2. amps-preamps
  3. 1247747831

VAC Signature Preamplifier mkII

I just wanted to share with my fellow audiophiles how much I am enamored by my new VAC Ren Signature Preamp. It sounds fabulous, mates beautifully with tubes or SS, silent background and extremely musical. I have owned ARC Ref 3, VTL 7.5, and Accuphase 2410, all world class preamps. IMHO the VAC is simply more musical/natural, true of most of the VAC line.(the Ren mkIII is also a great preamp)

No I am not a dealer or spokesperson for VAC, just a satisfied customer....a great understated company, with few reviews, great execution, and wonderful people including Kevin Hayes, the quiet and modest master.
audiobrian
arthursmuck
447 posts
 
Phi 300.1 times two = not weak in bass department! :-)
kurt_tank
1,189 posts
 
Arthursmuck,

$18,000.00 times two = Not for me! ;-)

(I wish it were otherwise, but until those lottery balls line up in my direction, I will have to be happy with my Lamm M2.1s.)
mtdking
157 posts
 
If your looking for a preamp with built in phono, the new Janus Signature is amazing and at $10,000 it's a steal. This is coming from a guy who has had the VAC sig MKII, VTL 7.5 and others. The VTL did not have built in phono but the VAC did. The control that the Janus has is second to none.
kurt_tank
1,189 posts
 
Mtdking,

I assume you are talking about an Aesthetix Janus signature preamp?

Interesting suggestion, but I am not sure about it, to be honest. (I say that because my friend used to have a Aesthetix Rhea, which while having some really nice features, (i.e. full accessibility via the remote!), it was a bit too noisy for my tastes. As I stated, I highly prize deep, dark, black backgrounds.

However, if I am given a chance to hear one, I would keep an open mind. Thanks for the suggestion nonetheless.
mtdking
157 posts
 
The new signature is a whole different animal. They sound just as good as the IO. The non signature does have it's faults but for $3000 Signature upgrade the faults are fixed. I thought the line stage in the Janus signature was better then the ren sig mkii and the phono stage was hands down better. The new Teflon caps that are used are very very good.

The other thing I didn't like about the vac was it had to much gain.
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