Vac
 

Anybody using VAC gear I think it's American so I am surprised I never see it here?
Is it over price or over rated?
Your thoughts?

Paul.......VAC Audio is located in Sarasota, Florida. Their tube amplifiers are all hand built at their factory there.

Yes, it is pricey gear. We have had some members who owned VAC.

Their newest power amp designs offer an active continuous bias circuit that is quite innovative and I've read that they sound superb!

It seems to win a lot of rooms at the hi fi shows.
And now has auto bias.
Is this stuff class a like pass labs or accuphase or is different type can someone explain to me?

Funny that they seem to get rave reviews at shows but not many people have them are they just popular in the US
Or are they just show hype.
And seeing as there US why not on this site??

Hi guys, just revising an old thread. I've also recently come across some VAC gear, sounded pretty interesting at the dealers. Planning an in home pre amp demo soon. Any more recent experiences to share? I'm fine with negative info as the feedback is very valuable.

VAC has been around a long time. Great products but not many can afford it so over some 30 years they've been around, you just don't see it very often. One can easily spend $100k between a statement preamp and amp with them. Gear like that needs a statement level speaker so now you're at $200k+ and still not done... :smoking:

VAC makes some quality gear and is worth a look. I owned a Phi300.1 many years ago and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. I changed gears and went a different direction with SS, but I have fond memories of VAC's house sound. Kevin Hayes and team are easy going and worth chatting with.

Sterophile has an interesting write up on the VAC preamp: https://www.stereophile.com/content/...e-preamplifier

I’ve owned several amps including dartzeel NHB-108 stereo, Audio Research 610T monos, CH Precision A1 monos, Kondo Kagura monos, Soulution 711 stereo, Soulution 701 monos, and VAC 450 Statement monos.

Every amp had its strengths and weaknesses, and ultimately choices will depend on compatibility with the rest of your system, especially speakers.

But in my system and my speakers, the VAC 450s (w KT88 tubes) have proven the most musically realistic and engaging of the lot.

And the IQ circuit takes much of the hassle of owning tubes out of the equation.

Just received a set of KT150 tubes that are supposed to take the VACs to a different level entirely. Can’t wait to try them out.

In the past, I’ve been at a point several times where you feel the system can’t get any better, and wham, the sound quality takes a forward leap with a component change.

I’m pretty happy with my system right now, but hope to take another leap with the KT150s.