VAC Renaissance SE in the house

[vintage_tube]

In a visit to my dealers event in early December, he said, look what I have in the back area of the vehicle -- I turned around and saw a large rectangular box about 3 feet long. I said what's that -- he replied, Kevins' new phono stage. I mumbled a WOW.

Hooked it up to his demo Transrotor Tourbillon while Mr. BP was installing the SME 312 arm stenciled Transrotor (or 322 --forgot -- specially built for Transrotor) and a Koetsu Urushi Tsugaru cartridge.

Once everything was connected & dialed in by the pro himself, on went a couple records thru the VAC & Gryphon integrated and out to the Sabrina's.

In the sweet spot -- and after several different female, Jazz and rock tracks, I was in awe and practically melted. There is just something about tubes and phono stages that strikes my fancy (the VAC Renaissance series has 6 each 12AX7 tubes). In this case, the soundstage was deep, musical instruments faded away lifelike, the depth & clarity of the center image, spacing between voices in the center were so well defined it's eery.

So, naturally afterwards and back home as I was contemplating moving to Dan D'Agostino monos and his preamp (no phono stage (yet)); I had a get out of digital jail card - the VAC Renaissance SE would be my choice.

It arrived back on 6 Feb 2018 but I sent it back the next day for Kevin to upgrade it with XLR outputs with a toggle switch for XLR/RCA outputs (with 2 Lundahl Transformers inside).

So, here she is. Yes, not an ideal transformer location, but until I can get it either closer to the Ansuz D8 distribution bar or a longer power cord, that's where it will rest for now. Besides, company tonight and he's bringing vinyl -- so, just in time.

Best Sirs,

Bob




XLR Lundahl Transformers

[PHC1]

Fantastic Bob. Congrats! Looking forward to your impressions.

[SL1800]

Congrats Bob!!

[80B]

Enjoy that bad boy Bob!

[richardallred]

Cool beans Bob. Lol.

[Masterlu]

Bob... nicely done!

[mulveling]

Beautiful (again)! I can wholeheartedly endorse this phono stage coupled with a Koetsu; when are you going to add one?

[2fastdriving]

So... You're "done", right, Bob? [emoji23]

[vintage_tube]

Serge, Steve, Paul, Richard & Ivan -- I took another gamble this time. As you may recall I had a VAC Signature Mk IIa preamp w/phono for a few years with the MC2301's. It took awhile for me to realize a loss of 'vinyl' synergy lets call it -- between the two. Then came the McIntosh C1100 which restored the pre/amp synergy & put a vinyl smile on my face.

Fast forward knowing I was changing topologies (?); I was so impressed with the VAC Renaissance SE that I was not interested in considering an option B. Additionally, should I dislike it, I could return it. The latter was a nice dose of comfort.

Tonight's immersion to spinning was a complete joy & I'm a fortunate happy camper.

Best Sirs,

Bob

[vintage_tube]

Originally Posted by mulveling

Beautiful (again)! I can wholeheartedly endorse this phono stage coupled with a Koetsu; when are you going to add one?

Hey Mike -- that thought has occurred to me after December -- but; honestly and I mentioned this to Tom (W9TR), the Sumiko Palo Santos Presentation is quite the cartridge & in that conversation, if the day ever came, I may just buy another one.

The Koetsus' though are not to be overlooked and should be highly considered. In this hobby though, there are no 5-10 year long range plans written in stone.

Best Sir,

Bob