Viva Audio Egoista STX
The Viva Audio Egoista STX pairs 300B triode richness with electrostatic speed for a transparent, spacious and deeply immersive presentation. AUDIOKEY REVIEWS highlights its natural tone, formidable resolution and effortless transients, while HomeTheaterHifi found it gives compatible STAX earspeakers greater body, bass authority and musical pull. Its sculptural Italian chassis makes this a true statement energizer.
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Nicely Roasted
Sound Quality
93/100
Build Quality
84/100
Features Usability
85/100
Value for Money
82/100
Pros
Exceptional transparency and low-level resolution reveal microdetail, texture and subtle spatial cues.
Rich, natural tone combines smooth treble, fuller vocals and a large, immersive soundstage.
Delivers fast transients, solid bass impact and convincing dynamic swing with compatible electrostatic headphones.
Distinctive, artful Italian chassis and flexible analogue connectivity, including dual electrostatic outputs and a direct input.
Cons
A very expensive specialist amplifier, with less costly electrostatic alternatives available.
Electrostatic-only outputs exclude conventional dynamic and planar headphones.
Its 21kg chassis is heavy, and the deepest sub-bass is not its central focus.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 93/100
Reviewers describe an unusually transparent, richly natural and immersive electrostatic presentation, with a notably spacious stage and strong transient authority. It is purpose-built for electrostatic headphones rather than universal headphone use, but reports with STAX L700 and SR-009S models are exceptionally enthusiastic.
Transparency Resolution
96/100
HomeTheaterHifi heard no loss of detail or resolution, while Audiokey praised the STX’s ability to uncover subtle notes, cues and microdynamic information. The latter called its SR-009S presentation among the most natural, musical and transparent it had heard.
Tonal Balance Musicality
96/100
The consistent character is smooth, detailed and deeply engaging rather than overtly analytical. Reviewers praised richer vocal body, fluid and natural timbre, sweet but extended treble, and a sound described as bordering on addictive.
Dynamics
94/100
Compared with a STAX SRM-D50, the STX brought more grunt, deeper and more solid drum impacts, and more convincing low-bass physicality to the L700. Audiokey also found it handled rapid transients and large dynamic swings with great ease, though it notes the amplifier is not aimed at head-bangers.
Noise Floor
92/100
HomeTheaterHifi reported a stone-quiet background, with no hum, buzz or noticeable residual noise. Audiokey likewise described fine information emerging from beneath the recording’s noise floor, although there is little further reporting with a broad range of electrostatic headphones.
Headphone Compatibility
89/100
This is an electrostatic-only energizer, with two five-pin outputs rather than support for conventional dynamic or planar headphones. Within that intended role, reviewers found it outstanding with STAX SR-L700 and SR-009S ear speakers, drawing substantially more bass impact, spaciousness and resolution from them.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
84/100
The reviews specifically identify a molded aluminum outer chassis and praise the finish and overall physical presentation. However, commentary is concentrated on its visual design; reviewers say little about long-term durability, socket and control quality, heat management, or serviceability.
Features Usability
85/100
The STX provides four source inputs plus a direct input, including balanced XLR connectivity, and two five-pin electrostatic headphone outputs. Its focused analogue layout is straightforward, but there is no onboard DAC, digital connectivity, remote control or provision for conventional headphones.
Value for Money
82/100
At roughly $17,000 to $19,750, this is an unequivocally costly specialist amplifier, and reviewers acknowledge that less expensive electrostatic options exist. Even so, the listening verdict is highly enthusiastic: Audiophilepure strongly recommends an audition to buyers who can afford it, while Audiokey’s principal reservation is simply the price.
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Specifications
- Dimensions
- 410×185×410 mm
- Weight
- 21kg
- Inputs
- 4 source inputs and 1 Direct Input bypassing the preamp stage
- Outputs
- 2 × Five Pin Stereo Electrostatic Headphone Jack connectors
- Operation
- Zero negative feedback pure class A operation
- Tube complement
- 2 × 300B; 2 x 6C45Pi; 2 x 6H30PI
Manufacturer's Description — Viva Audio
Viva Audio is proud to present its first dedicated electrostatic headphone amplifier.
Viva Egoista STX is the newest addition to the celebrated Viva Egoista family of headphone amplifiers. Egoista STX is specifically designed for high-end electrostatic headphones like STAX or HiFiMan. Egoista STX is capable of realizing the full potential of electrostatic headphones that no existing amplifiers can match.
Egoista STX comes in a virtually unlimited array of colors of your choice. You can personalize your Egoista STX to match your interior.
Verified Dealers
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Authorized dealers for Viva Audio Egoista STX
- Audeos — online and in-store — Żywiec, Województwo śląskie (website)
- Audio & Video Expressions — in-store — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States (website)
- Audio Absolute — in-store — Tambon Bang Khun Kong, Chang Wat Nonthaburi, Thailand (website)
- Cake Audio — in-store — San Clemente, California, United States (website)
- CASQUES HEADPHONES — in-store — Lyon, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France (website)
- Dream Audio Components — online and in-store — Dunaharaszti, Hungary (website)
- Ears Unlimited — online and in-store — Delft, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands (website)
- House of Stereo — online and in-store — Jacksonville, Florida, United States (website)
- Mimic Audio — online and in-store — Chicago, Illinois, United States (website)
- Perfect sense Audio — in-store — Stockholms län, Sweden (website)
and 3 more verified dealers