2. amps-preamps
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VAC 30/70...pick your pre?

Considering a pair of VAC 30/70’s however concerned a bit about matching the Pre well; on the other hand, can’t spend another 5-6k on a line stage right now. Thoughts? Recs? Get a better integrated instead for now?  Ideas about Line Magnetic 219 vs. Allnic T2000; pushing Wharfedale Jade 5's (87db 6ohm)


128x128phaun16

Showing 12 responses by charles1dad

charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,236 posts
 
Phaun16,
Is there a reasonable way for you to find a Line Magnetic dealer who has both amplifiers and plan a trip specifically to hear them? I feel it'd be well worth the effort.  I believe that you'll be very happy with with either amplifier. 
Charles 
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,236 posts
 
Walter, 
Excellent logic in deciding to get the speaker upgrade package.  There's no doubt in my mind that better quality wire, inductors  and capacitors can make a very noticeable improvement in the sound.  You might as well get it right initially is my perspective.  The up charge is quite reasonable for the higher quality parts. 
Charles 
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,236 posts
 
Phaun16, 
Generally speaking the 8 ohm speaker load impedance would ideally suit SET and tube amplifiers compared with the 4 ohm version.  However there are exceptions to most axioms.  Owners have reported much success with the LM 219ia and 508ia with some 4 ohm speakers.  

Walter's upcoming auditioning will shed considerable light as he's ordered the 4 ohm DI.  Obviously the 500.00 dollar up charge for the 8 ohm could affect certain budget decisions. 
Charles 
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,236 posts
 
Walter,
You have an excellent plan mapped out 😊. I find this discussion very significant given the implications of genuinely affordable (but not cheap) products that yield true upper tier sound quality. The Tekton DI has been very favorably compared to far more expensive speakers with established reputations for superior sound. Teajay’s comparison to the Lawrence Audio Cello and the Wilson Sasha.

Your Ulysses will be another high level reference point, so the bar remains high. What an exciting comparison it’d be, consider this,  the LM 508ia and the LTA ZOTL 40 driving the DIs. Similar amplifier power yet vastly different circuit/topologies.

What’s so intriguing is this experiment doesn’t require ultra level money expenditure. Excellent news for serious music lovers. Fun times! The notion that a 3000.00 dollar speaker can be the foundation of a superb sounding audio system is a reason to rejoice. Icing on the cake is this speaker permits a very wide range of amplifiers to be eligible for use.
Charles
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,236 posts
 
Hi Walter, 
That sounds like a potentially stellar amplifier and speaker match. I look forward to reading your subsequent listening impressions.  This is an interesting development given that you currently own the highly regarded Daedalus Ulysses speakers.  By the way did you order the 4 or the 8 ohm version of the DI.  Congratulations!
Charles 
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,236 posts
 

Phaub16,

In my earlier post I said the VAC REN amps are "excellent amps and I'm very familiar with their sound/character. This is a 300b push pull design. Contray to popular belief I don't recommend SET amps regardless of the situation or speaker in question.


I do believe they have wider application than given credit but again it depends on the speaker and its load impedance, phase angles etc. As much as I enjoy my 300b SET I've discouraged some interested parties from pursuing it due to their current speakers. It is certainly a matter of the right and compatible match.


I do believe a robust 805 tubed SET such as the LM 508ia would be fine with your speaker based on owners of this amp who have similar speakers. Again the VAC REN would be an equally fine choice. 


There are pentode tube (KT 88, 120,150,6550,el 34 etc.) that would be fine. I just happen to think that DHT tubes are better sounding but that's just me.

Charles

charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,236 posts
 

John, To be clear I don't believe that an amplifier is " the key" for an audio system's  success. Actually all aspects are of importance due to the fact that the "weakest link" of a system is the limiting factor. Balance of a system is no less a factor from my perspective. As we both have acknowledged there are  various ways to achieve the final goal or objective. Regarding SET amps yes I do believe they are wonderful but not in an isolated sense but rather as part of a total picture concept.

Charles

charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,236 posts
 
As this discussion demonstrates! There are numerous approaches to improving one's audio system,. Spread  the wealth certainty has merit.  I probably feel more strongly about the impact of amplification than some others here.  If you obtain a very high quality intergrated amplifier you've effectively covered the vital electronics chain  (preamp and the power amp). That's a crucial step. 

I believe that the LM intergrated SETs admirably fill that role. At this point you have a quality source foundation  (TNT turn table) and high level electronics.  Now you have something to work with and steadily build upon over time. I'd at least take a look at the Tekton Double Impact speakers as a potential future replacement. 
Charles 
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,236 posts
 
Well reasoned critique from John. However in my personal experiences I've heard good amplifiers significantly improve the sound of an audio system.  So I have a somewhat different take compared to John in this case. My suspicion is that the LM 805 tubed SET would in fact be a very viable upgrade with immediate improvement and one that could be built around in the future. 

Based on owner feedback with a variety of speakers I believe that the 508ia would work very well with the Whafedales IMHO. 
Charles 
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,236 posts
 
Phaun16,
You have an excellent list of worthy choices. When I factor in the variables I’d give a "slight " preference towardthe LM 508ia.
1 It can meet your budget purchased new, this means a warranty (not insignificant).
2 Feedback from owners on various sites has been overwhelmingly enthusiastic.
3 Its U,S. Distributor is very stable and highly regarded, Tone Audio.
4 45 watts of SET class A power well implemented should sound sublime with the right speaker match.
5 Line Magnetic has earned a reputation for using high quality output transformers and power supplies (keys to SET amplifier success).
6  Tube upgrades make this fine Aamplifier perform even better. 
Charles
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,236 posts
 
Walter,
I'm familiar with the the sound of the excellent VAC REN 30/30 and 70/70 300b push pull amplifiers. Your insightful comments are high praise for the LM 508ia.  805 output tubes running in class A SET topology must sound wonderful in your system.
Charles  
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,236 posts
 
Phaun16, 
You have good options available to you.  
The Line Magnetic 219ia or their 508ia would be very fine choices. 
If you go with the VAC 300b amplifier I'd look into the Linear Tube Audio MZ2 preamplifier and the Don Sachs preamplifier.  Either route will result in excellent sound quality in my opinion. 
Charles 
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