Thanks for the current update. I hope the cap upgrade for the speakers does what you're hoping, to particularly bring forth the music at lower volume levels. I'm sure the combination of the caps and the new preamp will just add to the betterment of your already great sounding system. Enjoy!

sherod January 19, 2010 03:52

Sherod- I won't be getting the preamp for another week or so. However -

- In the meantime, when I got back from CES, a VSA dealer on a forum told me there is a cap upgrade for my 7's!! I asked AVS about this and he gave me the cap values and told me where to place them. It won't be replacement, but a "piggyback" on top of the existing Hovland caps. According to both AVS and the dealer, the upgrade yields noticeably more detail, air and 3D imaging, especially at low volume levels, which is exactly what I am seeking. I've already bought the caps and have a few pros in the area that should be able to do this upgrade quite easily.

Hopefully, the combination of the new VAC preamp (even better detail and imaging, according to Kevin at VAC) and the speaker cap upgrade should preclude any desire to change speakers, at lest anytime soon.

The other thing that has been happening with my system is that the 32-bit APL Prototype Super-DAC is finally pretty well broken-in at about 450 hours. The sound has gotten incredibly better, in spite of the speakers' apparent shortcomings, to the point that the upgrades might now actually be overkill. However, that's never stopped me before....

To answer your first question, the tubes have solid plates - didn't see any holes.

fplanner2010 January 19, 2010 02:45

Hello Fplanner2010. Could you tell me what power tubes VAC uses in their Phi 300.1 amps? I'm going to guess that they are cherry-picked Shuguang KT88, but when you look closely at the tubes do they have the 3-hole plates or are the plates solid? Thanks for your input. Also, I've been following your threads and noticed that you're upgrading to VAC's newest Signature preamp. I would love to hear your impressions of this new preamp. Is it good enough to make you want to keep your current speakers? Thanks.

sherod January 19, 2010 01:31

Mribob - Thank you for the gracious compliments on my system.
I haven't found the need to use the Velodyne at all, even for movies, as the 7's pretty much go down low enough for me after adjusting the crossovers(long story, but happy ending).

The next thing you need to know is that the 7se's are no longer being made, so the only way you could get a pair would be to find them used. They rarely are seen on Agon, but as luck would have it, there is actually a pair there now as I write this, for a ridiculously low price. The 7s have often been called the "purists'" 9Se - in other words, lots of the performance but no artificial sub-woofers. The 7's have a lot more "authority" to my ears than the 5's, which I'm sure comes from the bass integration and cabinet size of the 7s.

Wilson, MBL and Magico have recently focused on their larger, more expensive speakers, which is NOT where Albert has chosen to focus thus far. People are constantly searching for the "latest and greatest" which is what generates buzz and causes comparisons. I understand the new 5 Annis and several of his new smaller speakers are also achieving that same buzz and collecting good reviews.

My 7's didn't really start to sing until I added a 2nd VAC amp about 6 months ago and fixed a crossover setup issue in October. They love power and I'm partial to tubes. Now with 300w of tubes going to each, the sound is really nice as you can imagine, and as I said above, there is really no longer any need for the Velodyne. I tried my McCormack DNA-500 with the 7's with some success, but didn't come anywhere near the musicality, finesse and ease of the VACs. The VACs with the 7s are truly an "iron fist in a velvet glove" and very impressive, at least to me. VAC and VSA actually used to show together until recently. To my ears, the tubes just sound a lot better than solid state, in my system. The performers sound like they are literally in the room with me, which was my goal when I started all this years ago. There is no listener fatigue, ever. Just really nice sound.

Also, FWIW, I NEVER HEARD the 7s before I bought them either!! I had heard the 9s and 5s - the 7s actually turned out a bit better than I thought they would - a lot closer to the 9s than the 5s. You might at least check out the pair on Agon, if its still there and you're interested...
Good luck, thanks for your comments and Happy New Year!!

fplanner2010 December 31, 2009 22:40

Fplanner; never saw your prior system posts; but you do have a sweet set-up. Could you please comment on what you feel the differences are between the Von Sheikert VR 7se; adn the vr 5 anniversary? I know there is s steep step up in price; what is the difference or improvement? Most of my knowledge of the VS line is from the lower end 4 sr's..the reviewers never list his best speakers, the vr 5, 7's, or 9's in the same category as Wilson Maxx v 3, MBl, Magico, etc; yet they are neighbors in price and specs...What type of sound do you achieve with the tubed amps vs ss; do you use the Velodyne mainly for home theater; as the vr 7's do put out fairly robust base on their own. never heard the VR 7se's; but was always intersted...especially the way you have your system configured...seems like perfection..congrats on great set. thanks for your thoughts; happy New Year.

mribob December 31, 2009 17:17

System edited: Pics added

fplanner2010 December 13, 2009 19:35