Having the Vitus amps on hand offered a fascinating contrast. Warmer and tonally more rounded than the 10 Series, they lacked the sheer clarity, easy organisation and dynamic immediacy of the Swiss amps. For me, the CH electronics were the way to go, although I can see how the sweeter, warmer, more mellifluous sound of the Masterpiece amplifiers might appeal. They moved the system closer to the familiar environs of mainstream, high-end sound. But, like those other mainstream systems, the performance lacked that shorter jump to reality that made the Wadax/CH/Göbel system so compelling, entertaining and effortlessly involving, at least for me. of course, your view may well vary and this system depends in large part on products that I have already chosen – the Wadax and CH Precision. What the switch to the Vitus amps also showed, was the chameleon-like quality of the Majestic/Sovereign combination, their seamless integration, transparency and neutrality. This is a speaker system with colouration levels lower than many amplifiers – and certainly less intrusive than most digital replay systems.
Is there anything this system cannot handle, big or small? If there is, I’ve yet to find it. Is this system perfect? Certainly not – as witnessed by its response to tweaking and adjustment of the highly configurable electronics. Is it fit for purpose and capable of being fitted to taste? Undoubtedly. I normally approach subwoofers that run DSP packages and Class D amplifiers with considerable caution. But in this case – and as we’ll see in the separate review due shortly – the control interface and performance of the Sovereigns seem to finally deliver on the technology’s promise. It’s as intuitive as it is powerful, adding a whole new foundation to the already impressive low-frequency capabilities of the Majestic. In a situation like this, you can only report on the system, but what a system! The best I’ve enjoyed? I’ve heard some great and truly memorable systems over the years, but this system, on this day, in this form and with this set up – top of the list.
