VAC Signature iQ200

Mike said:
I'm not sure I can remember them all:

Sonus Faber Guanari Evolution
Raidho D1
Raidho D3 mk1
Raidho D3 mk2
Tannoy Cantebury GR
Magico S5 (sold to Bud, he blew them up, Magico repaired them)
....ok....I've forgotten the rest....
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I know you had some Avantgardes, and some Focals if I'm not mistaken. Oh yeah, a pair of dipoles but I can't remember the name.
 
The Sandman said:
I know you had some Avantgardes, and some Focals if I'm not mistaken. Oh yeah, a pair of dipoles but I can't remember the name.
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Those too.

We need to try these VAC Signature 200iQ's on your S7's. I'll bring them up to Tampa.
 
Focal Stella's and Dali Epicon's too if I'm not mistaken


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bthomas9 said:
Focal Stella's and Dali Epicon's too if I'm not mistaken


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Oh man. Suffice it to say, I think I have a lot of real first-hand experience with speakers.

Back to the VAC's. I'm letting them run all day. Kevin said 150 hours for break in. I can't imagine them sounding better than they are right now. The depth of soundstage (3D) is absolutely amazing and the space around instruments is incredible. The bass is also so natural. I'm telling you, HOME RUN.
 
I'm curious to try KT150's or KT120's. May have to order some!


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Bobolaclune said:
Beautiful Mike. They really look outstanding. A word to the wise (as an IQ amp owner) - the circuit can be a little finicky on sharp transients which cause the IQ circuit to kick in & essentially lock-out the input signal. For example, using a very highly modulated LP at a high gain setting on your phono stage can cause the circuit to kick out if you lift the cantilever too abruptly at track end . Only sometimes and with high current phono stages , so not a biggie. The circuit also only operates on the KT power tubes, not on the 6SN7GTB's . Congrats!
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Please explain. Are you muting your preamp first before you lift the cantilever too abruptly or are you just a he-man who doesn't mute the preamp first?
 
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QUOTE=Mike;167625]I'm not sure I can remember them all:

Sonus Faber Guanari Evolution
Raidho D1
Raidho D3 mk1
Raidho D3 mk2
Tannoy Cantebury GR
Magico S5 (sold to Bud, he blew them up, Magico repaired them)
....ok....I've forgotten the rest....[/QUOTE]
 
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mep said:
Please explain. Are you muting your preamp first before you lift the cantilever too abruptly or are you just a he-man who doesn't mute the preamp first?
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I asked Kevin and he said "strong transients resulting from hot cuing can clip a system."

My 200iQ's have been on all day. They sound so damn good. Organic, 3D and the bass! So organic!
 
mep said:
Please explain. Are you muting your preamp first before you lift the cantilever too abruptly or are you just a he-man who doesn't mute the preamp first?
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I never mute my preamp before cueing the arm & this is an issue I have only had with my Goldfinger cart & the Tenor phono , must have something to do with high output of the GF & the interaction with my VAC IQ amps.
 
Mike said:
My wife and I were listening this morning. She said, "these little speakers, I like these. These are the best you've had down here. Keep these." She then goes on to add, "Brent's amps (she doesn't know Kevin) are the best you've had here too. Keep these too. I like these."

The system this morning is sounding absolutely incredible. I swear to God there is something special sonically going on with this iQ technology.

Jerry was over last night for a listen. Hopefully he will chime in.
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Come by my place for a listen next time you're in town Mike - you might like what you hear....
 
Bobolaclune said:
Come by my place for a listen next time you're in town Mike - you might like what you hear....
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I'm afraid to. Big VAC amps and preamp with Maggie 20.7's and Kronos? I bet that's insane!

I will be in Toronto some time this summer. I would love to swing by if you have time.
 
Mike said:
My wife and I were listening this morning. She said, "these little speakers, I like these. These are the best you've had down here. Keep these." She then goes on to add, "Brent's amps (she doesn't know Kevin) are the best you've had here too. Keep these too. I like these."

The system this morning is sounding absolutely incredible. I swear to God there is something special sonically going on with this iQ technology.

Jerry was over last night for a listen. Hopefully he will chime in.
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I was only there for a short visit. But fresh out of the box, the VAC IQ 200's were already sounding awesome. I cannot wait until these settle in a bit. I may have to get a pair for my incoming Magico S-1's. I imagine they will also be a match made in heaven for the Focal Sopra's as well. Better get in line for these, as they have already sold out their first run of these beauties. These are most likely the best bang for your buck, when it comes to top line tube gear. And to include the IQ circuit at this price point, definately puts them over the top. CUDOS TO VAC !!!
 
Mike said:
Those too.

We need to try these VAC Signature 200iQ's on your S7's. I'll bring them up to Tampa.
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Let me know when you get this arranged, a couple of days in advance. I would love to hear this combo as well.
 
Bobolaclune said:
I never mute my preamp before cueing the arm & this is an issue I have only had with my Goldfinger cart & the Tenor phono , must have something to do with high output of the GF & the interaction with my VAC IQ amps.
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Well, that explains your issue.
 
mep said:
Well, that explains your issue.
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Well based upon my experience....and I think I know a little about analog , if you're getting a loud pop out of your speakers on a cueing action , you've got a serious mismatch between impedance and gain in your system. So, please for the sake of a civilized conversation, try to accept that there are other explanations and alternatives modes of managing an analog system. In my experience , too many audiophiles , even relatively experienced ones , have gain settings on their phono stages set too high. There is an optimal gain level, arrived at through trial & error as well as listening which optimizes THD and it is frequently far lower than many may think. For example - you use a Zesto I notice. That generates a sharp transient at start-up , shut-down & when attempting to switch on the fly between MC & MM settings. It would be wrong to assume that all phono stages and systems operate or behave in the same way.
 
KT150's arrived today.

VAC Signature 200iQ with KT150's. LOVE this amp. A tube rollers delight, sound so good at such a reasonable price, you think you stole something (!!), auto biasing, iQ protection circuitry = no tube worries. Just roll and go!

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Hope it works out for you Mike, I wouldn't put them in my 450IQ's . It's not just about bias but whether the power supply is able to cope with 2A of filament current vs 1.6 on the KT88. I bet my GEC KT88's still whoop their butts on SQ.......:P
 
Bobolaclune said:
Hope it works out for you Mike, I wouldn't put them in my 450IQ's . It's not just about bias but whether the power supply is able to cope with 2A of filament current vs 1.6 on the KT88. I bet my GEC KT88's still whoop their butts on SQ.......:P
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They are fully capable of handling KT150's or almost any KT tube for that matter. The 200iQ's have the latest version of the iQ circuitry so I'm good to go. Sounding fantastic so far!
 
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