First Sound compared to Supratek, VAC, or Audio No

84Audio: I hold Emmanuel in the same high regard. I have some old cyoed Telefunkens in mine and just like you found the made an enormous improvement.

Manley Steelhead and the Vac bested the supratek in my system. Went with the Manley. The Vac was a lot more than I wanted to spend

I agree that the VAC is a bunch-o-money. I caught a rare factory demo at substantial savings, which was the only way I could afford or even justify the purchase.

But, now that I have made this 'expensive gamble', I can sincerely say that my system has benefitted dramatically from adding this pre, so it was worth the expense and I have absolutely no regrets or desire to 'upgrade' further. This one is a keeper.

I guess I can't give a better reason then that to recommend AT LEAST an audition....

Another fan here of both First Sound and VAC. Kevin and Emmanuel are great guys. The preamp is a tuning device for the system as much as many of the pieces you buy are.
84 is a friend of mine, who was going direct with the Berning, amp. He inserted the First Sound into the system for a trial...that was 6 months ago.
The VAC is excellent also. At the Vegas show this past year, I put together a consortium of manufacturers, to display with Von Schweikert. We used all VAC electronics, and to say it was remarkable is a vast understatement.
We did Live versus Playback every day at 6:00; with Kevin Hays' electronics it was magical. You are really asking about various versions of wonderful. Plus Hi Fi is lucky to have two great people like Kevin and Emmanuel.
Another friend of mine just got the VAC 110, and he is using a First Sound preamp. Boy is he in for a treat. Now all he needs, is a Peter Cincotti album, a glass of Silver Oaks Cabernet 1993....

Good listening,
Larry

Hi Larry, I agree with you that HiFi is lucky to have Kevin and Emmnauel in business. They are both very talented, helpful, and forthright.