VAC owners, sound off

Well Tholt,

Anytime you can pinpoint us a tube preamp selling new for 1500 $ that equals a nine year old VAC Standard, please tell us because I'm really curious to hear such a marvel !

In the meantime, I had a friend's CJ PV-15 LS in my system about 18 months ago. A nearly 3000 $ machine of a recent vintage. Forget it ! Simply not in the same league ! Very pleasant unit to listen to, warm and involving. Does'nt come near the quality in the imaging and resolving details in the background.Most noticeably is the dynamics differential between instruments and the capacity to pinpoint them in space.

Tholt- Your questions have been answered. Just get the piece and try it yourself, or don't. Asking too many what-if questions that are not realistic for you starts to make it look like you are not really serious about the purchase, in which case you are wasting everyone's time. It really doesn't matter what other people "feel", which is very subjective - your "objective" questions have already been well-answered above by a number of long-time well-meaning VAC owners.

Bottom line...IMO...

If you find a VAC preamp (I'm assuming this is what you're after) at a price
that suits you, then buy it. Listen to it, and determine if it's what you want.

As has been mentioned previously, VAC is classic, high quality gear (shall we
say Rolls Royce?) that has an exceptional company owner who offers
unprecedented service to his "family members" as he refers to owners of VAC
gear.

Fplanner2000, watch it. my questions have been honest, cut and dry and for me very pertinent, esp with a brand i don't know and thus trying to get info from others in the know.

1. Is old VAC gear reliable
2. Is old VAC gear tech comprable and still relevant to more modern gear and subsequent *possible* improvements in technology over the years.

My questions have been answered from those who have thankfully shed their personal experiences. And yes, it absolutely matters what people "feel". I was asking for opinions.

Responses like yours make forums like this for people with obviously less experience and wisdom as you feel unwelcome at a good ol boys club. Gee, maybe if i get some VAC gear and start hanging out with snoots like you I can piss on someone other newb's thread after I feel self-important enough. Maybe I missed something, but I thought it was ok to ask questions on a forum.

At any rate, I do appreciate everyone who answered my questions with their own personal experiences with the gear.

I don't believe you can conduct an objective comparison of any VAC preamp, even of current production, with a preamp from anther company. Every company produces a product that is different from the others.

VAC has a "house sound". It's clear and distinct, but it's not analytical, dry or neutral, IMO. It has a certain bloom without being syrupy. It's what people refer to as "the VAC magic". All VAC products have it, no matter their age.

So, I believe you're headed down the wrong path by comparing an older VAC product with newer products from other manufacturers. You either want the VAC sound, or you do not, which is why it's important to hear a VAC in your system to decide if the sound is what you're after.

If you buy a used VAC product, then you can audition it and resell it without a loss if it doesn't suit you.