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.
Was not aware Kevin had CUSTOM made 300B mono blocks, on the right speakers I'm sure they would sound marvelous. Any 300B's from other manufactures I have heard unfortuantly have weaknesses, mainly in the bass control and extension region.
On my speakers which really lke and need current to sound their best might not be ideal but until you try you won't know.
Your MM2 speakers, yes that's a change for sure from what you had and opens the window to try numerous.
Charles1dad, I was not aware of that but clearly hearing is believing. Was actually very interesting specially with my past exsperience having others plugged into the RM20, the difference not haveng these pluged in is very noticable.
The VAC phi 300.1 (excellent PP amplifier) would IMO benefit(as any component would) if plugged into a power cell(or a high quality AC balanced transformer)with a 2000watt(20 amp rating)or larger specification. Balanced AC power is fantastic in my experience. Regards,
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.
The VAC 450 mono blocks have an intergrated power conditioner(I believe). So plugging them into another 'conditioner' is likely redudant and won`t be of benefit.
nice set-up, are you enjoying your VAC Sig. MK2a pre?
You have great taste, same as myself including w/phono and colour Ha! Ha!
I actually also have a A90 cart.
Have you compared the phono to any externals, if so what and your thoughts.
I have my Vac pre paired up with Vac's Statement 450 mono blocks, absolutely gloreous. Quiet and the floor noise is lower than when I had paired up with solid state amps, go figure.
My speakers are MBL 101E's, I have two turntables. TW Acustic Black Knight and Micro Seiki 5000, cd player is a AMR 77.1.
My IC's are Stealth Audio Indra XLR and Dream SC's 2 runs so my speakers are true bi-wired along with Dream PC's through out.
I've just reached 700 hours on my Vac amps so now it's time to do some comparisons within like power cables etc.
I already did one recently, I have 2 Torus RM20 units and usually have my amps plugged into such, from my past experience some amps benefited and others I did not notice any negative so assisting in protecting my prized pces were left plugged in.
So when I got my Vac 450's did the same, well that was my first comparision and I was absolutely shocked. They most defiantly don't like being plugged into these, next will be the power cords.
Already owning my pre prior it's got lots of hours logged in and plan on trying some All OUT ASSAULT external phono's to compare, at the same time I know Kevin has been working on a Ref phono which he hopes to have come out possibly next year so that will be interesting also. I know this really isn't fair but will be interesting for sure.
Short list of phono's;
Burmester 100 Arc Reference Phono 2 SE FM Acoustic 223 Kondo
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!
A good friend went from a ARC preamp to the VAC Signature MKII. His reaction is the same as yours, a definite step upwards in all respects. How long before you`re tempted by SS components again? I ask because you`ve had VAC gear before and went to SS.
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.
Hi Hifi..., please add my kudos to the list too. I drive my gear with the ARC Ref-5 and PH-7. Just curious, when you picked up the PH-7, did you consider the PH-8 or the Ref Phono 2? If yes, why did you go with the PH-7? If no, why not? Sorry the Ref-5 didn't do it for you. I used to own the Ref-3 and I am still getting used to the Ref-5.
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.
Very, very, nice system. I agree on the down side of tubes, waiting for warm up. I also love the power of SS. Love that tt. You are welcome any time. Just don't bring the bones, my wife will not let them have them.
