VAC / VALVE AMPLIFICATION COMPANY - STEREO & HIGH FIDELITY & VACUUM TUBE

Some coverage of the VAC/Von Schweikert Room at HE 2004:

http://www.enjoythemusic.com/hifi2004/becker/page5.htm

http://www.audioasylum.com/audio/general/messages/330057.html

http://www.stereotimes.com/ click "Show Reports", HE 2004 Show Report Part 2 by Nelson Brill

http://www.6moons.com/industryfeatures/he2004/he2004_6.html

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/he04.pl?&&ManuDispList&ST84&NX20

PRESS RELEASE

10 May 2004

VAC Announces First Shipment of Phi Integrated Amplifier

Sarasota, FL - Valve Amplification Company announces the first shipments of the most unique and highest quality integrated amplifier yet produced, the VAC Phi Beta. This new model may also be seen and heard by the public at The Home Entertainment Show in New York.

The VAC Phi Beta combines purist engineering, unprecedented sound quality, and unparalleled flexibility. In brief, it is a full function 110 watt/channel vacuum tube integrated amplifier capable of function in the most complicated multi-channel and/or multi-amplifier systems.

In recent years there has been a major trend to use various solid-state devices for input switching and volume control, even in so-called tube equipment. For the most part, this is driven by the need for increased flexibility and reduced cost. In some cases, the manufacturer will produce a white paper in which they attempt to claim that these great liabilities are actually advances, and apply unique and inventive names to conceal the actual nature of the circuits. VAC abhors such practices.

Since a chain is no stronger than its weakest link, VAC uses only the most pure techniques. Volume control is achieved via a proven mechanical part, driven by motor for remote control purposes. In this way, the sound quality is not degraded to achieve remote control, and full intuitive front panel control is maintained. All signal switching is achieved through extremely expensive hermetically sealed silver contact relays, latched by unusually powerful 24 volt coils.

For flexibility, any line-level input (1-6, Tape, Cinema) of the Phi Beta may be assigned to be controlled by the volume control ("variable") or to operate as a fixed level input ("fixed"). Fixed level inputs are particularly valuable in multichannel or home theater contexts, or whenever it is desired to have the source component control the volume level. Balanced and single-ended inputs are provided.

Since many high end systems incorporate subwoofers or speakers that require an external crossover, the Phi Beta includes a full function preamplifier with both balanced and single-ended outputs. In addition, there is provision for direct input to the Beta's powerful 110 watt/channel Beam Power amplifier, so that it may be used as one element in a bi-amplified or tri-amplified system.

The massive external power supply fully regulates the heater power to each KT88 output tube, the low level tubes, and the lowest level tubes to avoid loss of detail due to minute cross coupling though that normally neglected element. No less than eight separate power transformers are employed, to keep each source of power pure to its use. The high voltage system includes a full twin choke pi filter system for vanishingly low levels of residual noise. Audio ground is carefully decoupled from the ac power line to eliminate the most common sources of ground loops. A controlled automatic power on cycle treats the tubes gently and prevents any untoward turn-on transients.

An all triode phono stage using very precise passive RIAA equalization is standard. Both MM and MC inputs are present, and may be selected from the front panel, allowing for the convenient use of two arms or two turntables in the same system.

The strikingly beautiful chassis is machined at VAC from thick aircraft aluminum plate stock, resulting in a very rigid, non-magnetic chassis with excellent noise rejection properties. The finish is an elegant metallic base coat/clear coat paint.

Later in 2004, the beam power Phi Beta ($19,000 US retail) will be joined by the all triode Phi Kappa integrated amplifier ($20,000 US retail). VAC is the world's premier manufacturer of vacuum tube audio electronics and supplier of audio tubes.

With unparalleled experience and more than 8,000 units in use world-wide, VAC has produced components under the VAC brand, as well as the Marantz Classic series, the resurrection of the legendary Universal Audio LA-2A limiting amplifier, and various other special units, engineering, and OEM projects. VAC also provides cutting amplifiers to the world's finest LP mastering facilities, being used on projects for artists such as Linda Ronstadt, Paul Simon, and Metallica.

We build the world's finest audio components TM