I am considering an "upgrade" from my ARC REF6SE preamp to a VAC Master preamp. Unfortunately, there is no way for me to actually hear the VAC and/or compare with my REF 6SE and hence I would appreciate hearing (pun) from anyone who has been able to do the comparison.
Of course, the other components will make a difference, so my system consists of:
Sonus Faber Il Cremonese speakers
AMG Viella turntable
Soundsmith Strain Gauge cartridge and its proprietary phonoamp
dCS Rossini Apex DAC
ARC Ref 6SE preamp
d'Agostino Momentum MxV stereo amp
Shunyata omega interconnects, speaker cables and Sigma power cords with an Everest conditioner
Note: I did replace the ARC tubes recently; they now have about 60 hours. This might explain my comments as to its sound and perhaps this negates the need to try anything else (i.e. insufficient break in).
Equally importantly, I suspect, I listen only to classical and jazz, mostly the former. I do appreciate proper timbre of instruments, good separation and articulation (but not "clinical"), wide/deep sound stage. (Alas, the "usual" criteria). Also, I listen at typically low levels of volume (on the ARC, the volume is usually between 13 and 25 out of 103). I enjoy following individual instruments within the orchestra (the proverbial trees), as well as listening to the forest.
Why the potential change? With the addition of the used DAG amp, I feel that (in contrast to the typical comment regarding solid state amps) the sound is perhaps "too polite", perhaps "laid back", perhaps not as articulate, rich, inspiring, as I would prefer. I do not mean to imply it is truly deficient, that would be misleading. Rather, I just sense there should be more "music". Again, perhaps I am merely being impatient, and all that is required is a longer burn in on the ARC tubes. I (and my bank account) can certainly accept that.
But, the design and internal components of the VAC is entirely different from the ARC, so I would assume there will be a different "sound"... perhaps one I would prefer?
Thank you for your time and effort in responding.
Craig
Of course, the other components will make a difference, so my system consists of:
Sonus Faber Il Cremonese speakers
AMG Viella turntable
Soundsmith Strain Gauge cartridge and its proprietary phonoamp
dCS Rossini Apex DAC
ARC Ref 6SE preamp
d'Agostino Momentum MxV stereo amp
Shunyata omega interconnects, speaker cables and Sigma power cords with an Everest conditioner
Note: I did replace the ARC tubes recently; they now have about 60 hours. This might explain my comments as to its sound and perhaps this negates the need to try anything else (i.e. insufficient break in).
Equally importantly, I suspect, I listen only to classical and jazz, mostly the former. I do appreciate proper timbre of instruments, good separation and articulation (but not "clinical"), wide/deep sound stage. (Alas, the "usual" criteria). Also, I listen at typically low levels of volume (on the ARC, the volume is usually between 13 and 25 out of 103). I enjoy following individual instruments within the orchestra (the proverbial trees), as well as listening to the forest.
Why the potential change? With the addition of the used DAG amp, I feel that (in contrast to the typical comment regarding solid state amps) the sound is perhaps "too polite", perhaps "laid back", perhaps not as articulate, rich, inspiring, as I would prefer. I do not mean to imply it is truly deficient, that would be misleading. Rather, I just sense there should be more "music". Again, perhaps I am merely being impatient, and all that is required is a longer burn in on the ARC tubes. I (and my bank account) can certainly accept that.
But, the design and internal components of the VAC is entirely different from the ARC, so I would assume there will be a different "sound"... perhaps one I would prefer?
Thank you for your time and effort in responding.
Craig