VAC owners, sound off

I had a VAC Standard Pre and PA100/100 amp for a number of years. VERY well made equipment. Simple circuit designs, so I would not worry about 9 year old VAC gear. You may need to replace tubes, but they are a common type. Kevin Hayes is a great guy to talk to, very knowledgeable.

The only consideration of 9 year old VAC gear is that VAC makes incremental changes to the gear from year to year that VAC will state makes for nice improvement.

Now, there is some truth to this from a practical standpoint, and there is obviously some marketing involved as well. It wouldn't stop me from considering something like a Renaissance Signature amp, for example.

From a reliability standpoint, I don't believe you have any worries. In the small possibility that a piece of gear develops a problem, VAC provides excellent service.

My 90C is 15 years old and still going strong.It also has survived a move cross county and back.

VAC makes bullet-proof gear and supports it better than most anybody in audio. On my 2nd preamp from them (upgraded to Phi 2.0) and 1st (and probably last, unless I get another and turn monoblock) amp - Phi 300.1. Can't go wrong w/VAC gear.

Also, FYI, Kevin really IS as unbiased as he can be and still stay in business!! He neither lies nor misleads, EVER. I wish all manufacturers were as honest as Kevin........