I'm not going to offer any comparisons, as I have not heard the others, and realize that they are all great products.
But - since you asked - I will offer you an opinion on the VAC Renaissance preamp. I just took delivery of a factory MK1 demo. I quickly found it to be a stupendous product and would highly recommend you audition one if you can. I have previously owned 4 very nice preamps (valued between $2500-4900), both tube and SS. NONE could remotely compare to the shear presence and power of the VAC Ren pre in my system.
Dynamics, detail, treble & bass extension, smoothness and 3-dimensionality are all beyond my expectations. It has dug far deeper into my music then I have ever heard before. It also made my Sim Audio Titan amp produce a bass punch, drive and depth that I didn't think possible. I have actually had to turn my REL subwoofer WAY down because of the increase in the bass depth coming from my Talon Raven speakers. There is also a new top-end sparkle and clarity without detectable harshness.
Build-quality is stunning and Kevin Hayes at VAC is just amazing to deal with. He patiently answered all of my presale questions and personally welcomed me to the VAC family when I bought mine. He has been just as accommodating AND available after the sale as he was before, which is rare for a designer and company president.
I initially came by the VAC because of specific features that I required in a tube pre: Remote control, fully-balanced in/outputs, a Cinema bypass, compatibility with my 27k-ohm impedance Sim amp, NO softening of the dynamics or lack of bass & treble extension. The Ren pre met all these criteria.
But - since you asked - I will offer you an opinion on the VAC Renaissance preamp. I just took delivery of a factory MK1 demo. I quickly found it to be a stupendous product and would highly recommend you audition one if you can. I have previously owned 4 very nice preamps (valued between $2500-4900), both tube and SS. NONE could remotely compare to the shear presence and power of the VAC Ren pre in my system.
Dynamics, detail, treble & bass extension, smoothness and 3-dimensionality are all beyond my expectations. It has dug far deeper into my music then I have ever heard before. It also made my Sim Audio Titan amp produce a bass punch, drive and depth that I didn't think possible. I have actually had to turn my REL subwoofer WAY down because of the increase in the bass depth coming from my Talon Raven speakers. There is also a new top-end sparkle and clarity without detectable harshness.
Build-quality is stunning and Kevin Hayes at VAC is just amazing to deal with. He patiently answered all of my presale questions and personally welcomed me to the VAC family when I bought mine. He has been just as accommodating AND available after the sale as he was before, which is rare for a designer and company president.
I initially came by the VAC because of specific features that I required in a tube pre: Remote control, fully-balanced in/outputs, a Cinema bypass, compatibility with my 27k-ohm impedance Sim amp, NO softening of the dynamics or lack of bass & treble extension. The Ren pre met all these criteria.