In the spring of 2024, the British magazine HiFi News tested the Canor Virtus I2 tube integrated amplifier and awarded it the prestigious “Outstanding Product” distinction:
*”The sound of Canor amplifiers, and particularly the Virtus I2, has something mesmerizing about it. It can quickly increase power and respond dynamically to changes in the music, while its smooth and naturally flowing character adds emotional depth to the performance.
In this amplifier, the triode mode provides a certain airiness that helps expand the soundstage and stereo imaging, and during my listening sessions, this was the mode I preferred. Also noteworthy is the volume control, where each 1 dB adjustment is accompanied by a satisfying click. It is designed to improve channel balance and separation, which likely contributed to the Virtus I2’s ability to create a brilliantly defined soundstage with excellent instrument placement. A volume control of this quality is usually found only in more expensive models.
The Canor’s vocal reproduction is electrifying. Singer-songwriter Josin was rendered with wonderful delicacy on both In The Blank Space and The Bottom Line from Ólafur Arnalds’ Sunrise Session II EP. The latter was one of those pieces where the amplifier’s triode mode proved particularly captivating, even though the music sometimes lost the dynamic impact delivered in UL mode.
The amplifier’s skill was also evident on Raisins Under The Sun, where the flowing bass lines created an exciting listening experience. While Canor’s amplifier may not provide the ultimate resolution that jazz fans seeking to savor every tiny detail might prefer, it impresses with a smoothness that brings the performance closer to the ambiance of a jazz club rather than a recording studio.”*
Verdict
Cutting-edge technical performance does not always equate to an engaging sound, but the Virtus I2 proves that Canor knows how to design and build an amplifier with universal appeal. Despite incorporating some technical tricks typically found in higher-end devices, it still delivers the smooth, warm sound that many tube enthusiasts expect. Additionally, the monoblock upgrade allows for a transition to more demanding speakers.
