In January 2026, British magazine Hi-Fi News reviewed the all-in-one integrated amplifier Canor Virtus A3 and was so impressed by its sound and technical quality that it awarded it the title of “Outstanding Product”:
“I tested the Canor amplifier with two very different floor-standing speakers. The Monitor Audio Gold 300 6G speakers are all-rounders and matched particularly well with the Virtus A3, while the slightly more expensive Børresen X2, which have a more precise sound character, might have benefitted from an amplifier with a bit more dynamic ‘pep’. Although the sound of this model can’t be described as soft, I liked the smoothness the Virtus A3 brought to the mids and highs of the Børresen speakers. Yes, this is a tube-based design, but it doesn’t produce ‘tube-like’ distortion.
To assess the amp’s internal DAC, an Eversolo DMP-A8 fed the Virtus A3 via USB. The amplifier delivered a natural and lifelike reproduction. The DAC stage of the Virtus A3 also handled the fine details in Chopin’s ‘Nocturne in B Minor, Lento Con Gran Espressione’ with brilliance. A slight warmth made the piano sound less direct, but overall, it didn’t seem to compromise resolution.
[…]
The Canor amplifier also effortlessly handled the increasing complexity of Abel Selaocoe’s ‘Four Spirits’, starting with a beautiful rendering of the South African musician’s voice, capturing its rough texture brilliantly when he roared rather than sang. And when Selaocoe was joined by a choir, the listening experience expanded into a grand and immersive event. It felt as though you were sitting in a large hall, not far from the stage, enjoying a live, semi-improvised performance.”
Verdict
The Virtus A3 is a truly unique version of an all-in-one amplifier. While it lacks streaming and TV audio functions, its outstanding phono preamp and top-tier D/A converter more than make up for it. This amplifier from Canor puts listening pleasure first and is a masterpiece that favors balanced sound over raw power. Additionally, the Virtus A3’s brilliant technical concept might reduce the desire for a full Hi-Fi system with separate components.
Sound quality: 85%
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