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  #1  
Old 11-24-2012, 05:20 PM
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vintage_tube vintage_tube is online now
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Default VAC Signature MK II Preamp w/phono in the house -- Super Low Noise Floor (YES!!)
A long saga ended this afternoon with the arrival of the VAC Signature MK II w/Phono from Kevin & Company.

It was a difficult wait. For the first time in years, I was without a preamp for practically the duration & without it, no vinyl (nor could I try out my recent tuner purchases).

So, finally my rack is full & I'm back into vinyl. First up was Harry Belafontes' Sings the Blues, Living Stereo, reissued by IMPEX, double 45RPM mastered by Kevin Gray.

I'm loving it and the build quality is impecible & not a mass produced board in the controller (didn't open the PS unit).

Enjoy the photos. I believe I'll get the hang of the remote pretty quickly.

Let me listen a few more LP's and give you my impressions then.

Best

Bob

Yep, the painters tape is still on the carpet -- not thru with tweaking the speakers neither. So much to do.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg At the door.jpg (86.5 KB, 61 views)
File Type: jpg Open flap.jpg (55.1 KB, 59 views)
File Type: jpg Power Supply unit.jpg (55.0 KB, 56 views)
File Type: jpg Cords.jpg (89.8 KB, 56 views)
File Type: jpg Front PS.jpg (48.1 KB, 61 views)
File Type: jpg Front Main unit.jpg (47.4 KB, 55 views)
File Type: jpg Main Unit Nudies.jpg (99.6 KB, 65 views)
File Type: jpg Rear panel inside Nudies.jpg (95.5 KB, 63 views)
File Type: jpg Phono side.jpg (80.9 KB, 62 views)
File Type: jpg Inside tube selector switch.jpg (74.9 KB, 63 views)
__________________
Amps:VAC 450iQ Monos in Silver Flake on HRS M3X2-1921's, HRS G7 Footers/G-Links & Sound Anchor Conecoasters.
Preamp:VAC Statement (on order) (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 Odin 2 Tone Arm 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 V (on order in Ferrari Argento Silver/Parchment 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:Ansuz Mainz D3 Distributor & Ansuz Mainz C2 1M 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:2M Nordost Odin 2 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 Power Amp & Preamp & Space Tech Labs ATT-3.02 tube test sets.
Last edited by vintage_tube; 11-24-2012 at 05:29 PM.
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  #2  
Old 11-24-2012, 05:25 PM
Still-One Still-One is offline
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Congratulations Bob. I now you have been Impatiently waiting for the unit to arrive. waiting for you thoughts on the interface and sound quality.
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  #3  
Old 11-24-2012, 05:27 PM
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More photos.

best

Bob
Attached Images
File Type: jpg Line Stage Nudie.jpg (79.7 KB, 56 views)
File Type: jpg Remote Nudie.jpg (68.1 KB, 52 views)
File Type: jpg Remote.jpg (42.5 KB, 56 views)
File Type: jpg Overall Muted.jpg (50.5 KB, 65 views)
File Type: jpg Overall Unmuted.jpg (51.8 KB, 62 views)
File Type: jpg Close Up Rack.jpg (68.5 KB, 70 views)
__________________
Amps:VAC 450iQ Monos in Silver Flake on HRS M3X2-1921's, HRS G7 Footers/G-Links & Sound Anchor Conecoasters.
Preamp:VAC Statement (on order) (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 Odin 2 Tone Arm 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 V (on order in Ferrari Argento Silver/Parchment 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:Ansuz Mainz D3 Distributor & Ansuz Mainz C2 1M 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:2M Nordost Odin 2 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 Power Amp & Preamp & Space Tech Labs ATT-3.02 tube test sets.
Last edited by vintage_tube; 11-24-2012 at 05:31 PM.
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  #4  
Old 11-24-2012, 05:30 PM
Still-One Still-One is offline
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Very nice Bob. The chrome/stainless steel version would have balanced out the dcs nicely in your rack.
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Old 11-24-2012, 05:30 PM
PHC1 PHC1 is offline
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Congrats on VAC preamp Bob, now sit back and enjoy!
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  #6  
Old 11-24-2012, 05:37 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Still-One View Post
Very nice Bob. The chrome/stainless steel version would have balanced out the dcs nicely in your rack.
Probably Jim -- but I'm always planning ahead to a degree & IMO it wouldn't look good with a black Vivaldi stack.



Best my friend,

Bob
__________________
Amps:VAC 450iQ Monos in Silver Flake on HRS M3X2-1921's, HRS G7 Footers/G-Links & Sound Anchor Conecoasters.
Preamp:VAC Statement (on order) (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 Odin 2 Tone Arm 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 V (on order in Ferrari Argento Silver/Parchment 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:Ansuz Mainz D3 Distributor & Ansuz Mainz C2 1M 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:2M Nordost Odin 2 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 Power Amp & Preamp & Space Tech Labs ATT-3.02 tube test sets.
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  #7  
Old 11-24-2012, 05:41 PM
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Bob, congrats!! Waiting is so hard. But the payoff is so great.
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Old 11-24-2012, 06:08 PM
joeinid joeinid is offline
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Bob,

What did I tell you. Have faith. I guess the tracking info was updated? Huge congratulations!

Very pretty.
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Old 11-24-2012, 06:45 PM
bzr bzr is offline
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Congrats Bob, I'm happy you're happy & we are all happy that you are happy that we are happy at your happiness. By the way, what are you upgrading in 2013?
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Old 11-24-2012, 07:50 PM
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Very nice, enjoy for a long time!
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