I own a Cary V12i and find it quite musical. I have just paired it with a Cary SLP-98L and am using a pair of Spendor 1/2e speakers in the set-up. I'm familiar with VAC and they have a great reputation. Your decision to buy Cary or VAC should come down to how each integrates with your existing set-up. Some brands work better with certain equipment than others. If possible, best to home audition both with your speakers and decide from there.
