What to put under my VAC AMP/ PREAMP??

Actually, my speakers are very efficient. I have the Daedalus DA-1, which are 96db.

From my VAC Ren Mk-II pre, I am running single-ended cables, as recommended by Kevin.

I think so much of this comes down to system synergy and personal preference.

Fjn04, since you prefer ultralinear with your 300.1, it would be interesting to see if you prefer triode on your buddy's system, as he does.

I now have Finite Elemente Cerapucs under both my VAC Phi 2.0 preamp and CD source(3 each). Sound got noticeably better - details coming through more clearly and bass got a little cleaner and tighter. I did this a number of months ago and just realized that others might benefit from my findings. They are also pretty cool to look at.....

I am using a pair of Phi 300.1 in balanced mode. I like the triode mode better. My speakers are the ESP Harps. These are 96db efficient. A friend brought over his Bella Extremes which are a fully modded Antique Sound Labs Amps that use V Caps which are Teflon. They are half the power, but seem to be more transparent and more dynamic. He was using Winged C Cryogenic treated 6550 tubes. I don't know if it was do to the tubes or the caps. I know Kevin does not like Teflon. Has anyone else tried these winged c 6550 in there amps.

Barrelchief, thanks for sharing your experiences. Unfortunately, the gentleman I was referring to lives a long way from me, and hearing his system is not realistic. Kevin also seems to prefer Ultralinear, but that was coming from an older phone conversation with him. I will have a different speaker to audition very soon, and it is very efficient. I will definitely give Triode another go at that point. I will chime back with my results. Vacattack, congrats on your Vitus CDP. I heard it at my dealers, and left extremely impressed. Jwm, it's funny that there really are never any unanimous opinions in audio most of the time. I wouldn't think Triode sounds thinner or bleached on your ESP's, or it's likely you would not be preferring it as you now do.

I think it also has to do with your source. If ones cd dac or phono source is thinner or fuller they may like one mode versus the other. I do like ultralinear too but I get more involved with the music in triode. Its nice to have the choice.