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  #11  
Old 10-21-2017, 06:25 PM
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vintage_tube vintage_tube is offline
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Owned a VAC Statement Mk IIa w/phono -- great build quality, point-to-point wiring -- just a piece of art under the covers. Just didn't have the synergy with the MC2301's I had hoped for.

Kevin & VAC are quite busy; in stock items move quickly. I though waited nearly 2 months for a black faceplate for the preamp.

Would love to have a Statement 450iQ amp/pre setup. Not in the cards financially at roughly $162K.

Best Sirs,

Bob
__________________
Amps:VAC 450iQ Monos in Silver Flake on HRS M3X2-1921's, HRS G7 Footers/G-Links & Sound Anchor Conecoasters.
Preamp:VAC Master Preamplifier (Silver Flake)
Digital Source: dCS Rossini CD/SACD Transport, Vivaldi APEX DAC, Upsampler Plus & matching Clock (Silver)
Analogue Preamp:VAC Renaissance SE Phono stage in Silver Flake with XLR Output Option & with Nordost Valhalla XLR's.
Analogue Sources:SME 20/2 w/SME V arm & Nordost Valhalla TA cable, Palo Santos Presentation Cartridge & Akai GX-400D Reel-to-Reel w/relapped heads by JRF Magnetic Sciences. Akai RC-17 cabled remote (original owner since 1974).
Vibration Control:TT on HRS M3X2-1921 shelf.
Speakers:Wilson Audio Alexia in Argento Silver/Black grills sitting on Acoustic Diode Kit.
Power Cables:4 Nordost Odin Supreme Reference on amps, preamp & DAC. Ansuz Acoustics C2 on Transport & Clock.
Power Distribution Bar:Shunyata Everest 8000 w/Omega XC Power Cable.
Power Outlets:Furutech GTX-D NCF (R) duplex outlet, GTX Wall Plate & Duplex Cover (x2) on dedicated, same panel phase, 20A breakers.
Speaker Cables:3M Nordost Odin Supreme Reference on Nordost Sort Lifts.
Signal Cables:Nordost Odin XLR's on dCS DAC & Amps.
Digital Cables: Nordost Odin 2's, 110 ohm AES/EBU on dCS Transport to DAC.
Clock Cables:5 each 75 ohm 1.25M Nordost Valhalla BNC/BNC Digital
Ethernet Cable: WireWorld Platinum 1M Starlight® 8 Twinax
Headphones:Vintage Koss Pro IV AA.
RCM: Audio Desk PRO
Tube Test Gear:Mint late '60's/calibrated Heathkit TT-1A, MaxiMatcher Preamp & Space Tech Labs ATT-3.02 tube test sets.

Last edited by vintage_tube; 10-21-2017 at 06:31 PM.
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  #12  
Old 10-31-2017, 10:02 PM
robd2 robd2 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vintage_tube View Post
Owned a VAC Statement Mk IIa w/phono -- great build quality, point-to-point wiring -- just a piece of art under the covers. Just didn't have the synergy with the MC2301's I had hoped for.
Bob do you mind sharing a few more details. I'd love to hear your opinion on the VAC you had and any negatives points you came across. At those prices its important to do a lot of investigating.
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  #13  
Old 11-01-2017, 12:39 AM
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vintage_tube vintage_tube is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by robd2 View Post
Bob do you mind sharing a few more details. I'd love to hear your opinion on the VAC you had and any negatives points you came across. At those prices its important to do a lot of investigating.
No I don't mind and before I say more, I like VAC products. As stated, just didn't have synergy with the McIntosh tube amps. Soundstage was narrower and dynamics not as pronounced and fluent as I had experienced with the C500C/T.

Simple as that -- I bought it based on reviews - never heard it in my system (hard to get a demo unit) and suffered through the ordeal.

Best Sir,

Bob
__________________
Amps:VAC 450iQ Monos in Silver Flake on HRS M3X2-1921's, HRS G7 Footers/G-Links & Sound Anchor Conecoasters.
Preamp:VAC Master Preamplifier (Silver Flake)
Digital Source: dCS Rossini CD/SACD Transport, Vivaldi APEX DAC, Upsampler Plus & matching Clock (Silver)
Analogue Preamp:VAC Renaissance SE Phono stage in Silver Flake with XLR Output Option & with Nordost Valhalla XLR's.
Analogue Sources:SME 20/2 w/SME V arm & Nordost Valhalla TA cable, Palo Santos Presentation Cartridge & Akai GX-400D Reel-to-Reel w/relapped heads by JRF Magnetic Sciences. Akai RC-17 cabled remote (original owner since 1974).
Vibration Control:TT on HRS M3X2-1921 shelf.
Speakers:Wilson Audio Alexia in Argento Silver/Black grills sitting on Acoustic Diode Kit.
Power Cables:4 Nordost Odin Supreme Reference on amps, preamp & DAC. Ansuz Acoustics C2 on Transport & Clock.
Power Distribution Bar:Shunyata Everest 8000 w/Omega XC Power Cable.
Power Outlets:Furutech GTX-D NCF (R) duplex outlet, GTX Wall Plate & Duplex Cover (x2) on dedicated, same panel phase, 20A breakers.
Speaker Cables:3M Nordost Odin Supreme Reference on Nordost Sort Lifts.
Signal Cables:Nordost Odin XLR's on dCS DAC & Amps.
Digital Cables: Nordost Odin 2's, 110 ohm AES/EBU on dCS Transport to DAC.
Clock Cables:5 each 75 ohm 1.25M Nordost Valhalla BNC/BNC Digital
Ethernet Cable: WireWorld Platinum 1M Starlight® 8 Twinax
Headphones:Vintage Koss Pro IV AA.
RCM: Audio Desk PRO
Tube Test Gear:Mint late '60's/calibrated Heathkit TT-1A, MaxiMatcher Preamp & Space Tech Labs ATT-3.02 tube test sets.
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  #14  
Old 11-01-2017, 01:37 AM
427 427 is offline
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I ended up getting some older VAC amps, the kind of equipment that made them what they are today. VAC Vintage High Power Mk II Monophonic Power Amplifier,I think these where built around 1995-1998? They are 100 watt mono blocks using 4 Kt88.

They where at the record store and I seen them in the back room and made the deal. Nether of us really knew a price because there are pretty rare and nothing to go by. So I offered the price of two Chinese amps on the bay

Working with them at home I have to admit I like the sound quality better than my two MC275s mono blocked. https://youtu.be/YymdYQTIfa4

Last edited by 427; 11-01-2017 at 01:39 AM.
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  #15  
Old 11-01-2017, 01:02 PM
robd2 robd2 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 427 View Post
I ended up getting some older VAC amps, the kind of equipment that made them what they are today. VAC Vintage High Power Mk II Monophonic Power Amplifier,I think these where built around 1995-1998? They are 100 watt mono blocks using 4 Kt88.

They where at the record store and I seen them in the back room and made the deal. Nether of us really knew a price because there are pretty rare and nothing to go by. So I offered the price of two Chinese amps on the bay

Working with them at home I have to admit I like the sound quality better than my two MC275s mono blocked. https://youtu.be/YymdYQTIfa4
Sweet! I bet Kevin from VAC could really tune these up for you.
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  #16  
Old 11-01-2017, 07:58 PM
427 427 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by robd2 View Post
Sweet! I bet Kevin from VAC could really tune these up for you.
They actually work just fine and I use them all the time
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  #17  
Old 11-01-2017, 08:44 PM
JBT JBT is offline
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The 2018 TAS Buyers guide which just came out has the Vac Signature 450 IQ Mono Blocks listed at 120 thousand a pair.

On top were the Constellation Hercules 11 are going for the very reasonable 190 thousand a pair. :>)
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  #18  
Old 11-01-2017, 09:17 PM
mulveling mulveling is offline
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VAC is a GREAT brand, though I've had some mixed feelings about them over the years. I owned a Renaissance III preamp w/ MC phono some years ago, when my system was less evolved. Auditioned the new Renaissance Phono Stage in my system not long ago. And have heard their amps in various other setups at my dealer's.

They all sound beautiful, but there's definitely the sense of a "house" sound. Featuring a beautiful, slightly wet/warm and very full midrange that's the star of the show. The treble has a nice touch of sparkle and the midbass has a nice touch of bloom, but perhaps at the expense of ultimate extension and speed on both ends (and power on the bass side). VAC gear is extremely smooth and refined; completely absent of any grit/hash/grain.

The three 12AX7 built-in phono board of the Renaissance III was *excellent*, but its Lundahl MC SUT was notable improved upon by an outboard Bob's Devices 1131 (i.e. pay for the MM board but not the MC). The line stage itself was a good performer, and initially had me gobsmacked when I first heard it, but I feel there are more linear/transparent sounding options at that price point. I believe they now have a mark V version, and of course VAC offers a number of models positioned/priced WAY above this linestage!

The new stand-alone Renaissance phono stage sounded great, but at 10K honestly it should cost a bit less. It beat my NOS-tube tricked-out Rogue Ares Magnum w/ Sky 40 SUT in midrange and noise floor; the Rogue won in bass and dynamics. This was with a Koetsu Onyx Platinum. If it did a little better in dynamics, or cost a chunk less, it may have stayed with me. It's not even balanced. I had higher hopes for it based on how awesome the Renaissance III preamp's built-in MM phono board performed, as only a $1K add-on option. That said, I'd like to give it another try now that I've solidified some serious system upgrades; phono noise floor is the only glaring weakness left to address.

I haven't heard the VAC amps in my own system, but I've heard some pretty damn phenomenal systems featuring their amps (usually featuring their preamps as well). GREAT mix of technicality and musicality! But price per Watt/pound/etc is VERY high.

Last edited by mulveling; 11-01-2017 at 09:24 PM.
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  #19  
Old 11-01-2017, 11:02 PM
robd2 robd2 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mulveling View Post
VAC is a GREAT brand, though I've had some mixed feelings about them over the years. I owned a Renaissance III preamp w/ MC phono some years ago, when my system was less evolved. Auditioned the new Renaissance Phono Stage in my system not long ago. And have heard their amps in various other setups at my dealer's.

They all sound beautiful, but there's definitely the sense of a "house" sound. Featuring a beautiful, slightly wet/warm and very full midrange that's the star of the show. The treble has a nice touch of sparkle and the midbass has a nice touch of bloom, but perhaps at the expense of ultimate extension and speed on both ends (and power on the bass side). VAC gear is extremely smooth and refined; completely absent of any grit/hash/grain.

The three 12AX7 built-in phono board of the Renaissance III was *excellent*, but its Lundahl MC SUT was notable improved upon by an outboard Bob's Devices 1131 (i.e. pay for the MM board but not the MC). The line stage itself was a good performer, and initially had me gobsmacked when I first heard it, but I feel there are more linear/transparent sounding options at that price point. I believe they now have a mark V version, and of course VAC offers a number of models positioned/priced WAY above this linestage!

The new stand-alone Renaissance phono stage sounded great, but at 10K honestly it should cost a bit less. It beat my NOS-tube tricked-out Rogue Ares Magnum w/ Sky 40 SUT in midrange and noise floor; the Rogue won in bass and dynamics. This was with a Koetsu Onyx Platinum. If it did a little better in dynamics, or cost a chunk less, it may have stayed with me. It's not even balanced. I had higher hopes for it based on how awesome the Renaissance III preamp's built-in MM phono board performed, as only a $1K add-on option. That said, I'd like to give it another try now that I've solidified some serious system upgrades; phono noise floor is the only glaring weakness left to address.

I haven't heard the VAC amps in my own system, but I've heard some pretty damn phenomenal systems featuring their amps (usually featuring their preamps as well). GREAT mix of technicality and musicality! But price per Watt/pound/etc is VERY high.
Great info Mike, I'm going to take their Renaissance and Signiture preamps a test ride to see how they integrate to my system. Your feedback on the phone stages is very timely as I have been looking closely at these. I'm currently thinking outboard, maybe something like a Sutherland.
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  #20  
Old 11-02-2017, 07:18 PM
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ylee ylee is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cmarin View Post
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.
Carlos - that's quite a list of upper high end components! The only person I know of here who's had more is Ivan!
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Primary System (Always in flux):
Analog Source: Rega RP10
Phono Preamp: Bryston BP2/PS3
Digital Software: Roon, Tidal Streaming
Digital Music Server: Melco N1A/2
Digital Sources: Totaldac d1-twelve SE MkII (factory upgraded from MKI) with "live power" 4 output power supply, Oppo UDP-205
Preamplifier: Rogue Audio RP-9 (factory upgraded from RP-7)
Amplifier: Vandersteen M5-HPA
Speakers: Vandersteen Quatro Wood CT w/IsoAcoustics Gaia 1 feet
Cabling: WW Platinum Starlight 7 digital wires, Totaldac Gigafilter USB filter, AQ Sky XLR, AQ Fire RCA
Speaker Cables: AudioQuest Oak spades ---> bi-wire spades
Power Cables: Esprit PC (for DAC), 2 WW Platinum Electra PC (Preamp/Phono Preamp), AQ NRG10 (Melco N1A/2), AQ Blizzard (Quatro Wood CT built-in subs)
Power Conditioning: 2 AQ Niagara 1000, 3 Oyaide R1 outlets
Sound Treatments: 23 ASC Tube Traps and 10 Panels
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