2. amps-preamps
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VAC Signature MKIIa pre-amp

I wanted to share that I received my VAC pre. a few days ago, the fit and finish is top notch (I got mine in silver/chrome combo including a nice simple metal remote, not plastic like allot of others.

I have owned along with being very fortunate to have had many world class pre's in my set-ups over the years, ARC, MBL, VTL, JRD, DARTZEEL, BAT, to name a few and presently own a ARC REF3 and the VAC.

I will say in my own experience and placing this specific VAC pre-amp straight out of the box into my system had me saying "this is really nice, I am hearing huge positive sonics going on never mind the stage presence right across the entire spectrum and know from past experience that it will only continue during break-in process, this is a welcomed surprise and very nice!" This has never happened before, my last pre that I had for audition was the new ARC REF5 and in my set-up it did not offer such, it was well broken-in.

The VAC has now been in my set-up for a few days and on 24/7, all I can say is this sure is a whole new world and the differences are all very positive across the board, my MBL's are very happy!

I'll comment more when I have put some hours in.

Current set-up;

MBL 101E speakers
VAC pre as above mentioned with phono
Bryston 28 Squared mono blocks
Torus RM20, one for each mono block
MBL 1621a transport
ACCUSTIC ARTS HYBRID TUBE DAC w/different tubes
TW RAVEN ONE PHONO
Graham Phantom MKII arm
Dynavector XV-1s cart

Cables; Stealth through out, I have tried allot of others and I'm very happy with this product line, I find myself no longer looking I'm off the mari-go-round

-Two runs of Dream cables to the speakers for true bi-wire
-Indra's with latest connectors, XLR's through out
-Dream power cables through out
-Hyperphono for arm connection
-Sextet AES with latest XLR connectors

I have only been using my REDBOOK CD so far, I also have a Audia Flight One phono that I'll be able to compare to the one built-in the VAC pre. and have a couple others to compare but this will be farther in the fall time and I'm looking forward to it.

128x128dev
knghifi
1,668 posts
 
Dev, great to hear VAC and Bryston are getting along nicely :-). The 28BSST is on my short list of SS amps. Besides sound quality, I want cool running and short warm-up to max performance so this limits my pool. It's only April so I have several months to find a SS amp.

The VAC is sounding better and better and I understand Kevin voice every component in building the pre so probably just enjoy and skip tube rolling, ...
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
Dev, congrats on the new preamp, I'm jealous. ;)
I also agree with you on Stealth cables, they are stunning. The best I have heard in my system/room. I'm now trying to talk myself into buying a pair of Dream Petite speaker cables. Obviously I'd love to own the full Dream, but even the Dream Petite is a stretch for my budget.

Knghifi, I'm a tube amp guy now, but when I was a SS amp user, I found the shortest warm up was no warm up, meaning leave the amp(s) on 24/7 for best sound. I would unplug if I was out of town, but IMHO, SS takes much longer than tubes to warm up, I'd say 12-24 hours to sound their best. So when listening everyday, I'd just leave them on 24/7. Tube amps take about 30 minutes to sound their best, so I turn them off when not listening. Just my $0.02.

Cheers,
John
knghifi
1,668 posts
 
John, I've had many SS amps and always leave them on 24/7. My last SS was a Krell FPB600 and it requires a very long warm up so it was on 24/7. The heat in standby was miserable in the hot humid summer months and want to avoid in next SS.
fplanner2010
283 posts
 
I used a McCormack DNA-500. Great sonics, lots of power and runs warm at worst. Now a tube guy, but the DNA would be on my short list for SS (actually, keeping mine for the elusive "2nd system")
lyniv
4 posts
 
Reading this email was like reading my mind. We are a dealer in northern NJ and just took delivery of our VAC Signature MK IIIa pre as well. We ordered it with a MC/MM phono stage. We put it in our main mbl system, driving mbl 9008A mono blocks driving the new 101E MKII's and 111F's, and to say we were blown away would be a gross understatement. This is one magnificent preamp!!
It has so much richness and body that it is almost impossible to end a listening session. The musical enjoyment we have gained having the VAC in the system totally out weighs any other virtue one might be looking for in a high end pre.
By the way, we find no less resolution, dynamic range, soundstaging, or image focus than any other pre we have auditioned.
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