Coincident Dragon Amplifier

Al,
This is one situation where there`s no bad choice either way. By all word of mouth accounts, the Dragon MarkII is simply phenomenal! However the VAc 70/70 I know pretty well and it`s a genuine all time classic amplifier. These don`t grow on trees, so the chance to buy one in great shape and at an apparently good price, well it makes sense to me. Push-pull 300bs(and a superb power supply) with your speakers must sound splendid.
Enjoy for many years to come.

Great speakers I have the DA-RMAs and power requirements are very similar. I prefer integrated amps and would recommend, as someone has mentioned, the Pathos Inpol2. It is only 50watts, but all Class A and I think it goes very well indeed with Daedalus. Lou was over in the UK recently and he thought it a good match too, unless he was being polite. I like Classical and Opera also and find the power very adequate, though I have a smallish room.

I have now bought an Ayon Spark integrated too, as a change of pace. That is excellent, but different, not such perfect soundstaging, imaging , but a wonderful rich tone.

I am well aware what a good reputation Coincident have, but Ayon to me, seem to be making one of the best range of tube amps out there, with choices at every price level

Al, Congrats on your purchase.

The VAC may have been serendipitous. I have no doubt you would have enjoyed the 211 Dragons but owning/living with an excellent 300b amp (SE or PP) is a great reference point. A 300b amp is at the top of my favoites list.

I also have an SET amp that uses the 211 (Cary 805AE which can also use the 845). It's an experiment to see if I can get an SET to work on my Magnepan 3.6's. For the last year it has worked for me. About a month ago I got a custom 300b push pull and got that AHHHH feeling when I hooked it up to the Maggies. So I can imagine how happy you are.

The Cary still does well in the shootout probably, for me, because it uses a 300b to drive the 211/845 which gives me some of its flavor and it's single ended. I hope one will come out the winner for me, too many amps :-).

Anyway, I'm happy your happy. Enjoy.

David12,
He selected the VAC70/70, believe me he`ll be fine.

Almarg,
Ironically, I have this exact same pairing, having bought a VAC Renaissance 70/70 MkIII a month or so ago (in an auction) to try with my Ulysses speakers. I am trying KR 300B tubes, which I literally lucked into finding at a crazy good price. I believe they are a big improvement over the JJ 300Bs that came with the amp (although they sounded quite good as well). I am still messing around with different 6SN7s. My favorite combo so far is Ken Rad Black Glass and Raytheons, which sound great.

Like you, I am very, very happy with the way the VAC amp sounds on my Daedalus speakers. What a spectacular match!

Enjoy!