Hi cundare2- I have a couple of vsi75s paired with Proac 1sc bookshelves and d48 floor standers. I recently auditioned the i50 prior to picking up the second vsi75. Tonality was similar but I thought the vsi75 was more resolving and capable. Sound quality aside, the other issue with the i50 was that it appeared to be manual bias only, whereas the vsi75 has individual bias for each kt150 that can be adjusted quite easily with the included plastic screwdriver. Hope that helps and good luck with the search.
ARC VSi75SE v. MF Nu-Vista 800
I have an offer to purchase either an Audio Research VSi75SE or a Musical Fidelity Nu-Vista 800 at roughly the same price, new-in-box. But there's no way for me to audition either in-person beforehand. Does anybody have an opinion, based on first-hand experience, comparing the two components' sound quality?
These integrateds would be powering a pair of Harbeth C7-ES3 speakers with a MartinLogan sub. They'll also do double-duty powering the front channels of a home theater, and will be connected to non-TV digital sources by a DAC/streamer, maybe a HiFi Rose.
Functionality issues make either candidate a compromise. E.g., the ARC has no HT bypass, headphone jack, or sub out, and family members will give me grief about tube warm-up when they just want to watch TV. And the Harbeths, despite a nominal 25wpc spec, would definitely benefit from the Nu-Vista's 300wpc. OTOH, the MF has all the connectivity I need, but it's big and heavy, which will present problems in my room (and to my elderly back).
I'll work all that out, one way or the other, but rght now, my threshold issue is sonics. I realize that both companies have distinct "house sounds" so I'd love to hear from anyone with first-hand experience comparing the two.
Thanks.