VAC Sig Ren MK2a Headscratcher


I am thinking about adding a solid-state amp (DNA-500) to my system to drive the bass cabinets of my VR-7se's. Currently I have 1 set of balanced outs going to 2 VAC 300.1s that are each driving a VR-7se speaker full range. The other set is driving my subwoofer.

If I disconnect the sub and hook up the 500 to these balanced outputs from the pre, with the 500 speaker outputs going to the bass cabinets of the VR-7se's, will this work? Only problem I can see is that both modules of each speaker will be receiving a full range signal, but only using a portion of it depending upon the drivers. Balancing will be a snap as the volume control will control the 500, with the attentuating knobs on the VACs available to balance the rest of the speaker to the bass.

Will I be doing any damage this way? Is there a better way to do this w/o complicating things with crossovers, etc? Does what I'm proposing make sense? The 7's love power and I had the DNA-500 sitting in a closet.... Seems like this way I can get the best of both worlds, with about 750w going to each bass unit and 300 VAC tube watts (50w+/- Class A) going to each mid/tweet/super-tweet module. On paper, seems like a great idea, BUT...Before I go very far down this path, I'd really like to get some feedback and answers to these questions above.

Thanks in advance for any light you can shine in the tunnel.. :-)

BTW- just replaced noisy Dragon 6dj8 pre driver tubes with Seimens NOS 7308's - quieter(obviously), better imaging, bigger soundstage, more air and a bit tighter bass - after 1 hour!! Will only get better - more expensive but worth it IMHO. YMMV.
fplanner2010

Showing 8 responses by dev

Hi Fplanner2010,

if you got a pair of Vac's Statement 450's you would not have to worry about this Ha! Ha!

Very interesting what you posted above in relation to the tubes in your Vac, are those the only ones you have changed.

Do you have the stock fuses or did you go with ...

I'm at the stage now to try some different things such as tubes, fuses, power cords etc.

I'm truly enjoying my current set-up but when I read from other owners such as your self really peaks my interest specially when the cost of trying really is not too costly.

Where did you get you Seimens NOS 7308 tubes
I see what you are doing but no solid state amp that I have tried to date provides the sonic characteristics of what these tube amps can.

I have had Boulder 2050's, Karan 1200,s, MBL 9008's and 9011's, Bryston 28 Squared just to name a few all with the same speakers.

Using these amps with my speakers ya there was bass but know way sounded like it does as with my VAC 450's, not in the same universe. I'm not just saying that because I own them, it's a fact.

F.Y.I. Amount of power isn't everything, it's "The QUALITY" that matters :-)

I think my speakers might possibly be a little less efficient when it comes to this area than your also and when I tried a pair of 300.1 on my speakers just didn't do it.

Heck by the time you deside to buy a pair they will be $100K Ha! Ha!, they are now @ $80K and Kevin continues to get orders so you know he will continue to raise the price.

My pre-amp doesn't have that switch either so our pre's must be the same besides except mine has the built-in phono added.

I just ordered a pair from Sam who had listed on Gon saying;

Siemens and Halske grey plates 7308 E188CC NIB/NOS best of the best!

These grey plates tubes are the best Simens made E188CC/7308 tubes. According to the date code engraved on the metal plates inside the glass, these two tubes were made in 1967 with the same G7/1C date code. They scored 92/104 and 102/92---almost 100% matched! For Simens 7308/E188CC tubes, these are good as you can get.

So we will find out soon enough.

Cables; that's a whole story on it's own.
Fplanner- yes I look forward to hearing those tubes.

The DNA-500 is an okay amp but really nothing special to me. Your passion speaks volumns, if you feel the 500 is that great why do you have your VAC 300.1's.

I have never heard any solid state period provide the same bass as a top notch tube amp can, once you get the 450's and experience such you will know what I talking about and all will be history.
Hi Fplanner- no worries it's just a discussion of agree to disagree which is okay and nothing else meant by my replies.

Let us know how it works out for you.

Visiting Kevin to hear the 450's, don't think that's going to pan out, reason I mention such is becuase someone else whom I know was wanting to do such but was referred by Kevin to best go to a dealers or someones place.

Even doing is far from being ideal, if they just happened to have the identical speakers you have that would be amazing but what's the chance of that happening, slim to non.

I know of a guy who has two pairs of 450's and is bi-amping his speakers, absolutely crazy but has me wondering what my speakers would sound like.

Never ending journey.
Hi Fplanner,

Yes I did, I actually owned one. Tried it with Focal Salon's and Andra 2's which I both owned.

I'm waiting to receive my tubes and I'll pass along my thoughts once I log in some time.
Kernelbob,

Kronzillas, I like those amps. That would be an intersting set-up to hear. How are you dealing with matching, what's the rest of your system?

Does your friend have the same speakers also.
Interesting, you are using a ARC REF3 pre. I recall reading a thread discusion some time back that the owner owned a REF3 also and paired it up with the Spectron mono blocks and was a desaster, I then read from others whom tried and also did not favour.

I'm still not getting is because both amps are totally different and you are bi-amping such just pluged into the REF3, Correct?

I have personally never heard positive results in doing such so I'm kinda left scratching my head with this one and I personally owned a REF3 for 4 years.