We're starting a major renovation of the room where I listen on Monday, so I've got to move my equipment to another room. If I can get motivated, I'll try to post a picture of the insides of my Master preamp. (I just hope I won't be TOO disappointed after having seen the Statement!)
I've seen pics of the interior of the VAC Master series preamp, and while it's certainly very well built it lacks the 'artistic' visual appeal of their Statement level products.
Here is an interior photo of the VAC Master preamp. The Master preamp uses the same ALPS potentiometer, "naked" z-foil resistors and premium transformers as the VAC Statement preamp. Entirely hand-wired but without the amazing finish of the Statement. Kevin Hayes says the Master has 95% of the performance of the Statement at one-third the price.
You're welcome. Of course your VAC Master looks quite a bit different than this photo with the additional six 12AX7 tubes and circuitry of the phono stage included. I don't know how they manage to fit it all in there but they do successfully.
I have not heard the VAC Master preamp yet. A local VAC dealer was kind enough to provide me with this photo. I am still patiently waiting for my Vandersteen M7-HPA mono amps. They have been building them for months but they are nearly completed and Richard V. likes to burn them in for two weeks before delivery. Once I take delivery (hopefully very soon), my local Vandersteen dealer will tune the Model 7 MkII speakers' subwoofers to my room. At that point, I will bring in the VAC Master preamp and audition it. I'll make sure to let you know the results!