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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
brianlucey's avatar
brianlucey
161 posts
 
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.
brianlucey's avatar
brianlucey
161 posts
 
Kevin says "rich AB1"
fjn04
1,561 posts
 
I recall the Renaissance amps to have a very engaging sound, that to my ears, was more enjoyable. I am a big fan of the 300B tube, which is the tube my current SET amps use. Again, given the right speaker (89-93db), I would not discount the Renaissance amps. 
cycles2
207 posts
 
Prof,

Speaker mating is important especially with many tube amps.  I had a VAC Phi 300.1A and it drove my Focal Utopias very well with ample bass control.  When I upgraded my speakers to Rockport Altairs, I lost a good deal of bass reproduction. It seemed like the frequencies from approx 100 - 160Hz were lean and as a result overall speaker coherence suffered. I later confirmed this when I switched to a solid state amp with lots of current as the bass coherence with the higher frequencies is terrific.  
I don't know much about your Thiel's and the other speakers you're considering, so perhaps they're less demanding and the VAC will drive them very well.
As others have said, Kevin Hayes is an exceptional gentleman and should be able to provide some professional guidance.
prof OP
3,474 posts
 
Just want to say:

Thanks for all the input, fellas.

It turns out I'll have enough on my plate (financially) in sorting out my new speakers so I'll have to put off any amp upgrade for now.  (I was tempted by the VAC 300.1 for sale on audiogon).

I'll save this info for when I'm ready to buy VAC (if that happens).


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