VAC PHI 200 upgrade

Following!  I also have Phi 200’s. Super stable and built like tanks. I’m using Shuguang WE KT88 plus output tubes, which I like better than the golden Lions (which are not bad themselves). I don’t expect to make a change, but I’m curious. I am also soon to receive a CODA 16 solid state amplifier. It will be interesting to make the comparison with my Avalon Eidelon diamonds. I am curious if anyone has directly compared the newer VAC KT-88 mono blocks with the Phi 200s. I know they offer more features, but is the sound quality significantly improved? I have read one professional review that says yes, but I’d like to hear what others have to say.  Kevin Hanes told me that two Phi 200s is better than one Phi 300

I guess I am also implying that your choice of tubes might have some effect on your sound quality and satisfaction

If I wanted to try a different high-powered tube amp, I would probably try an ARC. If I could get away with lower power, that would open up the possibilities.

Thank you all. Given my physical space, I cannot accommodate an amplifier footprint any larger that of the Phi 200. I have been hoping that someone would weigh in on the difference in SQ between the Phi 200 and the various IQ models higher up the chain.

I lent a pair of 200iQ’s to a friend back when he had Phi 200. He reported a single 200iQ is definitely better than Phi 200, but perhaps not mind-blowingly so. The pair of 200iQ was better again by about the same amount of improvement.

I’ll say that a pair of VAC monos is always better, BUT when using a single stereo unit (they’re switchable mono/stereo) I’d stick Tung-Sol KT120 in there (in place of stock Gold Lion KT88) and get a lot of the perception of a "more powerful" sound that I like from the monos, from a single stereo amp. You’ll get additional refinement from monos w/ KT88, but at double the cost, and I still quite liked a single in stereo mode w/ KT120. 

I eventually sold the 200iQs and picked up a single Statement 450S (note: this amp was originally voiced with Shugaung KT88; modern Gold Lion KT88 sound different). Now THAT amp with KT120 tubes was a significant improvement a pair of 200iQs. And so is a pair of 300iQs, but at crazy expense there. I like the iQ features and safety (200iQ, 300iQ), but don't mind the old manual biasing (w/ 450S) - it doesn't have to be done often.

If you find a deal on 450S and can swing it, that would rock your world. At a lower budget I’d probably look for a single Phi 300.1a (note the "a" revision) and try KT120. With the Phi 300.1 you get a quad of KT tubes per channel, and that makes a big difference.