I didn't know there was a new one, but I have listened to the Auricle last summer. Is it the same product? I am not sure...
I found it to be a very nice amplifier. One I would not hesitate buying. If you like the look of the Marantz 8/8B, you should check out this amp. Of course, VAC produced the Marantz 8B Reissues in the 1990s, and implemented what they felt were the improvements that they could make to the amp. In fact, despite the same look, it is really a new product in most apsects. I would say it is a Marantz 8/8B updated for this decade.
Parts quality, a VAC trademark, is quite good, and Kevin Hayes went about modifying the circuit to find benefit. I believe there is also a lot less feedback to the amp.
Sound is a bit more on the neutral side of classic tube(which the Marantz 8 defined), with better resolution, refinement, detail, and performance at the frequency extremes. All this comes without losing the soul of tubes. The EL34 midrange is definitely apparent.
What could you nitpick about the amp? Well, not a whole lot. First, if you don't like the look, well then you don't like the look. There is no getting around that. Second, as all amplifiers using 4 EL34 output tubes, you aren't going to be able to drive any speaker you wish. Make sure you present it a fairly kind load, don't expect it to be a brute. And, the only other thing I can think of is that while you can run other tubes(6550/KT88/KT90), which is a DEFINITE plus, that's contingent on being able to fit them in(haven't tried, so I am not sure) and you would need to bias the tubes using an external meter - the built in meter will be out of its range.
By the way, it would be hard to find a better person to buy a product from than Kevin Hayes. He is a real gentleman, and will give as much help as anyone needs. I love the fact that the times that I have called VAC, he has personally answered the phone, and been nothing short of gracious and giving of what must be his very precious time.
I found it to be a very nice amplifier. One I would not hesitate buying. If you like the look of the Marantz 8/8B, you should check out this amp. Of course, VAC produced the Marantz 8B Reissues in the 1990s, and implemented what they felt were the improvements that they could make to the amp. In fact, despite the same look, it is really a new product in most apsects. I would say it is a Marantz 8/8B updated for this decade.
Parts quality, a VAC trademark, is quite good, and Kevin Hayes went about modifying the circuit to find benefit. I believe there is also a lot less feedback to the amp.
Sound is a bit more on the neutral side of classic tube(which the Marantz 8 defined), with better resolution, refinement, detail, and performance at the frequency extremes. All this comes without losing the soul of tubes. The EL34 midrange is definitely apparent.
What could you nitpick about the amp? Well, not a whole lot. First, if you don't like the look, well then you don't like the look. There is no getting around that. Second, as all amplifiers using 4 EL34 output tubes, you aren't going to be able to drive any speaker you wish. Make sure you present it a fairly kind load, don't expect it to be a brute. And, the only other thing I can think of is that while you can run other tubes(6550/KT88/KT90), which is a DEFINITE plus, that's contingent on being able to fit them in(haven't tried, so I am not sure) and you would need to bias the tubes using an external meter - the built in meter will be out of its range.
By the way, it would be hard to find a better person to buy a product from than Kevin Hayes. He is a real gentleman, and will give as much help as anyone needs. I love the fact that the times that I have called VAC, he has personally answered the phone, and been nothing short of gracious and giving of what must be his very precious time.