Jeff Rowlands Amp and Dac vs. VAC amp and DAC

Rinpoche 5-15-2016
I am feeling bad though because I was reading a thread that totally trashes Wilson speakers. I think the Sabrinas are really perfect in so many ways. I had to save space so they fit in really nicely. But the thread I read makes it seem as if people who purchase Wilson’s have no soul. I am not sure why people disparage others for their choices, but in my mind they are really lovely.

While there are of course many high end audio products that tend to be controversial and polarizing, my perception over the years has been that Wilson speakers tend to be a bit more polarizing than average. But as you’ll see in many threads here and elsewhere there are a great many highly experienced audiophiles who use and love them, and whose comments are the exact opposite of those you referred to. And it would seem to say something that Wilson has been among the most successful of high end speaker manufacturers for something like 40 years now.

My suspicion is that significant contributing factors to that polarization of opinion are greater than average sensitivity of Wilson speakers to differences in ancillary equipment (especially the power amplifiers used to drive them), due to a combination of their impedance characteristics and their resolving power, and perhaps also greater than average sensitivity to room differences and setup.

So although it is understandably unsettling to see the kind of negative comments you referred to, they are best ignored. Partly because there are at least as many and probably many more strongly positive comments that can be found, but much more importantly because all that really matters to each of us is our own satisfaction with our own system.

Best regards,
-- Al

Your words are very helpful. I appreciate that. I am not really an audiophile. But I LOVE listening to music on a great sound system. I am not sure why more women are not passionate about it too. Anyway, it is not the 'gear' per se that draws me but the sound that the gear produces. I was reading on another thread about the Sabrinas and it just seemed to get so personal and a bit hostile. Anyway, thank you for saying that. I don't have enough experience with too many other speakers to really be knowledgeable enough. But I have really enjoying listening to them and now want to pair them with a really good amp. That is my goal. I am back to being nervous about tubes — vs. SS — where this thread started. I am not sure if I am up to it? Do you think that a SS amp with a tube preamp will give me the 'sound' I am looking for? Engaging, warm, and magical? I guess I have to hear it for myself. That is what I am taking away from this thread. Bottom line, I need to meditate on this.

rinpoche,
some brands are trashed just for the sake of sport on this site. If you want to feel better about your Wilsons, just read any McIntosh thread.

Best of luck with your system build. One item I didn't see anyone mention on tube amps is that they really don't like to be powered down and right back up again. Just something to consider if your wife, kids, guests might have control over your rig while you're not around. I only brought this up because you mentioned tv/video use.

I am back to being nervous about tubes — vs. SS — where this thread started. I am not sure if I am up to it?

The VAC 200iq that Knghifi had suggested provides automatic biasing of the output tubes, which is a feature that makes using a tube amplifier a good deal more convenient than would otherwise be the case.  The Phi 200 and the Sigma integrated do not provide that feature, although the manual biasing they would require from time to time can be performed more conveniently than in a lot of other designs.

Do you think that a SS amp with a tube preamp will give me the 'sound' I am looking for? Engaging, warm, and magical? I guess I have to hear it for myself.

There are always multiple paths to success in audio, including both tube power amp/solid state preamp combinations and tube preamp/solid state power amp combinations.  There are also multiple paths to failure, of course.  So, yes, there's no substitute for hearing it yourself.

If you do eventually have an opportunity to audition a VAC amp with your Sabrinas, per one of my comments early in the thread make a point of checking for any signs of bass weakness, treble over-emphasis, or lack of power on brief high volume low frequency dynamic peaks (such as strong bass drum beats).  As I indicated earlier, while I'm a big fan of VAC products, and in general I don't consider them to have any intrinsic weaknesses, I see those things as **possibly** being consequences of the interaction between their output impedance characteristics and the specific impedance characteristics of the Sabrina.  Aside from that possible concern, and provided of course that its cost is acceptable to you, I would have high confidence that you would be very happy with the 200iq. 

Best regards,
-- Al
   

Tube preamp and ss amp is always a good option.    Just be sure ss amp does not have low input impedance.  You want 30kohm or higher input impedance on the amp and many fit that bill.  

Fwiw I run an arc tube preamp and Class D ss amps and a SS. class D integrated in another.    The main difference in sound I would say is the arc tube preamp adds just a touch of warmth while the class d integrated has a similar sound and smooth as silk midrange but not inherently warm at all.  I would expect similar differences between Rowland and Vac amplification.  

Which sounds better?   Whichever of the two I happen to be listening to at the moment.  🏄