HELP Digital bad, vinyl good???

Yes. For several years. Vinyl relatively new; maybe about 2 weeks. Distortion started becoming apparent a few days ago; I thought the CDP might be going bad, so I plugged in my old CAL, w/diff I/cs and to a diff input.

I have not changed tubes because I always thought that the phono stage provided RIAA reverse eq; and gain to be bring the signal to line level, and then the line stage provided additional gain to the signal to provide sufficient voltage for the amp. If I am wrong (which it seems I must be), then I stand corrected. I will have to disconnect the phone and then check the line stage tubes.

Happy Christmahanukwanzadan everyone.

It is in both channels, and it is significant. You would have to be deaf not to hear it. Seems to be mostly in the mid-range (I'm running Merlins and they are 2 ways). But my new Teres still sounds fantastic. Perhaps the line stage of the VAC uses each half of a dual triode somewhere for each channel, before the phono stage feeds in? Nope, just checked web site
Tube complement: Line stage, 2 x 8416, 2 x 12AX7; Phono stage, 3 x 12AX7.
Still wrapping gifts, will check by removing phono and then tubes, when this is done. Many thanks to all, and to all.... nahh, too corny even for me.

OK, there is a 0dB point in most pre attentuators, and attentuation below that point and gain above. the 0 dB pt IS pretty loud, so at most normal listening volumes, you are right, it is attentuation. However, the point is if the phono stage output feeds the line stage, just like any line level component, then a bad tube in the line stage should affect the phono and the cdp. I unplugged the phono as suggested and it cdp problem is the same, but it is intermittent in nature. Worked fine for an hour last night, then went sour. This am, bot about 15 minutes out of it. Will have to test the tubes, next.

I shall. Will be calling Kevin Hayes at VAC tomorrow, probably.

OK, boys and girls. The answer you've been waiting for....My BAM was unplugged. No idea what that could have had the effect that it did. Plugged the sucker in, switched it over to AC/charge and away we went. Post christmas music tip, new Joan Osborne, "Pretty Little Stranger". Alt-rock meets country. Gift from my brother. Its great- go figure. Happy New Year to all.

I have no idea. Called VAC this am and they had a couple of troubleshooting ideas, including the balanced/se output switch being in the wrong position. When I rolled the rack to see the switch, I found the S-BAM dangling w/o a pc. If Sean or any or Bobby or any of our tech heads are hanging out and have any ideas, I would be happy to listen...Meanwhile I am one happy camper; the VAC tech said next step was a trip to FL. And many thanks for Brent at VAC who spent about 15 minutes w/me on the phono trying to trouble shoot.

Sean- I could never disagree with your analysis because I have no knowledge in this area, but I will say that the distortion sounded like it was mostly in the vocal frequency range. and as far as I know, the BAMs (several generations ago) were optional with the VSM. The sound I got was very noticeable and totally unlistenable, even to my son who listens to MP3s played through his cell phone speaker!!!

It WAS a sort of vibrato gargling effect, if you will. GOne is good. Happy New Year everyone.