Some amplifiers scream at you. They flaunt LED galaxies, shine with martial typography, and promise to slap “the true sound” around your ears as if Chuck Norris and a sine wave had a baby together. And then there’s the Nu-Vista 800.2.
It doesn’t scream. It murmurs. And it does so with a voice that sounds heavily of leather, cigars, and mahogany – and with a very clear message: I can. I don’t need to show off. But don’t worry – this British gentleman isn’t the reserved type who breaks a sweat at loud volumes or twitches like a nervous debutant when faced with impulses. The Musical Fidelity Nu-Vista 800.2 is more of the “I’m sitting on a mountain of power, just ask the next guitar solo” type.
The Nu-Vista 800.2 isn’t new in the true sense of the word. It is a maturing process. A good single malt that has been allowed to age in the barrel for another ten years. The original Nu-Vista 800 was already a milestone – now, with typical British restraint, it has been improved where it really counts. All of this flows into a device that not only sounds, but also thinks. And it thinks ahead. No frills – just substance. Pure understatement with the elegance of a safe. Visually, the Nu-Vista 800.2 remains true to the familiar Musical Fidelity style: a powerful appearance, clean lines, functional design. If you’re into shiny chrome showpieces that look like the engine room of the Enterprise, you’ve come to the wrong place. The device weighs a hefty 45 kilograms – not least due to the quality of the materials used and the dual-mono construction. Yes, you can carry it on your own. But you should consider how important your back is to you. Or simply invite two friends and a good craft beer – after all, setting up a Nu-Vista 800.2 is an audiophile holiday.
A look inside reveals technology that is not simply installed, but well thought out. Each of the 16 output transistors has its own high-current capacitor directly assigned to it – a design that was already used in the legendary TITAN from 2009 and has rarely been implemented since. The result: extremely low impedances, lightning-fast energy availability, significantly improved transient response. Or in other words: when the bass comes, it doesn’t come – it’s just there. Instantly. At full power, with structure and without a hint of hesitation. Visually, the power amplifier is indeed reminiscent of a V10 engine. This is just as satisfying for technology romantics as it is for musicians who know what headroom means. Except that you don’t have to refuel this amplifier – it just runs. And it does so without compromise. What the V10 has in its fuel injection pumps, the British amp has in its four tubes, or more precisely, its four nuvistors in the preamp section. Anyone who thinks of glowing bulbs and hissy charm when they hear the word “tube” is mistaken – at least in part. The Nuvistor tubes used in the Nu-Vista 800.2 were originally designed in the late 1950s, when tube technology reached its zenith and attempts were made to further develop it in the direction of miniaturization, stability, and linearity. Unlike classic tubes, Nuvistors are extremely low-noise, stable over time, and surprisingly resistant to microphony. Used in the preamplifier, they combine the best of both worlds: tube musicality with transistor control.
The result is a sound signature that not only impresses but also inspires. The 800.2 doesn’t sound “warm,” it sounds “right.” Voices have body, guitars shimmer, brass instruments come through – without ever sounding sharp or harsh. Even complex orchestral passages remain transparent without ever becoming sterile. Unfortunately, the development of the Nuvistor tube coincided with the boom in transistor technology, which did not exactly help its widespread adoption. Powerful transistors became the standard, while the small encapsulated tubes were almost forgotten. As a result, the little aluminum caps disappeared from the market and became increasingly difficult to find. It took quite a while before mastermind Anthony Michaels finally found what he was looking for and stumbled upon a secret warehouse full of Nuvistors and matching sockets. This secured the supply for some time, and Michaels was able to set about completing his masterpiece. The result was surprisingly powerful. Anyone who thinks 300 watts per channel is excessive has probably never heard Mahler in its original dynamics – or listened to the bass track of Massive Attack with half-closed eyes and an open heart. The Nu-Vista 800.2 performs far beyond what one would expect, and with a nonchalance reminiscent of British humor: dry, precise, never intrusive.
It remains stable at all common (and indeed some uncommon) loads, effortlessly controlling speakers that push other amplifiers to their limits. It always performs with confidence – nothing sounds muffled or strained, and even at high volumes, everything remains airy, structured, and credible. The first bars come from the blues: John Lee Hooker, “Boom Boom.” It immediately becomes clear that this isn’t going to be some analytical dissection. The groove is alive, the guitar wiggles with delight, the drums have meat on their bones. Moving on to rock: Led Zeppelin, “Since I’ve Been Loving You.” The crescendo of the guitar solos – unleashed. Plant’s voice – not in front, not in back, but exactly where it needs to be: in the middle of the room, in the middle of the action. Significantly more expensive amplifiers have placed it much more tamely in my room.
The program continues with soul: Aretha Franklin, “Ain’t No Way.” The voice is an event, the choir isn’t just wallpaper, but part of the drama. And the dynamics? Pure bliss. The performance of the English heavyweight is so impressive that even I, for once, feel the need to say a few words about classical music. Bruckner’s Seventh conducted by Claudio Abbado: Musical Fidelity spans the room far and wide, impressively and believably sorting the orchestra into the summer-hot hut, even in terms of depth. The crescendos build organically, nothing sounds forced, even the quietest passages carry tension. It’s like walking into the recording studio without having to wear a tie and suit to gain admission. The British gentleman couldn’t care less about dress codes and class snobbery – he’s happy to let his hair down like an Irishman on St. Patrick’s Day. With electronic sounds, Musical Fidelity brings structure to the soundstage, gives even subsonic bass the necessary punch, kicks in the mids like a kick in the groin, while nasty effects and high-frequency chirps in the bat ear range have just the right amount of spice without penetrating the ear too sharply. Everything sounds extremely controlled, but never controlling.
What makes the Nu-Vista 800.2 so special is not only its sound quality, but its naturalness. It plays and works. Always. The workmanship is impeccable, the operation simple, and the device pleasantly unobtrusive in operation. It gets warm, but never hot. Fans? None. Noise? None. Instead, at the touch of a button, virtual pointers flicker on the display in time with the generated power, either positive or negative. Or it shows the selected source. If you like, you can choose the most appropriate display style from a range of options. The Nuvistor tubes, visible from above, can also be illuminated and, if desired, shine in a friendly blue light, competing with the light strip under the front panel. Or would you prefer it completely black and without any external signs of life? Just press the buttons under the volume control a few times and everything goes dark.
Sloths will also appreciate the sturdy metal brick, commonly known as a remote control, which allows the Nu-Vista 800.2 to be conveniently operated from your armchair. If you do need to exercise, its solid construction makes it perfectly suitable for use as a dumbbell.
The Musical Fidelity Nu-Vista 800.2 is not a product for people who are waiting for a bargain or who argue with measurement data. It is for music lovers. For people who prefer hearing to believing. For those who not only like music, but to whom it is important. It plays in a league where not many others compete. Where sound, workmanship, concept, and character form a unity. Where nothing needs to be explained – because you can hear it. Once you’ve tried the Nu-Vista 800.2, you’ll find it hard to return. Because it’s not just an amplifier. It’s a musical partner. An amplifier for adults. If you have the necessary spare cash, the Nu-Vista 800.2 is a device for life. Not a gadget. Not a fashionable accessory. But an amplifier that takes music seriously. So seriously that you become a listener again – not a reviewer, not a collector, not a nerd. Simply: a connoisseur. And that, dear readers, is a damn good feeling in these times of plastic streaming and algorithmic radio playback.
Accompanying Equipment
Turntables: Acoustic Solid Vintage, Technics SL-1710 Mk2, Technics SL-1210 Mk2 | Tonearm: Acoustic Solid WTB 213 | Cartridges: Clearaudio Charisma V2, Ortofon Quintet Bronze, Ortofon Nightclub | CD player: Marantz CD 17 Mk II | Phono preamplifier: Acoustic Solid phono preamplifier | Preamplifier: Riviera Audio Laboratories APL 1 | Integrated amplifiers: Einstein The Tune, NAD C 320 | D/A converter: Audiolab M-DAC Mini | Power amplifiers: Riviera Audio Laboratories AFS 32, Lehmannaudio Black Cube Stamp | Loudspeakers: Heco BellaDonna, Audio Physic Seemon | Cables: German Highend, AudioQuest, IsoTek, Vovox | Accessories: Steinmusic, Lehmannaudio
Musical Fidelity Nu-Vista 800.2 integrated amplifier
Concept: Hybrid integrated amplifier | Power (8/4 Ω): 330/450 W | Frequency response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz | Analog inputs: 5 x line (4 x RCA, 1 x XLR) | Outputs: 1 x fixed line-out (RCA), 1 x variable line-out (RCA), single-wire speaker terminals (stranded wire, banana plugs, spade connectors) | Special features: various parameters can be adjusted in the menu, dimmable display, system remote control | Finish: natural or black aluminum | Dimensions (W/H/D): 48/21/51 cm | Weight: 39 kg | Warranty period: 2 years | Price: around €12,000
Reichmann Audiosysteme
Graneggstraße 4
78078 Niedereschach, Germany
Phone +49 7728 1064
info@reichmann-audiosysteme.de