Vidar (see image) is capable of delivering 100 watts RMS into 8 ohms and 200 watts into 4 ohms for every channel in stereo, and 400 watts into 8 ohms for mono.
If you consider yourself an audiophile, you are probably familiar with Schiit.
This American company consistently churns out budget-friendly products, like two of its most popular speaker amps today: the Vidar and the Aegir.
Both are priced well below $1,000, which is very surprising since the Vidar is Class AB and the Aegir is Class A.
Class A amplifiers have the highest fidelity but generate much heat, while Class AB amps balance fidelity and efficiency.
Aegir offers a more satisfying audio experience since it runs on full throttle at all times, but you do have to shell out a few more bucks to get it.
In summary, Aegir is a slightly better version of Vidar in terms of audio performance. It is Schiit’s first Continuity speaker amp, which simply means that it is distortion-free and has no induced high-frequency interference but tries to avoid the heat problems with Class A amps. The catch is that this technology is harder to find in speaker amps (translation: it is a bit more expensive). With a Class AB rating, Vidar is no slouch when it comes to sound quality. It is also much more efficient than Aegir in sending the signal to the speaker terminals.
Let’s take a closer look at each amplifier to see which is a better fit for you.
Sound Quality
Vidar is capable of delivering 100 watts RMS into 8 ohms and 200 watts into 4 ohms for every channel in stereo, and 400 watts into 8 ohms for mono. It is much more powerful than Aegir’s 20 watts into 8 ohms and 40 watts into 4 ohms for stereo, and 80 watts into 8 ohms for mono.
What do all of these numbers mean? Vidar excels when paired with power-hungry speakers with phase angles and noticeable dips in impedance. The harder it is to drive your speakers, the better the amp performs. It produces clear mids, tight bass, and a sharp sound that will grab your attention. However, the texture is not very rich.
Aegir operates differently. It shines most when hooked to high-efficiency speakers with flat curves and steady phase angles. If paired correctly, this amp can provide an audio experience that is silky smooth at the top, rich and dense at the mids, and coherent at the bass. Granted, it will not bowl you over right out of the gate, but you will definitely hear the difference once you get a careful listen.
In short, based on this category, your choice will depend on what speaker system you have at home. If you have efficient small towers like the Focal Kantas or Proac Response, you should go with Aegir. If you have a Vandersteen or Wilson Audio, get the Vidar.
Having said that, if you are in the market for both a speaker system and an amp, the Aegir setup offers a more refined sound, while the Vidar setup is more bombastic. Again, the choice is up to you.
Check out this manual for Aegir.
Aegir (see image) is a slightly better version of Vidar in terms of audio performance. It is Schiit’s first Continuity speaker amp, which simply means that it is distortion-free and has no induced high-frequency interference but tries to avoid the heat problems with Class A amps.
Construction
As mentioned before, Aegir is the first Schiit amplifier that features Continuity, a technology they first introduced in the Lyr 3 headphone amp. It is a clever way to work around the heat issues, but it is still best to put the amp in place with sufficient airflow. This feature also extends the Class A-like performance from the 10-watt bias to the power levels of 20 watts, 40 watts, and 80 watts. Needless to say, Schiit really went all out when they designed Aegir.
Both amps come with a microprocessor that directs the key processes, including overcurrent and overtemperature control faults which means that it can protect itself if needed. You can count on them to work at optimal levels for a long time.
In terms of novelty in design, Aegir comes out on top.
Price
You can get your hands on an Aegir amp for $799, while Vidar will set you back at $699. The three-figure price tag is a pleasant surprise given the quality of both products, and you will get much more than your money’s worth, whichever you end up choosing. Nevertheless, it is very hard to find a Class A amp this affordable, so you might want to take this opportunity to see what it is like to own one without breaking the bank.
You may also check here the manual for Vidar.
Conclusion
When choosing between Aegir and Vidar, there are a few things that you have to consider, like what speaker system you have and what your budget is. However, all things considered, Aegir will give you more bang for your buck. It allows you to experience Class A audio quality for an additional $100 only.