2. amps-preamps
  3. 1271027603

VAC Signature MKIIa pre-amp

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.

128x128dev
fplanner2010
283 posts
 
Congrats Dev. The next 400 hours will just get better and better. Welcome to the VAC family!
goldeneraguy
442 posts
 
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
knghifi
1,668 posts
 

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.


drummermitchell's avatar
drummermitchell
262 posts
 
Dev,it seems the Vac pre and the 28s get along quite nice.
I did do a bit of a search.The Vac is some nice eye candy.
Seems some prefer the sound of the Vac to the ARC-3 or even 5.
I await your update also and comparisons.
dev's avatar
dev OP
832 posts
 
Thx everyone;

Teajay nice chatting with you, congrats on your new pre-amp.

Rtn1, what specific Nos tubes are you referring to and what will the sonic benefits be?

Goldeneraguy, no I actually have not been to Jeff's place nor done any business. I actually lucked out buying the table locally because the person was moving to a Micro S 5000. I have heard a Tron but not the Siren which is suppose to be a marvelous pce., I did hear a Tron Seven phono paired up with a TW AC table in someones set-up and it was very nice, unfortunately the set-up was not full range so for me there was allot of missing information. Tron and other phono's will be on my list to compare to the VAC's but that will down the road. I'm kinda slow when it comes to this as I like to take my time and really get use the specific pce, I will want to have lots of hours prior on it but once I have done this placing something else with my set-up is pretty easy to analyze whats actually going on and if I prefer it.
It's nice because the VAC offers RCA connection along with XLR "TRUE BALANCED" for external phono hook-ups. The Audia Flight Phono will be hooked-up in balanced con-fig. I have it is suppose to be very nice and will certainly provide a different take being solid state, I have my eye on the new Boulder which is also solid state. Goldeneraguy you won't be disappointed, if you have a chance to get one into your set-up I would recommend to do so, if you refer back to my threads you will not read anywhere where I was so impressed with any pre I had right out of the box, this says allot. It's totally different than anything I have had had in my set-up but in a positive way. If you read one of my recent threads regarding the REF3 v/s the Ref5 "I was looking a buying one along with the REF 2 PHONO" you will read I was under fire after my comments but I like to say it the way it is, and that was how I felt and others feel the same way.

Knghifi, congrats. I goota say the Bryston's I have are sure winners and totally took me off guard and surprised the heck out of me, never thought I would have such driving my speakers. My MBL's seem to really like them, the VAC seems to be great match also, as you can see I'm all balanced XLR connection.
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