VAC phi200's

Mike

Mike

Audioshark
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Demoing these babies today....

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I just finished the demo. We listened to a variety of music. My comments begin with "hmmmmm...." (as in, "not what I was expecting"). After having the pleasure of listening to my friends VAC 100/100 many times in his home and my own, I was not prepared for what I heard today. I was thinking it would sound similar, just a smidge better.

Let's just put it this way: I like my coffee to taste like coffee, a truck to drive like a truck (and not a car), my wife to always be the most beautiful woman in my eyes and my tube amps to sound like tube amps. These do not. They sound like very good solid state amps. This isn't a knock or a criticism, its just a fact of how I heard them vs the much older, more traditional tube sounding - VAC 100/100. It is beyond me why tube amp manufacturers like VTL, VAC, and even ARC to a degree - are obsessed with making their amps sound more like solid state, when the solid state manufacturers are working hard to make their amps sound more tube like. I don't get it. If I'm buying a tube amp - I want it to sound like a tube amp - warts and all.

That being said, if you've always wanted a tube amp but have been afraid of the loss of micro dynamics, speed, bass control, punchiness, etc. - then you will be very happy with the phi200's. These amps strike a nice balance between solid state characteristics and some tube characteristics.

However, if you're like me and want your tube amps to sound like, well, tube amps (full, rich, bloomy, voluptuous with soft, palatable rounded edges), then you may want to explore some other options.

I have heard the VAC 300.1's are closer to this fuller, richer sound and I hope to one day audition them as well.

Ironically, for me, I actually think the VAC 200's would sound outstanding on the Alexia's - and I hope one day I can try them on my system. With their speed, punchiness, tight bass control - I feel they would work really well. But for me, they just aren't different enough sonically (and certainly not better) than the D'Agostino Monos - to justify the cost.

As a side, these amps definitely put off some heat.

YMMV.
 
Interesting.

Thanks for the observations.

It does seem like the difference between SS and tube is getting smaller and smaller.
 
Love the VAC gear, but I'm hearing you Mike, you'll definitely need a smidge of warm with the neutral Alexia's
 
Mike said:
I just finished the demo. We listened to a variety of music. My comments begin with "hmmmmm...." (as in, "not what I was expecting"). After having the pleasure of listening to my friends VAC 100/100 many times in his home and my own, I was not prepared for what I heard today. I was thinking it would sound similar, just a smidge better.

Let's just put it this way: I like my coffee to taste like coffee, a truck to drive like a truck (and not a car), my wife to always be the most beautiful woman in my eyes and my tube amps to sound like tube amps. These do not. They sound like very good solid state amps. This isn't a knock or a criticism, its just a fact of how I heard them vs the much older, more traditional tube sounding - VAC 100/100. It is beyond me why tube amp manufacturers like VTL, VAC, and even ARC to a degree - are obsessed with making their amps sound more like solid state, when the solid state manufacturers are working hard to make their amps sound more tube like. I don't get it. If I'm buying a tube amp - I want it to sound like a tube amp - warts and all.

That being said, if you've always wanted a tube amp but have been afraid of the loss of micro dynamics, speed, bass control, punchiness, etc. - then you will be very happy with the phi200's. These amps strike a nice balance between solid state characteristics and some tube characteristics.

However, if you're like me and want your tube amps to sound like, well, tube amps (full, rich, bloomy, voluptuous with soft, palatable rounded edges), then you may want to explore some other options.

I have heard the VAC 300.1's are closer to this fuller, richer sound and I hope to one day audition them as well.

Ironically, for me, I actually think the VAC 200's would sound outstanding on the Alexia's - and I hope one day I can try them on my system. With their speed, punchiness, tight bass control - I feel they would work really well. But for me, they just aren't different enough sonically (and certainly not better) than the D'Agostino Monos - to justify the cost.

As a side, these amps definitely put off some heat.

YMMV.
Click to expand...

Good write up Mike ! That's what I heard with the VAC 160i integrated. I disagree with you on the VAC PHI 200's and the Alexia, I think the Alexia needs more meat on the bone than the VAC will provide, but hey, I've been wrong before. lol
 
The 200's aren't thin sounding. I think they would be excellent.....but I'm looking for a real tube amp.....not one disguising as a solid state amp.
 
Bruce - can you comment on what your friend is using the 275's and Wilson?
 
Mike said:
Bruce - can you comment on what your friend is using the 275's and Wilson?
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Mike…I haven't heard them yet. The system is the 275s run as mono blocs, into Wilson Sophia 3s. Joe and I are hoping to visit and hear them soon. A good friend of mine, who's opinion I trust, has heard the system numerous times and has given me rave reviews….enough that I am seriously considering a pair of the beautiful Mac tube amps. I have heard the Sophia 3s a few times and other Wilsons on many occasions …. I am convinced that all the Wilsons have the ability to be outstanding if mated with the right electronics and set up correctly.
 
Thanks Bruce. I'm eyeing a pair of 275's too. Paul's comment about them got me thinking. Too bad the 275's haven't been around long.... ;)
 
Very nice Vac pces, I also appreciate.

I still recall my first listening experience new right out of the box a brand new Sig MK2a pre-amp, I still owned and had in possession a ARC Ref3, MBL 6010d and VTL 7.5 mk2. I new it was special!

I was at the time comparing numerous amps with my MBL 101E's. The pre-amp paired up well with any of the amps I had on hand - Bolder 2050's, Karan 1200's, MBL 9011's, Bryston 28's, CAT JL3 Sig MK2's just to name a few.

I really liked what I was hearing and as more time went on and I logged on more and more hours on the Vac found it was my preference paired up with any of the amps I had.

In the end those other three pre-amps which I had owned for some time were sold, now I was narrowing down what amps I would end up with my MBL's. I was learning allot listening to different combo's, in the end found myself liking this and that from different manufactures but none that stood out saying that's the one.

I was privy to Kevin of Vac had been working on all out assault mono bocks but crazy expensive and there would be no opportunity to hear with my speakers unless I placed an order. Long story short a opportunity came about that someone happened to own the same speakers and Vac pre-amp - source both red book and my fav being a vinyl set-up in what I call a real word atmosphere, a home. Had to book a flight out of country and go listen.

Upon arrival the music was playing very low, I have found this is very hard for most system's to do and still sound involving. I had never heard this model of MBL's perform in such a way. While there for the three days I tried to find fault's putting them threw numerous listening test, in the end just a marvelous experience. When I got home I still had three of the amps mentioned above - listened for a week and in the end finally packed them up. Really didn't need a week :) I placed my order and waited, sold my last pair off once they arrived

See below some older pics,
 

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