Vincent SV-234 Amplifier
Vincent SV-234 integrated amplifier pleased us with its excellent design. Fully symmetrical layout of the channels, revealed in the internal space, immediately caused positive emotions. Logical and competent layout of the blocks: in the middle, closer to the front panel - a power unit with a powerful toroidal transformer in the shield and stabilizers for the pre-stages, on either side of it - boards of power amplifiers, and in the vicinity of the connectors on the rear wall - boards of input stages. All units are separated by steel shielding partitions. The structural symmetry of the channels ensures that their characteristics are identical. The size of the transformer designed for 500W is quite impressive, and the rated power of 200W at 8 Ohm load is easily provided. Here in the power compartment we also placed the stabilizers of the preliminary stages. But the supply filter capacitors (10,000 uF each) were placed not in the supply compartment, but on the power amplifier boards, which additionally reduces the parasitic impedance of the supply circuits. The amplifier uses a bridge circuit, the output stage of which is built on bipolar transistors 2SA1386 and 2SC3519: they were specially designed as a complementary pair for audio applications. With maximum collector current up to 15 A, the consistency of transistors own gain is observed up to about 4 A, which with two transistors in parallel allows to easily get the required 200 W with excellent linearity. Judging by some statements of the company, the amplifier works in class A. True, we have not found a confirmation of this in the description, but the radiators heat up quite quickly and quite appreciably. The power amplifiers are based entirely on discrete elements, in the input stages there are ORA2604 operational amplifier chips. This two-channel amplifier, made by hybrid bipolar-field technology has very low distortions, about a few tenths of a percent. However, this is at an average signal level, but at low signals its coefficient of nonlinear distortion noticeably increases, approaching to hundredths of a percent. The input selector switch is made with Takamisawa relays. Their contacts are made of gold-plated silver-palladium alloy, which guarantees not only low resistance and contact stability, but also a long service life. And if they are continuously turned on and off 10 times an hour, day and night, their guaranteed lifespan will last more than a hundred years.
The volume control is digital, not a motorized variable resistor. The volume level is memorized when you turn off and is set to the same level when you turn on. Likewise, the input selector switches on the previously selected one when power is applied. In addition to the volume, there is also a Gain button on the remote, which also changes the signal level, and at first it seemed that this is the adjustment of the inputs level. In fact, this thing is always very useful, because the levels of sources often differ, and when you switch from one to another there is a jump in volume. But here this setting does not act individually for each input, but as damping, but reduces the volume discretely only by 8 dB. Of course, I wish that the description would explain the functions more accurately, so that we don't have to experiment with figuring out "what is what". But in our experience, instructions are a weakness of the company's models. In contrast to many minimalist models, SV-234 has the channel balance. And there is often no display in such models, too, to eliminate the very possibility of interference from it. But the presence of a digital volume control has definitely solved the question of its necessity. In addition to the volume level, the selected input is also shown. The display has three gradations of changing the brightness of the backlight, plus a full turn-off of the backlight. The characters are quite large, contrasty and clearly visible. As in many high-end stereo amplifiers, the SV-234 does not have a sleep standby mode, so the remote power is not turned on. There is a 12-volt relay input for remote switching, and there are two 12-volt outputs for similar switching of other devices. It is quite logical that, in addition to the usual inputs, the model is equipped with a more noise-protected and more dynamic symmetrical input. And two pairs of terminals for speakers make it easy to connect the speakers by bi-wiring, and each pair can be disconnected with its own button.
The front panel is a set of several aluminum plates, tinted in different colors. The coloring is tinted "with a tint". There are two options for the exterior trim. We got the more reserved and tranquil in light colors. The other, more gloomy, but more eye-catching with prominent "gilded" inscriptions.
The narrow body of the remote control is made of aluminum. All the buttons are the same size, but due to the simplicity of the remote control this is not a problem. The selection of the desired source is not made by trying them all, but for each input there is a separate button. Often in such remotes the battery compartment cover is secured with screws. Here this cover is secured with a magnetic latch, it holds quite securely and at the same time is easy to remove.
Our acquaintance with the vocal abilities of SV-234 did not deceive our expectations, it turned out to be beautiful, as they say, "not only in body, but also in soul". Its sound is captivating with its relaxed and full-bodied sound, naturalness of high frequencies. Freedom and liberation of bass frequencies perfectly coexist with excellent damping, accurately preserving the contours of the powerful bass. Soundtracks with organ and vocals sounded well, where, conveying the power of the organ, while not overshadowing the weaker vocals. Of course, this model is not for small rooms, but more begs in the interiors of home "concert halls".
