Need thoughts on Canary & Cary

the VAC 300b PP amps are neutral without the rolled off highs/lows.

OK.. thanks...

as for speakers. It depends. If I am able to do the VAC, then for a time, maybe a year, the speakerage duty will fall to what's on hand now. namely, Phase Tech's former flagship, PC 10.5 w/87db, 4ohms, or Phase techs monitor series PC6.5 w/86db 8ohms.

A lesser priced amp might could afford me surely better speakers. The JRs are in line to be shipped out soon.

I've not much of a problem going with what's on hand. for a limited time. then my idea was to do sonatina IIs.

how big is your room? the 70/70 could be sufficient depending on your listening tastes and room size. it can handle difficult loads easily. kevin tests these amps w/ thiel speakers, notorious difficult loads.

Well the room is 14x20x8.5 or so. and the now plan is to improve on what is on hand as much as possible.

so the current decision is to get more eff speakers, and a solid choice in amp which will not cost terribly to keep up. Talking with VAC and my tube source, retubing the VAC is markedly pricey so far as I am concerned. 1625, and 1100, respectively. it will need it not right off, but shortly. that's a real killer adding in the price of the amp itself. it also means a less than good running amp and old speakers for a good while going that way.

Given other pressing matters, I struck a deal on some higher eff speakers, and what i believe is a solid tube amp choice, which will also soon need retubing... but for only $450 - $500.

Though it's not my first choice I think overall, it's best I make this move, given current circumstances. So it winds up being a vk60, and Silverline Sonattas.

I can after having in house the higher eff Sonattas, try other tube amps if the 60 is not my fix. I wasn't able to previously without major worries in matching amp & speakers. So that part makes sense. retubing the vk60 seems also a good idea as it is indeed a good tube amp, and a classic... almost.

Though a departure from my original intent, and my first choice, it's not the end of the road for tube amps or speakers for sure. For now however, it's at least, a goodly step in the right direction ampwise, and a sure step up speaker wise. in all, I'd think, I'm ahead this way, and I'm not going into hock to do it.

Results? we'll see pretty soon.

Any other thoughts?

sounds like a plan. i'll be interested in hearing your thoughts on the vk-60. as far as retubing the VAC, i always liked the JJ 300b better than any other and you can get them for about $170 a pair from eurotubes.com.