VAC Master 300 Power Amps

**Mike** · November 5, 2021, 02:23 PM

*NEW*

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**Dizzie** · November 5, 2021, 03:48 PM

Mike, anyone,

Any info? Google yields nothing and I do not find it on the VAC website.

**Mike** · November 5, 2021, 03:50 PM

Originally Posted by Dizzie

Mike, anyone,

Any info? Google yields nothing and I do not find it on the VAC website.

Brand spanking new. Just amazing amps. All trickle down from the new 452iQ’s.

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**rrwmd** · November 6, 2021, 04:10 PM

Are they stereo/mono like the 200 iQs?

**Mike** · November 6, 2021, 04:18 PM

Originally Posted by rrwmd

Are they stereo/mono like the 200 iQs?

Yes!

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**rrwmd** · November 6, 2021, 04:31 PM

Dammit, one more thing for me to lust after…

**bzr** · November 7, 2021, 04:46 AM

Originally Posted by Mike

*NEW*

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Nasty nasty there Michael!

**rrwmd** · November 13, 2021, 05:37 PM

How much Mike?

**Mike** · November 13, 2021, 05:40 PM

Originally Posted by rrwmd

How much Mike?

TBD, but likely around $35k each

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**Ricky64** · November 13, 2021, 07:36 PM

Sound characteristics? Comparisions?

**Mike** · November 13, 2021, 07:37 PM

Originally Posted by Ricky64

Sound characteristics? Comparisions?

I heard a lot of similarities to the 452iQ in terms of the dynamics and transparency.

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**SCAudiophile** · November 13, 2021, 09:14 PM

VAC did it right with these from what I heard at CAF 2021 a week ago. The Master 300 is an incredible amp and I heard the same as well as tonal purity and great control up and down the frequency spectrum.

**Mcsnare** · March 29, 2022, 11:13 PM

I have a pair in for review and they are absolutely stunning sounding.

**Mike** · March 29, 2022, 11:40 PM

Originally Posted by Mcsnare

I have a pair in for review and they are absolutely stunning sounding.

With the new look (which I helped design) or the one shown at CAF?

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**Mcsnare** · March 30, 2022, 04:00 PM

No, a pair of the original look. I’m in love with the sound. In don’t think I’ve heard heard an amp reproduce low end quite like these do.

**Mike** · March 30, 2022, 04:11 PM

Originally Posted by Mcsnare

No, a pair of the original look. I’m in love with the sound. In don’t think I’ve heard heard an amp reproduce low end quite like these do.

They are fabulous. Wait until you see the new look! I’m quite proud of myself.

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**u-sound** · March 30, 2022, 04:56 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

Wait until you see the new look! I’m quite proud of myself.

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cool. are you a designer as well?
is the picture from post nr1 the new design? with the flat metal bars?

hosentrager - Google Search

**Mike** · March 30, 2022, 05:03 PM

Originally Posted by u-sound

cool. are you a designer as well?
is the picture from post nr1 the new design? with the flat metal bars?

hosentrager - Google Search

I’m a guy with a pen and a napkin!

No more suspender look.

I’m anxious to see the final product. I still have the sketches I did for Kevin after CAF.

The design is a 180. I’ll explain more when you see it.

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**u-sound** · March 30, 2022, 05:11 PM

very cool, really waiting to see that!

**mulveling** · March 30, 2022, 05:47 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

I’m a guy with a pen and a napkin!

No more suspender look.

I’m anxious to see the final product. I still have the sketches I did for Kevin after CAF.

The design is a 180. I’ll explain more when you see it.

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Excellent! Yeah, the "suspenders" look wasn't stellar. I preferred the classic Marantz homage look of the 200iQ. Looking forward to seeing the new design!

**Mike** · March 30, 2022, 05:47 PM

Originally Posted by mulveling

Excellent! Yeah, the "suspenders" look wasn't stellar. I preferred the classic Marantz homage look of the 200iQ. Looking forward to seeing the new design!

This is different than that and maybe even nicer, but I’m biased!

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**kzhtoo** · March 30, 2022, 10:17 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

I’m a guy with a pen and a napkin!

No more suspender look.

I’m anxious to see the final product. I still have the sketches I did for Kevin after CAF.

The design is a 180. I’ll explain more when you see it.

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Did you get a free amp from VAC for your service?

**Mike** · March 30, 2022, 10:19 PM

Originally Posted by kzhtoo

Did you get a free amp from VAC for your service?

Ha! No. They are my buddies.

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**Mike** · November 11, 2022, 03:52 PM

Originally Posted by kzhtoo

Did you get a free amp from VAC for your service?

Well, here’s the end result:

BEFORE:

MY DESIGN:

My industrial design services are available.

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**rrwmd** · November 11, 2022, 04:02 PM

SO much better!!

**rrwmd** · November 11, 2022, 04:26 PM

What are the output tubes? KT88?

**Mike** · November 11, 2022, 05:02 PM

Originally Posted by rrwmd

What are the output tubes? KT88?

Yes sir

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**Dizzie** · November 11, 2022, 05:02 PM

Gorgeous result. Great job Mike.

**kzhtoo** · November 11, 2022, 11:51 PM

So much better, Mike. I always feel for the arm and leg they charge, VACs are butt ugly. This one is their best looking piece. EVER!

**Mike** · November 12, 2022, 12:01 AM

Originally Posted by kzhtoo

So much better, Mike. I always feel for the arm and leg they charge, VACs are butt ugly. This one is their best looking piece. EVER!

Thanks Khin! I’m proud of it. I know it’s not obvious, but the glass sunk back with beveled edge was something I felt was key. Ditto for the window, IQ indicator layout and buttons.

It’s not obvious. but the entire amp needed to be flipped. Tubes were originally at the back and transformers at the front. No, no, gotta see them tubes!

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**kzhtoo** · November 12, 2022, 12:32 AM

Originally Posted by Mike

Thanks Khin! I’m proud of it. I know it’s not obvious, but the glass sunk back with beveled edge was something I felt was key. Ditto for the window, IQ indicator layout and buttons.

It’s not obvious. but the entire amp needed to be flipped. Tubes were originally at the back and transformers at the front. No, no, gotta see them tubes!

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They’re gonna sell more pieces due to this much much better looking design. I’m sure of it. For that, they owe you big time.

**crwilli** · November 12, 2022, 01:18 AM

Well done Mike. Wonder how they would with Kharmas?

**Mike** · November 12, 2022, 10:06 AM

Originally Posted by crwilli

Well done Mike. Wonder how they would with Kharmas?

Fabulous. Rance has the 200iQ’s with his DB11-S’s and the sound is absolutely sublime.

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**rrwmd** · November 12, 2022, 10:14 AM

[QUOTE=Mike;353927]Fabulous. Rance has the 200iQ’s with his DB11-S’s and the sound is absolutely sublime.

Yeah I am totally loving this combo with the outstanding VAC Master preamp. I’m sure these Master 300 amps would be even better which has me thinking…

**Ritmo** · November 13, 2022, 07:24 AM

Looks great! A massive improvement over the original design. Nicely done!

**Ritmo** · November 13, 2022, 07:29 AM

Well, you need to try them Rance!

**u-sound** · November 16, 2022, 06:46 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

Well, here’s the end result:

BEFORE:

MY DESIGN:

My industrial design services are available.

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i was waiting for the outcome and you surprised me with the window. bravo, not to compare with the old bulky design!

**mulveling** · December 10, 2022, 01:02 AM

I'm listening to a pair of these in my system now (the old prototype version). They're sublimely fabulous - a pair of 200iQ sounds downright "mushy" compared to these. Absolutely effortless total control over the drivers. Even the 300's treble is cleaner and less fatiguing at high volumes. This is THE biggest single component change impact I can even remember. Any remaining reservations about the Master preamp are GONE now. This is a 100% dead-perfect match made in heaven. If you're a VAC fan, you're going to want a pair of these. And by want, I mean you're going to be figuring out what you can sell to fund it once you hear these.

The quirky "suspenders" are growing on me. Looks the same in the dark baby lol. It's a darn shame a van full of Russians just now broke in here and stole them! Dunno what I'm gonna tell my dealer

**rrwmd** · January 26, 2023, 10:13 AM

VAC - When Music Matters - YouTube

**Hiker** · January 29, 2023, 11:18 AM

Reminds me of the McIntosh MC2000.
Audio Classics - MC2000

**rrwmd** · April 1, 2023, 04:22 PM

Now on the VAC website
VAC

**mep** · April 2, 2023, 09:32 AM

Originally Posted by Hiker

Reminds me of the McIntosh MC2000.
Audio Classics - MC2000

An eye exam is in order.

**Mike** · May 26, 2023, 03:06 PM

Just ordered a pair (in black) for the store. This is such an impressive big ballsy amp. And of course, the best looking amp on the planet!

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**Dizzie** · May 26, 2023, 03:17 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

Just ordered a pair (in black) for the store. This is such an impressive big ballsy amp. And of course, the best looking amp on the planet!

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Every parent thinks their baby is beautiful.

**Mike** · May 26, 2023, 03:36 PM

Originally Posted by Dizzie

Every parent thinks their baby is beautiful.

Haha. True!

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**Mike** · June 2, 2023, 05:35 PM

I just had to have my babies!

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**MichaelsMinute** · June 2, 2023, 05:39 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

I just had to have my babies!

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BEAUTIFUL Mike!

**Audio 1** · June 2, 2023, 05:40 PM

They look awesome!! Looking forward to some Youtube videos.
Would love to hear these on the new Magico S3’s when they arrive.

**Mike** · June 2, 2023, 06:06 PM

Originally Posted by Audio 1

They look awesome!! Looking forward to some Youtube videos.
Would love to hear these on the new Magico S3’s when they arrive.

Absolutely!

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**the professor** · June 2, 2023, 07:10 PM

The black looks really great with all of the other black components. Good choice!

Thread: VAC Master 300 Power Amps