2. amps-preamps
  3. 1123254379

VAC Ren II, VAC Phi, or ARC Ref 3?

Finally, the two cold solder joints in one of my Rowland 7M amplifiers have been fixed. Just a simple 2 minutes soldering job at home, thanks to a kind live phone consult by Jeff himself. Now the system is back purring like a kitten.
Great say you, but. . . the problem is that now I have fallen totally prey to Upgraditis Furiosa, the most pernicious and 'wife threatening' form of Audiophilia Nervosa.
I listen mostly to classical--lots of chamber, vocal, Early Music, Baroque, Romantic, some large orchestra, lots of cello and other strings--on a system that I have lovingly put together over the last 20 years: EAD T1000, AT&T glass C-core glass wire, EAD D7000 Mk. 3, AudioQuest Quartz RCA, Audio Research LS2B, Gutwire XLR, Jeff Rowland 7M monoblocks, Cardas Golden Ref PCs on 7M, Cardas Golden Ref speakerwires, MagnePan 3A speakers.
The sound is sweet, lush, with a large if slightly unfocused soundstage, sometimes slightly veiled, somewhat soft at the bottom, can sound glorious in the midrange, good if not spectacular at the top. Much better at small ensembles than at full orchestra, where the sound stage can collapse and full strings and brass often display signs of brittleness and two-dimensionality. But, so much for self-criticism. Now what to do?
I intend to migrate towards a fully balanced system, with redbook and SACD capability and a tube linestage. I will start upgrading at the source and linestage points. The source will be an Esoteric X-01 or an upcoming APL NWO-1. But in this thread I'd like to discuss options for a new linestage. My requirements are an open and detailed, sweet sound, accurate with minimal coloration, with very good but not necessarily overwhelming macro-dynamics, an excellent three-dimensional and accurate soundstage, superior microdynamics and subtle nuance. The linestage must sound great out of the box--after breakin of course: not only after going through many cycles of NOS tubes musical chairs. All of this from a company with a stellar track record and reputation in quality, dependability and pre/post sale support. I listened to the VTL 7.5 and found it to be too soft. The BAT VK51SE sounded too dark. Then I listened at length to the VAC Ren II, which seems to embody all of my requirements. I have not heard the VAC Phi as yet, but it is in the running by inference. Nor I have listened to the ARC Ref 3, although I intend to: Ref 3 is in the running by reputation.
Suggestions? Opinions? It's your turn guys and girls!
guidocorona
fplanner2000
616 posts
 
Guido: You must have different ears than me - to me the ARC3 sounds quite sterile and uninvolving, totally opposite of my VAC Phi 2.0. Too bad you never got to hear it before making your purchase... Oh well, maybe you can upgrade to it in a few years????

Take care and enjoy your new toy.

I'm also a little curious about your Helix Shunyata experience with the Esoteric. I currently have an Epiphany going to my 3910 and may go to an X. Please e-mail me when you get the chance.

Thanks
oneobgyn
410 posts
 
well I am with Guido on this one and, although the other preamps mentioned are truly exceptional I will bet $$$ that Guido finds audio nirvana here
guidocorona OP
4,298 posts
 
Fplanner, unfortunately listening to the mighty Phi 2.0 was not in the cards this time around. Yet, several years down the road -- if I upgrade linestage once again -- I will give VAC's production once more a fair chance.

In the meantime, have you already read my Helix vs Electraglide findings? I have several posts on Shunyata Helix starting at:
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?fcabl&1126432063&openfrom&31&4#31
This far my favorite PC for the X-01 is the Helix Anaconda Alpha. Yet Babybear has reason to believe that its VX sibling may still outperform it for this particular application. I will post my findings as soon as I have an opportunity of comparing the two versions on either his or my own X-01.
Are you considering an X-01? Make sure it is WELL broken in before you pass final verdict on it. The 80 hrs of breakin suggested by Teac America are 'for the birds'. 800 hours are more like it for RedBook alone. Mine still seems to be subtly opening up well after that mark.
oneobgyn
410 posts
 
well Guido

Thankfully I have convinced you about the ARC Ref 3.

Now let's get on and do some other schooling on power cords. I would like you to audition the Nordost Valhalla against your Shunyata PC's and then come on back for further discussion. I have used all of the one's you have described and would not have thought there could be anything better until I tried Valhalla. The rest is history.
guidocorona OP
4,298 posts
 
Thank you Oneobgin. . . On Ref 3 I did not need much convincing. . . I simply let my ears do the walking. I have in fact auditioned the Valhalla PC on X-01 and on the VAC Ren II. I found it to be wonderfully extended at both ends, without displeasing bloom nor undue harshness. Unfortunately, with the equipmented Babybear and I tested it, it also sounded slightly attenuated in the midrange, or in other words excessively 'slender.' Yet, as it also does display some of the 'sonic polarization' that I enjoy on the Helix family, it may be worth another listen on the ARC Ref 3, if I so have the opportunity. On the other hand, if I may be so bold to turn your suggestion around, why don't you give the Shunyata Anaconda Alpha and VX a try? I'd be interested in your own comparative findings against the mighty Valhallas.
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