Musical Fidelity Nu-Vista 600.2 Integrated Amplifier: A Powerful Audiophile Revelation

Experience the musical mastery of the Nu-Vista 600.2 integrated amplifier, blending vintage charm and modern power for stunning sound.

Rediscovering the Magic of Integrated Amplifiers

Mark Twain famously said, “It ain’t what you don’t know that gets you into trouble. It’s what you know for sure that just ain’t so.” That quote perfectly frames my journey with integrated amplifiers, especially the remarkable Musical Fidelity Nu-Vista 600.2 integrated amplifier. Back in the ’90s, the audiophile communities I frequented were convinced the best preamplifier was no preamplifier at all. In that era, I was all about running my DAC straight into an amplifier, chasing detail but ending up with exhausting listening sessions.

A friend’s insistence to try a proper preamp changed everything. Suddenly, music wasn’t just sound; it was feeling, emotion, joy—a full-body experience that brought me right back to why I fell in love with high-end audio. Fast forward to 2024, and another preconceived notion shattered: integrated amps are second-class gear. Spoiler alert—they’re not. My awakening came courtesy of the Leben 600X integrated amplifier, a beautifully tactile integrated amp that breathed magic into speakers I’d heard countless times before. But its 28 watts weren’t enough for my power-hungry Wilson Audio Sasha Vs speakers.

Design and Build: Bulk Meets Beauty

Lifting the Nu-Vista 600.2 out of its box is a full-on workout—this is a serious piece of gear. Weighing in at a hefty 80 pounds and measuring 20 inches deep, it demands respect and a sturdy rack. This isn’t a dainty desktop amp; it’s built like a fortress.

Musical Fidelity’s design philosophy shines through in the brushed aluminum case, which acts as a Faraday cage to shield internal components from electromagnetic interference while keeping the amp’s own EMF at bay. The finish is luxurious, with the name and logo carved into the chassis, and a color-adjustable front display adding a modern touch.

The controls? Divine. Large, textured aluminum knobs glide with buttery smoothness, and the substantial remote control feels like a joy to hold—something rare in an era of flimsy plastic afterthoughts. The interaction with this amp is as much tactile pleasure as it is auditory.

Pure Analog Power: No Digital Nonsense

Unlike many modern integrated amplifiers stuffed with DACs and phono stages, the Nu-Vista 600.2 takes a pure approach—no digital distractions, just analog bliss. This clarity of purpose is evident in every detail, from the laser-trimmed volume control inherited from the flagship 800.2 integrated amplifier to the fully discrete Class A amplifier stage designed to keep noise at a whisper.

The amp’s noise floor is impressively low—so quiet, in fact, that even with ears pressed to the Wilson Sasha Vs speakers, there’s no hum or crosstalk. The relay-switched inputs replace noisy IC switches, raising separation and dynamic response to a new level.

The Nuvistor Tube Secret

At the heart of the Nu-Vista line beats the legendary 6S51N nuvistor ceramic tube, a vintage marvel first made in 1959. Unlike traditional vacuum tubes, these little gems boast incredibly high reliability, low noise, and minimal microphony—plus they last for an estimated 50,000 hours! Musical Fidelity even secured the last known stockpile of these tubes to support their products for life.

What does this mean sonically? The nuvistor tubes bring warmth and sweetness to the upper frequencies, especially in vocals, delivering clarity with a colorful touch. This tech has roots in iconic studio gear, from Ampex tape recorders to the Neumann U47 microphone used by legends like Frank Sinatra and The Beatles.

Sound That Commands Attention

After about 150 hours of burn-in, the Nu-Vista 600.2 really settled into its groove. It requires just 20 minutes to warm up its nuvistor tubes to optimal temperature, indicated by a charming color-changing light on the rear of the unit—from red at startup through orange to a calming blue.

Listening to Anouar Brahem’s “Dance with Waves” from The Astounding Eyes of Rita on Tidal, the amp effortlessly commanded my Wilson Sasha Vs speakers with lightning-fast transients and startling clarity. Friends noted how the speakers finally “spoke with one voice,” capturing dynamic shifts with a natural ease that felt utterly effortless.

This amplifier creates a mesmerizing musical coherence, spotlighting the unity of the performance rather than isolating every instrument. Whether it was intricate baroque pop or orchestral might, the Nu-Vista handled it all without strain or fatigue.

Bass That Digs Deep

The Wilson Sasha Vs speakers are no slouches in the bass department, so they’re a great test for any amplifier. The Nu-Vista 600.2 revealed subterranean bass depths I hadn’t heard before, pushing down toward the 20Hz range with visceral impact. Tracks like “Fading Sun” from Terje Isungset’s Winter Songs (Icemusic) showcased how the 600.2 could coax out bass tones that ordinary amps often miss.

While my reference separates offered a more taut, textured bass, the Nu-Vista’s presentation was more visceral, trading a bit of tightness for sheer power and depth.

Comparing to My Reference Rig

My separates—Conrad Johnson Premier 350SA amplifier and Convergent Audio Technology Renaissance SL1 Black Path phonostage—excel in timbral accuracy and spaciousness. They reveal fine details and the woodiness of acoustic guitars with stunning realism. The Nu-Vista 600.2, while not quite matching that level of tonal precision, enthralled me with its musicality and emotional engagement.

The Nu-Vista’s soundstage depth and front-to-back layering surprised me by outpacing my separates, even if it couldn’t quite match their width. It’s a different flavor—less microscopic detail, more holistic musical storytelling. That balance is a refreshing change, proving that an integrated amplifier can be both powerful and poetic.

Final Thoughts: More Than Just an Amplifier

The Nu-Vista 600.2 isn’t just a piece of gear—it’s a musical companion that reconnects you with the emotional core of your favorite recordings. Its blend of vintage tube warmth, modern engineering, and sheer power delivers an experience that feels almost magical.

“Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” – Arthur C. Clarke

With the Nu-Vista 600.2, that magic is real, tangible, and deeply moving every time you press play.

Specifications & Pricing

• Type: Integrated Amplifier
• Power Output: 160W per channel into 8 ohms; 300W per channel into 4 ohms
• Damping Factor: 100
• THD+N: <0.005% (typical, 20Hz–20kHz)
• Signal-to-Noise Ratio: >107dB A-weighted
• Input Impedance: 100k ohms
• Frequency Response: +0 / –0.1dB, 10Hz–30kHz
• Inputs: 4 × RCA, 2 × XLR balanced
• Outputs: 1 × RCA line-level, 1 × RCA line-level (bi-amping), 2 × pairs 4mm banana plug/binding posts
• Dimensions: 19.02″ × 7.36″ × 20.08″
• Weight: 80 lbs
• Price: $9,999

Associated Equipment Used in Review

• Loudspeakers: Wilson Audio Sasha V
• Digital Source: dCS Bartok Apex DAC, dCS Lina Master Clock, PS Audio PerfectWave digital transport
• Analog Source: Technics 1200G turntable, EMT HSD 006 cartridge, Convergent Audio Technology SL1 Renaissance Black Path phonostage, Herron Audio VTPH-2 phonostage, Dynavector PV-75 phonostage, Flux Hifi sonic stylus cleaner, Degritter (v.1) Record Cleaning Machine
• Amplification: Convergent Audio Technology SL1 Renaissance Black Path linestage, Conrad-Johnson Premier SA350 amplifier
• AC Power: Shunyata Research Everest 8000 conditioner, Sigma-X QR and NR power cords; one dedicated 20A line wired with 10AWG
• Support: SolidSteel S3 Series and S4 Series equipment racks
• Cables: Shunyata Research Theta interconnects and speaker cables, Omega XLR digital and ethernet cables, Shunyata Research Sigma V-2 75-ohm clock cables

FAQ

• What type of amplifier is the Nu-Vista 600.2?
  It’s a high-power integrated amplifier with 160 watts per channel into 8 ohms, combining vintage nuvistor tubes with modern Class A design.
• Does the Nu-Vista 600.2 include digital inputs or DAC?
  No. It’s an analog-only design with no built-in DAC or phonostage, prioritizing pure sound quality and low noise.
• How heavy is the Nu-Vista 600.2?
  It weighs 80 pounds and requires a sturdy rack or stand for placement.
• What makes the Nu-Vista’s tubes special?
  It uses 6S51N nuvistor ceramic tubes, known for longevity, reliability, and low noise, unlike conventional vacuum tubes.
• Is the amplifier suitable for large speakers?
  Yes, with 160 watts per channel into 8 ohms and 300 watts into 4 ohms, it drives demanding speakers like the Wilson Sasha V effortlessly.

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