Any fellow VAC Phi 220 owners out there? Thoughts?

Scotty333, thanks for your thoughts. Alex informs me the problem has
to do with the 35dB gain of the VAC phi 110/110 when going direct to
the amp, and with the amp in the zero global feedback mode. Alex is
fashioning a pair of adapters to correct this problem.

Besides the mismatch issue with the APL, there are sonic differences
between running the amp with and without negative feedback, which are
inherent in all tube amps. As you mention, with zero global feedback
the soundstage expands and the air increases, however one gives up
some bass punch. I like bass punch, so I often find myself listening to
the amp with negative feedback. When the system is run this way, the
addition of a preamp makes a profound difference in dynamics.

It would be nice to be able to "dial in" varying amounts of
negative feedback, but I'm guessing Kevin Hayes has determined this is
somehow detrimental to his design. It'd be interesting to know his
reason.

Tvad,glad you figured it out. I hope the adaptors work really well for you. I know on the 70/70 you could dial in the feedback, but on the 110 am not sure how much flexibility there is. It sounds like you are down to some really fine tuning of your system.

Do you use the RAL power cables as Fsarc does? I am using Sonoran cable as a power cable, but have found the Prana silver cable to be a really nice match recently with the VAC as an interconnect and speaker cable. So I am interested in the silver power cords by RAL (as the Prana are quite a bit more). I am waiting on a pair of Deva interconnect and speaker cable to be made for me as they are hand made cables. They were a really nice match in my auditioning. The new prana powercord is supposed to be really good, but comes in around $2k, which is more than I want to spend right now.

Scotty, I've been using TG Audio 688 power cords, and just recently
purchased two VH Audio AirSine cords to try on the VAC Phi 110/110
and my Hydra 4. I've had the Vh Audio cords only a week, so it's too
early to provide any feedback. I'm going to leave them in for a month
and then swap the TG Audio cord back in to listen for audible
differences.

The RAL are working out quite well. I'm also experimenting with the Running Springs Duke power conditioner on my 220s. I'm running a Duke for each amp on its own dedicated 20 amp circuit (on opposite phases).

It's funny you mention the AirSine as I might be heading to a friend's house today to do a comparison on the RAL versus the AirSine. Granted, it will not be on my system with the VAC gear, but it might be constructive nonetheless.

I definitely prefer my 220s on the no feedback setting. When I start to add feedback, the music loses a lot of air and openess. It is like a veil has been placed on my entire system. It is still very musical, but in the context of listening with no negative feedback, the shortcomings are readily apparent. According to Kevin, the use of feedback is system dependent so let your ears be your guide.

I also have a Phi 2.0 Master Controller on the way! We'll see how it stacks up against the linestage section of the Meitner/EMM DCC2. The Phi amps have a lot of gain and I'm using the DCC2 at the very low end of its volume control (25-35 out of 99) so I'm not sure if that is having a negative impact in any way. Plus I'll be getting a killer phono stage which will leave me no excuse NOT to get a vinyl rig!

Fsarc, wouldn't it be relatively easy for you and your friend to swap RAL
and AirSine cords for a week or so? Seems like this would be an ideal
way for each of you to try excellent new cords in your own systems?

Have fun with the Phi2.0!