VAC Signature mk2 vs Purity Audio Ultra?

Dragon,
I`ve been asked that question a few times.I heard the Dude in standard form and 'without' the CAST capacitor upgrade.I installed the CAST into my speakers and DAC and the improvement was fabulous!(no hyperbole).I can easily imagine the Dude-CAST option would be simply excellent(obviously I`m exstrapolating).As I`ve said before the CSL is stunningly good and allows a very strong emotional connection and involevment with music.The 'realism' is 2nd to none IMO.

I just believe to honestly answer your question you`d have to have both of them in the same system side by side and then make a choice.That`s the best(and only) answer I can give you.
Regards,

I ended up getting the Purity Audio GT Series too. Pre-amp is over now for power amps.

Good move, Dragon. I love my Purity Ultra GT preamp. My experiences with Bill Baker and Joe Jurzec also leave me well-satisfied, as they have proven to be top-notch guys. My big 4-Ohm speakers pointed me in the solid state amp direction, and I chose the CODA 15.0 to fit the bill. I'm extremely happy with both choices. Please let us know of your final amp choice. Good luck!

I have a Clayton M300. Im am thinking of getting the Coda too and the VAC 300.1a

If the VAC is not possible looking for alternative high powered clean sounding monoblocks.

The clayton is a keeper for sure. The Coda designed and craftsmanship looks outstanding and very similar to ATI amplifiers.

The purity is very resolving pre-amp it just throws all the details on the soundstage correctly placed. The VAC is very good too as I had a used unit to play around with.
The VAC sold pretty fast which is a good thing if you are swapping gears allot. However for me purity is a keeper.

When I compared both I just felt the Purity was a step above in the sense on how it controlled the amplifier better which in turn controls the speaker. Both are very good pre-amp to be honest. The purity sounded more resolving then the VAC. The VAC was sweeter on the treble but that was a minor for me I was looking at the full spectrum. Which is I wanted something very clean and clear and emotional.

The purity amp is on the warm side of Neutral. a good balance if you ask me. The Vac felt slightly more warmer.

I used the MSB diamond DAC directly into the claytons with the MSB Volume Control the sound was pretty good. When connected through the purity Pre-amp I found the clayton Bass was more controlled. The midrange was better presented it sounded fuller and thicker. With the MSB volume the sound was thinner and less emotional.

When using the VAC pre-amp I found the MSB diamond DAC volume directly connected sounded better then having the VAC pre-amp in the chain.

Yes Bill is a top guy. Easy to work with. No issues at all. I had to wait for mine for 2 months.

I believe the Auto-former in the Pre-amp controls which ever amp you feed it, if I am right. This would mean the purity preamp can provide one with greater flexibility with SS and Tube Amplifiers and maintain a good system synergy at the same time. It is very important that the pre-amp is controlling the power amp correctly. When done correctly the Power amp then controls the speaker correctly as If its got an iron grip on the woofers.

Sorry I have the Ultra Series with further upgrades. Installing Bybee in the signal path and Cutf caps but with out the extra silvers.