VAC Preamplifiers

Yes; I purchased a VAC Renaissance mkV with phono. It is wonderful driving my GamuT D200i, adding a more natural tonality to the midrange than my D3i. It loses nothing in speed or accuracy to the D3i and has a great MM/MC phono stage. The D3i is a fine preamplifier which I’ll keep as a worthy backup. Thanks to all respondents!

Congratulations. I have the Renaissance V with phono driving my Ayre VX5/20 with very pleasing results. I started many years ago with the VAC Standard LE preamp, then the Renaissance 3 and now the V. All were excellent in their price range and my experience with VAC factory support when needed has always been a step above my expectations. If you reach out to Kevin Hayes he will personally welcome you to the family...

As REN V owner I also would like to say that its indeed an unbelievable pre. 

But alot of people asking/fiving opinions online regarding preamp online don't seems to understand that its also about component matching. 

I have several pair of speakers at home, one I'm currently using is Klipsch Forte IV. Being horn system there is no need tp question the speed/PRAT of it, so upstream I can use something alittle toward warming side. Not slow (don't know what some people meant VAC is slow), juat a rag warm.

Now if I'm running some 83db giants 5-ways dynamic speakers, I'd prob need something else (SS or ARC ref) to make it toward neutral. 

Also, people do not understand the difference between a transformer coupled preamp (like VAC) vs capacitors coupled preamp (ARC). Diff pros and con. I myself would do transformer-coupled all day everyday.