VAC owners, sound off

There is no better NOS seller than Vintage Tube Services. Brent Jesse Recordings is also very good. I agree with Swampwalker, you don't know what your doing, stick with VERY reliable and known sources.

Like someone said earlier, you would have a hard time finding a better way to spend $1,500 for a good preamp. Whether you like it or not, I would think you would though, you just have to try it. Now if you can describe a type of sound you like like lets say warm and smooth, versus fast and detailed just as a general orientation we might be able to direct you to some options. But if I had $1,500 to spend, that VAC looks mighty good to me.

Hi Tholt. The most useless thing anyone can say comes from those who give you an opinion on a piece of equipment they have not heard and guaranteeing it will be right for you. Slightly less useless are opinions coming from those with a limited range of equipment they have real experience with, and then telling you how wonderful the piece they happen to own is, with very little comparative listening but a real gungho recommendation on what they do own and with no knowledge of your preferences or system context. Ultimately, "you have to try", might very well be the best advice anyone can give you and the most honest - since we all hear differently and look for different things. The answer to your original question was answered pretty well. It sounds like VAC might very well work for you - but you will never know till you try it - that's just the way it works, and the next step if what you have heard about VAC here has made you interested in pursuing it further.

Tholt, Tvad's comments on impedance matching are critical for many reasons, and usually more of an issue when dealling with a tube preamp. Now if you are also planning on using tube amp it becomes less likely you have a problem. I think trying VAC is a very good idea, a 9 year old VAC remains and will always be good piece of equipment well worth exploring. Now if you want a warmer, "tubier" sound there are other choices and not driven by the necessity of "newer technologies" - good/great preamps have been made for quite a while.

Let's us know whay you think once you get a chance to spend time with it. By the way, I don't own VAC, but have heard there equipment many times and was always very satisfied with the sound of their gear. You should be happy with unit, VAC is good stuff, no doubt.

Glad you got the RCA Cleartops, they are excellent overall, and do remain a comparative bargain. I agree that Andy at VTS is beyond reproach, and I have also had good luck with Brent Jesse Recordings for NOS.