Almost there

by brooksl on Opinions Please

Description

Music sounds good. I like the VAC a lot. It replaced my VTL MB-450s. I would like to hear into the music a little more. So, I am planning to add a sub-panel on the otherside of the wall where my rack sits. I have 15' of the JPS A/C cable for 3 outlets and I an using standard 10 guage for the other three. I will let everyone if I hear a difference.

I am also soon to send my speakers to Bobby for the Magic Modification.

Then, I am planning to ask Michael Wolff for two gain Cords to try on the VAC. I am very impressed with the Source Cords on my Transport and DAC.

Finally, I also want to try a few other 6SN7s if anyone has any ideas.

Long-term my goal is to try a Lamm M1.2, a Tenor Hybrid 150, or a Dartzeel NHB-108.

Since I have 3 young children, I have a locking Salamander Synergy twin 40 between and a couple of feet to the rear of my speakers. I think this could be a limiting factor for the best performance. So, I have considered drilling holes in the base of it and having two Sistrum racks side by side in side the Salamander.

I have no room treatments in a basement that is 18' on the speaker wall, 26' deep and 7-8' high. This adjoins another room of the same dimension. The whole room is divided by a drywalled staircase that starts at the speaker wall and extends 1/2 way into the room .

If anyone has any suggestions, I would certainly appreciate them.
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Components Toggle details

    • Accustic Arts Drive I
    Beautifully built. Using Michael Wolff's Source Cord
    • Audio Logic 24 mxl
    with Siemens 7308 gold pins, Ridge Street MSE Digital Cable, and Michael Wolff Source Cord on the Mapleshade Triple Points, 2" Maple Board, and Iso Blocks
    • First Sound Presence Deluxe mkII
    Cryoed Telefunken 1960s W/Valis Points
    • VAC 70/70 MKIII
    Brimar Black Base 6SN7s
    • Merlin Music Systems VSM millennium
    with all modifications
    • Cardas Golden Reference
    • Cardas Golden Reference
    • Balanced Power Technology 3.5 Ultra
    with BPT power cable
    • Michael Wolff Source Cords
    For Transport and DAC
    • Michael Wolff Gain Cords
    For amp and preamp

Comments 11

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Owner
Dennis, I apologize. I just saw your question. I miss the way the MB-450s seemed to have limitless & effortless power. Music would crescendo and somethimes I thought a driver might pop out of my speakers. However, at low to modest levels, I like the VAC better. I am partial to piano and acoustic guitar. for these, I find that the VAC is more tonally accurate. On better recordings, vocalists are eerily there. The VTL sounded more like a facsimile. I am currently looking for a combination of the two. I do not have a VAC dealer nearby but I suspect that the PHI 220s just might be that combination.

What do you think of your VAC? Any thoughts for a Signature upgrade or s PHI?

brooksl

Owner
Dennis, thanks. It does sound very good. Strings and vocals are incredible.

I think the VAC can be a good match for MerliH

brooksl

Owner
Lak, I am using a Salamander Synergy Twin 40 with locking doors because I have 3 young children. I have considered drilling holes in the base of it and inserting two Sistrum racks, side by side. What do you think of that idea?

brooksl

Owner
System edited: Relpaced VTL MB-450s with a VAC 70/70 MKIII

brooksl

Owner
System edited: I just put Valid Points under my First Sound Power Supply. I am amazed how I hear more coherence. I bought them from Music Direct on their recommendation and reminder of their 30 day return policy. I didn't think that they could make $500 worth of improvement. In my mind they did. I am keeping them and considering another set for under my preamp.

brooksl

Owner
Bemopti123, Thank for for your comments. If you have a second, I just updated my system. I am now considering other amps. Will 25 watts be sufficient for a speaker of an 89 efficiency? The price of the 47 Lab looks good. I am currently trying a Bryston 4B SST. It is faster and is much tighter in the lower frequencies. It sounds a bit black and white compared to the tubes. So, I am still leaning the tube direction - perhaps a hybrid.

brooksl

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