VAC tube amp on the way

doctor r

I finally decided to upgrade my amp. A couple of years ago I bought a VAC preamp that amazed me and now have a partner for it. On Monday I should be taking delivery of a VAC PA100/100 105 watt per channel KT88 based amp.
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Once it all checks out I will make my Shanling SP80 EL34 based monblocks avaliable for sale with local pickup in North Florida at a very good price.
It is going to be a long weekend waiting on that Monday delivery.

Rick

blakeh

Looks like a really nice piece of equipment! Congrats.

F1nut

Nice amp!

megasat16

Looks very Nice! Congrats!

george daniel

VAC is very nice gear--congratulations.

doctor r

The VAC PA100/100 arrived yesturday without UPS managing to break it though the box looked like they tried.:biggrin: Sadly I only was able to play it for about one hour after working late and the system change out. The KT88 sound is defenitely different from the EL34 with increased extension at the highs and better control of the bass. The mids are not as sweet, but the music just sounds more natural, more correct if that is a possible term in this case. I debated all week if I would just keep both power amps, but I can not justify that idea so I will be finding a new home for my el34 based monoblocks. Anyone close to the NE Florida area that may be interested drop me a PM. I will officially list them here in the near future. (Shanling SP80 pair $800 - local pickup)

Rick

inspiredsports

Doctor R wrote: »

. . . the KT88 sound is defenitely different from the EL34 with increased extension at the highs and better control of the bass. The mids are not as sweet, but the music just sounds more natural, more correct if that is a possible term in this case.

Nice Amp! You didn't mention the brand of tubes involved in the monoblocks or the new VAC.

I'm wondering if the differences you are noticing are mainly the difference between the power tubes (EL34 vs KT88's), or the preamp tubes (the 12AU7's) in your new amp.

I know it's crazy for me to even mention rolling as you've only been hot for an hour, but depending upon what came from the seller in your new amp, I would certainly consider auditioning Mullard, Valvo and Telefunken 12AU7 variations in front of those KT88's.

doctor r

Thanks Inspired
I understand your thoughts. The 12au7 drivers and splitters presently employed are actually Phillips JAN 6189s. The KT88s are VAC sourced. On my other amps I was using NOS Sylvania 6sl7 and 6sn7s in front of SED EL34s. I had rolled alot of tubes through the Shanlings to arrive at this combination. I am actually hoping to not be on the tube rolling coaster with this amp, and just enjoy it for a while. The Shanlings actually sound excellent in thier present configuration, the VAC just sound a little better.

heiney9

Ha...Ha "tube rolling roller coaster" comes with the territory, I'm sure you know that. That's part of the game and fun with tube gear. Congrats on a sweet looking amp!

H9

doctor r

I know I will be lined up at the turnstiles to board the coaster in the near future. I would like to try some of the Treasure and psvane tubes when I have some funds avaliable. I am interested in trying to find some modern production tubes I like. After rolling alot of 12AX7s through my VAC pre I did find that the VAC sourced ones sound the best. Go figure. I guess because they carefully voiced them knowing what tubes would be in them caussing a synergy I could not better with NOS tubes. I have a lot of NOS 12AX7s (Mullard, Tele, ect) that I need to find new homes for. Also 5691s, NOS 1940s Sylvania 6SL7s, NOS Tung Sol 6SU7s ect. When you change equipment and take inventory it can be surprising what you may have stashed away.:redface:

heiney9

I hear you Rick!! In the short time I've owned my 4 tube pieces I've accumulated a LOT of tubes. I'm compulsive that way. I just didn't realize how many until I started packing for a move. Christ, I have a lot of tubes.

That being said, I am interested in your 12AX7's and 6SL7's and possibly the 6SU7's if they are the older Tung Sol brown base round plate from the late 40's early 50's.

Give me a hollar when you decide to move some of that stuff. Hopefully it won't be too soon since I'm moving and getting settled and have some expenses coming up soon.

H9

janmike

Those do look sweet. Congrats.

inspiredsports

Doctor R wrote: »

Thanks Inspired
I understand your thoughts. The 12au7 drivers and splitters presently employed are actually Phillips JAN 6189s. The KT88s are VAC sourced. On my other amps I was using NOS Sylvania 6sl7 and 6sn7s in front of SED EL34s. I had rolled alot of tubes through the Shanlings to arrive at this combination. I am actually hoping to not be on the tube rolling coaster with this amp, and just enjoy it for a while. The Shanlings actually sound excellent in thier present configuration, the VAC just sound a little better.

The only reason I mentioned it is that I have fiddled around a bit with the power tube in my amp (6L6's, 5881's and derivitives) and found the differences to be less pronounced than the 12AT7/ECC81's in front of them.

I know this is very subjective, but I just rolled a $140 matched quad of Valvo Hamburg ECC81's in place of a $500 matched quad of supposed "holy grail" super premium Telefunken ECC801's and I feel the Valvo's sound quality is "3 times" better. The change in soundstage dimension (both width and especially depth) and the quality of highs and mids is now simply astounding.

The Telefunkens were very good, but sometimes "brittle" sounding. I also have some decent Electro Harmonix, RCA's and Amperex tubes that don't even come close to the Telefunken's. The Valvos are exceptional, but I still have a sneaking suspicion Mullard Blackburns may yield even more improvement and have some on the way.

I know you don't want to consider it, but your ears may be rewarded by finding out what combinations others who own a PA100/100 have tried, and then experimenting for yourself based upon what you find.

heiney9

I agree Greg about the Valvo vs Tele I like them both with the edge to the Valvo's especially the 6201's. But the ECC83=ECC803 and ECC81=ECC801, I'm sure you meant ECC81 not ECC83.

I have also found signal tubes in general can change the characteristics more than power tubes.

H9

inspiredsports

heiney9 wrote: »

I agree Greg about the Valvo vs Tele I like them both with the edge to the Valvo's especially the 6201's. But the ECC83=ECC803 and ECC81=ECC801, I'm sure you meant ECC81 not ECC83.

I have also found signal tubes in general can change the characteristics more than power tubes.

H9

Thank you! I had time to edit my mistake. Yes, ECC81/12AT7/ECC801

And I understand the OP's amp signal tubes are 12AU7, but the idea in my mind is those little signal tubes may make more of a difference than the power tubes. I felt the OP might have thought the power tubes to be the more dominant factor and wanted to share I've found the opposite in my specific amp.

outlander

The KT88 sound is defenitely different from the EL34 with increased extension at the highs and better control of the bass. The mids are not as sweet, but the music just sounds more natural, more correct if that is a possible term in this case.

Doctor R, I've noticed the same difference in sound between EL34 and KT88 based amps. I agree that KT88 amps may be more neutral but may not be as pleasant to listen to for extended periods. You may want to hold on the Shanlings until you have a chance to really audition the VAC. The last thing you want to do is sell it and then kick yourself later.

RuSsMaN

You are probably hearing the difference in the output transformers, moreso than a difference between EL34 and KT88. With 100 watts, they are still running as beam-power tetrodes. Is there a switch on that amp for 'ultralinear / triode'? (ties the screen grid to the anode for a more lush, rich sound, but lower power)

Cheers,
Russ

doctor r

Some of the later VAC amps had the Triode/Ultralinear switch. It was and is an option to have them converted to triode. It is nice to have the manafactuer about four hours from my house and that they are willing to work on these and continue to upgrade them. The transfomers are amazing. The amp weighed 69 lbs shipped and after lifting the amp I believe that 60 lbs are in the transfomers. So far listening this evening has been ....... amazing. The top to bottom detail, presence, and smoothness has well surpassed the Shanlings. A different presentation for sure, but it just seems to present the music better. My wife even noticed, sat down to listen for over an hour, and went to get her own CDs(could I actually have done something right?).

RuSsMaN

Atta boy.

doctor r

Inspired
I appresciate the sharing, and I agree about the signal tubes. I have quite a collection of the ones from the Shanlings as I tried many different variations and combinations over the past four years. I am sure that I will eventually start to wonder "what would a quad of ........ sound like" and then off we go, but for a while I really like the way it sounds today.

tonyb

Doctor R wrote: »

Some of the later VAC amps had the Triode/Ultralinear switch. It was and is an option to have them converted to triode. It is nice to have the manafactuer about four hours from my house and that they are willing to work on these and continue to upgrade them. The transfomers are amazing. The amp weighed 69 lbs shipped and after lifting the amp I believe that 60 lbs are in the transfomers. So far listening this evening has been ....... amazing. The top to bottom detail, presence, and smoothness has well surpassed the Shanlings. A different presentation for sure, but it just seems to present the music better. My wife even noticed, sat down to listen for over an hour, and went to get her own CDs(could I actually have done something right?).

Now your talkin', get the wife involved. When she runs for her cd's, your good as gold my friend. Congrats on the amp, and a nice choice I might add.
I see a nice bottle of wine and sex in your future. Hopefully you won't be alone. Who says audio gear is for geeks ? Happy listening.

inspiredsports

Doctor R wrote: »

Some of the later VAC amps had the Triode/Ultralinear switch. It was and is an option to have them converted to triode. It is nice to have the manafactuer about four hours from my house and that they are willing to work on these and continue to upgrade them. The transfomers are amazing. The amp weighed 69 lbs shipped and after lifting the amp I believe that 60 lbs are in the transfomers. So far listening this evening has been ....... amazing. The top to bottom detail, presence, and smoothness has well surpassed the Shanlings. A different presentation for sure, but it just seems to present the music better. My wife even noticed, sat down to listen for over an hour, and went to get her own CDs(could I actually have done something right?).

Sounds like you did it just right!

I'm really interested in this thread as your amp is on my list of those I would love to own as I continue my journey further down the tube rabbit hole :biggrin:

My VTL ST50 drives my SDA SRS II's nicely, but I'll bet 100 tube watts a side would be even more authoritative at higher listening levels.

doctor r

PA100/100 in its new home.
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The sound of this amp is amazing. Micro details and masive soundstage simultaniously. Little sleep and a large smile is what this weekend has brought.

Fongolio

She's a beauty!! Congrats.

danz1906

Congrats!