2. amps-preamps
  3. 1123254379

VAC Ren II, VAC Phi, or ARC Ref 3?

Finally, the two cold solder joints in one of my Rowland 7M amplifiers have been fixed. Just a simple 2 minutes soldering job at home, thanks to a kind live phone consult by Jeff himself. Now the system is back purring like a kitten.
Great say you, but. . . the problem is that now I have fallen totally prey to Upgraditis Furiosa, the most pernicious and 'wife threatening' form of Audiophilia Nervosa.
I listen mostly to classical--lots of chamber, vocal, Early Music, Baroque, Romantic, some large orchestra, lots of cello and other strings--on a system that I have lovingly put together over the last 20 years: EAD T1000, AT&T glass C-core glass wire, EAD D7000 Mk. 3, AudioQuest Quartz RCA, Audio Research LS2B, Gutwire XLR, Jeff Rowland 7M monoblocks, Cardas Golden Ref PCs on 7M, Cardas Golden Ref speakerwires, MagnePan 3A speakers.
The sound is sweet, lush, with a large if slightly unfocused soundstage, sometimes slightly veiled, somewhat soft at the bottom, can sound glorious in the midrange, good if not spectacular at the top. Much better at small ensembles than at full orchestra, where the sound stage can collapse and full strings and brass often display signs of brittleness and two-dimensionality. But, so much for self-criticism. Now what to do?
I intend to migrate towards a fully balanced system, with redbook and SACD capability and a tube linestage. I will start upgrading at the source and linestage points. The source will be an Esoteric X-01 or an upcoming APL NWO-1. But in this thread I'd like to discuss options for a new linestage. My requirements are an open and detailed, sweet sound, accurate with minimal coloration, with very good but not necessarily overwhelming macro-dynamics, an excellent three-dimensional and accurate soundstage, superior microdynamics and subtle nuance. The linestage must sound great out of the box--after breakin of course: not only after going through many cycles of NOS tubes musical chairs. All of this from a company with a stellar track record and reputation in quality, dependability and pre/post sale support. I listened to the VTL 7.5 and found it to be too soft. The BAT VK51SE sounded too dark. Then I listened at length to the VAC Ren II, which seems to embody all of my requirements. I have not heard the VAC Phi as yet, but it is in the running by inference. Nor I have listened to the ARC Ref 3, although I intend to: Ref 3 is in the running by reputation.
Suggestions? Opinions? It's your turn guys and girls!
guidocorona
guidocorona OP
4,298 posts
 
Thank you once more Oneobgin for your insight. Will the new Lamm be a fully balanced design or will Vladimir continue his single ended tradition?
By the way, how much does ARC charge for the Ref 3 upgrade?

Jsen, unfortunately I have not heard the Ren Sig.
It is my understanding that it has a marvellous slightly softer sound. According to VAC it is currently largely replaced by the Phi, but is still available to audiophiles who prefer its special musicality. Have you compared it to the Phi and Ren II (non Sig) before purchasing it?
hifimaniac
508 posts
 
Hi Guido, the PHI 2.0 does come with a MC and MM phono section standard on the unit and it is superb. I sold my beloved Vendetta Research and Krell KPE Reference preamps once I heard Kevin's phono stage. Kevin told me he is an analog fan! Also, to my knowledge, the PHI is all point to point soldering, no boards. This is why it takes so long for Kevin to produce it. I could have bought either unit, the Ren. Sig was $17K w/phono, but Kevin told me he felt the PHI was even better in many ways, so I believed him. My additional two cents on the PHI 2.0.
jsen
11 posts
 
Hifimaniac- All of the Phi series components use circuit boards. Kevin tells me the 2.0 pre uses a special ceramic material that's not used on any of the other Phi products. Even the tube sockets are directly soldered to the circut board. I'm sure they are well designed.

Guidocorona~ I'm kind of in the same boat as you, I have not been able to do a head to head with the VAC products. I just find the Sig MK II very attractive, and I'll have to hear it before buying anything else. I won't be needing the phone stage, so again the Sig MK II looks attractive to me compared to the Phi 2.0. The Sig MkII has 4 less tubes to worry about.
guidocorona OP
4,298 posts
 
Good point Jsen. There is a slight price advantage in the Ren Sig over the Phi. Furthermore there are less tubes than in the Phi. The opposite side of the coin is that Kevin deems the Phi 2.0 to be VAC's current preamplification flagship. What to choose? I am starting to think that if the mountain truly refuses to go to poor Mohammed. . . I may just have to go toVAC's shop to listen to them all before deciding.
fsarc
148 posts
 
Hmmm..........I see the price advantage in the Phi 2.0

-Latest circuit design-sonically better than the Ren.Sig II.
-IMO- the Phi blows it away in the looks dept.
-Built-in state of the art phono stage that is a $4000 option for the Ren Sig II.
-I wouldn't worry about the tubes. Kevin said I can leave my 2.0 on 24/7 and get a least two years of tube life.
-Better resale on Phi 2.0 The Ren Sig II is really not in production anymore, but available by special order.
-Price difference is only $2K.
-Now if you come across a used mint Ren Sig II at a substantially lower price then I would agree it is the better value.
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