2. amps-preamps
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Cheaper substitute for VAC Avatar?

Hi,

I owned a VAC Avatar for several years, but had to sell it 3 years ago due to medical/financial issues. With sufficiently efficient speakers - meaning at least 89/90 db. and an easy load, such as larger Spendors or Reference 3A -- the standard Avatar in triode was really great. I'd love to pick up another one, but my budget hasn't fully recovered sufficient to afford it, even at current used prices. Any advice on current or used budget gear that might come reasonably close? I especially liked the VAC with 60s & 70s hard/bop jazz, older classic rock and blues vinyl - great inner dynamic contrasts. Thanks,

TLH
tlh28

Showing 2 responses by tlh28

tlh28 OP
90 posts
 
Thanks for the advice. To the person who asked whether it was the EL34 amp, yes it was, and the base model, not the SE. FYI, if you heard it trying to drive large floorstanders with multiple drivers, it wouldn't surprise me if you were disappointed, despite what VAC said about it being able to drive almost any speaker. However, within in the context I used it, in a small to moderate room with efficient 2-way bookshelf speakers, and a high quality vinyl setup, it could be startlingly realistic, dynamic and uncolored.

BTW, I heard the PHI integrated once with large Tannoys, and even though it used KT88s, I thought the sound was voiced quite similar, though obviously the system had a greater frequency range.

TLH
tlh28 OP
90 posts
 
Hi,

I actually had the Aronov before the VAC. Different speakers and other components, so hard to fully evaluate. My brother prefered the Aronov, but I thought the VAC was all-round better. The Aronov seemed to me to have deeper bass, but a little too warm-sounding for me. I thought the VAC LF response was more accurate and detailed, and the mids, highs and overall tone and integrated sound clearly better. Still, if I saw a used Aronov for under $1000, I would snap it up. Budget is sub-1000. Thanks.

TLH
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