Thanks Dev.

Hey, most of the folks on this thread are people who I have read and trusted past posts, including decision to get into VAC a year ago...don't want to hijack Ozy's system thread, so I just posted a new thread on Audiogon about cables...if you get a chance would love to get your opinions...

podeschi June 03, 2012 11:37

Ozy, I have an aversion to bright or etchy frequencies and can say the ar12tss isnt bright. Interesting observation on earlier models tho because when i inserted the tss in place of older stock unit I wondered if I had lost a little high frequency sizzle - thought i had messed with cabling and they needed to settle down. As i spent more time listening I realized what i was hearing wasnt loss of treble clarity but a newfound energy and articulation in the lower registers. I was hearing delineations in bass guitar that wasnt there before. So i wouldnt say the new TSS is tilted to lower registers in comparison to older model, but the most immediate impact i heard was a greater level of information retrieval and energy and 3d impact in midbass down.

podeschi June 03, 2012 09:17

Lloydelee21, Looks like you have an amazing setup where everything works together (e.g., Zanden + Wilson). I would love to hear those Gryphon amps one day...

I demoed a bunch of different power cables and conditioners in my home. All of them lowered the noise floor and grunge, but the only cables and PLC that didn't take away dynamics and air were the Audience. I stepped up from the AR12 to the AR12TSS and it was like all power and information to the speakers was completely unleashed. Same way my ears like VAC, my ears like Audience. Same attributes.

podeschi June 02, 2012 09:43

Thanks, Lloydelee21, For my ears, I think the GAT is especially perfect in a system that leans to the bright or analytical side -- I wish I could have heard it with my last pair of speakers that had a "beaming" effect -- the GAT would have been perfect with those!

Also, interestingly, I have a Audience AR12-TSS conditioner. All my gear including VAC amp and CJ Amp sounds much better through it. I never would have thought preamps and power line conditioners could make such a difference!

podeschi June 01, 2012 17:41

Lloydeele21,
VAC 450S is a Stereo tube amp, not a traditional integrated amp. I had both the CJ GAT and the VAC Renaissance Mk III in my system, with multiple sources and amps, with same cables and did extensive A-B testing. As great as the GAT is (truly awesome preamp), to my ears, for my preferences, in my system, I preferred the VAC Renaissance Mk III by a considerable margin on things that matter to me. The VAC gear has that vibrant "lit from within" quality that I haven't heard in any other gear. The VAC preamp also is the most harmonically tonally right piece of equipment I own. When I hear a guitar, my mind immediately sees the guitar and knows I am hearing a guitar. Same for cymbals, sax, voices, etc. Disbelief is suspended, and I don't have the "electronic representation" of reality that hear in other gear. There is also a transient agility and dynamic reality that I hear through the VAC amp that is best in class for my ears. The GAT's strengths are an orderly coherent presentation of instruments and voices across a very deep big soundstage. The soundstage depth is amazing on the GAT, to the degree everything takes 5-7 steps back from the speakers at times. There is also a pleasant sweetness the GAT introduces that smooths out some bad recordings, and the GAT seemed to have a little bit of a midbass bump that gave a little more low end presence (although VAC offers a tighter, more articulate low end to my ears). Again, comments not meant to take anything away from the GAT -- it is amazing. Sorry to take up Ozy's awesome space with comparison stuff, but for me, with VAC, my musical ship has arrived. Search is over. Even over time, the 300.1a amp I just sold musically beat out the CJ 350 I still have on same vectors just discussed. Kevin Hayes is a magician.

Ozy,
Thanks...I opted for 450Stereo (not monos) since wallet, room size, space for equipment, heat from tubes, etc dictated I stay with one tube amp versus monos. I will be using the VAC Renaissance MkIII preamp that I bought last year. I could step up to the sig.mk2a but I've heard the Ren Mk III gets close, and I don't want to mess with a good thing...it is perfect in my book

podeschi June 01, 2012 17:00

Good news! I didn't win the lottery, but I did just place an order for the VAC 450S. I sold a GAT preamp, and my VAC 300.1a. I am officially in the queue. Can't wait!

podeschi May 28, 2012 22:25

right! private jet to bugatti dealership in florida, then drive the car back to private jet and load the 450 monos.

podeschi April 07, 2012 22:24

Agree with Mike60. I bought a lottery ticket last night and if i had won would have driven from the Bugatti dealership to VAC hq to buy the 450 monos.

podeschi March 31, 2012 19:09

Wow what a beautiful room. Great equipment but equally impressive decor/room treatments. I've noticed that two of my favorite virtual systems on Audiogon, especially regarding how good the room looks, are your's and Arthursmuck, who both run VAC gear!

podeschi October 26, 2011 20:44