On paper the Rowland is a better match for those speakers. I suspect.
Both Rowland and vac gear is top notch sound wise with trade offs other than sound quality as you see which is often the case with ss versus tube gear.
Matched optimally and set up well I would expect more similarities than differences between the two in general though I have not heard the specific models in question.
If you can hear both and compare that would ideal. |
The Vac amps I have heard are very special. I have never actually heard them with "tube amp friendly" speakers. So you just never know until you try. |
Tube preamp and ss amp is always a good option. Just be sure ss amp does not have low input impedance. You want 30kohm or higher input impedance on the amp and many fit that bill.
Fwiw I run an arc tube preamp and Class D ss amps and a SS. class D integrated in another. The main difference in sound I would say is the arc tube preamp adds just a touch of warmth while the class d integrated has a similar sound and smooth as silk midrange but not inherently warm at all. I would expect similar differences between Rowland and Vac amplification.
Which sounds better? Whichever of the two I happen to be listening to at the moment. 🏄 |
Not with the Wilson's but with speakers at the shop.
Rin, I would expect the speakers you hear at the shop would be well matched to the VAC amp but in any case it may be hard to predict the sound with the Wilson's without hearing the amp and speakers together especially in that the Wilson's may not be particularly tube amp friendly. Do you know what speakers specifically you will hear at the shop? |
Sounds like fun and done the right way. Sure to be a winner in the end. 🏆 |
It’s strictly subjective as to what combination of components someone would prefer to drive these or any speakers. Yes preference is 100% subjective. But performance is not and can be measured. Performance is key to the best sound possible IMHO though any sound might be preferred still. Limitations with performance may take longer to discover as amp is asked to work harder over a period of time. Like putting a very good quality but undersized engine in a performance vehicle. Best sound over time usually occurs when components are not required to run harder than designed to and able to deliver the music with ease. |
Of course one can build a system around any particular component that uniquely floats their boat. If it turns out to be the VAC amp, a very enticing piece, and the results with the Wilson's are not suitable, you could easily elect to sell the Wilson's and go with speakers better suited to enable the VAC to shine its best.
Many roads indeed but not all are created equal.
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ARC seems to know how to do NF with tube amps right and on paper would seem to be called for with the Wilson speakers.
I lost track. Is ARC versus VAC versus JR in home with the Wilsons the shootout? Or just JR versus VAC? Its a great shootout by the way. Three of my absolute favorite brands each with unique pros and cons. Any tickets available? :^) Can't wait to hear the results. |
I have had very low NF SS amps designed to sound more like tube amps and they had their unique charms.
The best products are always designed by the best engineers capable of making the right design decisions and backed by a manufacturing process capable of realizing it reliably. Well designed and made products + system synergy is everything when it comes to performance and results. These are all top notch product lines being discussed so the key is to get the synergy right and each amp line is significantly different in that regard.. |
Charles I simply meant they get it right for their products as designed not that they do it any better or worse than others who do it differently for different reasons. Practically their tube amp market share probably does help confirm the relative effectiveness of their approach for many using many different speaker designs.
I would love to own a VAC but would probably only do it if I were willing to build my system around it, mainly the speakers. Atmasphere (OTL) is another example of a higher output impedance tube amp that dictates certain speakers more for best results. SET tube amps are of course another.
ARC tube amps would seem to fit better for more that build around certain speakers that may be a harder load to drive but still prefer a tube amp. Different strokes...... |
rin, that is good advice from Charles. You are well prepared. The only thing else I can think of is go in with a good sampling of the kinds of music you will be listening to planned out ahead.. Some good recordings, some lesser, various genres of interest, etc.
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Very solid choice on paper for your speakers and would appear to mate well with tube preamp if desired.
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You are on course and have a good plan so stick to it. |
Question for Rinpoche.
If you had just heard any of the systems you have heard, and not others to compare to, are there any that you think you would not be happy with long term?
My point is these are all great sounding systems in their own way. Each with strengths and weaknesses like always. In the end all that mattters for a music lover is ability to enjoy the music to the max.
Personally, having heard a lot over the years, I think there are many systems both expensive and less so that I could live happily with if I had to. Yet no two sound exactly the same. The only way I can assert which sounds "best" overall is to compare to live music I have also heard over the years.
Just wondering. It's different things that justify any purchase to different people but in the end its ability to enjoy music that matters most to a music lover, not the gear.
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Getting the amplification, speaker, room part of the system optimized together to a good degree is the most critical part to get right technically.
With that you have a solid foundation to work upon. The rest is much easier to get right as long as one knows what kind of sound they are seeking to start with.
You can’t hit the target exactly without a solid foundation to stand on or if you don’t know where or what the target is exactly.
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Life is too short to argue over audio.
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I agree.
Even worse is arguing over wires not to mention fuses.
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Its also too short to be counting peoples posts.
I'm trying to cut back by not arguing with you Geoffkait. That should buy me a few years.....
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Buying a Swiss amp is like buying a pair of Italian shoes. Very nicely crafted but not for everyone. There should be a very good reason to go that way because nobody has cornered the market yet on top notch sound or nice shoes.
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Enjoy and Happy Birthday. 🎂 |
Wires are often a potshot even for the best informed.
My advice is buy in a manner that enables you to experiment without taking a loss each time you might want to change. There are some vendors who offer generous return and exchange programs I hear. Myself, I tend to always buy wires used and not overpay so I can then resell and try others as needed. My other suggestion is do not assume cost indicates performance or best sound with wires. There may be some correlation but certainly no guarantee. I'd find something less expensive and suitable first and then experiment with others from there if needed but avoid the trap of paying a lot for new wires and then taking a financial beating if you decide they are not for you. |
If its a standard balanced IC that is needed in particular, where sound differences among wires should be minimal if any, I would forego all the high end audio brands and look at pro audio vendors for a good quality wire for reasonable cost and call it a day. I bet Almarg knows some good candidates there. |
Yes wires worth that amount should trounce anything from Mogami. No way to know unless you try. You could end up better financially by spending less on wires and investing that money elsewhere in your system down the road if needed.
Its pretty senseless in my mind to drop a fortune on something based on retail price without any real basis for comparing its performance to other more affordable high quality options.
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Seems like the dealer knows the Devaliet is in fact worth more than the wires. It sounds like a bad deal. |
Its never a good idea usually to dive right into the deep end when swimming or buying, especially with consumer electronics where there are so many options both good and bad at so many price points. One almost owes it to themselves to try something well accepted and affordable like the Mogami pro wires first. What is there to loose? You can keep it as a spare or sell it easily for little loss if a comparison or change is desired. You’ll never know what is possible at various price points unless you try. Or in some cases money does not matter which is fine. But every dollar put into cables, fuses, amps, speakers whatever is a dollar that might be used to better effect elsewhere. It does require some time and patience to follow an orderly process that efficiently leads to good sound for reasonable cost. Also I understand that time is precious.. Just my two cents.... |
Rinpoche, You've tested out the waters pretty well. Not much else to do now but enjoy. |
