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Schiit Vidar Power Amplifier Review: $700 Amp With Serious Punch

ByRonald

Schiit has made a reputation for shaking up the hi-fi world, delivering products that often perform well above their asking price. With the Schiit Vidar power amplifier, Schiit makes an ambitious claim — calling it “ultra-high-end.” That phrase might raise eyebrows in audiophile circles, particularly among owners of $5000+ amplifiers. Let’s be clear: the Vidar is not a “giant killer.” But for music lovers who want real audiophile performance without emptying their wallets, this amp is a serious contender and, quite possibly, one of the best values on the market.

Build Quality and Design

Let’s start with the build. One of the most striking things about the Vidar is that Schiit didn’t cheap out on important parts. The speaker binding posts are solid, not flimsy, plastic-y junk, but real quality terminals. Likewise, the big EI-core transformer is especially at this price point. I’ve seen amplifiers five times Vidar’s price shipping with worse transformers and far cheaper posts.

Check Out: Schiit Valhalla 2 Review

The overall design is utilitarian and industrial, very much in line with Schiit’s house style. No glitzy finishes or superfluous controls, just a clean chassis, solid construction, and a focus on function. It’s worth noting that the Vidar does not have a front-panel standby button, which some competitors (like Monolith and Marantz) offer for convenience. Instead, it’s a straightforward “on/off and go” kind of amplifier.

Power and Configuration

The Vidar is rated at:

  • 100 watts per channel into 8Ω
  • 200 watts per channel into 4Ω (stereo mode)
  • 400 watts into 8Ω when bridged as a monoblock

It accepts RCA inputs for stereo use and XLR when run in mono mode. Jason Stoddard himself has suggested that most users should start with a single Vidar in RCA stereo mode, and frankly, that’s good advice. Many audiophiles obsess over balanced connections and more power, but it’s not always the better choice. Balanced outputs often run hotter (higher voltages), and with monoblock mode doubling the gain, noise can creep in on higher-efficiency speakers. The monoblock option makes sense primarily if you’re running inefficient 8Ω speakers.

How Schiit Vidar Power Amplifier Sounds

Right off the bat, the Vidar impresses with its bass clarity, articulation, and control. It delivers impact and texture that feel unusually refined for an amp at this price. The tonal balance is spot-on neutral once it’s warmed up for ten minutes or so. The mids and treble are competent, clean, and natural, though they don’t quite have the magic, liquidity, or holographic presence of true high-end gear. Still, what you get here is remarkable: a presentation that’s coherent, powerful, and free from gimmicks.

Comparisons

Schiit Vidar vs Hegel H2

Against the Hegel H2, which retailed for around $5000, the differences are clear. The H2’s soundstage is more expansive, with a depth and openness reminiscent of good SET tube amps. Microdetail, ambient cues, and decay trails are captured more convincingly on the H2. That said, the Vidar actually surpasses the H2 in bass definition and impact, where the Hegel can sound a bit hazy and bloated in the lower mids. The H2 is also brighter and more demanding of careful system matching. The Vidar, in contrast, feels more neutral and easier to integrate.

JLH 1969 (10W, modded AliExpress build)

The Vidar absolutely outclasses the little JLH69 in low-end authority. The JLH69, with its big electrolytic output cap, simply cannot match the Vidar’s control, articulation, or impact in the bass. Still, the JLH69 has a certain charm: its microdynamics, timbre, and naturalness in the mids are excellent, sometimes even edging past what the Vidar delivers. But it’s only 10 watts, requires modifications to be competitive, and is totally unsuitable for most modern speakers.

Schiit Vidar vs Monolith 2X

At just under $1000, the Monolith 2X offers serious power (200W into 8Ω, 300W into 4Ω) and conveniences the Vidar doesn’t have, such as a front standby button, DC trigger, balanced and unbalanced inputs, and a robust chassis. It’s a nicely built, pleasant-sounding amp with good detail and balance. However, the Vidar feels cleaner and more precise, especially in the bass. The Monolith is more versatile in terms of features, but sonically, I’d still lean toward the Vidar.

Schiit Vidar vs Emotiva XPA-2 Gen3

The Emotiva is another contender in the same sub-$1000 bracket, packing even more power (300W into 8Ω, 490W into 4Ω) and expandable to seven channels. It uses a Class H supply for efficiency and offers front standby and DC trigger options. It sounds smooth and can drive just about anything, but when it comes to low-end grip and neutrality, the Vidar once again pulls ahead. The Emotiva feels more like a versatile workhorse, while the Vidar is a purist’s amp with a sharper focus on sonic quality.

Schiit Vidar vs Vincent SP-331

A hybrid design with a tube input stage, the SP-331 has a warmer, bloomier character. It produces a more open but less precise soundstage. The Vidar, by contrast, is tighter, more controlled, with better bass and microdetail. If you value warmth and “romance,” the Vincent may appeal; if you prefer accuracy and grip, the Vidar is the better bet.

Schiit Vidar vs Marantz MM7025

This Marantz, similarly priced, offers a lot of connectivity (balanced and unbalanced inputs, DC triggers, remote connectors) and a respectable 140W into 8Ω. But it isn’t recommended for 4Ω loads, which limits its versatility. Sonically, it’s solid but less disciplined, a bit muddy compared to Vidar’s clean, muscular presentation.

Pro Gear (Crest CA-2, etc.)

I’ve often pointed audiophiles toward good professional amps up to $2000, but the Vidar easily outperforms the Crest CA-2 in refinement, bass definition, and overall balance.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, the Schiit Vidar represents a fantastic value in power amplification. Its bass performance is first-rate, its neutrality is refreshing, and while it doesn’t reach the ethereal heights of super high-end or legendary vintage amps, it does enough to compete with products in the $2000–$2500 range.

Questions remain: how would it fare against the Parasound A21 or Cambridge 851W in direct comparison? How does it behave with less efficient (sub-87dB) speakers? And could a dual-Vidar bi-amp setup unlock even greater performance?

For now, I’m running the Vidar bi-amped: powering 12″ woofers in a ported enclosure while my JLH69 drives Lowther DX3s in Oris horns, all fed by a Schiit Saga preamp. The result is wonderfully synergistic, the Vidar providing authority and grip down low, the JLH bringing magic and nuance up top.

For $700, the Vidar proves once again that Schiit knows how to deliver real audiophile performance without the absurd price tag.

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Exceptional Bass Performance
  • Incredible Value for Money
  • Excellent Build Quality
  • Neutral and Honest Tonality
  • Dominates its Price Bracket
  • Simple, No-Nonsense Design

Cons

  • Lacks Convenience Features
  • Mids and Treble are Competent, Not Magical
  • Monoblock Gain Can Be Too High

Schiit Vidar Specifications

Official Site: here

  • Type: Class A/B Power Amplifier
  • Price: $699 USD (as mentioned in the review)
  • Power Output (Stereo):
    • 100 watts per channel into 8Ω
    • 200 watts per channel into 4Ω
  • Power Output (Monoblock):
    • 400 watts into 8Ω
  • Inputs:
    • Stereo RCA
    • Mono Balanced XLR
  • Key Components: EI-core power transformer, high-quality five-way speaker binding posts.
  • User Interface: Rear-panel power switch only (no front-panel standby button).

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