2. amps-preamps
  3. 176566-170020

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

I’ve been into hi resolution audio for 20+ years, well longer than that but acquired high quality gear about that time. I veered off into other interests for 15 years but still had my system sitting idle in it’s dedicated room. I became interested in it again 6 months ago and began to update it. I still have my Rega Planar 25 table and a Dragon phono stage.  I retained my CEC TL1 transport, but replaced my DAC with a Dinafrips Venus II, I also have the Hermes DDC which I feed my CEC into as well as my Cambridge Streamer. I sold my Genesis V speakers because they were having an issue with the left channel bass and since they were out of business I had no way to fix them, it was over my head. I found someone that wanted them and was willing to repair them himself. (he is very happy with them) I replaced them with some Goldenear Triton 1.r’s which I love. So here is the nostalgia part. I still have my VAC Cla 1 Mk II pre amp and my VAC Renaissance 70/70 Mk II amp. I feel they still hold up well sonically, so my thoughts are to send them both to VAC for the Mk III updates this fall of 2022, which includes replacing any necessary parts and "voicing" them back to new as intended when they were first made. I really believe these pieces are worthy of the restoration, are newer pieces today really going to make much headway? I cannot afford to replace these items with "like" items as I am retired and the discretionary income isn’t there anymore. I just feel like they are still really good and offer a very high quality sound. I mean 8- 300 B tubes can’t be all that bad can they? I’ve voiced the pre amp with with Telefunken 12AX7’s and I have a small stash of them. Tube sound is still great right?

fthompson251

Showing 1 response by dbong

dbong
20 posts
 

I am running a 20 year old BAT VK-60SE that destroys everything I compare it to (that I can afford).  Of course that is kind of the point of this hobby…finding those relatively affordable gems, new or used, that just break the mold for years to come and stand the test of time of musical enjoyment, if not also technical accuracy.  

I recently listened to some vintage Fisher gear, having had a Fisher 400 as a kid but not realizing what I had.  My part-time paycheck replaced it with an Onkyo separates and CD player.  I thought it was broken when I hooked it up…but I digress.

Listening to that amp 35 years later I remembered the lack of extension and warmth, but was floored by the textures, image and musicality, remembering that moment when I realized SS then, as now, just cannot compete with tubes, for me at least.

However, my 20 year old BAT has none of those shortcomings and the qualities in spades.  I only have, for heat issues, a less vintage Ayre SS amp that while very good in its own right and a fantastic, reliable, great sounding amp, is a disappointment every time I turn it on.

I have two pieces of gear that I will never sell: the BAT and my LS-50s.  Not because they are faultless, but because they so fundamentally make the music sing that ‘better’ ceases to be relevant.  Now or in 20 years.

Enjoy your VAC.

 

 

 

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