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GregM
04-21-2003, 04:20 PM
. . .VAC designed a "Super" version of the Avatar. I already upgraded the standard Avatar to the Special Edition version. Now this. Did anyone get a chance to hear this baby at CES?
http://www.vac-amps.com/avatar_super.htm
http://www.vac-amps.com/avatar_super_front_small.jpg
Ted Bell
04-21-2003, 04:36 PM
Wow, that's beautiful!
GregM
04-21-2003, 04:45 PM
She does bring a tear to the eye, doesn't she? Here's the one I have now.
http://www.vac-amps.com/avatar_top.jpg
http://www.vac-amps.com/avatar_front.jpg
RetroSmith
04-21-2003, 05:11 PM
Wow!! just beautiful!!!
Steve Hoffman
04-21-2003, 05:39 PM
VAC is going to be sending me one in a week or so. I'll report back and let you know how it compares to the old Avatar.
GregM
04-21-2003, 05:45 PM
Much obliged if you do. I'm trying to arrange a comparison, but no luck so far. In the meantime, what are your impressions of the KT88 tube vs EL34. If you're like me, you enjoy running the Avatar in triode mode, but apparently that's not do-able with the Super Avatar.
Steve Hoffman
04-21-2003, 06:14 PM
KT-88's vs. EL-34's? I don't have much of a preference for either, actually. What I mean to say is that it's the circuit that gives most of the sound character.
Ronflugelguy
04-21-2003, 08:20 PM
Steve, would this amp be one of those"FAST" amps that you have mentioned?
Steve Hoffman
04-21-2003, 08:49 PM
Yes, it's a modern tube amp. A nice integrated design.
GregM
05-04-2003, 09:27 PM
Steve, any sign of the Super yet?
bassface
05-14-2003, 10:22 PM
Any sign?
Steve Hoffman
05-14-2003, 10:24 PM
Nothing yet.
GregM
06-27-2003, 09:58 PM
Hey Steve, what's the word on the Super Avatar?

I heard one at HES through the new Pipedream monitors and I was not impressed (the big pipedreams with VAC's Phi monoblocks were probably the best thing I heard at the show, but that's another story). Anyway, I'm still very much interested in your comments, and hanging on to my SE version in the meantime. :)
Steve Hoffman
06-27-2003, 10:32 PM
I've received nothing from VAC. We'll see what happens!
GregM
08-28-2003, 04:10 PM
Two months later. Thought I'd check in. Anything?
fjhuerta
08-28-2003, 04:16 PM
Drool.

Those amps are beautiful...
Steve Hoffman
08-28-2003, 04:19 PM
Nada!
GregM
11-14-2003, 03:49 PM
Steve, two months later and it's deja vu all over again. Any sign of it?
John Buchanan
11-15-2003, 03:37 PM
have a look at the phi series.... WOW!!!
Steve Hoffman
11-15-2003, 03:45 PM
VAC makes beautiful (but expensive) stuff all right.

http://www.vac-amps.com/

I won't be getting anything new until after CES in January....
Tullman
11-15-2003, 03:53 PM
Boy that amp looks nice.
Steve Hoffman
11-15-2003, 04:01 PM
Sounds nice, too.
Tullman
11-15-2003, 04:03 PM
Yeah baby!! Beautiful lay out and made in the good ole USA. Maybe I should refinance my house.
GregM
11-16-2003, 11:18 AM
The Phi stuff is the ultimate. I heard it with the pipedreams at HES and was completely floored. I thought it sounded even better than the BAT/Avant Garde room--and Bob Kehn was playing CD with the VAC whereas the BAT demo used vinyl.

But yes, the phi is too rich for my blood and more power than necessary for my needs. I'll stick with the Avatar which I can honestly say is the best investment in audio gear I've ever made!
Metralla
11-16-2003, 07:13 PM
Originally posted by GregM
I heard it with the pipedreams at HES and was completely floored.
So did I, but I thought the Pipes in the Lamm room were working better. CEC transport with the Weiss DAC sounded superb. They played my Misty River test track and this came off beautifully.

When I was in the VAC room they were also playing some vinyl - on the TNT X. Pat Barber - and I did not like the way the vinyl noise sat in the same "plane" as the music. The amps looked nice, but I prefer the Lamm look.