Jfrech, I would love to do a blind A/B with the EAR and Bob's. At twice the price, I'm really curious about the MC-4.
Again, thank you so much for your original suggestion to try a SUT. I owe you one!
Alón |
Podeschi,
I spoke with Keith and he actually wrote to Kevin to make sure the VTPH2 would be a good fit for my pre and cartridge! And Kevin wrote him back saying it would be great. Are these guys amazing, or what? True gentlemen (and geniuses).
Mulveling,
I know what you mean about making it a worthwhile upgrade. I figure with power cord, IC and the unit itself, I'm looking at over $5000 (with no way to sell what I'm replacing since it's built-in). Not a decision I will make lightly!
I spoke with someone (I'll keep their name to myself as a courtesy) at the VACtory who hinted that they are working on an outboard phono stage, but that it won't be coming out anytime soon and it'll probably cost around $12,000. No doubt it will be world class.
These new kids on the block, Zesto, which I heard at the California Audio Show, and it was superb... and the Manley Chinook, seem like viable options, but until I hear them in my system, it's hard to know if they can beat my current VAC sound by a wide enough margin to make it worthwhile.
Looking forward to more opinions and experiences from VAC owners. |
Podeschi,
Yeah, the Fosgate is also on my list. Very cool looking, like the Zesto. That unit uses half of each tube for each channel, right?
Good to hear (so to speak) that the Herron is dead quiet. I believe that the lower the noise floor, the better the unit will retrieve and present what's in the grooves! Thanks for your input.
Salectric,
Did you build your phono stage or buy one? Seems that many manufacturers use 12AX7s in thier units. Is noise inherent in the design in your opinion?
NeedFreeStuff,
I've heard good things about the BAT. I'm purely single ended right now, and I'm a sucker for a lush, gorgeous midrange, which I experienced with the Zesto. Glad you're enjoying your new upgrade. Just don't tell me you got it Free! |
Hello J from Audiorevelation,
Kevin never seems to be in a hurry. His built-in phono stages are so good that his outboard has to be a game changer. I wouldn't be surprised if he's been quietly experimenting for years.
What is your opinion J? Is the Zesto better than VAC's built-in? I assume you've AB'd them at your store... Have you compared any other phono stage with the VAC? |
Salectric,
Impressive DIY project. I was thinking at one point to buy an Audio Note phono stage "kit" and put it together myself... but I got over it. I just don't think that's my thing. |
Wrm57,
I've already decided not to wait for VAC's pricey phono stage.
Thanks for sharing your preference of VAC over the Steelhead in your system, that seems significant to me, as the Steelhead usually gets very high marks. Since the new Chinook is based on the same circuitry, I can deduce that in your system, the Chinook would not stand a chance.
Silly to make decisions this way, but I need to arrive at a short list so I don't drive myself and dealers crazy. If I could only find a local source to audition the Zesto and Herron and (dare I dream?) the Fosgate... Doing this by UPS is a lot of work and I would need to cover return shipping. |
Wrm57,
My medium output MC (0.4MV) cartridge (Ortofon Cadenza Bronze) has what seems like a pretty wide load impedance range of 50-200 Ohm. Do you think that within that range there is a sweet spot that can only be discovered by tweaking? I understand that this is more an issue for MM carts, but would getting a phono stage with adjustable load settings be a benefit for my MC and therefore part of this discussion?
Did you mod the VAC stage yourself? |
Clio,
Thanks for your impressions on the Fosgate and the Hagerman Trumpet. I believe I'm leaning toward the Zesto because it's the only one I have heard. I love its rich, full-bodied and warm presentation with a surprising ability to find low level detail.
What room did you run in Newport? I'll probably be there this year... Might be my best bet in hearing both the Herron and Zesto. |
Bill,
You are certainly inspiring, but I think I'll hold off on contacting Mr. Percy... that sounds dangerous!
I am very fussy about cartridges. The Ortofon Cadenza Bronze thoroughly exceeded my expectations and compels me to say that it does not belong in the $2000 price point, but much higher. It is silky smooth, rich and meaty with micro detail to die for. It creates a believable deep and wide soundstage and has what I love the most... a lot of Slam! I could go on and on... When I play my original early 70's pressing of Jeff Beck's Wired LP (esp. the cut Goodbye Pork Pie Hat) it practically knocks me off my seat, without being at all too forward or aggressive. It has replaced my previously favorite cart of all time, the Carnegie One by Madrigal as my reference.
It did need to break in for about 90 hours, but when it reached its potential it was breathtaking! I believe it to be one of the best MC bargains out there.
And you know who gets the credit for introducing me to the Bronze? None other than Kevin himself! Really, who would know better?
Alón |
Podeschi, et al,
I had a thought... and naturally, it throws another wrench into the works. Here goes:
What if I find a phono pre that is significantly better than the one built-in to my wonderful VAC pre (which seems possible from all the great feedback on this thread)... And what if that phono pre has a excellent volume control AND a line level input for my CD player, AND a Variable output from the phono stage DIRECTLY to my VAC Phi 200 amp that drives my main speakers, AND a Fixed output to feed my Ray Samuels Raptor headphone amp... Theoretically, I could (gasp!) replace my VAC pre completely!
I know, it's heresy, but it may make sense: Replacing an amazing preamp that has a really good built-in phono stage, with an OUTSTANDING phono stage that allows me to go direct to my VAC amp for best LP sound (which is what I care about most) and would accommodate my CD player with what would probably be a very decent line stage input. So in essence, it's a preamp with its main focus on vinyl.
One more benefit to this is that I could sell my VAC pre to offset some of the cost of the new phono stage.
So far, the only phono pre I've come across that meets these requirements is the Manley Steelhead at $8000. Do any of you know of other phono stages that have these features? If I go in this direction, it'll sure narrow down the list of candidates...
And, when Kevin does build an outboard phono stage, I'd probably get it.
Thoughts?
|
Bill,
I've read a lot on the Miyajima and have been looking forward to hearing it somewhere... I'm a big fan of tiny well-shaped styli that track the grooves at a much deeper level than most and extract information from LPs very familiar to us that we never knew was there! My Carneigie One does that, as does the Cadenza Bronze, but the reports about the Kansui are so positive and compelling... This hobby of ours seems insane to others, and it's conversations like these that makes me think they may be right! What can I say? Does a 5% improvement in sound merit spending thousands of bucks? It does if it makes me happy... and it does. |
Mulveling and Swampwalker,
Thank you both for sharing your experiences and impressions.
So many cartridge loading possibilities and tweaks... and, of course, all the sincere recommendations we get from fellow audiophiles are great but will ultimately be subject to the reality of hearing the difference in our own systems. Which once again, makes the Steelhead appealing because of the handy remote control which offers us immediate A/B comparisons from our sweet spot!
Alas, as we go up the ladder of phono stages (a ladder that seems covered in oil at times), some really cool features do emerge, making a remote control even more appealing. Like the new ARC that has a number of RIAA curves to choose from when listening to DG, Columbia and Decca classical recordings of yesteryear, before universal adherence to the RIAA standard was fully adopted. It seems like all the early DG albums I have that never sounded quite right just need the correct RIAA curve applied to them and they spring to life!
Has anyone on this thread experienced that? |
Podeschi,
I agree about the VAC line stage being amazing. I found your impressions of the phono stage helpful, especially the price point references, which align with the units I've chosen to compare to VAC's built in stage. I think I'm on the right track. Now it's just a matter of auditioning the units at home.
Maineiac,
Your recommendations are always good. I'll look into the K&K Maxed Out as well... |
ERRATA:
I was mistaken, the Steelhead remote only adjusts volume, not cartridge loading. Damn. Instantly A/B-ing different setting options from my sweet spot with my eyes closed would have been so useful. |
Bill,
I believe you and others who have experienced the same, even Jeff I think it was, who reviewed the Steelhead for 6 Moons and said the same: going direct did not sound as good! I don't understand how can the VAC pre being in the signal path sound better than not having it there and going direct? Is the VAC adding a pleasant coloration to the overall sound, or is it just Kevin's quiet magic? Your thoughts?
JFrech,
I know some very high end phono stages are quietly using SUTs (why they went out of favor in the industry I don't know). I looked at the very reasonable K&K, all the way to the Audio Note S8, a tiny box of silver wire for $10,000. But I still have not heard any of them in a system.
Podeschi, JWM, Almarg,
Nagra, EAR, Aesthetix, Coincident... added to the research list. Thanks. The way this process seems to be doing the opposite of shortening my list, I'll probably by able to make my decision at THE Show in Newport Beach in June. Maybe Kevin will surprise us there with a debut phono stage he's been secretly building! (I can dream, can't I?)
Coincidentally, today I received two new phono tubes tested by Brent. I'll report back soon.
Thank you all for your input. I've got a lot to work with, but I'm certainly open to more. |
I vote that we honor Bill (Wrm57) with an Audiophile Eloquence Award for perfectly and concisely describing what we all love about our VAC gear. It just doesn't get better than "illuminating music from within." I'm going to send that over to Kevin and suggest he uses it as a tagline!
So, Bill... thanks for the explanation about what "direct to amps" really means. It seems clear and obvious (well, now) that "direct" is not possible because with any outboard or built in phono stage, one would need a volume control and additional circuitry to control the downstream amp, in essence, you need a line stage for this to work whether it's part of the Steelhead or VAC is irrelevant. Did I understand you correctly (please correct me if I haven't)?
So, I'll risk continuing (if I misunderstood, my foot's already in my mouth, a little deeper won't be too bad): Since this would be exactly like getting ANY outboard phono stage and utilizing my current line stage, I can go back to my original focus on simple phono stages like the Zesto, Herron and Chinook, hook the winner up to my beloved VAC's line stage, and I'm good to go! |
Bill,
No worries, your post was very helpful to me, even if I extrapolated your explanation a bit beyond your intention. Of course, a 5-figure phono stage could very well be better, but it would still need a line stage, volume control etc. for it to work. So going direct is not really so direct. Either way, whether I consider a pure phono stage or one that has volume control, it's going to be the quality of the design and circuitry and its interaction with my system that will make the difference. That's what clicked when I read your post, so thank you for that.
Al,
Thank you as well for reinforcing that I'm at least asking the right questions in my exploration. I have thought much on the 2 Box vs. 1 Box issue (especially since room on my rack is limited), and if I could do it without the need for a very high WAF, I'd probably just upgrade my VAC Standard LE preamp to the Signature Mk IIa, which I'm sure sports a much better phono stage! But, as crazy as we are in this hobby, I love my wife more than I love new gear.
Cheers,
Alon |
OK, I'm intrigued. I took Jfrech's advice and did some research on SUTs. I read about the EAR, Audionote, Ortofon, Bob's Devices, and K&K. This is a whole new animal.
There's some intimation that SUTs work best with tube MM phono stages, which leads me to the question:
Do any VAC preamp owners on this thread have experience replacing the built-in MC phono stage with an SUT?
Great, I just added another month to my research timeline... glad I love this stuff. |
Jfrech, I've got you to thank for opening this can of new possibilities... I just read the Art Dudley piece on the EAR MC4 and now I've got to hear it in my system. If it matches my cart and system well and can beat the VAC built in MC, I'd say it would be a simple and relatively inexpensive upgrade.
Podeschi, I've been keeping an eye out for a VAC Ren or Sig, but they rarely show up here. My first choice is to stay with VAC if I can. |
Gentlemen,
I promised to follow up on my progress, so here's an update on the new twist in the road, SUTs. Thanks again to Jfrech for suggesting this alternative to an outboard Phono Stage.
Here's a letter I sent to Bob, of Bob's Devices, that will tell the story. Let me know if you have any questions on this development:
Hello Bob,
Thank you for the quick shipment of the 1131 Blue and the IC Cable (both of which are impressive in build-quality). As you know, my intention is to upgrade the MC phono stage in my beloved VAC Standard LE tube preamp.
I trust I didn't offend you with my skepticism as to whether this will be worth the money, since I believe my analogue set-up is pretty great sounding already. I asked how long the new SUT would take to burn in so I could make a good comparison, your instructions were clear: "If you don't hear a difference right away, just send it back to me and I'll refund your money." Fair enough.
So here's what I did the same day I received your SUT:
I prepared my system, warming up the amps for two hours, picking out tracks and sides of albums from my reference collection that I know very, very well, then playing some cuts to make sure the system was ready. As always, before any A/B comparisons, to fix in my aural memory the sound I'm starting with, I listened closely to the familiar tone, depth and speed of my system, which is my audio benchmark. And lastly, made sure I could move the new component in and out of the chain quickly and easily.
I did hear a difference right away, but I was not terribly impressed. The gain of your SUT was much higher than my preamp's built in MC stage, so I spent time equalizing the SPL for a more valid comparison, and listened again. Yes, the unit was much quieter than my VAC's built-in MC stage, which is somewhat important to me, but not worth the cost alone. Here's what I found in three hours of A/B testing:
1. The bass was definitely more pronounced, but loose and unfocused compared to my reference. On Ray Brown's solo on LA4's "Just Friends," I couldn't locate his instrument clearly in the soundstage... he was everywhere.
2. On Ennio Morricone's The Mission soundtrack, the upper mid-range sounded distorted, with some glare in the soprano choral voices. I paused here to clean the album and cartridge again because it sounded like a dirty stylus that caused some mis-tracking. I played it again... still there... took the SUT out of the chain and thankfully, I was relieved to be back to the familiar lush sound of my VAC (this amazing album is long out of print and I was concerned it was getting worn out).
3. After over two hours of A/B-ing, the little SUT did improve, but not enough to come close to my VAC. I was ready to pack it up and send it back to you, but it was getting late, so I figured I would do it in the morning and write you this letter of explanation. Before calling it quits, I decided to put on one of my favorite album sides, Dexter Gordon's Tanya from the LP "One Flight Up" on a wonderful Blue Note test pressing. OK, so something definitely happened about halfway through this remarkable 20 minute jam... It was startling. I got up to check, and yes, the SUT was in the chain and nothing had moved. I could barely believe my ears, and had to A/B this track three times to grasp the transformation.
Somehow, quite suddenly and without any really encouraging improvement that lead up to this, your SUT came to life! Everything was now better than my reference! The soundstage blew open and focused the instruments in space with so much air around them it felt like if I got too close to the tenor sax I might get sprayed with some spittle! Bass reproduction also took a quantum leap, getting richer, tighter and more musical. The mid-range glare not only disappeared, but left in its place an easy, natural sparkle that made my system without the SUT seem veiled and dull in comparison (this was hard to come to terms with since I love my VAC). I spent the next half hour doing more A/B and trying not to wake up my wife and dragging her into the listening room just so I could have someone, anyone to share this incredible experience with (would have been a serious infraction of the WAF code)!
Bob, when you said the 1131 Blue won't change much over time, you should know that least in my system, the SUT most definitely broke in very, very significantly over the course of 2-3 hours of continual use. And It's hard to imagine that it won't get even better as it ages in my analogue chain.
This test was a very moving experience of "You don't know what you don't know until you know it" when the joy of an audio upgrade reveals itself to us in one impossible musical epiphany that is so exciting, well, at least to us hopeless audiophiles (I'm certain had I interrupted my wife's beauty sleep, I would be getting that look right about now), that we want to shout "Yes! Yes! Yes!" in celebration of our obsession with sound and gear.
Anyway, it's now the morning after and I'm experimenting with albums that haven't gotten much airplay on my revealing rig, which trashes what I deemed "bad" recordings... one such album is Ekseption, the remarkable Dutch classical-jazz fusion LP from the 1970s. It has always been shrill and strident on all my previous systems. I'm listening to it as I write and I can't believe what I'm hearing. I won't bore you with audiophile expletives, just know that your humble device has put a wide smile on my face.
Thank you for helping me reclaim 100s of LPs from the "unlistenable on my system" file.
Alón |
Hey Podeschi, this little jewel box is blowing my socks off. I'm really looking forward to hearing your impressions of Bob's SUT in your system. Indeed, your description of more "meaty and weighty" music with your current SUT is valid in my experience as well. I love that this increased heft can be had without the usual compromises of darkened tonal colors and loss of inner detail. Weight, detail and sparkle coexisting in one system... ahhh, life is good! SUTs rock. |
Al, thanks for the kind words. Yes, my VAC has both MM and LOMC built in. I'm using the low 1:20 ratio setting, which is what Bob recommended for my cartridge. That, I believe, translates to a load impedance of 118. I also use the Ground Lift switch, that in my system makes music emerge from a background so quiet and black that the first notes out of the speakers startles the cat! Bob actually researched my cartridge, and only then made his recommendations... considering the results, it sounds like he nailed it!
As for burn-in, I've experienced improvement over time in every component in my system. I dont think this any different. The delicate silver wires Bob uses in the 1131 took under three hours to show their magic. I think the SUT will get even better in the next 100 hours. I don't have a "cable cooker," so I'll just have to play a lot more vinyl... I know, poor me! |
In case anyone is still interested in the SUT audition... I've got over 25 hours on this puppy and it's rocking my world. Right now I'm listening to Shelby Lynne's tribute to Dusty Springfield and I'm lovin life. I've been thinking about how lucky we all are to be engaged in a hobby that offers endless potential to completely surprise us whether we're hearing sonic details we never knew were in the familiar grooves of our favorite performances, or hearing unfamiliar performances recomended by fellow audiophiles that render us speechless...
I had a musician friend over last night for some listening and I pulled out the big guns yes, the "Reference" LPs. While listening, he kept shaking his head in disbelief. I know that feeling, the sweet spot is deadly.
As for the upgrade, I consider this surprising outcome a complete success! At least for a while, I'm out of hardware search mode and I'm going deep into the music hunting mode.
And lastly, an admission, as required by my Audioholics Anonymous program. Here goes: just now, I've listened to side two of Shelby Lynne's album four times in a row already. I just can't help it... It just sounds so goooood. I'm not sure I can stop. My sponsor is gonna have a fit.
Wow, feels good to get that off my chest. Thanks for reading. If you have any questions, please post.
Cheers,
Alón |
Podeschi,
Nice to have you in the "smitten-by-the-1131" club.
It's always interesting to share our impressions boldly and openly on these threads... but when your A'gon friends start spending money based on our impressions, one can certainly get a little concerned. What if they don't have the same experience? What if they hate it and resent me for being a tin-eared miscreant?
All I can say is, Alright! Glad you were impressed enough to want two of them. Loved the blender metaphor! Hey, now that there are two of us in this club, we can tell anyone that doesn't agree with us that they are obviously half-deaf cretins who don't have the sophistication to hear the magic this SUT brings! This, of course, will get them to buy it out of sheer embarrassment... Then we can hit Bob up for a commission, and also.... OK, wait, I shouldn't be posting this...
Anyone else ready to join the club? |
An Infomercial... Now why didn't I think of that? You see, Podeschi, that's why you were elected the club's Strategic Marketing Director (in a landslide victory I should add).
I also had a ground loop issue that I never fully solved, even after I installed two 20AMP dedicated circuits!
After much posting and consultation with my electrician and the technicians at PurePower in Canada, I just kinda gave up since I was able to tame it down to a dull, background whine that didn't regularly bring me to the point of psychosis anymore.
But in the first minutes of having the CINEMAG in the chain, I tried the Ground Lift toggle, turned up the volume way past what would be ear-melting level if I had something playing and whaddaya know, quiet.
The 1131 fixed it with a simple slip of a fwitch!
I am looking forward to meeting our humble hero Bob at THE SHOW in southern California in a few weeks. Anyone else on this thread going?
Alón |
Jfrech! This is all your fault and I'm very grateful. The sound improvement for the reasonable price is really amazing and very rare these days.
Thanks for the invite. Likewise, if you find yourself in the San Francisco area, drop me a note and come by for a listen! |
Podeschi and Mbump:
I'm still waiting to hear Keith's phono stage... I've been to two big shows recently and could not find a VTPH2 anywhere. But George with his Andros was everywhere, and I really like the Zesto sound. I spent over an hour playing everything from Steely Dan to Rimski-Korsakov on his well matched system. It's good, really good. But I did something really stupid... I took up an invitation to hear the new VAC Statement 450s paired with Kevin's top preamp the Sig Mk IIa and its built in phono stage driving Magico M5s and fed by a dual platter Kronos table and some superb cartridge... Dear God was that amazing! Bob the dealer played a cut of St. James Infirmary and with my eyes closed, Satchmo came to life in the room. I can't stop thinking about that experience. No phono stage I've ever heard can resolve recorded music like that. It was kind of spooky. So since getting the top of the line VAC pre may not happen this year... it's a goal I'm keeping alive. |
Dev and Podeschi,
Congratulations on your superb choices. I covet your Statement 450s, both the stereo and the mono blocks. When it was in the VACtory, Kevin told me that I own the best Standard LE with MC he's ever heard (I'd love for him to hear the incredible improvement the outboard SUT makes), but when I can, to acquire another Phi 200. He said having two is such a quantum leap in musicality and ease. However, my local dealer Bob agreed, but said that a stereo 450 would simply blow away my two Phi 200 mono blocks. Any thoughts on this statement (so to speak)? |
fPlanner: "Huge difference and afterwards had a hard time believing I had been perfectly happy with just 1" Yeah, I know that feeling. I'm leaning towards getting another Phi 200 and then, maybe, explore upgrading the Caps in my VAC preamp.
Has anyone done any Cap Rolling (is that a term or did I just coin it?) with their VAC pre? I've heard amazing stories about sound improvement by swapping stock output caps with teflon/copper V-caps... anyone with experience doing this?
Podeschi: "And his service is second to none in my book" No doubt Kevin is an audio community hero. One of the few true gentlemen I have met in the high-end world. |
Hey JWM,
OK, now you're just showing off!
Just in case you ever upgrade from your 2A (frankly, at this time I don't know what you could upgrade to), drop me a line if you'd want to part with it. I'm pretty sure it's the best preamp I've ever heard. Keep me in mind.
Cheers,
Alón |
UPDATE:
Well folks, I spent a lot of time with the VAC Sig mk2a flagship preamp at two recent highend shows... and now it's the end of november and I still can't get its unbelievable sound out of my head... So today, (drum roll, please) I bought one! I spoke with Kevin and he said It'll take a few weeks to get it to me because I'm getting the optional phono stage and they're back logged with orders... But I did it! It's coming! I will finally be able to A/B my SUT with the MC phono stage in the top of the line VAC, which, did I mention, I bought earlier today!? Can you tell I'm excited?
Thank you all for your guidance, ideas and shared experiences as I explored my options. This is the most I've ever spent on a single component and somehow, I feel calm about it... I even told my wife and she was supportive and gave me a congratulatory hug! Boy, talk about a guy getting lucky... I could be the poster child for "Lucky", standing next to my awesome wife sporting that incredulous goofy grin that I've worn since the day she said "yes!"
As soon as I get this baby in my system I'll post my initial impressions. Those of you who have the Sig2a with phono, how long did it take to burn in? |
JWM, thanks. I look forward to getting that CD phono stage burner... That seems like a no brainier! I assume I would just have feed the cd player into the phono inputs... Does it do MM/MC at the same time, or does each stage burn in separately? |
Thanks you guys! I wasn't planning to try anything without asking Kevin, but your advice has helped me be more prepared for the conversation.
I found this CD from Granite Audio and here's what they say:
Using this CD to burn-in your phono section will save needless wear on your record stylus and turntable. Standard music CD's cannot be used for this purpose because their signal level at 240mv to as much as 4 volts would overload your phono inputs, which are designed to handle only about 4mv of input signal. Also, conventional CD's would have their low frequencies boosted by 20dB more than a phonograph record that was encoded with the RIAA bass rolloff. So, playing a standard music CD through your phono input could also damage your speakers with excessive bass tones. DO NOT attempt to play any standard music CD's through your phono inputs. You can only do this with the Granite Audio Model #CD-101 Phono Burn-In CD. Our CD is the only one that has been engineered for this purpose. |
Thanks Al and Bill. Your advice and suggestions are appreciated.
If you're open to more questions (anyone jump in here), here are a few that have bubbled up through my dark grey matter in preparation for my new pre:
1. Now that I'll have both amp and preamp able to support Balanced ICs, is there any advantage to having the connection between pre and amp be balanced while all others are single ended?
2. I need to rearrange my rack. Although the Sig's power supply looks really cool with the lit up logo, shouldn't it be as far from my amp and preamp as possible, as in not in the rack? I see the pre stacked on top of the PS in photos, but I thought that was for advertising convenience...
3. Do any of you fellow nut cases cap your unused RCAs on the back of your preamps? Does it make a difference?
I can't wait to get this thing into my system! Thanks all!
Alón |
Bill and Al, Thanks once again for sharing your experience and weighing in on my never-ending questions.
HifiManiac, Thanks for advice on tube-rolling the Sig2a... I'll let everything break in fully with the stock tubes first before starting to play around with NOS gems.
I also loved the sound of George's Zesto Phono Stage (I spent more time with him than any other room at both shows I attended this year). They have the sound really dialed in.
What I have not heard yet is a comparison of Zesto's phono with the lush and beautifully detail-rich sound of the Sig2a's MC Phono stage. But I'm in no hurry, once I get my new preamp I think I'll do something radical like listen to music for a few weeks while my system settles in around the new VAC preamp. |
Oh no! Say it's not true... not yet!
As I wait patiently for my Signature 2a with Phono stage to arrive (read: pacing back and forth in my listening room mumbling to myself), and looking forward to once, just once in this crazy ultra-expensive ridiculously wonderful hobby of ours to allow myself to indulge unapologetically in the audio geek nirvana of knowing that I am enjoying the best preamp Kevin has ever made... I see this:
A full page VAC ad in TAS inviting us to CES to see and experience new components in VAC's "Statement" line! Gulp. So what's missing in the Statement line? A preamp. Crap. It has to be a Statement preamp. And it won't be cheap. And, it will be so amazing that all the reviewers will say "anything before it pales by comparison!"
Arrrrrgh. All my gloating plans crushed. Maybe, if the stars align and I can get my Signature before CES, I may get a few days of gloat time, but nothing like the months of euphoria I was expecting, knowing this is the best VAC preamp ever made and I actually have one! Now, all my audio friends, who I expected to display slack-jawed gear-envy will listen and say, 'yeah, it sounds good, but I heard the 'Statement Preamp' at CES and it is on another level altogether!" Ack.
Request for audio therapy: Any of you relate to this or is it just me? I know the industry (and Kevin) need to move forward with new innovations and ever-better music reproduction... but did you ever feel you wished they could've waited a year?
I know it's all about my Audio Ego, that part of our delicate audiophile psyche that is validated by enjoying and indulging in something which we researched, obsessed over, tested, and ultimately believe is the best there is... something we could never have in our messed-up childhood. Something just for us that we didn't need to ask permission to spend a bunch of money on. Something we keep shiny and clean because on some deep level, we're actually proud of owning, even if there are people in our lives who may not understand...
Tell me I'm not alone out here. Share your story. Get it off your chest. I certainly feel much better. Thanks for reading. |
I spoke to Kevin today, and in his inimitable quiet manner (I could practically see his smile over the phone) he hinted that maybe possibly there's an outside chance that if the phase of the moon intersects with the Dow Jones moving average that there just might be a Statement Preamplifier at CES in January... but he held back on actually saying "yes."
What I did get confirmation of is a Statement (?) Outboard Phono Stage! What he described had me drooling in less than a minute. OMG, this will be the Mother of All Phono Stages... and priced accordingly. I could hear the delight in his voice, he was obviously very excited about unveiling his creation. If I didn't have plans already (like, you know, working my business to pay for my Signature preamp), I'd be making reservations for the big show. I'll be glued to the blog coverage as it happens. If any of you go, please post what you see and hear from VAC on this thread so I can wallow in jealousy. |
Gentlemen,
After weeks of anticipation torture, I finally received my Signature mkIIa preamp with the MC/MM phono stage! I guess I got in just under the wire, because after January 1st the price has gone up to $23,000 including phono stage, which now lists for $5000 as an add on.
I'm finding myself just staring at it at times... It truly is a thing of beauty. I opted for the mirror-polished silver knobs on the black faceplate to match my system and it's just gorgeous.
After all the discussion about burn in hours and ways to expedite that process, I decided not to deprive myself of the forthcoming experience of the sound getting gradually (is it possible?) better. I'm euphoric. The day I installed it to replace my trusty VAC Standard LE, I didn't get to sleep until 7:00am the next morning! You guessed it, I was up all night coming up with appropriate expletives to define my shock. My wife was sleeping and I was listening at low volume and still heard things I never heard before and marveled at how this instument recreates the soundstage even at a SPL that would be appropriate for soft background music!
You would think that after a few decades of audiophile experience I would be better prepared. Uhhh...not so much. Even right out of the box, this beautiful beast and its incredible phono stage had me pulling out LP after LP and blowing my socks off. Paired with my Phi 200 amp, this is by far the best system I've ever heard in my home or anyone else's.
I'll go into more detail as the pre burns in, but for now I want to thank all of you who kindly posted on this thread and helped me make the decision to invest in this superlative pre with the optional phono stage. What I learned is that the Sig2a's phono has its own power supply, it does not share the line stage's power supply, which sounds like it may account for at least part of its remarkable performance with vinyl.
I've never been happier with my system. This pre, although not inexpensive, is making everthing sound better and on some recordings I'm left breathless. I'm totally smitten. I can't get the goofy smile off my face.
I'll check in soon, but please feel free to ask any questions or comments.
Once again, thanks for helping me get to this magical place in audio nirvana. Kevin Hayes is an industry superhero! |
Whart- thanks, it's really all about the hobby for me. Music makes me smile, cry (yup), and shout what I consider "happy profanities" from my listening chair when my system surprises me.
Hifimaniac- not only did we have a similar experience, we have a bunch of the same gear! Same preamp, amp, record cleaning machine and Ortofon cartridge. I'm hoping NOT to hear the Statement Amps for a while, you understand why...
As for tube rolling and power cords, knghifi, I'm with you dude. How many hours did you wait? I usually figure about 100 or so for tube amps and preamps. My amp is fully cooked, but I only have 7 hours on the Signature2a.
What tubes have you Sig owners had best success with? How about fuses? Power cords? A special call out to any Sig owners who, like hifimaniac, are also loving life with a VAC Phi 200 or two.
Please also indicate where the tubes ended up. I'm especially interested in rolling results you've had in the phono stage.
Wow. I just experienced something amazing... As I am writing this, my wife came in to kiss me goodnight and said with a smile "it sounds great babe... It's the kind of sound that makes me want to listen to tracks over and over again!" I stared at her dumbfounded, she's never said anything like that before. I told her I will turn down the volume so she could sleep and she says "no, this is fine, keep it at this level."
Next to "I do," I've never been more surprised at what's come out of her mouth (and my fortune in this life). |
No worries robd2, glad you have discovered the VAC magic.My VAC gear just keeps getting better the more I use it. My latest OMG moment was after I replaced all 16 tubes in the Phi200 mono blocks with Black Treasures from Grant Fidelity. The tubes are not cheap, but a worthwhile upgrade. The sound is stunning, rich and detailed... but most of all, real and natural sounding. The system has disappeared. Dave Brubeck has arrived. |
