VAC preamps - too expensive?


VAC makes great products so i hear.  The Linestage Master lists for $28k and next one down is Signature, for $22k.  Add $12k for a phonostage.

anybody have experience with these units?

its a marketing strategy.  Yeah the $22k Signature is very nice but for just $6k more u get a much better unit. Might as well get the Master.  Pretty clever.  Oh and they offer a line stage called the Statement for $80k and it comes with chrome and a skylight so u can view whats inside.  The Master has most of what the $80k Statement has (no skylight) so i guess the $28k Master seems a great deal.  Pretty clever.






jumia

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.  
 

But I spoke about like in Conrad Johnson gat2 vs vac which fall short for home theater use due to functionality limitation by not having a remote select inputs.

@audioguy85 

I never understood all the hype behind that Border Patrol DAC. Perhaps it was a system synergy thing at the time but it left me completely unimpressed. 

 

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.

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

Initial post June 2021. 
Agree with your suggestion. The VAC preamplifier isn’t for him it clearly seems by now. People who buy the VAC unquestionably understand what it is and more importantly, what they want.

Charles

I have a long history of buying gear I "can't afford" ,   if I had VAC kind of $$$ I would definitely consider them.   

I always stretch my budget, I would rather save for a year or two and buy something that is over the top.   Worst thing is buyers remorse, you avoid that to some extent when you make a smart, thought out purchase.    

Buy once, cry once....