VAC Master Preamp Review

**Mike** · July 1, 2019, 07:53 AM

https://www.soundstageultra.com/inde...r-preamplifier

I sure love mine!

**Dth31** · July 1, 2019, 10:56 AM

Like the Constellation Andromeda phonostage, I knew in the first minute of listening to the VAC Master that it was on a whole ‘nother playing field from my previous VAC preamp. I thought THAT preamp was a top-notch preamp, and it was. But the Master was better in every way. I absolutely love mine, too!

There is one sentence in that review, however, that I would point out as also being very accurate, “...and it’s built-in phono stage was of reference level and the equal of almost any other standalone phono stage other than the most extreme luxury models I’ve heard” (emphasis added by me). Don’t buy the built-in phono stage thinking that it will be as good as it gets. It’s very good, but not nearly as good as the Andromeda, for example. Of course, the term “extreme luxury models” definitely applies to the Andromeda!

**Mike** · July 1, 2019, 11:00 AM

Originally Posted by Dth31

Like the Constellation Andromeda phonostage, I knew in the first minute of listening to the VAC Master that it was on a whole ‘nother playing field from my previous VAC preamp. I thought THAT preamp was a top-notch preamp, and it was. But the Master was better in every way. I absolutely love mine, too!

There is one sentence in that review, however, that I would point out as also being very accurate, “...and it’s built-in phono stage was of reference level and the equal of almost any other standalone phono stage other than the most extreme luxury models I’ve heard” (emphasis added by me). Don’t buy the built-in phono stage thinking that it will be as good as it gets. It’s very good, but not nearly as good as the Andromeda, for example. Of course, the term “extreme luxury models” definitely applies to the Andromeda!

True. And certainly not as good as the one I have on order for myself:

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**Bob82** · July 1, 2019, 11:11 AM

I currently have the Signature Mk IIa SE. Special breed of preamps IMO.

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**Dth31** · July 1, 2019, 11:15 AM

Haha! I would NEVER let my dealer bring the Statement Phono by my house for an audition. Ignorance IS bliss. Once you’ve heard something, it can be hard to un-hear it. And I don’t want to know what I’m missing—I can’t afford to!

**Mike** · July 1, 2019, 12:14 PM

Originally Posted by Dth31

Haha! I would NEVER let my dealer bring the Statement Phono by my house for an audition. Ignorance IS bliss. Once you’ve heard something, it can be hard to un-hear it. And I don’t want to know what I’m missing—I can’t afford to!

Since I ordered it in January (there was 26 ahead of mine, 26!!!!), I still wonder if I’m nuts. Well, I am, but aren’t we all? My Kronos Pro and AVID Acutus DARK tables will be happy with the Statement!

I went over to the factory last week to check on my baby. It’s coming along.

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**Dth31** · July 1, 2019, 01:14 PM

Congratulations! I have no doubt that it will bring you many, many, many hours of blissful enjoyment. Kevin is one of the very best designers out there. It will be KILLER.

**cmarin** · July 1, 2019, 05:14 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

True. And certainly not as good as the one I have on order for myself:

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Congrats Mike! That should be an outstanding piece.

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**Mike** · July 1, 2019, 05:23 PM

Originally Posted by cmarin

Congrats Mike! That should be an outstanding piece.

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Thanks!

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**Dguitarnut** · July 1, 2019, 05:45 PM

Take Mike with a grain of salt.....I believe he gets a discount on VAC!

I love my Vac Master preamp also. There again I think even the Renaissance MkV is darn good for the money. Kevin has no slouches in his Preamp lineup.

**Mike** · July 1, 2019, 06:58 PM

Originally Posted by Dguitarnut

Take Mike with a grain of salt.....I believe he gets a discount on VAC!

I love my Vac Master preamp also. There again I think even the Renaissance MkV is darn good for the money. Kevin has no slouches in his Preamp lineup.

I have a good dealer.

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**Jean Sibelius** · July 4, 2019, 08:21 AM

Congratulations Mike. Can only imagine how good this will sound in combination with the rest of your set-up. Enjoy!

**BruceLet** · July 4, 2019, 08:44 AM

Originally Posted by Mike

I have a good dealer.

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Amazing preamp. I have a good dealer too. Thanks Mike!

IMG_3518.jpeg

**joeinid** · July 4, 2019, 07:22 PM

Awesome Bruce, can’t wait to hear it.

**Alpinist** · July 4, 2019, 10:44 PM

I auditioned a VAC Master in my system before I added the Select II DAC. If you like natural warmth and a full midrange with tremendous body and finesse than this is your preamp. As musical as it gets.

Ken

**Justin** · August 28, 2019, 10:50 PM

If anyone wants a Signature SE for a steal, let me know. I am dying to move up higher in the VAC chain.

I auditioned a slew of preamps a couple years ago, and once I heard VAC I knew it was for me. So musical, so... right, to my ears.

**Bob82** · August 29, 2019, 12:00 AM

Since we are in the VAC mood- VAC/ Kharma

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**Tube Guy** · May 30, 2020, 01:37 PM

To Dth31

I have almost the identical system you listed in your post.

I’m considering upgrading my VAC Signature SE to the Master or Statement.

I also have the Andromeda, the VAC Phi 200 Monoblocks (soon to be upgraded to 450’s) and Magico M3’s, plus nearly every one of SR Ted’s toys.

Is the Master way better?

Tube Guy
San Clemente, Ca

**Dth31** · May 30, 2020, 05:14 PM

Hi Tube Guy. Just to be clear, I haven't heard the Signature SE preamp. I owned the Signature MkIIa preamp, and that is what I can compare the Master to. And "yes", the Master is WAY better than the Signature MkIIa.

I was very happy with the Signature MkIIa but accepted the offer from my dealer to hear the Master. Going from the Signature MkIIa to the Master was a HUGE improvement in virtually every way. Absolutely not subtle. Within literally seconds of listening to the Master, it was perfectly clear that the Master played on an entirely different field. As it should for the price difference. Given the resolving ability of your system, I would be very surprised if you disagreed after listening to it.

**Tube Guy** · May 30, 2020, 05:32 PM

My Preamp was the MKIIa but I sent to to VAC and Kevin upgraded it to the SE.

Interesting how similar our systems are. Maybe we bought them from the same Audio deal?

I have the Aurender W20 Server and the Berkeley R3 DAC. You?

**Dth31** · May 30, 2020, 05:48 PM

Yes, very similar!

I purchased all my digital equipment directly from totaldac and currently have the d1-player, d1-streamer, d1-reclocker and d1-twelve mk II dac.

PM sent.

**knghifi** · May 31, 2020, 08:35 PM

I had a VAC SigMKIIa from new, felt long on tooth and ship to SE upgrade before replacing it. Figure Kevin offers upgrade every decade so had to be significant. SE is a HUGE HUGE improvement. A totally different preamp.

Recently sold it to buyer with all VAC except preamp. He called several days after delivery and express how awesome it sounds. 2nd day after settling, it totally transform his system. Never owned a component with this much impact.

**Tube Guy** · May 31, 2020, 08:49 PM

Same here. Sent MKIIa to Kevin , got back the SE upgrade.

**no32** · May 31, 2020, 09:29 PM

Originally Posted by Dth31

Yes, very similar!

I purchased all my digital equipment directly from totaldac and currently have the d1-player, d1-streamer, d1-reclocker and d1-twelve mk II dac.

PM sent.

Totaldac D1 streamer owner here
I’m very happy with it

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**kimurastanley** · August 22, 2020, 10:48 AM

Hello all! I having home trial a VAC signature preamp (non SE) with accuphase A-75 power amp. The preamp is something special and great revelation of my system.

Just want to get any opinion about the new signature Mk2a SE vs the master preamp. Is it a very significant improvement of master vs signature SE and worth the price premium?

Thanks!

**Mike** · August 22, 2020, 01:37 PM

Originally Posted by kimurastanley

Hello all! I having home trial a VAC signature preamp (non SE) with accuphase A-75 power amp. The preamp is something special and great revelation of my system.

Just want to get any opinion about the new signature Mk2a SE vs the master preamp. Is it a very significant improvement of master vs signature SE and worth the price premium?

Thanks!

Worth every penny. The Master is almost identical to the $75,000 Statement. The Master is the sweet spot in the lineup.

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**kimurastanley** · August 22, 2020, 07:48 PM

Thanks Mike.
What are the improvements compared to sig?

**Mike** · August 22, 2020, 08:46 PM

Originally Posted by kimurastanley

Thanks Mike.
What are the improvements compared to sig?

Everything is improved. Transparency, soundstaging, bass, detail. Everything.

**kimurastanley** · August 30, 2020, 06:39 AM

Thanks everyone who chime in and PM me.

For the past weeks, I have auditioned VAC sig, soulution 725, CH L1 and vitus SL-103. Finally I have placed order on VAC master preamp.

Hopefully will be shipped to Singapore soon.

**Bob82** · August 30, 2020, 08:43 AM

Originally Posted by kimurastanley

Thanks everyone who chime in and PM me.

For the past weeks, I have auditioned VAC sig, soulution 725, CH L1 and vitus SL-103. Finally I have placed order on VAC master preamp.

Hopefully will be shipped to Singapore soon.

I have the VAC Signature II SE. Awesome preamp. Don’t have much words apart from gobsmacked. Master preamp upgrade will have to come after speakers and power amp.

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**Mike** · August 30, 2020, 09:04 AM

Originally Posted by kimurastanley

Thanks everyone who chime in and PM me.

For the past weeks, I have auditioned VAC sig, soulution 725, CH L1 and vitus SL-103. Finally I have placed order on VAC master preamp.

Hopefully will be shipped to Singapore soon.

Congratulations! Awesome preamp. Enjoy in good health.

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**knghifi** · August 31, 2020, 09:15 PM

Originally Posted by kimurastanley

Thanks everyone who chime in and PM me.

For the past weeks, I have auditioned VAC sig, soulution 725, CH L1 and vitus SL-103. Finally I have placed order on VAC master preamp.

Hopefully will be shipped to Singapore soon.

Congrats! You can't go wrong with VAC.

**kimurastanley** · December 17, 2020, 01:12 PM

After almost 4 months of waiting, finally Master preamp arrives in Singapore! Choose the black and matches my LUMIN X1.

Starts running in...

**stargazerang** · March 10, 2021, 10:34 AM

hi are you still matching the new VAC master pre with the Accuphase A75? What preamp were you using previously?

In your memory, how much better is the Master with the Accuphase over the Signature 2a you have previously auditioned?

**kimurastanley** · March 12, 2021, 09:05 AM

Originally Posted by stargazerang

hi are you still matching the new VAC master pre with the Accuphase A75? What preamp were you using previously?

In your memory, how much better is the Master with the Accuphase over the Signature 2a you have previously auditioned?

Hi I am still paring with Accuphase A75. Before master preamp I used accuphase C-2150 and master preamp is clearly a big step up and it should be considering the price premium.

Regarding master and signature, both have similar characteristics which I describe as sweet midrange/vocal, with drive and dynamic. Master excels in the noise level/quietness, transparency.

That is my impression in my system.

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**kimurastanley** · March 18, 2021, 03:19 AM

Wondering any VAC preamp users rolled the tubes and what is the recommendation?

**Dth31** · March 18, 2021, 11:42 AM

A 2nd VAC Master preamp thread was recently started. Some tube rolling experiences are described in that thread.

Another VAC Master Thread

**Dizzie** · September 22, 2023, 02:25 PM

Can someone please tell me what the pin configuration is on the trigger? There is no mention in the online manual.

Trigger pin configuration for any VAC equipment? They are probably all the same.

Thanks.

Thread: VAC Master Preamp Review