Audiophilepure

https://www.hifinews.com/content/canor-virtus-a3-integrated-amp-dac

To assess the amp’s internal DAC, an Eversolo DMP-A8 [HFN May ’24] was employed as a digital transport, feeding the Virtus A3 via USB and streaming mainly from Roon. (As most amplifiers and DACs feature a USB-B port, the USB-C connection here required a moment of mental recalibration – and a hunt for a different cable.) Playing Riceboy Sleeps [Parlophone 50999 963002; 44.1kHz/24-bit], the 2009 collaboration between Alex Somers and Sigur Rós stalwart Jonsí, the amp gave a natural and lifelike portrayal of the album’s calming, ambient soundscapes. Through the Monitor Audio speakers, ‘Atlas Song’ encircled me with layers of Icelandic-style singing, and instruments (including piano and strings) retaining a discrete character.

The Virtus A3’s DAC stage also deftly handled the delicate detail throughout Chopin’s ‘Nocturne in B Minor, Lento Con Gran Espressione’, arranged by Mischa Maisky and played by cellist Camille Thomas [The Chopin Project: Trilogy, Deutsche Grammophon DG4858451; CD resolution]. A slight touch of warmth made the piano from Julien Brocal less direct, but overall, there wasn’t any sense that resolution had suffered.

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