I wanted to share that I received my VAC pre. a few days ago, the fit and finish is top notch (I got mine in silver/chrome combo including a nice simple metal remote, not plastic like allot of others.
I have owned along with being very fortunate to have had many world class pre's in my set-ups over the years, ARC, MBL, VTL, JRD, DARTZEEL, BAT, to name a few and presently own a ARC REF3 and the VAC.
I will say in my own experience and placing this specific VAC pre-amp straight out of the box into my system had me saying "this is really nice, I am hearing huge positive sonics going on never mind the stage presence right across the entire spectrum and know from past experience that it will only continue during break-in process, this is a welcomed surprise and very nice!" This has never happened before, my last pre that I had for audition was the new ARC REF5 and in my set-up it did not offer such, it was well broken-in.
The VAC has now been in my set-up for a few days and on 24/7, all I can say is this sure is a whole new world and the differences are all very positive across the board, my MBL's are very happy!
I'll comment more when I have put some hours in.
Current set-up;
MBL 101E speakers VAC pre as above mentioned with phono Bryston 28 Squared mono blocks Torus RM20, one for each mono block MBL 1621a transport ACCUSTIC ARTS HYBRID TUBE DAC w/different tubes TW RAVEN ONE PHONO Graham Phantom MKII arm Dynavector XV-1s cart
Cables; Stealth through out, I have tried allot of others and I'm very happy with this product line, I find myself no longer looking I'm off the mari-go-round
-Two runs of Dream cables to the speakers for true bi-wire -Indra's with latest connectors, XLR's through out -Dream power cables through out -Hyperphono for arm connection -Sextet AES with latest XLR connectors
I have only been using my REDBOOK CD so far, I also have a Audia Flight One phono that I'll be able to compare to the one built-in the VAC pre. and have a couple others to compare but this will be farther in the fall time and I'm looking forward to it.
Dev, got mine 2+ weeks ago in black and had the same initial reaction as you :-). I've had many preamps so I can tell this is going to be very good ... a KEEPER! I've been busy so only have ~60 hours on it ... it puts a smile on my face everytime I turn it on.
Still looking to add SS mono amp for the summer months and then done with any major changes to my system.
Rtn1, do you have tube rolling recommendations?
I have a spare MP of Philip Holland NOS e88cc SQ that I plan to roll and HiFi-Tuning fuse that I plan to try.
Dev, great to hear VAC and Bryston are getting along nicely :-). The 28BSST is on my short list of SS amps. Besides sound quality, I want cool running and short warm-up to max performance so this limits my pool. It's only April so I have several months to find a SS amp.
The VAC is sounding better and better and I understand Kevin voice every component in building the pre so probably just enjoy and skip tube rolling, ...
John, I've had many SS amps and always leave them on 24/7. My last SS was a Krell FPB600 and it requires a very long warm up so it was on 24/7. The heat in standby was miserable in the hot humid summer months and want to avoid in next SS.
I find my VAC Signature MKIIa pre-amp sounds great with every amp I tried, both SS and tube. Every time it's removed from the loop, the degradation is amazingly obvious. It's the foundation to my system.
This is the 1st tube component that I have no desire to tweak. I have Amperex Holland e88cc SQ tubes, HiFi Tuning gold fuse ...
Dev, I suggest contact Kevin for his recommendations ... he's a great guy to deal with.
I've been talking to Kevin in regards to tube rolling. He suggests Philip 7308/e188cc as an alternative to the stock Golden Dragon NOS e88cc.
I have a MP of NOS Phiip Holland ecc88 SQ w/Gold Pins from my SF gear that is similar to Philip 7308 and I like the changes. Sound is bolder, more focus with well defined edges, more neutral than the Golden Dragons.
I like both tubes so will change when bored ... cheaper than buying new gear :-)
Not inexpensive but will get some Philip 7308 / e188cc to roll too.
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