VAC Signature Preamplifier mkII

I too have a VAC Renaissance Signature mkII with phono stage and is the last preamp I will ever own. It replaced a Manley Steelhead. Prior to the Manley I had a Sonic Frontiers Signature with Sig Phono. A CAT reference, Pass, Spectral, Apt Holman, Phase Linear, VTL, CJ and an ARC.

The VAC is so musical and reliable. I just wonder why its such a well kept secret.

The VAC is so musical and reliable. I just wonder why its such a well kept secret.

Jimi_p

Price. I also enjoy the sound of VAC gear, but it ain't cheap. This preamp listed for $18K and that was 5 years ago. That's 50% more than ARC's current top of the line Reference 5 sells for today. The fact that so few can afford to listen to it is why it's such a well kept secret.

Cheers,
John

"Price. I also enjoy the sound of VAC gear, but it ain't cheap." I agree John , cheap it ain't. However, for 18K, you are getting a great phono section. This would then make the Sig 2 price right on par w/ say a Ref 3/PH7 combo. Cheers!

I don't think "Price" is the answer to why VAC gear isn't more popular. In fact, it is rapidly gaining in popularity as more people hear about/hear it.

Kevin Hayes purposely doesn't advertise nor cater to reviewers as do many others, believing in putting out the best possible product at his various price points. He definitely puts his clients first. As he says on his website:

"The fact is, each VAC component is hand built as a labor of love, in a time intensive way, and has enough of a 'diehard' following that there is usually an 3-12 week backlog of orders, and thus no units available for review. We do not view this as a problem: there isn't anyway to meet the higher than current demand that a 'great review' might create. Our focus is on making the best gear possible, not the best-reviewed gear!"

The last sentence says it all, IMO. I appreciate this and know that it's true from my conversations with Kevin. He definitely "walks the talk". I will happily continue to own VAC gear and if asked will continue to recommend it. Just my $.02.

I agree with Fplanner2000. I just joined the VAC family this week with my first VAC purchase. Kevin does walk the talk, and has a personal values set that puts music and the customer first. And his "instruments" are of the build quality that I will be handing them down to my son one day. I like to buy products that I won't feel the need to upgrade or swap out. VAC fits that bill.