2. amps-preamps
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VAC Ren II, VAC Phi, or ARC Ref 3?

Finally, the two cold solder joints in one of my Rowland 7M amplifiers have been fixed. Just a simple 2 minutes soldering job at home, thanks to a kind live phone consult by Jeff himself. Now the system is back purring like a kitten.
Great say you, but. . . the problem is that now I have fallen totally prey to Upgraditis Furiosa, the most pernicious and 'wife threatening' form of Audiophilia Nervosa.
I listen mostly to classical--lots of chamber, vocal, Early Music, Baroque, Romantic, some large orchestra, lots of cello and other strings--on a system that I have lovingly put together over the last 20 years: EAD T1000, AT&T glass C-core glass wire, EAD D7000 Mk. 3, AudioQuest Quartz RCA, Audio Research LS2B, Gutwire XLR, Jeff Rowland 7M monoblocks, Cardas Golden Ref PCs on 7M, Cardas Golden Ref speakerwires, MagnePan 3A speakers.
The sound is sweet, lush, with a large if slightly unfocused soundstage, sometimes slightly veiled, somewhat soft at the bottom, can sound glorious in the midrange, good if not spectacular at the top. Much better at small ensembles than at full orchestra, where the sound stage can collapse and full strings and brass often display signs of brittleness and two-dimensionality. But, so much for self-criticism. Now what to do?
I intend to migrate towards a fully balanced system, with redbook and SACD capability and a tube linestage. I will start upgrading at the source and linestage points. The source will be an Esoteric X-01 or an upcoming APL NWO-1. But in this thread I'd like to discuss options for a new linestage. My requirements are an open and detailed, sweet sound, accurate with minimal coloration, with very good but not necessarily overwhelming macro-dynamics, an excellent three-dimensional and accurate soundstage, superior microdynamics and subtle nuance. The linestage must sound great out of the box--after breakin of course: not only after going through many cycles of NOS tubes musical chairs. All of this from a company with a stellar track record and reputation in quality, dependability and pre/post sale support. I listened to the VTL 7.5 and found it to be too soft. The BAT VK51SE sounded too dark. Then I listened at length to the VAC Ren II, which seems to embody all of my requirements. I have not heard the VAC Phi as yet, but it is in the running by inference. Nor I have listened to the ARC Ref 3, although I intend to: Ref 3 is in the running by reputation.
Suggestions? Opinions? It's your turn guys and girls!
guidocorona
dgad
782 posts
 
Guidocorona, Just to let you know what David Elrod said to me. I was placing electrical extensions in my house & wanted to know if I surface mounted the plugs on the floor close to the equipment & use a 6 foot cord or should I terminate in the wall & use a 12 foot cord. He said I could use the 6 foot cord. I am guessing the conditioning effects of the cord are accomplished in shorter lengths as well & using an extension cord or extending your electrical cabling from your outlet into a surface mount extension and then using a 6 foot power cord will accomplish the same end.

I am saying this to save you money on spending a lot more for a top of the line custom power cord of longer length. I hope I was clear. I feel like I am rambling.
guidocorona OP
4,298 posts
 
Thank you DGAD for the suggestion. At least initially I am planning to use stock PCs on the new linestage That's why I am hoping to avoid an extension chord or powerbar.
downunder
1,329 posts
 
Is ARC up to a Ref3 v2 all ready. that did not take long for their reference product to be updated :) I find it mildly amusing that several mnths after release it now needs an update.
guidocorona OP
4,298 posts
 
Even more amusing is that both Ref 3 and VAC Ren II are receiving rolling updates simultaneously.
ARC Ref 3 on bypass caps and a single power supply tube, while VAC Ren II is getting a new volume control.
Nneither products are changing versions because their manufacturers deem correctly that such minor engineering changes (EC) do not warrant a formal version number change.
In the software industry we call this a 'build, and we do not necessarily change product version every time we deliver a new build to a customer.
It actually bespeaks the fair mindedness of these companies, that feel so loyal to their current customer base to inform them that updates are available, and are more than delighted to apply these to earlier units for very nominal charges.
On the other hand, it is also more than fair for some Audiophiles to prefer dealing with other manufacturers who are said never to apply an EC to an existing model if their very lives depended on it, as essentially Arturo at Axiss informed me in so many words about Accuphase products, which are apparently kept in their original V1 state until they are withdrawn, several years after their introduction.
Isn't freedom of choice marvellous?
Of course, you may think that some other companies never change version, just because they are not telling you. . . yet looking under the hood apparently you may be sometimes surprised.
I'll stick to ARC, VAC, JRDG and the likes. Yet, thank you for sharing your valid concern.
henryhk
648 posts
 
Though I have not owned or listed to the Accuphase units (all that have discussed above) over a long period, whenever I hear them: redbook CDs...don't like it: pre-ocuppied with pace and sounds digital: SACD: much better, a bit romatic but prefer EMM Gear.
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