Why Not More Conversation about VAC?

Hi Larry

I remember hearing an all VAC system driving a pair of Green Mountain Audio speakers, can't recall the models, at the 1994 show at Doral in Miami. I spent some time speaking with Kevin and was duly impressed with his candor, honesty and friendly easy going nature and of course his obvious love of music. The system was without question one of the most musical and enjoyable being presented at that show and I sure wasn't alone in that assessment. They have always been on the top of my list of great tube products after that demo.

One more point Larry, I never got the impression that VAC was not considered highly regarded tube gear. So far as value is concerned, I can't comment from an experience standpoint but I've never read where VAC has been considered on the cutting edge of price/performance, just great sounding musical tube gear very well designed and built. If not mistaken Kevin is an EE, correct? Not all tube manufacturers are and often this is reflected in poor design that have inherent flaws. I can't recall anything bad although there have been users that have moved on, nothing unusual about that in this hobby.

On the discussion concerning tube rolling, not necessarily in any of the VAC products as it seems Kevin is very thoughtful in voicing his products and if I'm not mistaken he used to provide quality tubes for sale, not sure if this is still true or not. In any case as someone who has spent much time and expense on "tube rolling" it is my experience that it is often about "what flavor do you like". After trying many different NOS 6sn7 line stage tubes in my Supratek, the Sylvania brown base came out as being my very favorite, and with the price of these NOS tubes going through the strastosphere in price, especially from reputible dealers I considered the CV-181 Shuanang Black Treasures and the Sophia Electric 6sn7 opting for the latter after spending a bit of time on the phone and researching.

I just received these tubes last week and they are still settling in, I was told wait 100 hours before serious evaluation but I must say the results are astounding. I would say these are hands down as good as ANY NOS tube compliment I have tried including my beloved Sylvanias. At 200.00 a pair they aren't cheap, but all the tubes are so closely matched that all parameters of performance were improved dramatically, I mean a major big deal in frequency extension top to bottom, dynamics and sheer listening enjoyment. They are still a bit harsh but breaking in quite nicely 40 hours in. For any of you VAC tube rollers, depending of course on the tube function in the circuit, these tubes come with my highest recommendation. Hopefully they will last as long as the best of the NOS, time will tell but it is nice to know there are excellent alternatives.