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CES 2009 Report (updated 11 March 2009)

The annual Consumer Electronics Show was held in Las Vegas from January 8th though the 11th. VAC was there in full force, with four systems in three rooms, and more equipment in a fifth system. This is the first time that we've provided a synopsis on our website - we hope you enjoy it!

First, we should report that the press was quite enthusiastic about our efforts. Many requests were received for receive samples, and Positive Feedback Online designated our main room as an "Audio Oasis", a rare spot where good sound and good music held sway. It didn't take many words to report. they simply wrote, "Audio Oasis. Gershman Black Swan loudspeakers with VAC amplifiers and preamplifiers, along with Magnan Cables. Lovely sound with amazingly deep and clean bass. WOW!"

VAC showed two new products. The first, the Phi 200 Power Amplifier was actually seen at RMAF in Denver, but final voicing was not complete until early this year, with the first production shipments occurring on January 6th. So, this was the first show for the production version of the Phi 200. We're very excited about this model, which sounds very much like the Phi 300.1 but at a retail price of $9,800. A pair of these in mono offer about 220 watts a side at a cost of $19,600, which provides a credible alternative to the Phi 300.1's 150 watts/channel at $18,000.

The Absolute Sound's Dick Olsher noted, "I'm fairly convinced, even after only a short audition, that Valve Amplification Company's (VAC) Phi 200 stereo power amplifier ($9,800) is one of the finest high-power tube amplifiers on the market." He says quite a bit more, which you can read in the April/May 2009 TAS.

The second new model is the Renaissance Mk III Preamplifier, which reasserts VAC's leadership in premium preamplifiers priced under $10,000 (in this case, $9,800 for the line stage version). It differs from the earlier versions in several important ways. First, approximately 30 relays have been removed from the signal pathways when compared to the Mk II. These relays were required to implement the extensive remote control switching of signals. Unfortunately, we have never yet found a relay (or transistor switch) which, regardless of price, sounds as pure as a simple switch with silver contacts. Since remote functions beyond volume and mute are actually used by very few customers, it was decided to delete the relays and go for the last few ounces of sound quality and have only volume and mute on the remote. Second, at the behest of several listeners and one reviewer, the line stage circuit topology is adapted from the recent $22,000 Phi Beta Integrated Amplifier, which provides noticeable improvements in speed and at the frequency extremes.

We're very excited about these two new models, which are off to a fine start.

As for the CES experience itself, let's start at the beginning.

One of the most challenging things about the CES is the travel. VAC's Brent Meyer used an 11mm lens on his Nikon D300 to make this unusual picture of VAC's founder and president Kevin Hayes at about midnight in the D concourse of Atlanta's Hartsfield Airport. Suave, hopefully. Tired, definitely!

One more from the Atlanta airport: the march of the ketchup bottles at Phillips Crab. Good lobster bisque.

One last travelogue shot: Brent's view of our arrival at McCarran airport in Las Vegas.

Here we are at The Venetian Towers, room 30-310, which held the wonderful teaming of Gershman Acoustics, Magnan Cables, and VAC.

The system consisted of the Gershman Black Swan loudspeakers ($36,000), the VAC Alpha DAC ($8,000), the VAC Signature Mk II Preamplifier with MC phono (still our very best at $18,000), and a pair of the new VAC Phi 200 power amplifiers ($9,800 each) operating in mono mode. A SOTA turntable (courtesy of Jay at Audio Revelation), Magnan cables, and an Accuphase DP85 (as a transport) completed the ensemble.

This is probably the best sounding system we've ever had at a show. As PFO said, "WOW!"

This is the irrepressible Ofra Gershman (priceless) mugging in Kevin's hat ($60). Ofra and her husband Ellie (price to be announced) are some of the nicest people you could ever meet. Fortunately, they also make about the best $36,000 speakers and the best $3,800 speakers (the Sonograms) I can think of.

Speaking of super-nice people who also make great audio gear, this is Joann Shmizu from Magnan. It is always a great pleasure to do a show with these folks. We hope to do it again!

Just down the hall, VAC could be found in three systems presented by King's Audio.

This first system consisted of the new VAC Renaissance Mk III Preamplifier ($9,800), a VAC Phi 200 power amplifier ($9,800), and the new KingSound "Prince II" full range electrostatic loudspeakers ($5,600). This system generated a lot of positive comment. I think this will be a breakthrough year for King's Audio.

This little system ran on a prototype VAC Integrated amplifier (essentially the Phi 200 power amplifier and Renaissance Mk III line and phono stages in a robust 120 pound package!) powering the new KingSound "Queen" hybrid loudspeakers (to the outside of the omni speakers, which arrived with shipping damage). Quite a pleasing, seamless sound from these under $2,000 three way 'stats.

In room 30-317 King was showing the new "King System" hybrids (conventional woofer towers and large 'stat panels) as well as the large, full range "King" electrostatics (shown here along the side wall, $8,000/pair). Electronics were the new Renaissance Mk III Preamplifier with MC phono ($11,800) and a pair of Phi 200 amplifiers ($9,800 each, one for biamp service with the hybrid speakers). By the way, Kevin is greatly enjoying a pair of Kings in one of his home systems, powered by the Phi 200.

The VAC Alpha DAC ($8,000) also made an appearance in one of Albert Von Schweikert's rooms, working with an APL transport and George Kaye's Moscode power amplifier.

What else was fun at the show? Probably the highlight for me was spending an hour with Allen Sides of Ocean Way Recording, swapping playback of copies of master tapes and learning about his new monitor system. For those of you who do not know, the roots of Ocean Way are with Bill Putnam's United and Western Recorders in Los Angeles (as an aside, VAC did the engineering and initial production when Bill's son resurrected the Universal Audio LA2A limiting amplifier). Talk about history! Allen also possesses one of the finest collections of pristine vintage microphones in the world. Of course, it's always nice to run into good folks like Robert Kelly (German Physics), Bob and Justine Graham (Graham Engineering), David Ellington from Sumiko, Manny Aguilar from The Sounds Of Excellence, David Weinhart, Skipper Wise and Martins Saulespurens (BLUE microphones), TAS's Jonathan Valin, Gary and Cindy Kerr of The Audio Gallery, Phil Gold (I owe him a Coleman Hawkins disc), Ken Kessler, Larry Marcus of Paragon Sound, Dick Olsher, Chuck Bruce, Adam Goldfine, and so many more.

Kevin Hayes

22 January 2009

Other show reports:

Audiogon on Room 30-310

Audiogon on Room 30-318

Audiogon on VAC dac in Von Schweikert room

Photographs by Kevin Hayes and Brent Meyer.

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