Viva Audio Solista

StereoNET heard a highly transparent, focused midrange that let music flow without solid-state-style grain, complemented by airy treble openness. It also reported vanishingly low noise between notes, while The Ear praised the clear radiance of piano highs and depth of its lows.

The Solista combines sweet, refined treble and a vibrant, organic midband with a more direct, muscular character than many valve amplifiers. Voices, strings and piano are repeatedly singled out for natural timbre and emotional presence, although one loudspeaker pairing could become aggressive.

Both reviews find the 22W Class A amplifier far more explosive and authoritative than its rating suggests. It is described as gutsy, lightning-fast and able to move from calm to intense almost instantly, with palpable bass grip and no apparent shortage of headroom in the systems used.

StereoNET found generous space around performers and reverb extending well beyond the speakers. The Ear similarly praised precise, full-scale images and recordings that seemed to expand the room, especially when atmospheric reverb was present.

Both publications speak very highly of the Solista's construction and finish. StereoNET calls the build and finish faultless, while The Ear describes luxurious paintwork and a notably substantial 35kg chassis.

The Solista is intentionally traditional, offering four RCA line inputs plus a direct input that allows power-amplifier use. It has no digital or wireless facilities, headphone output, or built-in phono stage, so owners wanting those functions will need separate components.

At roughly $22,500-$31,500, this is clearly a costly amplifier, but The Ear considers it to deliver a great deal of serious amplification for the money and calls its results frequently breathtaking. StereoNET also finds its blend of solid-state-like speed and tube naturalness, along with easy speaker matching and short warm-up, unusually compelling for the format.