Back to Solid State(No More!) I missed the musicality, 3 dimensional sound stage and the "in the room realism" of my VAC tube electronics and sold all my solid state equipment and returned to the magic of Kevin Hayes at VAC and Kevin Malgrem at Evolution Acoustics. I am listening to music again. Winning the EAR DAC in a raffle allowed me to add the magic of tubes to my digital front end. The sleeper component in my system is the Snake River Audio cabling; it offers the uncanny ability to provide all the inner detail and nuance we want in a musical way without being analytical. Snake River Audio is one to consider.
Truemaineiac, I did own an Audio Research PH-7 and an EAR 324 solid state phono stages prior to buying the Signature 2a. I know Kevin favors analog sources and knew his phono was well designed and great sounding by listening to a friend's, so I sold the PH-7. If I ever hit the lottery I will buy his separate, Statement Phono stage. I had the pleasure of listening to it at a recent audio show and can attest it is truly special. I'd also like to own his Statement Pre amp; it is the Signature 2a on steroids with such a density of musicality, information and nuance like nothing I have ever heard before. Kevin is truly a genius in the audio world, but is so humble, few know it unless they listen to his designs.
Glenhifi, thank you for your compliment. I have enjoyed the latest system the most. The convenience of a computer server with JRivers is addictive and very convenient.
Folker, I owned the VAC 220's and loved them but then went back to solid state. Then, after listening to solid state I went back to my beloved VAC equipment. The 220's are one of these most beautiful looking amps Kevin has ever built and they sound fantastic. I would expect you to enjoy a significant improvement in sound, control, extension. Let me know, please. Enjoy them. Sorry for the slow response, I am trying to break my Audiogon habit!
Thanks Dev! I am loving the Evolution Acoustic MM2's; wish I could have the MM3's but another 10k for the extra woofer is too much right now. I wish I could own any of Kevin's Statement pieces; they are incredible and hard to beat at any price. I envy you for owning the 450's. That would be a lot of amplifier for the EA speaker. The 200 monos are working very well due to the efficiency of the MM2's. I think the 300.2 monos would be even better, but so far I am happy with what I have and will have to enjoy it for now. The Continuum is a marvelous table and I hope it will provide many years of service. There is a guy that can fix it if it breaks as long as what breaks is easy to get! Will check your table as I am not familiar with it or the phono pre. Thanks for the audioshark.org site; never knew of it. Mark
System edited: Finally switched to the convenience of a computer based music system and so glad I did. The flexibility and convenience is outstanding and sound superb.
Charles1dad; Jonny has an introductory price for a short period before he launches at the full list. I think right now you can call him direct and get a 1.37M (minimum length for proper jitter control) for $599. I can't remember pricing on longer lengths. This cable isn't analytical; it is very musical. It passes all the information but not with hyper detail sound; it walks the tight rope perfectly between detail and musicality. I am a believer. I think Jonny has a 30 day money back guarantee; you can ask him. I purchased all his cabling after hearing it in a system I had heard at several different shows and the show this room used his cabling sounded the best I had ever heard it and the manufacturers gave the credit to the SRA cables.
System edited: For kicks and giggles I tried Jonny Wilson of Snake River Audio's Boomslang digital cable compared to the highly regarded Wire World Platinum Starlight cable I own. Right out of the box without a break in it dramitcally passed more information and musicality than the WW and at a fraction of the cost. Someone commented that Snake River Audio's website is so "simple" but I responded some people are designers, some marketers. Anyone who is swayed by flash is being controlled by the reviewers. Anyone reading this; please listen to SRA stuff; it is awesome. The WW will go up for sales once I have time to post it.
Hi Charles, I gave up a detailed, perfect reproduction of the recording for a "real, in the room" sound that just is easier to listen to and more musical. I especially like the musicality of the Snake River Audio cables. I don't know what Jonny Wilson is doing but I was lead to them after hearing them in a system I had heard at shows on 3 different occasions and the manufacturers showing both gave credit to the SRA cabling and said they would not show with anyone else. Those comments made me try them and so far I can't agree more!
System edited: New System pictures versus old Wilson/Jeff Rowland Model 9HC mono blocks with MAXX 2's. Love the Evolution Acoustics MM2; Snake River Audio cabling (musical cable, best ever).
Charles1dad, yes, with the 450's and the separate power supply plugging straight into the wall is the best way to go. I am using some smaller VAC amps now and due to the distance to my outlets have them plugged into an old Tice Power block transformer with a very audible hum due to age. I was thinking of investing in another Powercell to power them and clean up the AC. This is assuming I don't buy the VAC 300. If I buy the latter, it will plug directly into a dedicated line.
Hi Dev! You have a killer system! The 450 mono were in Kevin's room in Vegas and were the best sounding tube amps I heard at CES other than Kevn's custom made 300B mono blocks used by Rives Audio on the Phoenix Talon active cross over speaker. I wonder if it was your pair of 450s that a friend of mine listened to Kevin voice about six or seven months ago? He was floored! Love the A90 cartridge and bought it after visiting with Michael Fremer over lunch at Newport THE. I had the Lyra Titan i which I also liked but like this one better. The only outboard phono pre amps I have used are a Vendetta Research 2B; EAR 324 and an ARC Ref 7. With a system like yours and maybe a budget like yous i'd be considering the Ypsilon phono, Boulder phono, ARC Reference 2. A little phono pre amp that was impressive for the money was the Zesto Andros (I think) for $3900. I spent a long time listening to it in Vegas this year at the T.H.E. and found it very musical with a very easy flow to the sound. I'd like to hear it on a larger full range speaker to hear its bass extension! I am waiting for a VAC 300 but bought a pair of Auricle Musicblc M70's to play with and I must say, the sound on my new Evolution Acoustic MM2's is fantastic; they have a powered woofer and the 70 watts seem enough to make the speakers sing! They only cost me $2500 for the pair and will make a good back up amp! Pictures will come sometime down the road.
Me too! So far, so good! I don't expect the Signature to have any issues as Kevin has been building it for some time. It really should get more coverage and praise than it does and I will do my best to be a voice for VAC! This is one amazing pre amp!
Kevin had a military spec part fail in the PHI 2.0 Master Controller that caused repair issues and that is the reason I moved away, plus the PHI 220 mono blocks didn't handle the MAXX 1's the way I liked. The MAXX 2 crossover is changed and it could on this speaker. I plan to stay with my SS amps for now; not as hot in the summer as tubes are, but will remain with a tube pre amp and most likely Kevin's Signature for a long time. Truly one of the very best I have used!
Thank you Bifwynne; the ARC stuff was good, but the VAC Signature better in every way and by a mile! Didn't consider the 8 or the Anniversary; don't think they would surpass the VAC. It must be heard to understand; hope you have a chance to.
System edited: I thought the ARC REF 5 and PH-7 was the ultimate until I tried Valve Amplification Company's (VAC) Signature 2a pre amp w/phono. The ARC is technically accurate; the VAC is magical! All the detail, sound stage, resolution top to bottom and far outside the speakers but without being analytical or too colored. Absolutely destroys the ARC equipment. Most significant equipment change I have ever made and added the most sonic improvement of anything I have tried. Kevin Haye's is an unsung hero in my book.
System edited: Had tried the Synergistic Speaker Cells before I purchased the Tesla Powercell 10SE, but bought the Tesla first. Grabbed a pair of the Speaker Cells for sale and I can't say enough good things about them. They don't detract from any part of the sound or the sound stage. They remove another veil and reveal deeper into the sound stage and lower the noise floor further. The resolution is incredible. Try them; they are hard to take out once you have heard them.
System edited: Very nice SACD/CD player with a little more inner detail and deeper sound stage than my Krell, but the Krell for the money is a great sounding player.
System edited: Swapped Audience Adept Response AR-6 for the Adept Response AR-12T with top of line Au24 power cord in the 20 amp version and have been amazed at the incredible improvement over the most incredible tweak I have ever purchased; the Adept Response AR-6 version. Must be heard to believe.
System edited: Swapped the Transparent PowerIsolator-4 and Single outlet PowerIsolator XL for the Audience Adept AR-6 with Powerchord e power cord and it is truly the most significant upgrade I have ever made to improve the musicality, detail and lower the noise floor of my system. This unit is as good as the reveiws state! Try one only if you are ready to purchase one; you won't want to take it out of your system.
System edited: New pictures of Audio Research Reference 5 Line Stage and Audio Research PH7 phono and upgraded Krell SACD to MKIII. Soon to enter a 12 step program to stop my upgrade here and just listen to music!
Hey Jfrech, I noticed your system comments and your comment to move my sound diffusers up higher! Coincidently, I did that last weekend and it did make an amazing difference. The first position was below the highest mid range driver on the MAXXs and when I moved the up diffusers higher; another foot or two it really smoothed out the sound stage and sharpened up the imaging! Had I not already tried it I would have heeded your suggestion. The Criterion turntable is amazing and makes it very hard to not want to listen to records all day and night! Thanks for your kind comments.
System edited: Continuum Criterion w/Copperhead tone arm and Lyra Titan i has taken my system to a new level of performance and musicality that will make any future change minimal. You must listen to this table; it is unbelievable!
System edited: Sometimes you can't pass up a great deal and I am glad I didn't when it came to buying MAXX 2's in perfect shape from a local audiophile! It's good to have the detail and slam of MAXX's back in my listening room. The 2's are a huge improvement over the MAXX 1's. Next upgrade coming; Audio Research LS 26 and if I can keep my wife from noticing, bigger, more powerful monoblocks to make my Wilson's come alive.
The Rowland's are musical and I wasn't interested in something with less power just in case I try different speakers someday. Also, with lousy AC despite dedicated lines, the battery power supplies are a benefit to the noise floor.
Sherod, yes, my VAC 220's are for sale and I believe are sold at this point. I have absolutely loved the VAC sound, but with 101db efficiency don't need 220 watts a side. I am considering what to play with next and have the PHI 2.0 pre for sale too.
System edited: Loved the Caravelle and sub, however with kids 9,7,5,3 dancing in the room and bumping stands was unsettling. Moved to Definitions for kid protection and for more room in front of speakers. The Definitions fill the room a tad better than the Caravelle/Sub system and is the most musical system I have ever owned.
System edited: Swapped out the Krell KPS-28C for a Krell SACD Standard to take advantage of SACD collection. Swapped out the Caravelle monitors and Velodyne Subwoofer for the Zu Audio Definition Standard to make more room in my room. Decided to keep the Zu Audio LIBTEC speaker cable as the synergy was better with their speaker. Lastly, added an old Tice Power Block and Titan to plug my mono amps into to reduce noise from my dedicated AC lines.
Daiwai; I am slow to respond to your post as I don't check it that often. I haven't sacrificed much bass in my room because I added the Velodyne Subwoofer; DD-15. Because of the placement of the sub(it is 4 feet further away from my ears than the woofers on the MAXX) I am actually hearing lower notes than I could from my MAXX due to the smaller room I am in and the fact I sat so close to the MAXX. So, to answer your question, I haven't sacrificed bass. I haven't tried the BAT preamp, so I am not a good source to comment on what might mate well with Krell or Pass. I am surprised you found the KCT analytical; to me it was by a long shot the most quiet, dynamic and musical Krell Preamp I ever owned.
Mitch, I'll have to check out the Empire Strikes Back and compare to my stands that are standard with the Caravelle. Although, Robert has mentioned there will be a newer updated stand soon. Yes, I am amazed at how effective the sub is with the monitors. The Caravelle get down faily low for their size and the Velodyne DD-15 is easy to match to the Caravelle with the self Equalization microphone and software. It keeps up fine. After hearing this set up and how good it did sound, I dumped my MAXX in favor of it!
System edited: Replaced the 20ft Horizon microphone cable with a 5 meter XLR Purist Audio Design Venustas interconnect and so far am pleased with the additional reduction in the noise floor of the sound stage and overall musicality of the cable.
Irish65, the newer Caravelle stand is far superior to the stands my friend initially had with his Caravelles. The speakers rested on top and were not coupled to the bottom of the speaker. The new stand is more rigid and couples very nicely to the bottom of the speaker and there is no movement at all. The stainless rods are filled with micro bearing and actually vibrate as music is played through the speaker to dispate the resonance from the sound stage. Robert at Star Sounds has mentioned this new stand is very expensive to manufactue and produce and they are trying to re design it to be as functional, but not as expensive to build. I hope that helps.
Irish65, forgot to comment on the sub! The one Velodyne DD-15 inch is more than sufficient in this room. I thought about two subs, but the set up is a little more difficult, so I started with one and have been very satisfied with the bass quality in my smallish room.
Irish65, the Sistrum SP-101 stands under the VAC Phi 220 monos are the only Sistrums I have ever owned and I can't compare them to the older model. I am very happy with the stands I presently have and fell they have added to the sound as compared to the cheap Stand design platform stands I was using. When I had my Krell 750 amps, I did demo for a few weeks a prototype Sistrum stand made for guitar amplifiers that was very good too as a monoblock amp stand; however, I don't think Sistrum is manufacturing that stand now.
System edited: Installed Auricap .47uF; 600V caps; two per AC outlet. This is a very inexpensive tweak that has reduced the noise floor of the soundstage and seems to have reduced grunge in the AC line further.
Owl, yes, I did run the VAC on the big Wilsons and they did supprisingly well for tube amps. They actually seemed to go deeper than my Krell 750's, but were not as tight. I preferred my Wilsons with the Krell. I think the big Wilson's do best with a good solid state amp, but I have heard the X-1's with Audio Research 600's and they sounded as good as they did with the Krell amps driving them previous to the owner going to the tubes.
System edited: Replaced Horizon Microphone cable used with subwoofer with a Harmonic Technology XLR Subwoofer cable and find it cleaner sounding with better articulation of bass notes.
I am checking my system to make some additions and noticed all your kind comments and appreciate them. Yes, the VAC equipment allows hours of unfatiguing listening. It is hard to leave the room to sleep. The speaker cable is from Prana Wire; the T.V. is gone now and was there to see the adjustments for the Velodyne DD-15 inch subwoofer. All are welcome to listen if in Scottsdale, AZ. Thanks.
