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Why Not More Conversation about VAC?

As I browse Audiogon's posts...I'm constantly amazed at the lack of attention, questions, remarks about VAC, (Valve Amplification Company).
First and foremost, I'm thinking that most if not all of us are music lovers--and I'm not aware, subjectively, of course, of more, just out and out, musical sounding electronics. And, I don't mean that in a perjorative, 'colored' sense...I mean that in the most flattering sense.
The lack of comments may mean nothing, but it just strikes me as 'absent' from good discussions.
Second, and beyond the stellar sound, if you want great gear, and a great person to buy it from, who better in terms of accommodation, knowledge and service than Kevin Hayes. Like the Bobster (Palkovic) his reputation for building first rate stuff and then backing it to the hilt is unsurpassed.

Kevin is also a great guy AND music lover of the first order...a friend too, but I'm not shilling here, just seriously wondering why VAC isn't further up the discussion ladder.

Kinda like reading Motor Trend Magazine, in which they 'Test Drive' a Mustang in EVERY ISSUE!!!

Just wondering.

Larry
lrsky
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mapman
15,679 posts
 
"I was listening last night for some 8 hours"

Time one spends actually listening to (using) a system is perhaps the most telling metric of good sound of all.
knghifi
1,667 posts
 
In my VAC Sig MkIIa preamp, I finally settled on Telefunken 12au7 ribbed plates and Siemen e88cc w/ wide getter support post.

The Siemens are my FAVORITE by far. It's very fast, transparent, 3D, great extension, great dynamics ... I'm constantly amazed how 2 little tubes can totally transform a system. Have some Siemen Cca in transit now from a reputable dealer so can't wait. Also using HiFi-Tuning Supreme fuses.

I noticed ARC is replacing the 6550 with KT120 in all their amps. I wonder if VAC is migrating in the same direction. In most circumstances, it's a drop in replacement without mod if there's room. I wonder if it's true with current VAC amps ... so far only heard POSITIVE comments on the KT120.
jwm
908 posts
 
Knghifi, what fuses are they, silver or gold. Thanks
knghifi
1,667 posts
 
Jwm, Recently I replaced a Gold with a Supreme. The Gold is warmer and Supreme is more detail and higher resolution. HiFi Tuning fuse is directional. Facing the fuse holder, I prefer a right to left direction. In the other direction, the sound is lean and constricted and it's NOT subtle.

I AB against the stock fuse with familiar tracks, a constant volume and just swapping the fuses. I consistently found with the HiFi Tuning, sound was noticeably smoother and less hifi-ish.
fplanner2010
283 posts
 
VAC "costs" are relative - most VAC owners seem to keep their gear for quite a while, so their "investment" over time might be the same or even less than if they were trading out every 6 months, like a number of people do with other brands.

When you build great products that stand the test of time in the first place, there is no need for Kevin to be consumed with constantly upgrading everything, IMO. I really like the "if its not broke, don't fix it" business model VAC seems to employ. I have found their service to be exemplary, with reasonable turn-around times on the few instances my gear was at their facility.

Its easy to understand why things might occasionally fall through the cracks from the service side for about 6 weeks prior to and 4 after a major show like CES. This is not a criticism of VAC - its just common sense. I would think most people would realize this, but maybe not.

I've been extremely pleased with the quality and performance of my VAC gear and the service and assistance provided by Kevin and Brent has been without peer, in my experience. They have taken me off the pre-amp/amp upgrade merry-go-round and for that I am grateful - more time to listen to the MUSIC, which is what its all about.
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