I've returned from SS doldrums & fully back to my roots -- VAC 450iQ's monos & Master Pre & Renaissance SE Phono

[Vintage_Tube]

I've returned from SS doldrums & fully back to my roots -- VAC 450iQ's monos & Master Pre & Renaissance SE Phono

Just back from a road trip to Sarasota with a pickup load of Kevin Hayes marvelous creations. I can't pinpoint the moment exactly but in 2017 I was swayed to go SS with some nice gear. As time went on, I began to realize I made a huge mistake & yearned for tubes. I was determined to rectify that misjudgment and accept the fact I erred.

The opportunity arose and confirmed an order for a pair of the massive 215-pound VAC 450iQ monos and a Master Preamp w/o the phono (I had a Renaissance SE Phono from a few years earlier).

So, after a 12-hour return trip and a good rest, it took the better part of the day to rebuild my racks, add the HRS M3X2-1921's, G7 Footers/G-Links/Conecoasters, add a few new Nordost Odin 2 digital AES/EBU cables from dCS Rossini Transport to APEX DAC, straighten out & reroute/secure cabling, etc., without BREAKING ANYTHING.

Anyways, this is the end result:

Best to all,

Bob

 

[Michaels HiFi]

Re: I've returned from SS doldrums & fully back to my roots -- VAC 450iQ's monos & Master Pre & Renaissance SE Phon

Just back from a road trip to Sarasota with a pickup load of Kevin Hayes marvelous creations. I can't pinpoint the moment exactly but in 2017 I was swayed to go SS with some nice gear. As time went on, I began to realize I made a huge mistake & yearned for tubes. I was determined to rectify that misjudgment and accept the fact I erred.

The opportunity arose and confirmed an order for a pair of the massive 215-pound VAC 450iQ monos and a Master Preamp w/o the phono (I had a Renaissance SE Phono from a few years earlier).

So, after a 12-hour return trip and a good rest, it took the better part of the day to rebuild my racks, add the HRS M3X2-1921's, G7 Footers/G-Links/Conecoasters, add a few new Nordost Odin 2 digital AES/EBU cables from dCS Rossini Transport to APEX DAC, straighten out & reroute/secure cabling, etc., without BREAKING ANYTHING.

Anyways, this is the end result:

Best to all,

Bob

View attachment 33007

View attachment 33004

View attachment 33005

View attachment 33006

View attachment 33008

View attachment 33009

Congrats and that looks super nice!

I agree with you. I went from tube to SS and now back to tube.

 

[Vintage_Tube]

Re: I've returned from SS doldrums & fully back to my roots -- VAC 450iQ's monos & Master Pre & Renaissance SE Phon

Congrats and that looks super nice!

I agree with you. I went from tube to SS and now back to tube.

Thank you Sir.

Forgot to add the 12v triggered hour counter I made to track tube hours -- I've since relocated it to the rear of the rack (out of sight so to speak).

Best to all,

Bob

 

[Mikado463]

Re: I've returned from SS doldrums & fully back to my roots -- VAC 450iQ's monos & Master Pre & Renaissance SE Phon

Nice looking 'space heaters' you've got there Bob, Congrats !

 

[mxk116]

Re: I've returned from SS doldrums & fully back to my roots -- VAC 450iQ's monos & Master Pre & Renaissance SE Phon

Fantastic rig, Bob, that’s a labor of love.

Enjoy

 

[Mr Peabody]

Re: I've returned from SS doldrums & fully back to my roots -- VAC 450iQ's monos & Master Pre & Renaissance SE Phon

Nice set up

 

[W9TR]

Re: I've returned from SS doldrums & fully back to my roots -- VAC 450iQ's monos & Master Pre & Renaissance SE Phon

Looking great Bob. Glad you turned away from the dark side.

 

[Gene15352]

Re: I've returned from SS doldrums & fully back to my roots -- VAC 450iQ's monos & Master Pre & Renaissance SE Phon

Beautiful system! Well thought out with synergy in mind.
Gene

 

[Bones13]

Re: I've returned from SS doldrums & fully back to my roots -- VAC 450iQ's monos & Master Pre & Renaissance SE Phon

Very nice system.

As a 64 year old male, growing up with my dad's McIntosh system (MC60s + DIY Klipschorns) I find that I need a bit of tubes in my gear too.

Enjoy.

 

[Vintage_Tube]

Re: I've returned from SS doldrums & fully back to my roots -- VAC 450iQ's monos & Master Pre & Renaissance SE Phon

Nice looking 'space heaters' you've got there Bob, Congrats !

Thanks Dave – having lived with MC2301’s for 11 years or so – they didn’t distribute or get very hot; more like luke warm IIRC. These VAC’s do get warmer (same number of KT88’s) – not frying egg hot, but if you are craving a bit of warmth from chills – just stand over these puppies – the chill will fade in a minute or two.

Fantastic rig, Bob, that’s a labor of love. Enjoy

It sure is and reiterated over my latest transformation.

Nice set up

Thank you Sir,
Bob

Looking great Bob. Glad you turned away from the dark side.

Hi Tom – long time my friend; it only took a few years for me to wake up & see the light. Sometimes it takes me awhile to get up to speed.

Beautiful system! Well thought out with synergy in mind.
Gene

I have a good 20 year rapport with my dealer – he’s a invaluable asset and dear friend.
Best Sir,
Bob

Very nice system.

As a 64 year old male, growing up with my dad's McIntosh system (MC60s + DIY Klipschorns) I find that I need a bit of tubes in my gear too. Enjoy.

Never owned 60’s but did own 30’s w/a MX-110 & Forte II’s. A glorious system so I can only imagine 60’s and those Klipschorns (I almost bought a pair at Mainz-Kastel Army Audio Outlet in Germany – 3 floors of audio gear run by AAFES – the PX. The good 'ole days).

Best to all & thank you for your comments,

Bob

 

[gadawg]

Re: I've returned from SS doldrums & fully back to my roots -- VAC 450iQ's monos & Master Pre & Renaissance SE Phon

Congrats on an incredible system!

George

 

[Vintage_Tube]

Re: I've returned from SS doldrums & fully back to my roots -- VAC 450iQ's monos & Master Pre & Renaissance SE Phon

Congrats on an incredible system! George

Thank you, Sir -- music & this hobby is, can I say, fun again. It's like I have a whole new media collection waiting to be played.

Best to you,

Bob

 

[Scotty]

Re: I've returned from SS doldrums & fully back to my roots -- VAC 450iQ's monos & Master Pre & Renaissance SE Phon

Beautiful VAC system there Bob - liked the reference to "Kevin Haye's marvelous creations" - totally agree.

 

[Dizzie]

Re: I've returned from SS doldrums & fully back to my roots -- VAC 450iQ's monos & Master Pre & Renaissance SE Phon

Thank you Sir.

Forgot to add the 12v triggered hour counter I made to track tube hours -- I've since relocated it to the rear of the rack (out of sight so to speak).

Best to all,

Bob

View attachment 33010

Bob,
I see you made a timer to track tube hours. I am getting new gear and think a tracker would be a good idea. Are there commercially made ones available?

Thanks for the pictures of your beautiful system. The picture of your truck en-route was worth 10,000 words.

 

[slowgeezr]

Re: I've returned from SS doldrums & fully back to my roots -- VAC 450iQ's monos & Master Pre & Renaissance SE Phon

What a beautiful system! Congratulations!

 

[Vintage_Tube]

Re: I've returned from SS doldrums & fully back to my roots -- VAC 450iQ's monos & Master Pre & Renaissance SE Phon

Bob,
I see you made a timer to track tube hours. I am getting new gear and think a tracker would be a good idea. Are there commercially made ones available?

Thanks for the pictures of your beautiful system. The picture of your truck en-route was worth 10,000 words.

Thanks Sir,

Not that I'm aware.

Bob

 

[gadawg]

Re: I've returned from SS doldrums & fully back to my roots -- VAC 450iQ's monos & Master Pre & Renaissance SE Phon

Bob,
I see you made a timer to track tube hours. I am getting new gear and think a tracker would be a good idea. Are there commercially made ones available?

Thanks for the pictures of your beautiful system. The picture of your truck en-route was worth 10,000 words.

I found this and am going to order one to see how it works ... says stylus tracker but the same thing applies ...

StylusTimer

George

 

[Ritmo]

Re: I've returned from SS doldrums & fully back to my roots -- VAC 450iQ's monos & Master Pre & Renaissance SE Phon

Sweet! Enjoy the music in good health Bob!

 

[Vintage_Tube]

Re: I've returned from SS doldrums & fully back to my roots -- VAC 450iQ's monos & Master Pre & Renaissance SE Phon

Beautiful VAC system there Bob - liked the reference to "Kevin Haye's marvelous creations" - totally agree.

Thank you, Sir, – he, like his Dad are true masters of tube designed audio components. I consider it a privilege to know such a person.

What a beautiful system! Congratulations!

Thank you, Steve, – a long journey considering I started an interest at age 11 or so. Never in my wildest dreams did I think it would mature to this degree.

I found this and am going to order one to see how it works ... says stylus tracker but the same thing applies ...
StylusTimer George

That’s cool beans George. I recently stayed in a Holiday Inn Express and was not aware of a battery powered timer. That’s why as a backup, I’m a AudioShark member.:coolyeah:

Sweet! Enjoy the music in good health Bob!

Thank you Mike – that’s the key – enjoy it without interference from health matters.

Best to all,

Bob

 

[crwilli]

Re: I've returned from SS doldrums & fully back to my roots -- VAC 450iQ's monos & Master Pre & Renaissance SE Phon

Congrats Bob! Fantastic gear you added.