The Aurorasound VIDA phono preamplifier (for Vinyl Disc Amplifier) is already part of the legendary phono preamps! But despite its rather “vintage” appearance, the device is far from being vintage. Just like many reference analogue products, it comes straight out of the land of the rising sun.
Following the well-deserved success of this superb phono preamplifier, the Japanese manufacturer improved it and now offers the MKII version of its best-selling product!
AURORASOUND VIDA MKII: CHASSIS
The Aurorasound Vida consists of two different housings.
The first one, which is in the shape of a brushed-aluminium ingot, features the power supply unit. It stabilises and regulates the voltage and current of both left and right channels separately. To do so, it uses a toroidal transformer and fast Schottky diodes. It is connected to the electronic section via a high-quality locking multi-connector cable.
The RIAA section is placed inside an anti-electromagnetic interference treated aluminium housing encased in a high-gloss “wooden box”. This structure gives the Aurorasound Vida an antique look. Personally, I love this choice! It completely stands out from the competition, which often looks the same.
AURORASOUND VIDA MKII: FRONT PANEL AND SETTINGS
The front panel is very complete for a “regular” phono preamplifier: on the right, there’s an orange push button to mute the output of the audio circuits. It is very convenient and perfectly designed for the user.
There are also five toggle switches respectively for the mono/stereo selection, Subsonic filter, MC impedance, MC/MM selection and input 1 or 2. On this new version, the degauss control has been moved from the front panel to the back.
It now features two completely different inputs enabling separate adjustments. To sum up, you can have two MM inputs, two MC inputs or one of each! With the VI-6 MKII version however, the impedance knob only works with the Phono 1 input.
AURORASOUND VIDA MKII: CONNECTIONS
The back panel features three beautiful rhodium-plated pairs of RCA: two distinct turntable inputs and one amplifier or Line preamp output.
The VI-6 version includes an MC load impedance knob with six positions. You can choose between 12, 47, 120, 240, 410 and 1,000 Ω. The standard version is compatible with 0.6 to 100 Ω MC cartridges.
AURORASOUND VIDA MKII: ELECTRONIC
The internal circuits are of the highest quality, just like its components. There are Wima capacitors, Op Low noise amplifiers, precise resistors and select paired transistors…
But the most unique components are the two Lundahl transformers per channel. They process the RIAA curve by using LCR equalisation. These are new versions specifically designed according to specifications for Aurorasound.
It’s worth mentioning that not a single capacitor is used on the audio signal.
We notice that the new circuit and components allowed to enhance gain (+1 dB in MM and MC), reduce distortion from 0.028% to 0.012% and increase channel separation of 6 dB!
The distortion level, in relation to the signal to noise ratio and gain, is outstanding. It’s close and even superior to the characteristics of devices which are three to four times as expensive as the Aurorasound Vida MKII!
AURORASOUND VIDA MKII: TESTING AND LISTENING
There are all the qualities from the Aurorasound Vida’s first version with a significant improvement on all aspects.
The sound reproduction is dynamic, vibrant and rhythmic. The timbres are beautifully reproduced with clarity and no aggressiveness in the high end of the spectrum. Bass is clearly present with quick and precise articulation. Midrange is as elegant and detailed as ever. We usually encounter this midrange quality on tube products.
The Aurorasound Vida MKII phono preamplifier is most certainly still the best preamp in its range and can compete with models more than twice as expensive!
Our favourite!
AWARDS:
Stereo Times - Most Wanted - 2014 & 2016
Stereo Sound - Best buy - 2012, 2013 & 2014/2015
Audio Accessory - Audio Excellence - 2013 & 2015
Audio Technology MJ - Technology of the Year - 2012 & 2014
Analog - Grand Prix - 2013
Hi-Fi News - Highly Commended - 2013
Hi-Fi News - Editors' Choice
Audio Annual
HiFi Critic - Recommended
Qobuzissime
Haute-Fidélité - Référence
Audiophile Videophile - The best Equipments of the Year - 2019/2020
Hi-Fi i Muzyka (Pologne) - 2021
Stereo Sound (Japon) - Best Buy 2021/2022
Stereo Sound (Japon) - Critics Applause 2021
Audio Excellence Award - 2022
Diapason d'or - 2022
Hi-Fi News - Highly Commended - 2022
US Hifinews - HiFI Critic Audio Excellence 2022
FranckCompatibility: MM and MC
Inputs: Phono 1 and Phono 2
MM gain: 40 dB
MC gain: 65 dB
MM impedance: 47 kΩ/100 pF
MC impedance: 12, 47, 120, 240, 410, 1,000 Ω
MC Low impedance: 0.6 to 10 Ω
MC High impedance: 10, 100
MM Signal-to-noise ratio: 80 dB
MC Signal-to-noise ratio: 78 dB
Channel separation: 90 dB
Frequency response: 10 - 20,000 Hz
RIAA equalisation: 10 - 20,000 Hz +/- 0.25 dB
Distortion: 0.012% Dimensions
Vida: 26 x 10 x 30 cm
Vida weight: 3 kg
Power supply dimensions: 11.5 x 20 x 7 cm
Power supply weight: 1.4 kg
Power supply: 230 V / 50 Hz
Power consumption: 60 W max
Customer reviews
En complément de mon avs
J'ai oublié dans mon précédent avis deux critères essentiels pour la vie de la musique :
- la dynamique à couper le souffle ,
- la réponse impulsionnelle parfaite !
Je retrouve ce que j'avais vécu avec des orchestres de jazz réels.
C'est fabuleux !
Michel B.
Transcendant
Avec le préamplificateur phono Aurorasound Vida Vi6 MKII XLRO, tout est transcendé. Scène sonore grandiose, tout est bien en place en3 D.
Présence incroyable des instruments et des musiciens avec la viande autour de l’os. Qualité des timbres parfaite, cela sonne comme les instruments réels. C’est impressionnant de vérité sonore, je profite pleinement de la qualité de ma platine et de ma cellule. Cet amplificateur phono est prodigieux, c’est une révélation.
Un grand merci à Franck pour son conseil car je ne connaissais pas cet appareil et là c’est le nirvana. Le résultat est enchanteur pour les oreilles.
Si vous pouvez vous le payer, foncez, vous ne le regretterez pas, le prix s’oublie, la qualité reste !
Finalement entre numérique et analogique, ce qui compte d’abord, c’est la qualité de la prise de son ! De ce point de vue j’ai une centaine de 33 tours qui sont des références !