2. amps-preamps
  3. 1247747831

VAC Signature Preamplifier mkII

I just wanted to share with my fellow audiophiles how much I am enamored by my new VAC Ren Signature Preamp. It sounds fabulous, mates beautifully with tubes or SS, silent background and extremely musical. I have owned ARC Ref 3, VTL 7.5, and Accuphase 2410, all world class preamps. IMHO the VAC is simply more musical/natural, true of most of the VAC line.(the Ren mkIII is also a great preamp)

No I am not a dealer or spokesperson for VAC, just a satisfied customer....a great understated company, with few reviews, great execution, and wonderful people including Kevin Hayes, the quiet and modest master.
audiobrian
mtdking
157 posts
 
I changed out all 4 position with TD round plates.
mtdking
157 posts
 
Sorry TS roundplates.
mtdking
157 posts
 
"I have done a lot of tube rolling in the Io and Callisto and Aria and the rebuilt SA-2 power supplies to know the benefits of tubes in a PS."

There are also benefits in not having rectifier tubes in power supplies. Some of the very preamps in the world use solid state power supplies. Boulder, Levinson, Dartzeel, FM Acoustics, Vitus, VAC REN Sig, Ayre, Conrad Johnson new GAT and the list goes on. I would say that fewer use tube rectifiers then solid state. Just like you will start to see more Hybrid amps down the road that use solid state output and tubed input. Best of both worlds.

You have never heard the new Saturn Signature series correct? These are not meant to replace the standard Saturn series. So how can you commit on the way it should sound? These are not minor changes in the signature and it's not just replacing the caps, this is an $3500 upgrade. That's like me saying I know the sound of your Aria because I heard the parts used inside before. I have no idea how a Aria preamp sounds so I don't commit on it.

A great example is the ARC Ls26. All they really did in it is changed the caps and a couple other things from the LS25MKII but the two sound nothing like one another. Now the LS26 sounds better then the old REF 2 MKII. Even ARC admits that and I heard it first hand. The REF 2 MKII uses a tube in it's power supply but the LS26 doesn't . Weird a....
arthursmuck
451 posts
 
Gotta love audio forums....no offense guys, but you're hijacking a thread a guy started about how happy he was with his preamp into a whole other debate...

That said, thanks for the feedback on the Tung Sol Mtdking
mtdking
157 posts
 
Your right....Sorry

I also tired some Ken Rads and RCA 6sn7. The Ken rad really added to the bass (to much) and the RCA really warmed it up but slowed it down. The Sylvania pre 1955 was very good and they are very close to the Tung sol.

Email member Tindersticki, he tried a bunch of tubes in the 300.1 and still has some left over for sale on audiogon. He also knows the 300.1 very well.
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