Good luck!!!!!!! Great that the manufacturer is so hands on...a good sign of really caring about their customers, their products and their reputation/long-term relationships. Look forward to hearing about the arrival of your new 9s once the 7s are sold!

lloydelee21 March 01, 2014 12:41

Hi Lloyd-
I bought these direct from the manufacturer with no dealer involvement whatsoever. Same for the purchase of the 9's. Albert VS is actively helping me try to sell the 7's and it looks like we might be close with a couple of purchasers that have contacted them. I'll probably know more in a few days....stay tuned... :-)

Right now they are priced below the cost to MAKE THEM!!

fplanner2000 February 28, 2014 23:06

Good luck with the sale...will the dealer not take them back in trade?

lloydelee21 February 28, 2014 22:11

SPeakers still for sale, at only $25,750. which is a TOTAL STEAL.

Turns out Esoteric passes a greater amount of signal, by FAR, through its xlr connections than through its digital rca connections. Consequently, I was not really able to use Rick's rca digital cable, since it wasn't a fair comparison with the xlrs, which sounded way better, as I expected they would.

fplanner2000 February 28, 2014 00:50

Just added High Fidelity digital Ultimate Reference between my P-02 and D-02, connected through rca's. This was the only non-HF ic connection in my system. As such, it should break-in very quickly and within a week I'm interested to see how much better, if any, they end up being than my excellent Wireworld Gold 6 XLR cables. After 4 hours, they are already opening up nicely, although not yet to the Wireworld level.

VSA 7SE Mk2's remain for sale, as interest in them is finally picking up... :-) Had a great listening session last weekend which once again gave me second thoughts about selling them. I decided to put the 9's on hold until I sell what I have - seems like the prudent move.

fplanner2000 February 23, 2014 06:23

What's the estimated break-in hours for the 9's 1000 -1500?

Ya I agree the Statement dealer issue is with Kevin and wasn't suggesting was anyone else's, just a shame because he's loosing out on potential sales and was a disappointing experience wasting my time and energy going to one of his so called listed Statement dealers - I'll leave it at that.

dev February 05, 2014 00:58

If "the plan" works, I'll have the 9's for several months with my current Sig preamp before the upgrade to Statement level.

Dev - your Statement dealer issue is with Kevin, not me, Mark or anyone else. Please keep your personal rants off my system thread. Thanks.

fplanner2000 February 04, 2014 16:23

Hifimaniac, don't take this personally - sorry but that response is just lacking any credibility and actually lame.

I don't know how such statements can be made without doing a direct comparison and in your own system, then describe the differences, way too much of this goes on with individuals and frustrates the heck out of me when reading these forums.

Fplanner2000,

again congrats on your new speaker acquisition - I'm sure you are excited to receive, gorgeous speakers - look forward to your response. Also see you have now decided to move forward with the Statement pre, again congrats and look forward but it's going to be really hard if you don't have the same speakers to properly evaluate in comparison to your Sig - so much will be going on.

Which of the Select dealers do you use? There are only 5 listed.

Are there designated territories?

I'm going to rant a bit about this new Select dealer sales rule

1. What about the dealers whom are actual dealers and have sold Statement product, I know others including myself and now these dealers aren't allowed to offer new Statement pces - Absolutely foolish!

2. What about when you have a long term history established with a specific dealer "I have purchased several new - both my Sig MK2a and 450 Statement mono's from the same dealer and know of others whom have done the same but with different Vac dealers" even though they sold you Vac Statement product now can no longer offer you so you now Kevin is expecting you to start all over looking for a new dealer - humm, not smart marketing!

3. The list of "Select" dealers don't even have complete Statement systems to listen too so to clarify this just doesn't make any sense.

One of these so called SELECT dealers only has the Stereo amp and just sits off to the side - doesn't even have a Sig MK2a pre - a very old model pre and no other VAC pces - so what do you call this? - makes absolutely no sense.

dev February 03, 2014 17:44

I listened to the Statement at CES the first year the Statement debuted and also at Rocky Mountain. I don't have to listened to it side by side to the Signature 2a to know it far surpasses the Signature; I have described it just as I heard it in a previous post using a piece of art to capture the essence of what I heard. I started with the REF 5 because that's what I had before the Signature and it gets too much credit for good sound but is flat and dry compared to a Signature 2a. The VAC stuff offers so much more musicality, body, weight, etc. The Statement is off the charts; it is more of everything the Signature 2a offers. The reason I can't buy one is my finances don't allow me! If you have never heard a Statement Pre amp you'll be quite satisfied with the Signature 2a. When you hear the Statement, you will immediately hear the difference and want it; it is that good. Kevin has outdone himself with this piece of work; truly superb. He needs more credit for this masterpiece, but being the humble guy he is, it will take a grassroots effort such as this to get people to listen and buy this work of art. There is too much reviewer influence being swayed by money; it's the nature of the business. I was glad to see Positive Feedback put Kevin's room with Grand Utopia's as number one at CES.

hifimaniac February 03, 2014 16:48

Hi Guys -
This discussion is good - actually learning a few tings. :-)
I know some of the new Statement Preamps HAVE already been shipped. I also think they are available for audition in VAC dealers that have been authorized to sell Statement level VAC gear. So you DON"T have to place an order to hear one.

When I talked to Kevin about the new preamp, he told me I would hear a greater improvement than when I went from 300.1 amps to the 450's (which was a major improvement). That is saying quite a bit. I will know more later this spring when I get mine.

The one time I heard it in an all Statement system with my Esoteric front end was running through Tannoy speakers which I really didn't like at RMAF. The entire presentation was totally un-inspiring and I know that was the lame speakers. I can only presume that the speakers really make a hell of a difference in that the sound wasn't choked at all at CES; quite the contrary from what I understand as the Grand Utopia EMs really let the VAC gear sing. As in several best-in-show nominations. Same gear as RMAF except speakers.

Makes me glad I chose to upgrade to the VSA VR-9SE Mk2's prior to doing the preamp upgrade. Not that my 7's are constricting in any manner - they are definitely not. I'm confident I will get much better all-around sound from the new speakers, as the 450's will no longer be responsible for the deep bass, the crossovers and drivers are different, and there are a number of other improvements as befitting a $100K+ pair of VSA speakers. Plus, they are pained a custom Lexus metallic champagne color, which will of course also make them sound better... :-) I heard they are gorgeous, but haven't seen them yet.

fplanner2000 February 03, 2014 04:44

Mark, how you were you able to do that? I spoke with Kevin and he doesn't and hasn't lent any out - you have to place a purchase order if you want to hear one.

"BLOWS away" the Sig is a pretty big statement, what do you exactly mean using that term? because talking to Kevin does not describe in such a way.

If there is such a substantial difference why wouldn't you order one?

dev February 01, 2014 15:04

Dev, don't mean to hijack Harve's thread but I have compared the Signature 2a to the Statement and made a mistake in my thread that may have suggested I own it. I do not. It blows away the Signature 2a, but if you never hear it you won't be wanting for anything new; the Signture 2a is superb. However, once you hear the Statement, it is as I described; effortless and more of everything the Signature does and it makes it tough to go back to the Signature 2a.

hifimaniac February 01, 2014 06:45

Hi Mark, you loss me along the way - I take it you owned a ARC Ref5 which was then replaced by the Vac Sig. MK2a but then you refereed to the Statement pre-amp which is in question.

Did you actually have a Statement pre in your system?

Have you ever done a direct comparison with the Sig?

I don't know anyone who has to date so I'm very intrigued.

As per my other response on your thread you know what I have, I really enjoy my Vac gear and puts a big smile on my face.

dev January 29, 2014 00:46

Hi Dev; I own the VAC Signature IIa pre amp and couldn't be happier. It replaced an ARC Ref 5 that lacked the musicality and body on the notes compared to the Signature. How can I describe the difference between the two? Let me start with the ARC REF 5 then move to the VACs; The REF 5 created a perfect outline; everything perfectly positioned but lacking color sort of like one of those coloring books with a picture that needs to be colored in; all forms visible but in a two dimensional; flat looking presentation. Enter the VAC Signature IIa that adds all the detail and fills in the color of the soundstage and each individual instrument: completing the the sound and making it a colorful, pleasing work of art. Finally, add the Statement and you have the same colorful soundstage with even richer, deeper colors and gradients of color within and an even deeper and wider 3 dimensional presentation all done with an ease and beauty I have never heard before on ANY pre amp! That is my best comparison of the differences. If you never heard the Statement you'd be in heaven. When you hear the Statement it is just more of the best of the Signature IIa! Too bad I'll never have the funds to own one; too many kids to feed and educate!

hifimaniac January 28, 2014 20:10

Hi Harve, I'm sure you are getting overly anxious now knowing your 9's are ready ahead of schedule - sales in general are very slow. I've had my EA MM3's up for sale and only receiving limited responses, Micro Seiki also but sold to a friend. Best of luck with your sale and look forward to your thoughts of your new 9's. You should check out a new site called audioshark.org, you will see allot of familiar faces and it's a friendly site.

dev January 28, 2014 13:33

Hi Mark, curious with your statement - how do you know what the Statement pre-amp was offering say in comparison to the Sig pre which the three of us own? To date I don't know of anyone who has replaced their Sig and provided any comparisons between the two, do you? If so kindly share, I do have my eye on one.

I reached out to Albert Porter whom owns the same speakers and replied he was very disappointed over all with the sound.

dev January 28, 2014 13:16

Mark-
I totally agree with the Tannoy assessment - it was very average, at best, and totally wasted the caliber of the VAC gear that was there. I couldn't make CES this year, but heard the VAC room was amazing, which is what I expected. Those Focals are pretty revealing of what's behind them. Unfortunately, they are too big for both my room and my audio budget... :-)

The quicker I can sell my VR7SE Mk2's, the quicker I can get the upgraded 9's to replace them. Once they settle in, it will be time to look at the VAC Statement preamp. At that point, I should be "done" for a while.

Thanks for your comments. :-)

Harve

fplanner2000 January 28, 2014 05:19

Fplanner2000, get a center channel speaker, use vr7se for the rear channels and now you got the ULTIMATE SOTA HT setup?

When I heard the Statement at CES it was the best pre amp I had ever heard!

Hifimaniac, did you hear the same system replacing Statement with SigIIa in the system? That would be interesting A/B the 2 pre.

knghifi January 28, 2014 03:47

That's exciting news! Congratulations! When I heard the Statement at CES it was the best pre amp I had ever heard! So glad Kevin had the Grand Utopia's at CES to truly show off the superb sound of his Statement design. The Tannoy he mated with prior to that was just okay to me; the speaker held his sound back.

hifimaniac January 28, 2014 03:28

So I've heard. I've got an order and a deposit in. Priority right now is selling my VR7SE Mk2's so that I have room for the VR9SE Mk2's which are almost ready. Please pass the info along if you get the chance - the ad is on Audiogon and price has just been dropped through the floor.. :-)

Thanks.

fplanner2000 January 27, 2014 23:06

Time to update your VAC pre amp to the Statement; you're missing a lot using the Signature! Not that its bad, but not on the level of the Statement.

hifimaniac January 27, 2014 22:49

Price reduced for final time

fplanner2000 January 27, 2014 17:27

Need to sell VR-7se MK2's QUICKLY!! They will come with a 10 year FACTORY WARRANTY from VSA. 9's are ready early, so 7's need to move. Mk2 upgrade last year ($15K) included:

27 new Bypass caps on the crossovers;
Over 160 feet of new SOTA Delphi internal single strand copper wiring;and
New midrange drivers tweaked to match the new crossovers.

Speakers now sound much closer to 9's than 7's! Great deal won't last long!!!

fplanner2000 January 25, 2014 01:10

Thanks Lloyd.

fplanner2000 December 14, 2013 20:57

Congrats! Big news. Always fun to pick the color since they are custom built. Enjoy!

lloydelee21 December 14, 2013 18:55