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  1. July 14, 2016, 02:29 AM #1
    Alpinist
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    ARC REF 10 vs. VAC Master Preamp

    I recently purchased Vandersteen 7 MkII speakers and I have the Vandersteen M7-HPA mono amps on order. So now I am looking for a high quality tube preamp to go with this system. I recently auditioned the ARC REF 10 preamp and I really liked its silky smooth midrange and treble, robust bass and wide and deep soundstage.

    Has anyone auditioned the VAC Master linestage (MSRP $27K) and compared it to the ARC REF 10 preamp (MSRP $30K)? I have never had the opportunity to hear a VAC preamp but the reviews seem to be quite good. Also, does anyone have a picture of the VAC Master linestage with the top cover off? I'm curious if the interior looks more like the VAC Statement or VAC Signature SE preamp.

    Thanks,
    Ken
    "No summit worth climbing is easily attained."
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    Source: MSB Select II DAC with Two Mono Powerbases and Femto 33 Clock; Renderer V2 Digital Input Module and Roon Nucleus Plus; MSB UMT V Signature Transport
    Amps: Vandersteen M7-HPA Mono Amps; MSB M204 Mono Amps
    Speakers: Vandersteen Model 7 Mk2
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  2. July 14, 2016, 07:20 AM #2
    Mike
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    ARC REF 10 vs. VAC Master Preamp

    I have owned the REF10 and heard the Master Linestage at a friends, but not in the same system. I've always said VAC builds one of the best preamps on the market. Period.

    I will ask Brent to take some pics of the interior for you.
    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.

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  3. July 14, 2016, 01:40 PM #3
    Afveep
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    Re: ARC REF 10 vs. VAC Master Preamp

    Ken,
    Just sent you a PM.
    Tom
    TIDAL Audio Agoria Loudspeakers; Bricasti M28 Monoblocks; Merrill Audio Element 118 Monoblocks; VAC "Master" preamplifier; Bricasti M1SE DAC; VAC Renaissance SE Phono Stage; Spiral Groove SG-2 TT with Centroid Arm & Transfiguration Proteus Diamond Cartridge; Ampex ATR-102 Tape Deck; Merrill Audio Master tape preamp; Sonore Signature RenduSE Optical network player; Ansuz D-TC2, D2 & C2 cables and DTC Mainz power distribution; Darkz & Sortz Resonance & Noise control; Ansuz PowerSwitch; & PowerBox; Symposium Racks and Rollerblocks; Vicoustic, ASC, GIK & MSR room treatments

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ARC REF 10 vs. VAC Master Preamp

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