Franco Serblin the chief designer for Sonus Faber Cremona the orignal version. Powering these musical speakers is a Vac 30/30 Triode 300b Renaissance Signature series. Dynavox Dynastation Mk4, fully tube cd player, running on pure 12v battery power supply. Who say that digital can't compete with Lps. If i may, close if not better than most Lp costing 30K+. One of the most appealing and pleasing unit not only to look at but pleasant to the ears. Never heard of battery operated tube cd player? It doesn't get any better! Come to think of it, all units are tube base, can that be possible?? Happy Listening!!
WOW! Possibly the most valves I have ever seen in a domestic system. Gorgeous to look at. I can only imagine how music must sound played on your rig. Congratulations!
Vpi... thanks for your kind words. I bought it from Michigan butcher block. You want to buy the uncured type, to me works the best. The dimensions are 3' x24'x18'. Here is the website: http://www.butcherblock.com/. Let me know if you have any questions. Happy Listening!
Deep Cycle (agm) these are deep cycle battery with 175amp/hr. I only recommend pure lead acid. I tried Lithium Ion/prospate ( i do not recommend). Agm to me is the best sounding for dc power supply.
2) Is the covering over the TV very discernible ?
It helps with the sounding stage, you don't want the reflection from the glass screens.
3) With that elaborate of a system . How well does an EQ that inexpensive stack up ? And is it always used ?
The eg is just for looks. It brings back the 80s rectro.
93cobra...lots of tube rolling in my set up. The convenience of having a basket next to me was the best solution, it also works out best when replacement tubes are standing upright. Happy Listening!
Milpar... it's a Dynastation Dynavox 4, running off 12v Deep cycle battery. This is the lead absorbent glass matt ( agm). I compared and alot of units has gone in and out of my system. The 12v battery for power supply to me was the best solution for the purist power. Happy Listening!
Great looking system. I have to ask if those are butcher blocks/cutting boards under your Sonas Fabers? I have been looking for a platform to go under a Garrard 301 I am restoring. After the sticker shock looking at the Maple Shade stuff I started looking at thick cutting boards. They seem like they would work nicely.
Hi , beautiful system! May I ask the following. 1) Are the AGM batteries Deep Cycle or Starter ? 2) Is the covering over the TV very discernible ? 3) With that elaborate of a system . How well does an EQ that inexpensive stack up ? And is it always used ? Thanks , Mike B. California.
Beautiful system, in a beautiful room with very nice equipment. Looks like you are "off the grid"? Seems pretty enjoyable. ever hear of that CDP, but looks interesting.
Hi EM.....your questions are great! Yes.. led acid battery are NOT safe in home or to the environment. I am using AGM (absorbed glass mat ) type of battery which carries no lead, safe for the environment and home use. AGM was use by the military and navy, agm technology to me is one of the best that is available to the public. Lithium ion are great for longer use but not for Audiophile application. Will not have enough current and drive to run my dc regulator that well. I've have done alot of research and hands on experiences using different types of battery. In the end AGM technology in my opinion is the most economical, durability and versatile for power application. Happy Listening!
Amazing to see a battery powered tube CD player, but my question is, that I've heard that recharging lead acid batteries inside a home creates some toxic air quality issues. Have you looked into this, or considered lithium ion (which could have its own issues with Fire.... )
Still in awe of this system....if I ever made a 180 degree change away from SS to tubes,....this is one of the very few systems I would think about patterning the system from. Beautiful!!!
Thanks for the comment. Another person with knowledge of Vac Amps. The first thing i started out was custom job on the face plate. The Original face plate on the 30/30 mk3 was plain and boring, so i had the plaque/trophy person custom make the gold face plate for the amp. The amp uses 4 of the 300b and 4 of the 6sn7. Currently i have valve arts 300b with an adaptor/ modification 6fg8 tubes for the input and drivers. Took me quite awhile to custom that 6fg8 tubes with the adaptors to work together with my Vac amp. Alot of listening and trial and error, to match with the sound that i wanted. The amp is an original 30/30 renaissance mk3 series. I wanted to take the amp to the next level, Vac wanted $2750 for the mods; including shipping both ways, for the Signature Series status. I was looking into other options; contemplating if i should do it. When things was put in perspective it wasn't worth the money. Parts alone was only $250 they wanted $2000 for labor and shipping both way to Florida was around $500. So with the help from Brent at Vac, i did the mods on my own. Total of 16 Mundorf electrolytic, 5 Schottky bridge rectifier, 16 caddocks resistors, 7 Audyn coupling caps and a pair of Audionote Rodium rca terminal. The mods took the 30/30 to the next level. Better sounds stage, bass is more dynamic/punchier, it was more transient and over all a different amp. I am happy driving it with my Sonus Faber Cremonas. In all it cost me say $500 for parts, total of 1 day of soldering, and 1 month of voicing /matching the tubes to my taste. It's a unique amp and i have to say i have not seen a 30/30 that looks like it. Happy Listening!
I've actually run the 40.1's with a 30/30 MKIII years ago. Granted it was a bit underpowered with complex passages at higher volumes, but the big Harbeth's have a very benign impedance curve and are reasonably easy to drive in my experience. I also spent a long stint with the VAC Ren 70/70 Signature, but after having to pack up and ship the 135 pound behemoth to send it in for repairs a few times, I realized it was too heavy to deal with over the long haul. The VAC Ren series are great amps... I wonder if VAC will ever get back to a 300B based push-pull amp as I feel they need to mix things up a bit and depart from only making KT88 based amps.
I'm currently using a VAC PHI 200 and will likely soon have a EL34 based vintage Music Reference RM9 MKII that I can interchange with the VAC. I've always thought I'd get another VAC 30/30 when the right opportunity presents itself (or 30/70?).
Your 30/30 is unlike any version I've seen before. What driver tubes are those and what other changes went into the amp? Did VAC do the mods? It looks really slick!
