High End 2015: Viva Audio Egoista 2A3

It’s old news by now that the Viva Audio Egoista may be the motherlode when it comes to headphone amps. It’s big, it’s hot, it cranks out a ton of power. To be fair, it may well be the best-sounding amplifier on the market.

Bar one.

Say hello to the Viva Audio Egoista 2A3.

This amp is supposed to a bit more affordable than the “regular” Egoista Dr K reviewed last year, but don’t be fooled by the promise of a lower price tag ($7500 vs $10000). This new amp, which you could view as a traditional stereo amplifier that just happens to have two SE headphone jacks, puts out a very healthy 3 watts per channel. Perhaps more importantly, it also runs vastly cooler than it’s bigger brother.

And boy-howdy, does it deliver.

Shown here in Lamborghini orange, the Egoista 2A3 was rich, tonally dense, effortlessly powerful, and completely intoxicating during the brief listen via the supplied Audeze LCD-3 headphones. And yes, I think the 2A3 output tube may be more delicious than the powerful 845 found in the “full” Egoista. Sure, you want Hulk-like grip and power, the bigger Egoista will serve, but that’s up to you. Me? I want the 2A3, and I’m ready to throw a tantrum. Now! Now! Now!

I didn’t get an ETA on availability, but while “show conditions” never lend themselves to making a final judgment on sound quality (and that goes double for High End’s bottom-floor expo Halls), I will have to say that this is the only product that had me reaching for my wallet.