VAC Signature 200iq and Renaissance Mk V

[Maxb]

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

 

[joeinid]

Welcome to the forum, thank you for joining.

 

[steinkrieg]

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

 

[Kuoppis]

Pictures?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[joeinid]

 

[Maxb]

Thanks for posting Joe. I can't post photos yet.

 

[Maxb]

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.

 

[Maxb]

Jeremy are you considering a VAC preamp?

 

[steinkrieg]

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

 

[Dguitarnut]

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.

 

[Maxb]

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.

 

[Maxb]

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.

 

[joeinid]

Looks awesome.

 

[steinkrieg]

Thanks for the pics max! Looks great!

 

[Dguitarnut]

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.....

 

[Maxb]

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!