Speakers for VAC sigma 160i -- need inputs

This thread was quiet for a few months, so I thought I'd add some input. I bought VAC Sigma 160i last November. I ordered it with balanced input and MC phono options. I had a pair of Harbeth SHL-5 left from my old system, so I was using the VAC with them for a couple of months. I hate to say it, but it wasn't a very impressive combo. Harbeths performed so much better with a SS amp. Swapping Cardas for CrystalCable interconnects and speaker cables helped a lot, but still, I wasn't impressed. I am now using the VAC with a pair of Vivid B-1's, and THAT sounds like music. Stock tubes, but considering swapping the preamp section for a different ones.

I had a vac avatar super for a few years and auditioned the 160i through tannoy speakers which sounded great. This amp has enough drive to open up a lot of speaker choices, mine did work very well with Devore Silverbacks as well. That's a very nice integrated amp, I'm not sure why it isn't talked about more.

I think it goes without saying that that VAC should work with all pretty well, but that is a very diverse sounding list of speakers in general. A lot would depend on your personal preferences, listening habits, listening room and how well different speakers will physically integrate into that, etc.

I use a pair of Salk Sound ss8's with the VAC and am quite pleased with the sound. I have also swapped the Chinese stock tubes with nos Mullard 12au7's , Cifte 12au7's, the Mazda silverplate 12ax7 that I often switch with a 1958 Mullard longplate 12ax7, plus the Black KT88 treasure series tubes. The sound has improved greatly.

I'm running my Acoustic Zen Crescendos' with a Vac 160I and LOVE the synergy of this combo...