Jeff Rowlands Amp and Dac vs. VAC amp and DAC

I suggest buy the one sounds best to you.   For a tube amp, VAC is relatively low maintenance.  Replace output tubes periodically and if one blows, replace along with a fuse.

Sigma 160iSE has only 4 output tubes so heat is probably not an issue and inexpensive to replace when worn.

If you're considering 625, definitely checkout VAC 170iq and 200iq.  You can roll KT88. KT120 and KT150, real time biasing and when an output tube blows, IQ system trips before blowing a fuse so just replace the bad tube.   I know an experience audiophile has 2 200IQs and found them a big improvement over previous models.

If I was in the market for tube amps in this price range, 2 200IQs will be HIGH on my list.

Aeris DAC can drive amps directly so only you can decide if a preamp is necessary.   I always prefer a preamp in the chain.

I have an all tube system so would go for VAC..  Summer is here and last night I rotate SS amp back in the system.   It sounds excellent but NO magic.   SQ will improve when the tube amp sound is no longer fresh in my mind ... happens every summer.  :-):-)

Hello again to all of you. I wonder, could I hook the Jeff Rowlands Aeris DAC to a VAC Phi 200 amp directly? Do I need an integrated amp or a pre-amp? Doesn't the Aeris act as a pre-amp, at least for now? I mean, what do you think?  

With the new VAC 170IQ and 200IQ, I would avoid Phi 200 unless it's a GREAT GREAT deal.   Used prices will drop with demand for the new amps increases.

If buy Phi 200 used, it would be difficult comparing Aeris with and without a preamp so try comparing Aeris to a 200IQ.    Once you have a barometer on the different combinations, then go shopping for Phi 200 if chooses. 

Rinpoche, 170IQ and 200IQ are VAC latest amps.  From what I was told, 1st lot of 200IQ has already been sold.  All I'm saying is used prices for Phi200 will drop so keep in mind when negotiating.

Kevin Hayes introduces 170IQ and 200IQ at CES

200IQ in action at CES

Wilson Sabrina with VTL at CES

I don't have 170IQ retail price but 2 170IQ is another option.

From all the indications, real time bias dramatically improves SQ.  The owner running 200IQ in mono configurations had Phi 200s.  Bottom line is how much do you want to spend?

Thank you all again. I will try to listen to the IQ gear this weekend and see how it compares both in price and sound with the Sigma and the Rowland. I am booked to listen on Saturday morning. Not with the Wilson's but with speakers at the shop. I will take Al's advice to heart and all of your inputs when listening. There is a lot to digest here and it has been amazingly useful. Instructive. Thoughtful. And informative. I can't thank you all enough for your time and wisdom. Will let you know how it goes if you are interested!!!!

You can also try IQ with and without preamp from Aeris.

Here's a video Sabrina with VTL-185.  It has no problems driving them.

Here's a review on VAC PHI-200 driving KingSound King electrostatic.  So it should have no trouble driving Sabrina's  

I spent the afternoon at Fidelis looking into analog and they are dealers for Wilson and recently VAC.   They have Wilson Sabrina, VAC 200iq and VAC Sigma 160i SE in stock.   200iq and Sigma 160i SE in different rooms so I just demo 200iq with Sabrina.   Preamp was VAC SigMKIIa SE (my current preamp) and not familiar with the DAC ... something expensive. 

Overall I found the sound very good but boomy bass.  It seems the amp cannot control the bass, impedance curve or needing setup fine tuning. We switched 200iq with D’Agostino Momentum Stereo Amplifier and WOW!   No more boomy bass, actually less bright, more transparent, doesn't sound like tube or SS but just music.   I know I know not a fair comparison, $14K vs $35K.    This is the 1st time I heard VAC SigMKIIa SE with Momentum and it's an EXCELLENT match.   Now getting dangerous thoughts in my head ... Hmm!

So if you are buying from a dealer, insist on home demo before writing a check.   If you are set on Sabrina, Rowland might be a better option so don't rule them out.    Dealer can help with Sabrina setup.  Another option is go with tube pre and SS amp.    

Do you happen to know which output tap they were using on the 200iq?

almarg,  They mentioned 2.4 ohm impedance dip before hooking up the amp.  I heard a 2 but not sure if 1-2 or 2-4 tap.   

pokey77,  ARC GSi75 is using KT150 and 200iq is 100 wpc with KT88 so my guess it can handle a tougher load??   200iq can roll KT150 and I mentioned to dealer it would be an interesting experiment.

jbrrp1, I have TAD E1.  It's 2 dbs more efficient than CR-1 @4 ohm.   It's the least fuzzy setup speaker I've ever owned.   It's doesn't boom and sounds great plucking them anywhere.  I drive them with tube and SS amps.  Wilsons are a little different from my experience,

rinpoche, when you audition the 200iq, I suggests also audition a SS amp for comparison.

If I was to buy the Sabrina, buy a VAC pre that has low output impedance and an used SS amp.    For under $5000, Parasound JC-1 is a great option.  It has low and high bias setting.  Use low to watch TV and high for listening to music.

For under $10,000, you can get Pass XA160.5, Bryston 28B-SST2, Hegel H30, Ayre MX-R ... lots of excellent options.   So pre + used SS amp are a smidgen more than Sigma 160iSE.  My .02!

jbrrp1,

I also have a VAC SigMKIIa pre and just had it upgraded to SE several months ago.   Kevin offers an upgrade every decade and I STRONLY recommend it.   A No Brainer!

I'm driving the TAD E1 with ARC Ref250SE and Hegel H30.   H30 in the summer and backup.