VAC PHI 200 upgrade

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. 

Thank you. This is extremely helpful!