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Any VAC Phi 30/30 Owner's?

Hi:

I am the happy owner of a VAC Phi 30/30 amp, having stretched my budget when it came up on Audiogon a few months ago. This must be a rare piece, as I really haven't seen any posts by other owners. It's extremely refined and airy, but I suspect it's true potential is being masked by my Audible Illusions Mod 3a preamp. The speakers are Reynaud Trentes with Kimber Select KS-3035 cables. I'd like to upgrade the preamp but my budget is limited to the Modwright 9.0SE, Supratek Syrah or used Cary SLP-98P range. Are their any other VAC owners who could suggest a synergistic move within my budget of around $2,000? Would it be worth going to cheaper speaker cables to extend my available budget for electronics? I prefer a full function preamp, as I listen to vinyl.
garyralph
garyralph OP
53 posts
 
Thanks everyone for the helpful advice. I have spoken with Kevin. He indicated that there has been very little feedback from PHI owners using other manufacturer's preamps. He recommended one of the Renaissance Series VAC preamps, if I could find a way to swing it.

711smilin: I've been following the buzz about the Dodd preamps, but I'm confused, are these actually shipping yet? How do you happen to have one?
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jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
Well the Renaissance Series is twice the price. I was limiting myself to your budget with my recommendation.

Double your budget and I'll recommend the Renaissance also.

John
garyralph OP
53 posts
 
No, we didn't discuss the PHI preamp. It's out of my price range, so there was no point. This is the first I've heard about it being discontinued.

Regarding the Renaissance series pre's. Yes, they're beyond my budget right now also. It's just that Kevin recommended them as a good match.

Tvad, how do you like the Lamm LL2 Deluxe with the PHI 110/110? I'm thinking about that vs. Modwright at the moment. If memory serves correct, from your previous posts, you preferred the LL2 to the 9.0SE. Could you say why?
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