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  1. #1
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    VAC Signature 200iq and Renaissance Mk V

    Hi everyone, new poster here. I have read forum for some time, but never posted. I felt my new experience was so great it needed posting. Recently purchased VAC 200iq and Renaissance Mk V from Mike. What a combination. i have been a Naim user for the last 12 years or so and felt it time to try tubes. Mike makes it very easy! I have been in the audio hobby for more than 40 years with various equipment. Out of the box these pieces brought toe tapping music that I have never had. Very natural and realistic. I have just over 55 hours on the pieces and still improving in imaging and depth. However if there was no more improvement (which according to Kevin there will be) I would be very satisfied.
    I enjoyed my Naim system, but I have to say I much prefer this sound. I know everyone is different, just my opinion. Also the 200 controls my Wilson speakers much better. Deeper and more controlled base. This sound is just not fatiguing. I guess I needed tubes all along.
    I would also like to say how fantastic of a dealer Mike is. I have bugged him with so many questions and he always is happy to help.
    One last item on the amp is that if you saw the VAC facebook page with the blue meter on the 200 that was mine. I really like the matching blue to my preamp. Kevin and Mike were more than accommodating to get this done.

    Max
    MBL N51, MBL 116F, Aurender N10, MSB Discrete, Shunyata Denali 6000, Finite Elemente rack, Cabling: Shunyata and WyWires

  2. #2
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    Re: VAC Signature 200iq and Renaissance Mk V

    Welcome to the forum, thank you for joining.
    Fleetwood Deville by Oswald Mills Audio, Vienna Acoustics Haydn Jubilee, Wharfedale Linton w/ stands, Klipsch RB-75, Klipsch RP-160M.

    Job INTegrated. Luxman L-595aSE

    NAD C 658 streamer.

    First Watt SIT-3, Job 250 Monos, NuForce STA200, AkitikA GT-102 amp, ASL Wave monos, Dennis Had 45 monos. Absolute Audio Labs PCF 25 amp (improved First Watt F7 super clone)

    Topping D90, RME Audio ADI-2 DAC FS, ModWright Ultimate Sony XA-5400ES.

    Burmester 948, McIntosh MCLK12, Kimber Kable, Siltech, Cardas, Avanti Audio cables.

  3. #3
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    Re: VAC Signature 200iq and Renaissance Mk V

    Max! Welcome and thanks for your post. I too just ordered a 200iQ and I'm waiting for shipping now. I saw a picture of the blue meter and contacted Mike about this a couple of days ago. I might want to make a last second change to getting that installed. Was it as simple as VAC just adding a different light? Can you post some pictures of how it looks? I suspect it looks great with the preamp that has blue as well.

    You probably have already seen that there are a couple of other recent threads going on about the 200iQ. I have been ordering some tubes so I can do a shoot out when the time comes in a month or so... I look forward to trading more notes in the future!

    Jeremy

  4. #4

    Re: VAC Signature 200iq and Renaissance Mk V

    Pictures?


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
    “Life’s too short to listen to bad audio.”

    Big rig: Brinkmann Taurus DD TT + 12.1 arm + Lyra Etna Lambda SL MC + HRS M3X2/ Cardas Clear Beyond phono/ Stillpoints LPI/ Brinkmann Edison mk2 phono + RöNT II Tube PS/ Synology NAS with Roon + HD Plex linear PSU + Shunyata HD/ AQ Vodka RJ45 + Aqvox Network Switch SE + AQ Diamond RJ45 into DAC/ Brinkmann Nyquist mk2/ Audionet Humboldt/ Cardas Clear Beyond ICs/ Kharma DB9-S 1.1 LS/ Inakustik Reference LS 4004 AIR/ Audioquest Niagara 5000/ Shunyata Alpha power (HC, Analogue, Digital)/ Finite Elemente Pagode Rack/ Stillpoints Ultra SS/ Vicoustic panels + Stillpoints Aperture II.

    Small rig: Naim UnitiServe/ Curious USB/ Tidal/ Linn Klimax DS3/ Shunyata Power cable/ Pass Labs INT-60/ Acoustic Zen Silver Reference II/ HiD Diamond 8/ Harbeth 30.2 40th Anniversary/ Shunyata Venom EU7 & Venom 3 HD.

    HP rig: MacBookAir/ Tidal/ Auralic Gemini 2000/ Sbooster LPSU/ Audeze LCD-2 Classic + WyWires Red/ Shunyata HD/ Shunyata Hydra 2/ Shunyata Venom.

  5. #5
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    Re: VAC Signature 200iq and Renaissance Mk V

    Attached Images Attached Images
    Fleetwood Deville by Oswald Mills Audio, Vienna Acoustics Haydn Jubilee, Wharfedale Linton w/ stands, Klipsch RB-75, Klipsch RP-160M.

    Job INTegrated. Luxman L-595aSE

    NAD C 658 streamer.

    First Watt SIT-3, Job 250 Monos, NuForce STA200, AkitikA GT-102 amp, ASL Wave monos, Dennis Had 45 monos. Absolute Audio Labs PCF 25 amp (improved First Watt F7 super clone)

    Topping D90, RME Audio ADI-2 DAC FS, ModWright Ultimate Sony XA-5400ES.

    Burmester 948, McIntosh MCLK12, Kimber Kable, Siltech, Cardas, Avanti Audio cables.

  6. #6
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    Re: VAC Signature 200iq and Renaissance Mk V

    Thanks for posting Joe. I can't post photos yet.
    MBL N51, MBL 116F, Aurender N10, MSB Discrete, Shunyata Denali 6000, Finite Elemente rack, Cabling: Shunyata and WyWires

  7. #7
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    Re: VAC Signature 200iq and Renaissance Mk V

    Jeremy, Yes just that easy. I had always thought the meter would look good if it was blue. It matches the preamp perfectly and looks fantastic in my opinion. I just asked Mike and he asked Kevin. Kevin always aims to please! Kevin is great to talk to if you have not spoken with him. Very informative and personal.
    MBL N51, MBL 116F, Aurender N10, MSB Discrete, Shunyata Denali 6000, Finite Elemente rack, Cabling: Shunyata and WyWires

  8. #8
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    Re: VAC Signature 200iq and Renaissance Mk V

    Jeremy are you considering a VAC preamp?
    MBL N51, MBL 116F, Aurender N10, MSB Discrete, Shunyata Denali 6000, Finite Elemente rack, Cabling: Shunyata and WyWires

  9. #9
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    Re: VAC Signature 200iq and Renaissance Mk V

    Thanks Max - When you get a chance it would be great to see your gear together in one photo... just the zoom in shot of the meter does not really tell the story.

    Yes - I went a little crazy and ordered up the VAC Master Preamp to go with the 200iQ. The preamp is absolutely amazing and I'm really hoping it is a super long term keeper. I keep telling myself that I avoided future upgrades by getting the master. Ha

  10. #10
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    Re: VAC Signature 200iq and Renaissance Mk V

    There you go Joe...... blue meter! Now you have to get one! Lol
    Max congrats! Looks nice and you are right, it now matches the Renaissance Mark V preamp.
    Larry


    Lumin U1
    Chord Dave Dac
    Vac Master Preamp
    Vac 200IQ Amp
    Magico S3 Mk2 in Mcast Pewter
    Denali 6000S
    Ansuz and MIT cabling
    Timbernation walnut racks

  11. #11
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    Re: VAC Signature 200iq and Renaissance Mk V

    Quote Originally Posted by steinkrieg View Post
    Thanks Max - When you get a chance it would be great to see your gear together in one photo... just the zoom in shot of the meter does not really tell the story.

    +1.

    Please.
    Borresen Acoustics Loudspeakers, Borresen Model 01 Compact monitor loudspeakers with Ansuz Darkz T2s Supreme resonance control, Audio Video Manufaktur GmbH (AVM) Inspiration amplifier & streamer, Innuos Zen MKII music server, Ansuz Acoustics cables & accessories. Please visit my system thread hosted on Audioshark for more details. Disclosure: The author is materially connected to Ansuz, Aavik & Borresen Acoustics via friendship with an owner.

  12. #12
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    Re: VAC Signature 200iq and Renaissance Mk V

    Jeremy, As soon as I get ten posts I will send some photos. Unfortunately my system is spread out with various cables until I replace the Naim cables. Not sure if you will be able to see amp with preamp. I will try.
    I wanted the signature preamp, but decided not to spend the funds. The master preamp will be the last preamp you ever need. Having never had tubes before I thought the background might be noisy. The VAC equipment is dead quiet. Just amazing.
    MBL N51, MBL 116F, Aurender N10, MSB Discrete, Shunyata Denali 6000, Finite Elemente rack, Cabling: Shunyata and WyWires

  13. #13
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    Re: VAC Signature 200iq and Renaissance Mk V





    Ok Jeremy here are some photos of the meter. I apologize for the photos because I am using temporary cables and the amp and preamp are not close. These photos
    do not do them justice. Tried to get them in same picture.
    Attached Images Attached Images
    MBL N51, MBL 116F, Aurender N10, MSB Discrete, Shunyata Denali 6000, Finite Elemente rack, Cabling: Shunyata and WyWires

  14. #14
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    Re: VAC Signature 200iq and Renaissance Mk V

    Looks awesome.
    Fleetwood Deville by Oswald Mills Audio, Vienna Acoustics Haydn Jubilee, Wharfedale Linton w/ stands, Klipsch RB-75, Klipsch RP-160M.

    Job INTegrated. Luxman L-595aSE

    NAD C 658 streamer.

    First Watt SIT-3, Job 250 Monos, NuForce STA200, AkitikA GT-102 amp, ASL Wave monos, Dennis Had 45 monos. Absolute Audio Labs PCF 25 amp (improved First Watt F7 super clone)

    Topping D90, RME Audio ADI-2 DAC FS, ModWright Ultimate Sony XA-5400ES.

    Burmester 948, McIntosh MCLK12, Kimber Kable, Siltech, Cardas, Avanti Audio cables.

  15. #15
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    Re: VAC Signature 200iq and Renaissance Mk V

    Thanks for the pics max! Looks great!

  16. #16
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    Re: VAC Signature 200iq and Renaissance Mk V

    I love my combo more every day! In my guitar playing days it was a fact that tubes rule! I have some pix posted under my other amp in the musical instrument category.
    I don’t know how I strayed from the formula into solid states. Oh well.....
    Larry


    Lumin U1
    Chord Dave Dac
    Vac Master Preamp
    Vac 200IQ Amp
    Magico S3 Mk2 in Mcast Pewter
    Denali 6000S
    Ansuz and MIT cabling
    Timbernation walnut racks

  17. #17
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    Re: VAC Signature 200iq and Renaissance Mk V

    I have to agree. Just getting everything broken in but this is the most satisfying sound I have ever had in my system. Never tiring. Can't stop listening to new music. Now to get an amp stand and new cables throughout!
    MBL N51, MBL 116F, Aurender N10, MSB Discrete, Shunyata Denali 6000, Finite Elemente rack, Cabling: Shunyata and WyWires

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