What hapened to VAC Phi 2.0 preamp

The Phi 2.0 is still in production, but Kevin mentioned the machining the chasis of this product is labor intensive and has caused him to consider changing the chasis but not the circuitry. It is an absolutely beatiful piece of equipment. When I ordered it I originally wanted the Signature, but Kevin felt the Phi was equal, if not better than the Signature, so I took his recommendation and saved the extra coin the Signature would have cost.

So, hifimaniac, you think they can be made on order?
It is definitely the most beautiful tube preamp I have ever seen.

Glad to hear the Phi 2.0 lives on. I'd hate to think I've already got a collectors' item after 11 months! For the type of sound I was looking for, Kevin said it wasn't even close between the Ren Signature and the Phi 2.0 (which I consequently got). I don't use the phono stage, so maybe I could have saved a few bucks with the Sig, but I wanted the newest design that fit my ear. The Phi just keeps sounding better as other parts of my system finally break in.

Apparently the original Sig circuitry, etc. is very time-consuming to fabricate, which accounts for the higher price(with phono), but not necessarily better sound as compared to the Phi. I am VERY happy with the 2.0, plus, as already mentioned, it just looks GREAT!

Feniks, yes, I think you could still order the Phi in the configuration it is, but it takes a while to build. Having said that, the wait is worth it. I couldn't be happier with all the VAC equipment I own now. It is the most musical I have ever owned and as I have mentioned too often, it has the speed and dynamics of solid state, but with the three dimensional, musical, inner detail of tubes. I haven't heard this quality in any of the other tube manufacturers I listened to; many were too colored or too lean!