Hi Lawrence, Beautiful system, your music reproduction must be oh so heavenly and natural! I'm familiar with your VAC REN 70/70 amplifier and agree with your comments concerning it. I can understand your preference and move to the Zanden preamp. What a combo the VAC and Zanden must be. I believe you when you say you get to the "soul" of the music. That's what it's all aabout. Charles,
Great list of components, I'm sure it sounds great, would love to hear the differences you heard between the 150 and the VAC amp. Perhaps a change of tubes could cut down on your background noise. Enjoy your music and best of luck.
The VAC not deserve nice, it is great great great amp, it out perform MANY of amp that I used before, including Audio Research VT130SE, Reference 300II, Reference 150, Reference 210, Spectral DMA260 & 160, Cello performance, in terms of musicality, density, smothness, high resolution but not overly analytical, true to source, a amp that can snap your finger and node your head, it has the "soul" for the music ! unbelievable dynamic response, fast transient that don't like an ordinary 300B amp !
The only complain is a bit high background noise, but can be acceptable when music start.
