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Any VAC Phi 30/30 Owner's?

Hi:

I am the happy owner of a VAC Phi 30/30 amp, having stretched my budget when it came up on Audiogon a few months ago. This must be a rare piece, as I really haven't seen any posts by other owners. It's extremely refined and airy, but I suspect it's true potential is being masked by my Audible Illusions Mod 3a preamp. The speakers are Reynaud Trentes with Kimber Select KS-3035 cables. I'd like to upgrade the preamp but my budget is limited to the Modwright 9.0SE, Supratek Syrah or used Cary SLP-98P range. Are their any other VAC owners who could suggest a synergistic move within my budget of around $2,000? Would it be worth going to cheaper speaker cables to extend my available budget for electronics? I prefer a full function preamp, as I listen to vinyl.
garyralph
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
Well the Renaissance Series is twice the price. I was limiting myself to your budget with my recommendation.

Double your budget and I'll recommend the Renaissance also.

John
garyralph OP
53 posts
 
No, we didn't discuss the PHI preamp. It's out of my price range, so there was no point. This is the first I've heard about it being discontinued.

Regarding the Renaissance series pre's. Yes, they're beyond my budget right now also. It's just that Kevin recommended them as a good match.

Tvad, how do you like the Lamm LL2 Deluxe with the PHI 110/110? I'm thinking about that vs. Modwright at the moment. If memory serves correct, from your previous posts, you preferred the LL2 to the 9.0SE. Could you say why?
tvad
9,467 posts
 
Garyralph, for my taste the LL2 is simply more musical. The Modwright is very good, but it's very solid state sounding, IMO, and while the Lamm is not "tubey", it provides some flesh and soul to the music that the 9.0SE lacked. Also, the LL2 is like a chameleon with tube rolling. You can easily change the sound off the preamp by rolling combinations of 12AU7 and 6922 tubes. This is a great benefit that the LL2 provides, and that the Modwright does offer with as much flexibility.

The only caveat with the Lamm is that depending on the gain or input sensitivity of the VAC, you might have to send the LL2 to Lamm to have the output gain lowered. It's a simple thing for Lamm to do, and it costs around $85.

My VAC Phi has 35db gain in the Zero negative feedback mode. Your 30/30 may have a different gain structure.

Bottom line, is that I love the combo.
garyralph OP
53 posts
 
Thanks Tvad. I notice the LL2 has only 3 inputs, one of which is "direct,". I don't know what that means. Will it accomodate a CD player, tuner and phono preamp?
tvad
9,467 posts
 
I notice the LL2 has only 3 inputs, one of which is "direct,". I don't know what that means. Will it accomodate a CD player, tuner and phono preamp?
Garyralph (Threads | Answers)
Actually, counting the tape input, the LL2 has four inputs. The Direct input bypasses some circuitry, and has a more direct path, therefore a cleaner sound. In practice, I don't hear the difference, but technically it should exist.

It will accomodate a CD, tuner and phono preamp...plus one other source.
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