Vincent Hybrid Integrated Stereo Amplifier - Black or Silver (SV-236MK)

"Greatest Value at CES 2005", "Editors' Choice" Award 2008 + 2007 + 2006, The Absolute Sound

Hot on the heels of its award-winning acclaim in the audiophile press, Vincent's SV-236 hybrid vacuum tube integrated amplifier is enhanced and upgraded as the new, more powerful SV-236MK.

The MK improves on the stellar performance of the original SV-236 by increasing the power delivery from 100 watts-per-channel at 8 ohms to 150-watts. Improvements in the power supply, including new voltage stabilisation circuitry, contribute to the improved dynamics.

It's the intrinsic values that count
Vincent carried out enormous in-house development for two years with the ultimate goal of sound improvement. This research led to the DC-coupled Mos Fet input stage, introduced in 2002 in the SA-93; the DC server unit for better power supply of the output stages, introduced in 2006 in the SP-995.

Naturally, these new findings and sound improving measures are incorporated in the manufacturing process. Along with these innovations, Vincent continues to utilise finer core materials for the transformers to minimise magnetic diffusions and turbulences.

Other enhancements include optimised circuit layout and the addition of premium parts in critical areas that improve tonal characteristics, including top-of-the-line German-made WIMA capacitors. The overall result is a sonic signature closer to a 100-percent vacuum tube design, but with all of the advantages of solid-state technology.

Last, but certainly not least, the SV-236 MK uses an upgraded, more robust chassis derived from the SV-234 integrated amp.

Passion and Elegance
The consequence of these advances is that the sound of the SV-236MK has clearly improved, close to tube sound and thus much higher musicality.

The Vincent SV-236 MK demonstrates the ultimate in passion and elegance. Whether it's the smooth fluidity of a jazz combo, the hard driving rhythms of alternative rock or the subtle detail of a chamber orchestra, the SV236 MK provides a generous soundstage with power and subtle detail perfect for any kind of music.

The hybrid tube and transistor design of this 150-watt-per-channel amplifier is perfect for the music enthusiast that prefers the warmth and detail of tubes without sacrificing the power and control which solid state offers. It is truly the best of both worlds.

Outstanding Value and Performance
Particular care has been taken with respect to the shielding, input relays, as well as the remote control circuitry. Each is complete with shielded compartments, including the volume control, which hides behind a wall of steel. Two lateral walls of cooling ribs insure the purity of sound.

Double-triode Tube Circuitry
The double-triode tube circuitry of the pre-amplifier stage dictates the low level integrity, while the solid state output transistors, configured in pure 'Class A' mode for the first ten watts, preserve the amplifier's sonic warmth, providing deep, controlled bass while preventing distortion. Above ten watts, the amplifier automatically switches to 'Class AB' for the best combination of power and performance.

A further result is the simpler and improved circuit layout, the signals follow the simplest paths free of disturbances. Sound-defining parts were optimised and greatly improved. Generally it was reverted to proven components, where the signal could be affected relevantly. Thus for example German WIMA condensers are employed. All these changes are reflected in the exterior design and so even here changes were made. The casing was adjusted to the SV-234 casing, consequently the customer gets a clearly higher value and quality to the touch at first sight.

Vincent SV-236MK Hybrid Stereo Integrated Amplifier Reviews and Awards

The Absolute Sound
Greatest Value at CES 2005
Editors' Choice Award 2008
Editors' Choice Award 2007
Editors' Choice Award 2006

Stereophile by Michael Fremer - April 2009

The SV-236MK brings real high-performance sound to the real-world audio enthusiast at a real-world price ... ridiculously easy to recommend, It's the kind of component that gives me - and should give you - hope for the future of this great hobby.

The Absolute Sound (AV GUIDE) by Barry Willis - September 2008
...a gleaming brushed-aluminum integrated amplifier whose looks, features and performance belie its suggested retail price.

What was immediately most apparent was the Vincent's ability to produce deep, powerful, authoritative bass. No bigger than a budget-priced A/V receiver, the Vincent SV-236 is a serious powerhouse.

A beauty... a winner... sheer effortless power and musicality.

The object of the game shouldn't be about going broke in the pursuit of some abstract Holy Grail of Hi-fi. It should be about enjoying the widest variety of music with the greatest degree of enjoyment at the lowest possible cost. By that measure, the Vincent SV-236 is a winner. If you're looking for long-term musical satisfaction, real-world versatility, and compatibility with almost every loudspeaker on the planet at a price that won't put you in debt for the next five years, the Vincent is for you.
 

Vincent SV-236MK Hybrid Stereo Integrated Amplifier Specifications

Tubes: 1x12AX7, 2x12AX7
Frequency response: 20 Hz - 50 kHz +/- 0.5 dB
 20 Hz - 50 kHz +/- 2.0 dB
Power RMS/8 Ohm: 2x 150W
Power RMS/4 Ohm: 2x 250W
Class A/8 Ohm: 2 x 10W
T. H. D.: < 0.1 % (1 kHz, 1 Watt)
Input sensivity: 200mV
Signal-Noise ratio: > 80 dB
Input Impedance: 47 kOhm
Inputs: 6 x RCA
Outputs: 2 x 4 Speaker Terminal
 1 x RCA Rec Out
 1 x RCA Pre Out
Power Control: 12V Triggerout
Mains supply: 230 V/50 Hz
Weight: 18 kg
Dim. (WxHxD): 430 x 150 x 435 mm

TubeLine Series from Vincent

Wherever you are, wherever you're going - Berlin knows how to entertain you. Here music lives and is reinvented every day. At open-air concerts or at the famous jazz festival, Berlin always shows itself as charming, like our tubeLine. Listen to the sweet soft undertones, the deep sonorous voice, the harsh contrast with the jazz musician giving his best to his tunes and everything will suddenly seem very close and you'll feel a faint breath of nostalgia.

About Vincent - born in Germany 1995

This story began very quietly. It would get louder, yes, later there'd even be rumbles and shouts. Unfortunately it couldn’t be otherwise. But for the moment it was so quiet that we didn't dare speak in anything but whispers and even this single “Psst” sounded like an explosion.

It all started with a quite ordinary question: How do I make High End affordable? Uwe Bartel set off looking for a valve amplifier by the direct route, working logically and continuously. The first step, the introduction of the SA-1 valve prestage and the D-150 output stage, still made a very quiet sound in the press but one that couldn't be missed. Then it got a bit louder when Vincent expanded its product range and regularly thrilled the specialist press – and music lovers in particular.

The rumble was powerful and certainly justified because the new Vincent products were now electronically redesigned and presented in a solid metal housing. Now the Vincent brand was making a really audible bang in the specialist press and putting prestige brands in the shade again and again.

Bartel, the electronics engineer, is constantly surprising everyone with his innovations. So he is always expanding Vincent's product range and always ensures a sensation and a whole lot of noise in the 2-channel electronics sector.

Loud and with feeling: Vincent also offers some highlights for the fans of multi-channel in the sector of mono output stages. In combination with the Vincent speakerLine and the cableLine this makes music enthusiasts ...

Treat yourself to an extraordinary listening experience!