VAC vs Conrad Johnson Amps?


I have had my Conrad Johnson Premier 12 140w/side tube monoblocks for many years and loved them.  Essentially they sound to me like Michael Fremer had described them in his long-ago review:  the CJ tube magic, with zest, power and control.  They've been able to drive pretty much every pair of speakers I've had, large or small.

At the same time I've always had some lust for the VAC amplifiers.  It started long ago when I heard VAC amps make Thiels sound like I'd never heard them before - liquid, astonishingly transparent and musical.  I managed to get much of this with my CJ amps paired with my Thiel 3.7s (and other speakers), but given that transcendent moment with VAC, and knowing how many of the highest end speaker manufacturers choose to use VAC and display their speakers with VAC amps, I'm left wondering "What If..."

I see people happy with amps like the phi 200 but I sometimes see the Phi 300.1 become available second hand (the only way I could afford that one).  It's 150W per side vs my CJ 140W, and I've read the VAC has good reputation for bass performance (I like good bass control) and driving many big speakers.  I wonder if any of the possible quality of the VAC would be off-set by the purportedly better separation you get with monoblocks - e.g. my CJs.

As I mentioned, I'm currently using Thiel 3.7s, with some 2.7s arriving soon, but I also own MBL 121s and like to keep my options open.  I'm also interested in the Joseph Audio Perspective speakers so would want an amp that has good grip on ported speakers as well.  I wonder what I may gain, and/or what I might lose, going for a VAC phi 200 or especially the 300.1, vs my CJ Premier 12s.

Anyone who has helpful experience to contribute, please do so!  Thanks!


prof
Prof 

There is a gentleman selling both a VAC 200 and Premier 12 monos on Agon. You may want to PM him directly for his impressions on both. In any case good luck with your quest.
The Renaissance series of power amplifiers are a different breed from Phi offerings. I’m very familiar with the Phi 300.1 mono blocks. . In the realm of Pentode tubes in a push pull class AB circuit they are definitely uppermost tier. Very tough to beat in this genre.

The VAC Renaissance was a very different design approach. 300b (DHT rather than pentoode/tetrode output tube) push pull with superb quality power supply and transformers. With a properly matched speaker you’re talking premium grade sound quality and a DHTinspired  beautiful natural midrange. Two different pathways. 
Charles
fjn04

Why would you go to a Vac Renaissance, after having owned the Phi 300.1?


tubegroover,

Thanks for the heads up!
Just buy it, you have to listen at home.

VAC Kevin said they design these amps with a dozen sets of speakers and anything they do that makes 11 sound better and 1 worse is rejected.   Class A or AB no matter as the input and driver are Class A and the UL or Triode modes give you plenty of options.