Thnaks Gerry, almost missed your post there. I really like the look of your room as well, I'm betting it sounds fabulous. Let me know if you're ever up my way, you can stop by for a listen (and a look at the lights)
Thanks for your kind words...and yes I am out of control...the guy comes this week to install dimmable track lighting with hue selectors...lighting is an important part of my listening experience, so I do tend to approach lighting as part of the system......
The lights in question are found at www.chameledeon.com and the really cool part is they transition to about 16 different colors and shades, either strobe, pulse, or slow arc transitions...Floyd is very cool in the room!
The Orbe upgrade and the DC motor both improve quietness of background and dynamics, IMO. The DC motor also seems to be more precise in terms of speed than the stock.
I actually had a big scratch on the brass plate and used and iron wrapped in cloth to warm it up and it came right off. The some Goo-b-gon to get the glue remnants off. I actually got a new one and so it has a label on it again...
Which upgrades can I tell you about? It really is an enjoyable table.
Nice setup. I have a gyro se. Noticed that you took the brass label off. How did you do that without damage. Not a fan of the label but the TT is great and enjoyable. Can you tell a difference with that upgrade? Thanks
Hi Arthersmuck, Thanks for your reply back and advise. One of the nightmare stories is posted by "Hifimaniac" on the All Out Assault section. Look at "Almost LIVE" thread and you will see what "Hifimaniac" has to say.
That's great to hear that your experience differs being great, that is what I want to hear if I'm going to buy into the Vac product line as you know what I'm looking at getting.
How much heat does the 300.1 amp through off? and the pre.
What is the tube life for the amp and pre?
I appreciate the info. as know one else seems to have posted owning these as of yet so it's hard to get any info.
Regarding the 300.1, my main concern is getting proper bass control, what are your thoughts regarding this?
Don't know where you're hearing nightmare stories about reliability and service with VAC. My experience has been the total opposite. I had a minor issue with my pre and Kevin was exceptional both in communication and speed of service. he's also been easy to get ahold of just to answer questions or share information.
Maybe a thread about contemplating these in your system would be better placed in the amp/pre forum as it would allow other VAC owners to respond as well as CAT owners.
Not sure it will get as much traffic here in my virtual system or if this is the right place to discuss reliability and service for either brand.
Thanks for your kind words and your gear sounds to be fantastic...
Arthursmuck nice looking set-up. I'm seriously looking at getting two of the 300.1's and Sig. pre-amp no phono.as this system is not my main set-up but in a living room atmosphere. Where do you find the 300.1 and Sig. pre's strengths and have you noticed any weaknesses, what other gear are you comparing your experiences too?
I have the Eggleston Andra 2's, Pass X-600.5 mono blocks, Audio Research Ref3 pre, Oracle 2000 transport, Accustic Arts NEW Tube dac. I am getting some pretty amazing sound but I have only had one experience with tube amps with the Andra's, that being my previous ARC REF 300's which were from a second system but they could not control the bass properly and over all sound I was not impressed. I find bottom end area is the hardest to control properly on my Andra's, like I mentioned the sound I'm getting right now is amazing but I do want to get some tube amps in my system to do the comparison. I could get one 300.1 but my configuration is all set-up for monos and I'm not about to start changing that. How much heat do these throw off? What type of hours is one expected to get out of these.
I was kinda staying away from VAC, reason being I have heard some nightmare stories regarding reliability and lack of actual service if issues happen to come up.
I am also looking at Cat. Sig stereo which seems to have a really great reputation for sound and can drive have been told will drive my speakers with ease and cost the same as only one of the 300.1 amps but have I heard allot of negatives also regarding service.
The VAC is incredible. The only weakspot I found with VAC amps in the past was in the bass area, but Kevin has solved it in spades with these! Silky smooth with midrange so real it's spooky, the 300.1 also has great power and extension, it's a real masterpiece. I plan to add a second one at year end for bi-amping....
I had the 500MB and the SLP-98, and as much as I still really liked that combo, and Cary stuff in general, the VAC gear is in another category altogether. I'm just finishing up break-in on the 300.1 and will post some lengthier comments when I have the time, but you used the right word....stunning...both visually and sonically.
A PC music server would be a great convenience. The VAC is quite stunning isnt it. Was it even a close call with the Cary gear. You did have Cary 500's and an SLP98 didnt you?
