Music sounds good. I like the VAC a lot. It replaced my VTL MB-450s. I would like to hear into the music a little more. So, I am planning to add a sub-panel on the otherside of the wall where my rack sits. I have 15' of the JPS A/C cable for 3 outlets and I an using standard 10 guage for the other three. I will let everyone if I hear a difference.
I am also soon to send my speakers to Bobby for the Magic Modification.
Then, I am planning to ask Michael Wolff for two gain Cords to try on the VAC. I am very impressed with the Source Cords on my Transport and DAC.
Finally, I also want to try a few other 6SN7s if anyone has any ideas.
Long-term my goal is to try a Lamm M1.2, a Tenor Hybrid 150, or a Dartzeel NHB-108.
Since I have 3 young children, I have a locking Salamander Synergy twin 40 between and a couple of feet to the rear of my speakers. I think this could be a limiting factor for the best performance. So, I have considered drilling holes in the base of it and having two Sistrum racks side by side in side the Salamander.
I have no room treatments in a basement that is 18' on the speaker wall, 26' deep and 7-8' high. This adjoins another room of the same dimension. The whole room is divided by a drywalled staircase that starts at the speaker wall and extends 1/2 way into the room .
If anyone has any suggestions, I would certainly appreciate them.
Beautifully built. Using Michael Wolff's Source Cord
Audio Logic 24 mxl
with Siemens 7308 gold pins, Ridge Street MSE Digital Cable, and Michael Wolff Source Cord on the Mapleshade Triple Points, 2" Maple Board, and Iso Blocks
Dennis, I apologize. I just saw your question. I miss the way the MB-450s seemed to have limitless & effortless power. Music would crescendo and somethimes I thought a driver might pop out of my speakers. However, at low to modest levels, I like the VAC better. I am partial to piano and acoustic guitar. for these, I find that the VAC is more tonally accurate. On better recordings, vocalists are eerily there. The VTL sounded more like a facsimile. I am currently looking for a combination of the two. I do not have a VAC dealer nearby but I suspect that the PHI 220s just might be that combination.
What do you think of your VAC? Any thoughts for a Signature upgrade or s PHI?
Lak, I am using a Salamander Synergy Twin 40 with locking doors because I have 3 young children. I have considered drilling holes in the base of it and inserting two Sistrum racks, side by side. What do you think of that idea?
System edited: I just put Valid Points under my First Sound Power Supply. I am amazed how I hear more coherence. I bought them from Music Direct on their recommendation and reminder of their 30 day return policy. I didn't think that they could make $500 worth of improvement. In my mind they did. I am keeping them and considering another set for under my preamp.
Bemopti123, Thank for for your comments. If you have a second, I just updated my system. I am now considering other amps. Will 25 watts be sufficient for a speaker of an 89 efficiency? The price of the 47 Lab looks good. I am currently trying a Bryston 4B SST. It is faster and is much tighter in the lower frequencies. It sounds a bit black and white compared to the tubes. So, I am still leaning the tube direction - perhaps a hybrid.
I think the slowness that you might have experienced when comparing your set up with the Naim might be attributed to the massive tube amp that is running your system.
Another possibility of this slowness might actually be the Cary CD player, is that with the tube stage, right?
Furthermore, I believe that your cables, although very well reviewed, they might also add to the slowness.
The preamp you have is actually powerful sounding and quick, thus, have you tried to listen to different amps with your speakers? Being that they are medium efficiency, if I were you, I would try something like a 47 Labs gaincard amp, with 25 watts as an amp....Buy it for about 1.2k, used, try it and if you do not like it, sell it off.
Along with that, you might want to try a simplistic cable design, such as the 47 Labs OTA cables or the really affordable and well tauted Nearsota OTA, bare bone cables at $2.25/ft which is said to beat the 47 labs' OTA in close listening tests. Actually, Naim uses a cable that is similar in design with the OTAs.
I think even with these two modest investments, you will realize the quickness without the harshness that you are looking for.
PS: I myself have the First Sound Presence Deluxe MKI and used to partner it with a DNA 225 amp, into a pair of so so sensitivity speakers, Gershman X-1/SW-1s...but now, I am all into that quickness that only can be achieved with op amp low power amps (47 Labs/Final Music Labs) gear.
My gear right now, shucks, is all SS! Darn, I used to be have an all tube set up before, but now, it simply has changed directions. Funny, I do not feel that my current set up is missing the smoothness of tubes.
