VAC preamps - too expensive?

I listened to a VAC preamp at a B&M store locally over a decade ago and loved the sound. It left me wanting to own one some day. Sure enough I ended up buying my Signature Mk IIa SE several years ago and never looked back. Yes the Master is a step up, and I’m sure that I’ll move up the chain at some point.


Also don’t forget to get a pair of nice 6922’s. I bought two pairs of Telefunken’s both cryogenic and non, and they’re worth every penny. Amperex’s are very good too.

No @jumia you cannot change inputs on the VAC remote. It has 3 buttons (mute, volume up/down) which does not have an input button. Also, the HT bypass is not changed by the input selector. There is a “Cinema” knob on the upper right corner of the preamp which you turn to select HT bypass. It works very well for my Theta Casablanca IVa with D3 Xtreme DAC’s.

It’s fascinating that you would keep the VAC in a separate room from your HT. That must be one long pair of interconnects or speaker cables that you intend to use. A VAC would also be quite a jump from your Schiit Freya+, and you may have to budget wisely for those cables of yours.

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/tube-preamp-enhancement-of-ht-processor-sound

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/what-do-2500-speaker-cables-sound-like

Nope no problem at all. The expense will be there for long cable runs whether they’re XLR or speaker.

Using a Cinema / HT bypass button or knob allows you to use your Marantz AVR’s volume control for all channels and not try to level match the volume of your mains set by the VAC to the volume of your center and surrounds of an AVR.

I run all digital for now, and the VAC does an incredible job with it. 
Good decisions @jumia.

@jumia, VAC is definitely not for you. The remote doesn’t have an on/off button, doesn’t have a mute on/off button, doesn’t have an input change button or an HT bypass button. That’s up to 4 times you have to get up to change things for HT. Good thing my Apple Watch 6 keeps track of the number of steps and stands I do just to use the VAC. Use of the VAC puts my Hydrow to shame.

“They need to modernize their functionality. They have a home theater knob on the front of the box and yet the remote can’t control input selection. I believe volume can be controlled by the Remote.”

No, the volume from a HT processor/preamp can’t be controlled by the VAC. That is why it is a “BYPASS” to allow the front Main channel volume to be controlled (along with all the surround/center/atmos channels) by the processor. As for input selection on the VAC remote, there are good reasons not to have it.  Give Kevin a call to ask.

 

Trinnov it’s a nice unit but very few people you 16 channels. If you’re only using seven or eight channels which is quite a bit, this unit would seem wasteful.

Not sure all the excess bodes well for good sound.

Would be nice if Home theater processors became to chassis with the hopes of improving sound.

This is exactly why Theta Digital sells 4 and 6-channel DAC cards. You can go for their Xtreme or less pricey Premium cards. The Casablanca is fully upgradeable, and you don’t have to buy the latest version V. Mine started as a III HD and is now a IVa. I can upgrade to a V whenever, but I don’t feel the need to do so at this point.

 

Btw, when did you start this thread? Hmm, still no tubed pre? Yeah, just stick with an HT pre/pro with a good remote and you’re done.

@highstream

I changed the fuse to an Audio Magic Ultimate Premier a while back. The tray slides out about an inch or so and locks without coming all the way out. There are two slots from what I recall where the outer fuse is used in the circuit. I loaded it from the top.

Have you tried the M1 Masterpiece fuse? It is quite a fuse, and I was the one who purchased the used one from USAM several months ago for my Aurender N20.

 

Yes, it is the same small slow blow 4A fuse used for the Master as well as the MkIIa SE preamp that I had.

 

@mulveling

Thanks for the good chuckle.

 

Btw, my Theta will be going in for the CB V upgrade this week.  :)

@highstream

That’s interesting regarding the VAC power supply fuse holder. I’m 100% sure I loaded from the top, since my preamp sits inside my entertainment center and can only be accessed from the top.

I found the M1 fuse in my N20 to provide a neutral sound and more definition and presence. I’m not sure of a “bump.” I don’t think that I’ll move to the M1 for the VAC due to the long burn in time. Have you tried the SR fuses? I haven’t tried the purples but have an orange in my Theta. They don’t seem to take as long to burn in, but they blow pretty easily.

Thanks for the info, and it makes sense.  I wonder if anyone has run REW frequency response for a component with fuse swaps.

Hey emerging, thanks for showing us that you and the OP, jumia, are one in the same.  I’ve known that.  Your fixation on a full remote and option to remotely change the input selection is just plain ridiculous from a purist point of view.  Please give Kevin a call and ask why.  Kevin is a true gentleman and definitely stands behind his products.  I’m hoping to send my Master line stage in for the phono upgrade later this year.  Btw, my Theta CB just came back after being upgraded to the CB V.  Loving it so far.

@mulveling 

 

Bingo regarding everything that you posted.  Yes, we buy and enjoy VAC! How is your Master 300iQ amp?  I’ve gotta listen to that somehow somewhere.  

Thanks @mulveling.  Your systems must sound absolutely amazing.  I’m not sure if my YG Acoustics speakers will play nicely with tube amps though.  YG is usually shown with SS amps, and I know their showroom uses D’Ag amps.  I still hope to listen to the VACs.  Have a great weekend!