I wanted to share that I received my VAC pre. a few days ago, the fit and finish is top notch (I got mine in silver/chrome combo including a nice simple metal remote, not plastic like allot of others.
I have owned along with being very fortunate to have had many world class pre's in my set-ups over the years, ARC, MBL, VTL, JRD, DARTZEEL, BAT, to name a few and presently own a ARC REF3 and the VAC.
I will say in my own experience and placing this specific VAC pre-amp straight out of the box into my system had me saying "this is really nice, I am hearing huge positive sonics going on never mind the stage presence right across the entire spectrum and know from past experience that it will only continue during break-in process, this is a welcomed surprise and very nice!" This has never happened before, my last pre that I had for audition was the new ARC REF5 and in my set-up it did not offer such, it was well broken-in.
The VAC has now been in my set-up for a few days and on 24/7, all I can say is this sure is a whole new world and the differences are all very positive across the board, my MBL's are very happy!
I'll comment more when I have put some hours in.
Current set-up;
MBL 101E speakers VAC pre as above mentioned with phono Bryston 28 Squared mono blocks Torus RM20, one for each mono block MBL 1621a transport ACCUSTIC ARTS HYBRID TUBE DAC w/different tubes TW RAVEN ONE PHONO Graham Phantom MKII arm Dynavector XV-1s cart
Cables; Stealth through out, I have tried allot of others and I'm very happy with this product line, I find myself no longer looking I'm off the mari-go-round
-Two runs of Dream cables to the speakers for true bi-wire -Indra's with latest connectors, XLR's through out -Dream power cables through out -Hyperphono for arm connection -Sextet AES with latest XLR connectors
I have only been using my REDBOOK CD so far, I also have a Audia Flight One phono that I'll be able to compare to the one built-in the VAC pre. and have a couple others to compare but this will be farther in the fall time and I'm looking forward to it.
I recommend you roll some choice NOS tubes after the unit burns-in for 400 hours. With the right tubes, you can probably get another 30-40% improvement in performance for less than 10% the unit's price.
Congratulations on the new pre. I bought a VAC Standard LE used last year and the upgrade to my entire system continues to make me smile everyday. After talking with Kevin Hayes at the Axpona show I changed the tubes to the VAC tested tubes and the sound is as good or better than the NOS tubes that had been placed into the pre before I owned it. The NOS tubes may have been at the end of their life but the synergy of the VAC tubes and the gear that was designed around them is audible. I look forward to your comments about the phono section.
Dev wonderful system.Yes,you have had some special preamps and your enthusiastic comments on your new VAC makes me want to hear one.I assume by looking at your outstanding analog front end that you may have dealt with High Water Sound. If you were at HWS did you listen to the Tron Syren and if so can you share your thoughts between these two preamps Again ,Wonderful system Enjoy
Dev, got mine 2+ weeks ago in black and had the same initial reaction as you :-). I've had many preamps so I can tell this is going to be very good ... a KEEPER! I've been busy so only have ~60 hours on it ... it puts a smile on my face everytime I turn it on.
Still looking to add SS mono amp for the summer months and then done with any major changes to my system.
Rtn1, do you have tube rolling recommendations?
I have a spare MP of Philip Holland NOS e88cc SQ that I plan to roll and HiFi-Tuning fuse that I plan to try.
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