VAC 160i, any experiences

69db S/N ratio?? Really? That's gonna be audible folks and reduce contrast...maybe a Cary SLI-80 or a Rogue Cronos Magnum would be a better option. Check out Pacific Valve also for some killer tube gear at very affordable prices and better performance.

Never mind, I found out it does not have mute capability. This is a deal-breaker for me. I'll look for an Avatar instead.

Did you read the Avatar review in Stereophile? The noise, S/N and THD figures are not great at all and it's preamp short circuited plus the 4ohm tap had problems...VAC obviously has serious problems. So many quality choices exist...look around!

I've owned two Avatar's Dave, they were dead quiet and extremely musical. VAC must not have paid Stereophile enough $$$. Who cares what some glossy review says?

Stereophile's John Atkinson loved Mark Levinson gear, which I thought sounded dreadful. It's MY money, I'll buy what I want, not what some glossy rag tool tells me to want.

Fair enough....go with your ears. I geuss it was the S/N of 69db that stood out to me...really old school, high noise design. Good luck!