And on the other side is the hybrid technology, equipment that is partially equipped with valves to give the typical “tube character” sound, but using solid state power in the output stage. This provides enough power to drive even “difficult” speakers. The hybrid design offers an airy and dynamic sound, but also adds some warmth.
Vincent Audio SV-228: an amplifier that offers 100W per channel and Bluetooth connectivity
The new Vincent Audio SV-228 has a slightly lower price than other manufacturer models, such as the Vincent Audio SV-737. However, to a large extent, it is based on the power offered by both this and previous models.
Aesthetically, the Vincent Audio SV-228 stands out for incorporating a VU meter embedded in the front panel, as well as adjustable color lighting via a control on the rear panel. The two-channel meter is controlled by an independent CPU (Central Processing Unit), accurately displaying the power output in real time.
On a technical level, the Vincent Audio SV-228 equips the manufacturer’s commented hybrid design, thus offering the rich and natural sound of tubes, but also the power and control of solid-state electronics. It offers a power of 100W per channel at 8 ohms and 180W per channel at 4 ohmswhich should be enough to comfortably drive two pairs of speakers without distortion.
The two sections of the amplifier, the preamp and the power stage, are perfectly matched for maximum transparency. Nevertheless, user can bypass preamp/amp connection by removing external jumperswhich will allow an external digital signal processor (DSP) to be used for room correction.
This new model has been updated with a Burr-Brown PCM 5102 DACs that handles the latest high-resolution streaming formats, including WAV, FLAC, APE, LPCM and more. But it is also specially designed to bring out the best in compact discs.
Regarding connectivity, The Vincent Audio SV-228 stands out for including a main input that facilitates its use as a power amplifier together with a preamplifier or A/V processor.. Otherwise, it has three analog and two digital inputs. No matter the audio source, the SV-228 will handle it with ease, with a full-range output that brings out the best in high-fidelity recordings.
By last, the SV-228 features a Bluetooth 5.0 input for wireless streaming. This connectivity allows, without being a streamer amplifier such as the Cambridge Audio Evo 75, to reproduce the sound coming from a portable device, thus offering more options to users.
The Vincent Audio SV-228 It has already been put up for sale in Europe with an official price of €1,999.
