The Vitus RD-101 mk2 DAC Streamer is now on demonstration at Audio Therapy, the original RD-101 was an excellent performer and the new mk2 enhances things further over the original model with an improved power supply and streaming module.
The RD-101 mk2 is seen as the perfect partner piece to the RI-101 mk2 integrated, the optional DAC module for the RI-101 mk2 has been very popular and for good reason, it sounds excellent and offers superb value for money. Priced at £4500 I would confidently put it up against other standalone DAC’s at double the money, if the internal module was available as a component in its own right it would undoubtedly be in that sort of price arena.
The new RD-101 mk2 is priced at £14,000, it uses the Sabre ES9028PRO 32-bit HyperStream II DAC chip and it really takes things up several notches over the internal option on the RI, it doesn’t take long when comparing them to one another. Tonally it is obvious you are comparing 2 Vitus products, they both share that expressive tone and seductive character but with the RD you have much greater bandwidth, it is immediately more open and dynamic, it’s an overall much bigger sound, bass weight and textures are all superb and the overall presentation doesn’t sound digital at all.
I’m feeding the RD-101 with the Melco N1 via USB so I’m feeding it with a very good source, this gives the RD nowhere to hide in the system (I’m using the same files on the DAC module in the RI using the Melco Player Port), but for those who don’t have a standalone server or streamer you have the option to run the RD as a standalone streamer, you just need to give it a network connection and you can stream Tidal and or Qobuz directly via Mconnect or JPLAY.
In terms of connectivity, the RD has 2 RCA digital inputs, 2 AES/EBU digital inputs for CD transports and suchlike, plus the USB-B and Ethernet (there is also a USB-A socket for connecting a Wi-Fi dongle if Ethernet is not possible).
As always with Vitus they really do appreciate good cables and the RD responds very positively to this, I’ve been using a Shunyata Research Alpha V2 NR power cable, XLR and USB cables are the new Shunyata Research Theta which perform way beyond their modest price points. Place some Stillpoints under the RD (and RI) and things only improve further, they create more air, space and resolution and the Vitus becomes even more elegant and sophisticated.
Both RI-101 mk2 and the RD-101 mk2 on are permanent demonstration along with the SIA-025 mk2, SIA-030 and the SD-025 mk2. The doors of the demonstration roon are always open if you would like to experience how good Vitus Audio can be, we are the only Vitus dealer in the north of England.
Please get in touch to arrange a demonstration
