Thread: Van Alstine audio

Typically a good value.

The gear is simple, meaning you aren't going to see a bunch of micro processors and such but the sound quality is good. I had one of his FET preamp's for a while and one of the early FET 400 power amps. I personally liked the simplicity of function.

AVA has a forum at Audio Circle where Frank will discuss products and answer questions personally and if you call the company the number it's a good chance you will speak to him directly.

I've owned multiple pieces from Frank over the years including currently the same amp you are looking at for the last six months. They are all no nonsense pieces that just perform. Through "normal" retail channels they would cost many times what he charges direct. The reviews of the Vision SET models are all accurate in their description of the sound and value.

Originally Posted by Pjetrof

Anyone experience with this manufacturer?
intrested in their new amplifier set vision 400.

I live less than 5 minutes from Frank Van Alstine and occasionally review his gear and still own a few pieces. I did the review on the SET 400 on this forum for him. It is a great sounding amp. The midrange is fabulous. It is richly toned with good texture. The top end is smooth and non fatiguing. It has very good bass and dynamics. It is well worth the money.


Correction- I did the review on the Audio Circles forum. I was too tired when I wrote this and thought I was on the AC forum. Its either that or too much alcohol. Maybe a little of both

Well built, solid equipment and great support.

The AVA amp is good, especially at it's price but I wouldn't expect it to be better than your VTL.

I'm not familiar with your speakers. In my opinion you are going to have to spend a good sum of money to say, "yes, that's better than what I had", regarding your VTL's.

Originally Posted by Chazz

I have a audiovavle pre amp my speakers are gradient 1.3 86 db would it be a good match I'm now using vtl 250 mono blocks would the set 400 be a good replacement or would I be disappointed.

The SET 400 is a very good amp period and especially at it's price but it is not similar I wouldn't expect to your VTL's in sound profile. I have owned one for about six months and have been very pleased with it and it should power your Grandient's with no problems. If you want to stick with mono's or need balanced inputs look at the SET 600's. Frank has a 30 day trial period so for the cost of the shipping you can try it for yourself.

I have heard Franks DVA 850 mono at his home and they are fabulous. They would sell for $10K in stores. TAS gave them a great write up.

Van Alstine DVA 850 Hybrid Monoblock Amplifier | The Absolute Sound

The SET 600's are great sounding mono's as well. I can't say that one is better than the other. I think that the 850's may have a little more air and the SET amps have a fuller midrange and a more romantic sound but not overly so.

These amps are a huge step up from early AVA designs. It brought AVA into the high end arena for a relatively budget price.

Both sound better than my Pass amp.

If so, then why not using AVA? You could sell the Pass and have very little out of pocket.

You guys need to take into account VTL isn't chopped liver. I had the AVA 400r and would have easily given it up for a set of VTL monos without a second of hesitation.

Originally Posted by Mechnutt

I have heard Franks DVA 850 mono at his home and they are fabulous. They would sell for $10K in stores. TAS gave them a great write up.

Van Alstine DVA 850 Hybrid Monoblock Amplifier | The Absolute Sound

The SET 600's are great sounding mono's as well. I can't say that one is better than the other. I think that the 850's may have a little more air and the SET amps have a fuller midrange and a more romantic sound but not overly so.

These amps are a huge step up from early AVA designs. It brought AVA into the high end arena for a relatively budget price.

Both sound better than my Pass amp.

Bryan, I like the AVA amps but I don't want monoblocks and I don't want to spend almost $8K for new amps. If and when I decide to get a new amp it will probably be an integrated as I begin to down size. The 2 AVA mono's are way more musical and detailed compared to my old Pass X250. Besides, I probably could only get $2500 for the Pass and I want to upgrade my speakers and then my DAC or possibly my BAT preamp if I decide not to go the integrated route. My wife is tired of having door panels as speakers.

The 400R that you owned is nothing like the R series amps today. They have gone threw a few upgrades since you owned the first gen R amp. They sound nothing like the original amps.

I am not saying that the AVA amps are better than the VAC as I have not heard that VAC amp. But the new AVA amps can compete with amps in the $5K to $10K amps but it all comes down to individual tastes and system synergy.