VAC Phi 70 good match for Vandersteen 5As?

I plan on listing my equipment on the systems page, but here is the rest the equipment used with the 5As and 220s.

Vandertseen Model 5A (Bird's Eye Maple- stunning!)
VAC Phi 220 monoblock amplifiers
EMM Labs DCC2 DAC/preamp
EMM Labs CDSD- SACD/CD transport
Audioquest SKY 72V DBS XLR interconnects
Audioquest Kilimanjaro 72V shotgun biwire speaker cables
Silent Source AC power cords
Custom Power Cord Co. Model 11 Plus for 5A subs
BPT 3.5 Signature Plus balanced line conditioner
Critical Mass Systems platforms for EMM and BPT
Sistrum SP-101 platforms for VAC Phi 220s

The Sistrum stands are a great stand for the VAC. I believe it really helps. Glad to see you are using it as well.

Fsarc - My 2 cents - I currently also own a McCormack DNA-500 and I agree w/Tvad. You might try the Phi preamp to get the "tubes" you want without losing the strengths of the McCormack and find you like it better than the preamp you have now. Why give up something you love? Just augment it if you can. You can also do some tuning w/PC's, IC's, etc. I have a VAC preamp now and will be upgrading in a month or 2.

The Phi 220 amps sound great in Fsarc's system and they ARE an improvement over the excellent DNA-500.

You lose a little on the bottom (but pretty much ANY amp loses a little on the bottom to the DNA-500), but you gain a little more texture and dimensionality. Those improvements help create a more engaging experience.

Not a night and day difference, but at this point I don't think you can expect that.

George