Can a Amp be "timeless" and compete with todays amps?

@fleschler 

Please correct me if you think amps should have both zero global and zero internal negative feedback

As wth nearly all things concerning audio it just depends. NFB will decrease the amplifier output impedance and increase damping factor.  For some speakers this will be beneficial.  There are speakers designed with the intention of being driven by  zero or very low NFB amplifiers. It will definitely depend on specific amp-speaker characteristics and appropriate matching compatibility. 

BTW I bet you modified amplifiers sound fantastic!

Charles 

@fsonicsmith

And I am also surprised and even angry at myself to only now notice that Ralph is so reliant upon that which can be measured

Ralph is an accomplished electrical engineer and also a successful audio electronics manufacturer. I certainly can appreciate his reliance and support of formal measurements as it simply reflects his training and background.

In addition I find his explanation of NFB as utilized in the manner he describes proper application. It is logical and coherent. My primary objection is the assumption that this approach is inherently going to result in a better sounding amplifier than the OP’s VAC Renaissance amplifier. A false assumption in my opinion. A listener would have to compare them in a direct A/B setting.

I just don’t buy the notion that new technology is without debate always the better performing/sounding choice. It has to be confirmed under real world listening/audition  conditions not just in theory.

Charles

@jjss49 

+10 for your well stated comments. 3 weeks ago I attended a classical music performance featuring a cello and piano duet. This past weekend my daughter and I went to a local jazz venue . Both experiences were quite different obviously but what they shared in common was the high degree of emotional involvement and listening joy. Both outings were simply wonderful. 

I believe most of us who love music strive to obtain some reasonable degree of this engagement and the stirring of emotions through our home audio systems (At least that's my objective). Newer audio technology  may certainly have the potential to achieve this goal. Time and listening will tell. 

I just do not buy the idea that by virtue of being the next new thing it  by default is superior to what already exists and is performance proven. I've heard the VAC Renaissance amplifiers and know it is quite capable of providing a highly emotionally engaging music listening experience. High NFB solid state may or may not. Actually listening is the true arbiter for better or worse. 

Charles 

My ears tell me things are possible today that were not in years past with amplifier technology. There are some very good older amps but I would have no interest in moving backwards

Precisely my point , use your ears and decide. If you genuinely believe that the new betters the older alternatives then case closed as far as you’re concerned, I get it.

For other fellow music lovers who also listen and compare, their outcome and conclusions may tell them otherwise. The epitome of individuality. No consensus correct or incorrect but rather what sounds best in each unique listener’s case.

Charles

@fsonicsmith

Let history be the judge! Over 60 years time has proven that the basics continue to be valid and that the newest ground breaking production is two steps forward and three steps back. So go ahead and make a fool of yourself. I will sit back and eat popcorn. With extra butter.

I understand new technology is introduced and time marches on, No problem with accepting that. My point is simply everything new is not necessarily better. Can it be?Sure, but it is not a given.

The wonderful thing about audio endeavors is you have the ability to listen to music being reproduced and deciding which truly is better sounding and convincing to you the individual.

I hope that the OP is able at some point to compare his beautiful and timeless (In my humble opinion) VAC Renaissance 70/70 to a modern high NFB circuit design solid state amplifier and draw his own conclusion. Just listen to the music, which amplifier  is the more compelling and promotes more listener engagement and emotion/passion? That’s the better amplifier.

Charles

I would sincerely suggest to the OP to listen to an example of a modern high negative feedback solid state amplifier as described above and compare its sound quality to the Renaissance 70/70 and be your own judge. I’m not convinced that the "modern " high feedback would be  superior sounding. Hard to know which you will find musically preferable without an actual listening experience.

Charles

@styleman

 An amp is an amp?  Julian Hirsch has been resurrected on this Easter Sunday.

I could not agree more.👍

Charles 

@aberyclark

I would send in your components and let VAC give them a go-over. IMO, you have endgame equipment

I agree with this assessment.  The VAC Renaissance  70/70 is a superb tube power amplifier built to a very high standard. You can undoubtedly find different sounding current production amplifiers, better sounding? You’d be hard pressed to find find that IMO. Despite much hype and marketing efforts "very little" has changed with high quality tube amplifiers that were well built and have excellent implementation.

@fthompson251 , your amplifier is an example of a timeless audio component if pure quality of sound is the over riding priority. Much can be rendered with the KT 150 tube but 8 300bs in well executed push pull is just different. 

Charles