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Thread: Vac @ ces 2014

  1. #1
    Audioshark
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    Vac @ ces 2014

    Kevin sent this out to everyone this morning....


    The reports are in, and VAC components took top honors at both CES and THE Show!

    Writing in Positive Feedback, Myles Astor ranked the VAC / Critical Mass Systems / Focal Grande Utopia EM speakers / Trans Rotor system as the #1 top sound at CES and THE Show. He also ranked the VAC 450 iQ monoblocks as one of the top products he'd like to bring home.

    In his initial show post, Myles wrote, "Big speaker, biggggg sound! Focal's new, cost no object, $180K Grande Utopia EM speakers in combination with VAC's Statement iQ self biasing tube amplifiers and new VAC Statement line and phono stage, was arguably one of, it not the best, sound at the Winter show." He further described the VAC Statement preamplifier as "A work of art both on the outside and inside!"

    In The Absolute Sound, Jonathon Valin described the VAC system as, "My first highlight came as far and away the biggest surprise of this show—in fact, maybe, of any show I’ve attended... I have heard the gigantic $190k Focal Grande Utopia EMs on several occasions, and... I’ve never liked them... Here, driven by top-of-the-line VAC Statement electronics (including VAC’s marvelous, two-box, $70k Statement Phonostage) in a huge suite on the 35th floor of The Venetian, the Grande Utopia EM was one of the two or three best loudspeakers I’ve heard at a trade show."

    Never liked them until VAC drove them? Hmmm. VAC electronics make a difference!

    Mr. Valin again encountered VAC amplifiers and preamplifiers at THE Show in the Perfect 8 system, and noted them as "VAC’s audibly superior electronics."

    Meanwhile, at Audioshark.org, for "Favorite Overall Room" founder Mike Bovaird said, "the nod definitely has to go to the VAC/Focal room at the Venetian. Kevin, Brent & Co. were able to reproduce a symphony orchestra as good as I’ve ever heard it on a hi fi system – probably better. I went back to this room several times, and every time was impressed. VAC 450’s, VAC signature Phonostage and Preamp, Focal Grande Utopia’s, Shunyata cabling throughout. Beautiful and awesome."

    For "Favorite Tube Amps", Mike also named the "VAC Statement 450’s. On the big Focal’s, these great amps continue to impress. Sounding more like music, and less like “tube” or “solid” state, the VAC 450’s continue to represent some of the best that is possible in amplification today."

    To everyone who came to hear our exhibit, and to the many people who made it possible, thanks for listening!

    All the best,
    --
    Kevin Hayes, President
    Valve Amplification Co., Inc.
    My Systems: http://www.audioshark.org/showthread...481#post158481

    "We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."

    Dealer for: Aqua Hi-Fi, Aurender, AudioQuest Cables & Power Products, Berkeley Audio, Block Audio (distributor), Boulder Amplifiers, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), Bryston, Clarisys Audio Loudspeakers (distributor), Classe’ Audio, Degritter Record Cleaning Machines, Esoteric, Finite Elemente, FirstWatt, Focal Loudspeakers and Headphones, GigaFoil, Harbeth Loudspeakers, Hegel, HiFi Man, Innuos, ISO Acoustics, Keces Power Supplies, Kharma Loudspeakers and Electronics, Kuzma Turntables, Lumin, Luxman, Magico Loudspeakers, MBL Speakers & Electronics, MSB Technologies, MySonicLabs Phono Cartridges, Nordost Cables, Ortofon, Pass Labs, Quadraspire, Rega Turntables and Electronics, Shunyata Research, STAX, Stein Music Products, Stillpoints, Soulution, VAC, Vicoustics, Viva Audio, VPI Industries, WireWorld Cables.

    https://suncoastaudio.com/
    Phone: 941-932-0282
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Suncoast-Au...1105178279194/

  2. #2
    Behavior Moderator (be nice police!)
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    re: VAC @ CES 2014

    Nice !
    Mark


    Kharma DB9 Signature
    Pass Labs XP32......incoming
    Pass Labs X350.8
    Esoteric N-05XD
    VPI Avenger with Magnetic Drive
    Manley Chinook Phono Pre
    Ortofon Cadenza Black cartridge
    Kharma Elegance speaker cables
    Kharma Elegance interconnects
    REL Subs

  3. #3
    Banned
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    Re: Vac @ ces 2014

    Very nice indeed! I'm sure that has put a big grin on his face. I know from personal experience how nice the product is in general. Would love to hear that Statement pre and phono with my 450's and compare in my own set-up Kevin if you are reading this

  4. #4
    Senior Member
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    Re: Vac @ ces 2014

    That room was great! No question.
    Jock

    If you have integrity, nothing else matters. If you don't have integrity, nothing else matters.

    ---------

    House: Naim ND555/2PS, Naim 552, Naim 500, Studer A80/Doshi V3, Magico M2s, 2 Magico Q-Sub 15s, Lumina IC/SC, Shunyata Everest and Omega PCs.

    Workshop: Naim ND555/2 PS, VAC Master Pre, VAC Sig 200iQ, Border Patrol pre/power, Avant Garde Duo Mezzo XD, 2 Magico Q-Sub 15s, Shunyata IC/SC, Shunyata Typhon QR/Triton V3/Sigma PCs.

  5. #5

    Re: Vac @ ces 2014


  6. #6
    Senior Member
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    Re: Vac @ ces 2014

    What was the total cost of that room? 600k?

  7. #7
    Audioshark
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    Re: Vac @ ces 2014

    Quote Originally Posted by KeithR View Post
    What was the total cost of that room? 600k?
    That's a fair guess. I didn't want to ask! I just wanted to enjoy it.
    My Systems: http://www.audioshark.org/showthread...481#post158481

    "We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."

    Dealer for: Aqua Hi-Fi, Aurender, AudioQuest Cables & Power Products, Berkeley Audio, Block Audio (distributor), Boulder Amplifiers, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), Bryston, Clarisys Audio Loudspeakers (distributor), Classe’ Audio, Degritter Record Cleaning Machines, Esoteric, Finite Elemente, FirstWatt, Focal Loudspeakers and Headphones, GigaFoil, Harbeth Loudspeakers, Hegel, HiFi Man, Innuos, ISO Acoustics, Keces Power Supplies, Kharma Loudspeakers and Electronics, Kuzma Turntables, Lumin, Luxman, Magico Loudspeakers, MBL Speakers & Electronics, MSB Technologies, MySonicLabs Phono Cartridges, Nordost Cables, Ortofon, Pass Labs, Quadraspire, Rega Turntables and Electronics, Shunyata Research, STAX, Stein Music Products, Stillpoints, Soulution, VAC, Vicoustics, Viva Audio, VPI Industries, WireWorld Cables.

    https://suncoastaudio.com/
    Phone: 941-932-0282
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Suncoast-Au...1105178279194/

  8. #8

    Re: Vac @ ces 2014

    Transrotor turntable was the source in one of the best sounding systems…..I'm not surprised. I still miss my Fat Bob S. One of the pieces that I regret parting with.

    Fat Bob S.jpg

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Vac @ ces 2014

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