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

Vintage_Tube

Vintage_Tube

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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

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

Vintage_Tube said:
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

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Congrats and that looks super nice!

I agree with you. I went from tube to SS and now back to tube.
 
Re: I've returned from SS doldrums & fully back to my roots -- VAC 450iQ's monos & Master Pre & Renaissance SE Phon

MichaelsMinute said:
Congrats and that looks super nice!

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

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

Mikado463 said:
Nice looking 'space heaters' you've got there Bob, Congrats !
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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.

mxk116 said:
Fantastic rig, Bob, that’s a labor of love. Enjoy
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It sure is and reiterated over my latest transformation.

Mr Peabody said:
Nice set up
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Thank you Sir,
Bob

W9TR said:
Looking great Bob. Glad you turned away from the dark side.
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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.

Gene15352 said:
Beautiful system! Well thought out with synergy in mind.
Gene
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I have a good 20 year rapport with my dealer – he’s a invaluable asset and dear friend.
Best Sir,
Bob

Bones13 said:
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.
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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
 
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
 
Re: I've returned from SS doldrums & fully back to my roots -- VAC 450iQ's monos & Master Pre & Renaissance SE Phon

gadawg said:
Congrats on an incredible system! George
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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
 
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.
 
Re: I've returned from SS doldrums & fully back to my roots -- VAC 450iQ's monos & Master Pre & Renaissance SE Phon

Vintage_Tube said:
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

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

Dizzie said:
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.
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Thanks Sir,

Not that I'm aware.

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

Dizzie said:
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.
Click to expand...

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

StylusTimer

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

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

slowgeezr said:
What a beautiful system! Congratulations!
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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.

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

Ritmo said:
Sweet! Enjoy the music in good health Bob!
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Thank you Mike – that’s the key – enjoy it without interference from health matters.

Best to all,

Bob
 
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.
 
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