VAC 440 Statement mono blocks, any opinions

Dev- You were very fortunate to be able to hear that system in the manner that you were able to. Please be sure to let us know your reactions in your own system when they arrive and congratulations!

You opinion echoes those of several others I have spoken to who also have heard them and/or now own them, as Statement 450's. Its sounds to me as though the overall presentation was just a jaw-dropping event for you.

If possible, can you please discuss or at least point out any specific characteristics that really stood out for you? I know those of us that are already VAC owners, as well as others who are after the best sound they can find, would be extremely interested. Please don't make comparisons to other amps, because as you say, this isn't about them :-)

Thank you.

Hi Fplanner2010,

Your question; "If possible, can you please discuss or at least point out any specific characteristics that really stood out for you?"

Everything! What can I say I have never heard "experienced" anything like this before.

I truely was trying to find some fault.

It would very hard to write such without doing some comparisons and in the end all still being subjective and just my own take, doing this then I would get into debates with others which I have no interest in doing.

That's why I kept it simple letting others like yourself know that I did actually hear such.

As per my info. above being very unique for me was same speakers and pre-amp as mine and the set-up in a normal situation.

You would be best to write such once you get arround to hearing them in your own set-up due to you already owning their 300.1's and set-up in mono block configuration and same pre-amp as mine.

These are truely SPECIAL! and I just can't wait.

Personally for me it's a relief that my amp hunting days is finally over, bonus being that these amps over all sound far exceed my exspectations. I'm already very content with my current speakers, pre-amp, turntable and with one arm/cart combo, still have the other arm to pair up with a cart.

I'm very happy indeed!

Like I mentioned prior be warned!, what you are about to hear is very special indeed and something that you have never heard before, you will have to have them.

Fplanner2010, I will be very interested in your comparison between the 300.1 and 450 Statements. Like Dev, I'm also smitten with our preamp and planning to get a VAC amp next fall.

I seriously doubt there is any way for me to accurately compare the 2 amps unless I put the 450 into my system. I don't think that would happen without a purchase which I am currently not prepared to do. That's why Dev's opportunity was important to hear about, although I don't think he never had the 300.1's.

The only other option I can think of to possibly A-B would be to visit VAC in Fla, first making sure they had a pair of each for me to listen to.

Hi Fplanner2010 & Knghifi,

When I had my Andra 2's I actually tried 300.1's, you can refer back threw past threads but in the end it just didn't do it for me, since then I have heard a couple of set-ups and below are some of my thoughts for what they are worth.

1. With my Andra 2's, one single amp just wasn't doing it for me, two was better but still did not have me wanting to drop the coin. The set-up most likely was not ideal, I had a ARC REF3 and VTL 7.5 original pre paired up, you can read my comments in relation to getting my VAC Sig. MK2a pre. I really still don't believe even with the pre-amp change would have changed my thoughts to the point of not looking for the ultimate amp.

2. A friend of a friend went from one to two and from the comments I came away with was that there was an improvement over all.

Fplanner2010 you have first hand expearience so you know.

I haven't read nor has anyone conveyed to me it was a night and day change, jaw dropping exsperience. I read allot mentioning better base, more contol, sound seems more at ease, images more stable etc.

3. One set-up I heard the owner was nice enough to do an actual demo for me, demonstrated the comparisons from using one to two amps, he was actually selling the 300.1's and I was again looking at possibly purchasing but in the end didn't.

I could most defiantly hear a difference but I would say in relation to what I mainly mention above.

4. The 450's, well what can I say that I haven't already mentioned above.

Never never never never have I ever heard anything like this ever, it's a jaw dropping experience leaving you in awe, well that was paired up with MBL's any ways.

I have personally owned allot of world class amps both tube, solid state and hybred along with demoeing numerous in my own set-up along with hearing in others places.

Some WORLD CLASS tube amps I personally owned; Audio Research 610T's, Ref600 MK2's, VTL Ref750's, Cat JL3 Sig., MK2 just to name a few.

Solid state; Bryston Squared 28's that I currently own, Bat 600SE, Krell numerous, Levinson numerous, MBL 9008 and 9001's, Boulder 2000 series stereo and mono blocks, Rowland, DartZeel, and I can go on and on.

All I can say is I wish these really weren't so friggen AMAZING! they are very expensive and the price just keeps going up, $78K now. I would have easily just left knowing they were better but oh no that wasn't possible they had to be absolute JAW dropping!

Others whom know me or have heard my set-ups know that I just say it the way it is, be it good or bad. I had allot of those components mentioned above in another set-up, speakers were Avalon Isis. I owned those for almost three years, I've always had two set-ups.

BEST of LUCK!