Ordered a VAC Statement Preamplifier in Silver Flake

[Eisener Bart]

83k...
My God.
My System entirely costs about 80k.

[vintage_tube]

Originally Posted by Eisener Bart

83k...
My God.
My System entirely costs about 80k.

Hey Sergio -- I realize how precious life is and my audio enthusiasm began back in Beaverton, Oregon at age 18 while working as a bag boy & inventory stocker after school in a grocery store.

Became interested after a customer came in to test a tube on the stores tube test set. I nonchalantly asked him if this tube he wanted tested was for a TV. He replied, no, it's for my Dynaco audio power amplifier.

I took what he mentioned and after scouring local newspapers, etc., found a guy selling an audio tube amp: A Marantz 8B. Thus began my 54-year enthusiastic audio journey. Loved every minute.

Sorry to derail the thread; but before I pass and am burnt to a crisp; I'm on a military mission to experience the best I can afford. The VAC Statement, I'm confident, is the pinnacle I'm reaching for.

Best to you Master,

Bob

[Eisener Bart]

Originally Posted by vintage_tube

Hey Sergio -- I realize how precious life is and my audio enthusiasm began back in Beaverton, Oregon at age 18 while working as a bag boy & inventory stocker after school in a grocery store.

Became interested after a customer came in to test a tube on the stores tube test set. I nonchalantly asked him if this tube he wanted tested was for a TV. He replied, no, it's for my Dynaco audio power amplifier.

I took what he mentioned and after scouring local newspapers, etc., found a guy selling an audio tube amp: A Marantz 8B. Thus began my 54-year enthusiastic audio journey. Loved every minute.

Sorry to derail the thread; but before I pass and am burnt to a crisp; I on a military mission to experience the best I can afford. The VAC Statement, I'm confident, is the pinnacle I'm reaching for.

Best to you Master,

Bob

My life in Hi-Fi/Hi-End audio is much shorter - only 21 years.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by vintage_tube

Hey Sergio -- I realize how precious life is and my audio enthusiasm began back in Beaverton, Oregon at age 18 while working as a bag boy & inventory stocker after school in a grocery store.

Became interested after a customer came in to test a tube on the stores tube test set. I nonchalantly asked him if this tube he wanted tested was for a TV. He replied, no, it's for my Dynaco audio power amplifier.

I took what he mentioned and after scouring local newspapers, etc., found a guy selling an audio tube amp: A Marantz 8B. Thus began my 54-year enthusiastic audio journey. Loved every minute.

Sorry to derail the thread; but before I pass and am burnt to a crisp; I on a military mission to experience the best I can afford. The VAC Statement, I'm confident, is the pinnacle I'm reaching for.

Best to you Master,

Bob

Bob, your purchase of an 8B as your first acquisition is remarkable. At 35 watts per channel it was possibly the best amp on the market back in the day. My father always preferred McIntosh, which is how I became a McIntosh aficionado. My audio journey began on our dinning room table at 1507 Pennylane Decatur Ala about 65 years ago with my Dad, with pair of Wharfedale sand filled book shelf speakers, Collaro changer with Pickering cartridge, and Allied Knight 20 watt tube integrated amplifier. The first record I ever heard was South Pacific. It was magic and I was hooked. Dad soon moved from the table to the living room and Bozak speakers, Garrard changer, Dynaco Stereo 70 amp/Pas-2 pre, etc. He didn't acquire his Mac gear until later.

I certainly think that your audio system is impeccable. You could add the VAC Statement Phono but for me, I think your vinyl is quite well thought out and solid/stable. You can spend a fortune on expensive turntables, etc. Not for me.

Best

Charles

[vintage_tube]

Originally Posted by Eisener Bart

My life in Hi-Fi/Hi-End audio is much shorter - only 21 years.

Hello Sergio,

Well Sir, if audio is your hobby, you have to start sometime. In your case, a late bloomer, per se; but importantly you're on your 22d year.

Best to you (& your crew),

Bob

[vintage_tube]

Originally Posted by Charles

Bob, your purchase of an 8B as your first acquisition is remarkable. At 35 watts per channel it was possibly the best amp on the market back in the day. My father always preferred McIntosh, which is how I became a McIntosh aficionado. My audio journey began on our dinning room table at 1507 Pennylane Decatur Ala about 65 years ago with my Dad, with pair of Wharfedale sand filled book shelf speakers, Collaro changer with Pickering cartridge, and Allied Knight 20 watt tube integrated amplifier. The first record I ever heard was South Pacific. It was magic and I was hooked. Dad soon moved from the table to the living room and Bozak speakers, Garrard changer, Dynaco Stereo 70 amp/Pas-2 pre, etc. He didn't acquire his Mac gear until later.

I certainly think that your audio system is impeccable. You could add the VAC Statement Phono but for me, I think your vinyl is quite well thought out and solid/stable. You can spend a fortune on expensive turntables, etc. Not for me.

Best

Charles

The VAC Statement phono is another staggering $80K -- I'm quite happy with my VAC Renaissance Special Edition which I asked Kevin Hayes to add a toggle switch to select XLR or RCA outputs. He did a great job incorporating Swedish Lundahl transformers for that. Additionally, the SE edition has very expensive (37 ea) Vishay Z-foil metal resistors and a host of Jupiter Beeswax paper caps.

Bob

[clpetersen]

Amazing addition to an already amazing system. Enjoy!

[jfray]

Bob with all the items you have for sale on the marketplace coupled with the incredible VAC and speaker purchase you have to share the grand plan. I have seen a lot of the pieces but curious on the final vision (with each new speaker, component or cable I have a growing picture but you have made some increasingly big moves that compound!) If you have already posted this I apologize but I’m super curious.

[vintage_tube]

Originally Posted by jfray

Bob with all the items you have for sale on the marketplace coupled with the incredible VAC and speaker purchase you have to share the grand plan. ...... but I’m super curious.

Morning Josh,

Well long story but short in nature. After reading Stereophiles reporting of the improvements made to the Wilson Audio Alexia 1's and 2's with their new "2024 speaker of the year" Alexia V (stands for vibration control in the heads - mids/tweeter), I had to jump and order a pair - my V1's are from the last run and obtained a great deal when Wilson was rolling out the V2's. Checked✅

I had Dan D'Agostino progression 500's and their progression preamp -- after a while I hated it. Finally, an opportunity arose, after I admitted to myself, I made a grave mistake with the SS purchase, a new pair VAC 450iQ and the VAC Master Preamp came knocking. Ordered & checked✅

I had a dCS Paganini 4 box unit that was nearing 12 years old and wanted to go APEX. The only way to that was a dCS Rossini CD/SACD Transport, APEX DAC and matching dCS clock. Sold the Paganini & ordered the 3 box Rossini ✅

Wasn't happy with the Rossini as thoughts on how much better the Vivaldi APEX DAC is - which it is BTW. Sold the Rossini APEX DAC & clock and purchased a Vivaldi APEX DAC & Upsampler + and clock from someone who was downsizing from 4 four box Vivaldi stacks to 2. ✅ I wasn't interested in the Vivaldi Transport as it sports the Teac/Esoteric NEO VRDS mechanism & dCS has only has 250 or 500 they purchased as a closed end deal from Teac/Esoteric for repairs. Eventually dCS will run out of mechanisms and then you're SOL.

I know 3 Nordost dealers but only support my long-time dealer. The others I know from shows or acquaintances. All three told me "DO NOT" listen or try out the Nordost Odin 2 line. The improvement over Odin1's is huge in microdetails, soundstage, resolution, etc. Well, don't tell me that and expect me to sit idle by. I bought two Odin 2 AES/EBU cables and immediately noticed what they brought to my dCS rig. An opportunity arose where a Odin 2 Tone Arm cable 1.25m became available well below its $12K retail. It replaced my long time Valhalla 1.✅

Then I ordered a 3M Odin 2 2M spade/spade speaker cable.✅ Due in maybe next week.

Back to VAC. Kevin told me when I was in Sarasota, the Master Preamp is 80% of the Statement. That's pretty significant but a price difference of $50K nearly. When I purchased the 450iQ's at $65K each and the Master Preamp at $30K; I didn't have the funds to bypass the Master and order a Statement ($83K). I do now though and selling the Master Preamp & will use those funds towards a Statement. The Statement is audio jewelry and Kevin designed it that way - in fact the top is clear - to show off its beauty and attention to detail. Ordered✅

Onto Shunyata Everest 8000 and Omega XC cable. Very fond supporter of Mr. Gabriel. In fact, nearly 18 years ago I was one of his first buyers of his King Cobra power cable with the material inside (Puma Cat will remind me). That cable put Shunyata on the power cord map IMO. I do not care for the coloration the two gives so have an Azsuz Acoustics D3 power distributor and C2 power cable enroute from Denmark.✅

In the future - maybe 2025; look for used Odin 2's and shop for a SME turntable replacement - I like the SME 60.

Best Sir,

Bob

[Charles]

Originally Posted by vintage_tube

Morning Josh,

Well long story but short in nature. After reading Stereophiles reporting of the improvements made to the Wilson Audio Alexia 1's and 2's with their new "2024 speaker of the year" Alexia V (stands for vibration control in the heads - mids/tweeter), I had to jump and order a pair - my V1's are from the last run and obtained a great deal when Wilson was rolling out the V2's. Checked✅

I had Dan D'Agostino progression 500's and their progression preamp -- after a while I hated it. Finally, an opportunity arose, after I admitted to myself, I made a grave mistake with the SS purchase, a new pair VAC 450iQ and the VAC Master Preamp came knocking. Ordered & checked✅

I had a dCS Paganini 4 box unit that was nearing 12 years old and wanted to go APEX. The only way to that was a dCS Rossini CD/SACD Transport, APEX DAC and matching dCS clock. Sold the Paganini & ordered the 3 box Rossini ✅

Wasn't happy with the Rossini as thoughts on how much better the Vivaldi APEX DAC is - which it is BTW. Sold the Rossini APEX DAC & clock and purchased a Vivaldi APEX DAC & Upsampler + and clock from someone who was downsizing from 4 four box Vivaldi stacks to 2. ✅ I wasn't interested in the Vivaldi Transport as it sports the Teac/Esoteric NEO VRDS mechanism & dCS has only has 250 or 500 they purchased as a closed end deal from Teac/Esoteric for repairs. Eventually dCS will run out of mechanisms and then you're SOL.

I know 3 Nordost dealers but only support my long-time dealer. The others I know from shows or acquaintances. All three told me "DO NOT" listen or try out the Nordost Odin 2 line. The improvement over Odin1's is huge in microdetails, soundstage, resolution, etc. Well, don't tell me that and expect me to sit idle by. I bought two Odin 2 AES/EBU cables and immediately noticed what they brought to my dCS rig. An opportunity arose where a Odin 2 Tone Arm cable 1.25m became available well below its $12K retail. It replaced my long time Valhalla 1.✅

Then I ordered a 3M Odin 2 2M spade/spade speaker cable.✅ Due in maybe next week.

Back to VAC. Kevin told me when I was in Sarasota, the Master Preamp is 80% of the Statement. That's pretty significant but a price difference of $50K nearly. When I purchased the 450iQ's at $65K each and the Master Preamp at $30K; I didn't have the funds to bypass the Master and order a Statement ($83K). I do now though and selling the Master Preamp & will use those funds towards a Statement. The Statement is audio jewelry and Kevin designed it that way - in fact the top is clear - to show off its beauty and attention to detail. Ordered✅

Onto Shunyata Everest 8000 and Omega XC cable. Very fond supporter of Mr. Gabriel. In fact, nearly 18 years ago I was one of his first buyers of his King Cobra power cable with the material inside (Puma Cat will remind me). That cable put Shunyata on the power cord map IMO. I do not care for the coloration the two gives so have an Azsuz Acoustics D3 power distributor and C2 power cable enroute from Denmark.✅

In the future - maybe 2025; look for used Odin 2's and shop for a SME turntable replacement - I like the SME 60.

Best Sir,

Bob

Bob, Your plan is certainly a grand master plan. Your purchases and determination to follow through to the end to obtain top of the line tube amplification and digital playback gives me inspiration. I think the Alexia V is the best speaker at anything close to its price. I will soon be finished with my master plan as I have just received two more boxes of EL509's. Of course, there will always be minor purchases in my future.

I will have 135K of tube and SS McIntosh gear driving 410K of Wilsons. The XVX are true marvels. Every time I listen my jaw drops. Nothing should sound this musical, dynamic, and resolved. I have a good friend who owns an XVX and has gear that rivals yours, and he agrees. It's a wonderful paradox to own a speaker with ultimate resolution and dynamics and is also almost impossible to make it sound bad. Every recording sounds good on an XVX. He thinks it's the fabulous time correction and the ultra low distortion at any sound pressure level, especially in the midrange. Anyway, I have really enjoyed learning of your audio journey.

Best

Charles