Many manufacturers release updates frequently, resulting in great expense and confusion. VAC looks at the world a little differently. Rather than releasing every possible minute change, we wait until we have voiced a complete, integrated series of improvements which work together synergistically. As a result, a VAC upgrade represents a dramatic enhancement of sound quality.

VAC even strives to continue to make upgrades available even after the model has finished production. These policies combine to protect your investment and to assure you that your VAC instrument is always state-of-the-art. We support all of our products, all the way back to the PA90 of 1990.

The table below summarizes the upgrades currently offered for all models ever produced. In general, VAC enhancements provide a more vivid sound. You'll feel more there... as Fi magazine once said, "This was clearly not just another excellent sounding component that would earn my intellectual respect but fail to win my heart; it was a great - perhaps even timeless - piece of audio gear."

Existing Version
(alphabetical order)		 New Version Retail Price ($US) Changes...
Avatar Avatar Special Edition $800 All new coupling capacitors and audio path resistors. Many new power supply capacitors.
PA80/80 PA100/100 $ 800 Revision of passive parts, revised chassis grounding, power supply noise suppression techniques, greater current capability in output tube pathway. New "PA100/100" badges at extra cost.
PA80/80 PA100/100 "Phi front end" $2,000 As above, plus the Phi 300.1 style input and driver upgrade listed below for the PA100/100
PA90A or B PA90D $850 per channel Modification of high voltage and bias power supplies. New interstage coupling capacitors, power supply noise supression modifications.
PA90A or B PA90E $1,050 per channel As above, plus new interstage coupling capacitors, power supply noise supression modifications, and fits the new front end circuit topology from the Phi 300, resulting in greater speed, dynamic, detail, and bass punch.
PA90C/C1 PA90D $800 per channel New interstage coupling capacitors, power supply noise supression modifications.
PA90C/C1 PA90E $1,000 per channel As above, plus fits the new front end circuit topology from the Phi 300, resulting in greater speed, dynamic, detail, and bass punch.
PA90D PA90E $750 per channel Fits the new front end circuit topology from the Phi 300, resulting in greater speed, dynamic, detail, and bass punch.
PA100/100 "Phi 300.1" style input/driver upgrade $1,400 Fits the new front end circuit topology from the Phi 300, resulting in greater speed, dynamic, detail, and bass punch.
Phi 110/110 "Phi 300.1" style input/driver upgrade $1,500 Fits the new front end circuitry from the Phi 300, resulting in greater speed, dynamic, detail, and bass punch. Also more tolerant of negative feedback, the values of which are adjusted.
Phi 220 "Phi 300.1" style input/driver upgrade $2,000/pair As above.
Renaissance 30/30 (any) Renaissance 30/30 Mk III $ 1,000 Revision of passive parts.
Renaissance 30/30 (any) Renaissance 30/30 Mk III-S (Signature circuit) $ 2,400 Change of audio resistors and capacitors to "VAC Signature Series" components
Renaissance 70/70 (any) Renaissance 70/70 Mk III $ 2,400 Revision of passive parts, new power supply noise control techniques, high frequency bandwidth extended, revised chassis grounding, increased current capability in the output tube pathway,.
Renaissance 70/70 (any) Renaissance 70/70 Mk III-S (Signature circuit) $ 4,800 Change of audio resistors and capacitors to "VAC Signature Series" components
Renaissance 140 Mk I & Mk II Renaissance 140 Mk III
 $ 2,400 per channel Same as Ren 70/70
Renaissance 140 Mk (any) Renaissance 140 Mk III-S (Signature circuit) $ 4,800
per
channel		 Change of audio resistors and capacitors to "VAC Signature Series" components
Signature Preamplifier Mk I
(a/k/a "Renaissance Signature")		 Signature Preamplifier Mk II $5,000 Complete modification of the line stage. Fully balanced, all Class A1 triode, no capacitors in the audio path whatever. New premium rhodium RCA jacks. New input transformer and volume control configuration. New input wiring harness. Lower gain, much lower noise floor & longer tube life. Adds detail and resolution, particularly in the upper midrange and lower treble.
Signature Preamplifier Mk II
(a/k/a "Renaissance Signature Mk II")		 Volume control update $750 Applies to units made prior to 2008
Signature Mk II Signature Mk IIa
current version		 1) $500
2) $1,500
3) $800		 1) Adds ability to use alternative tubes in the line stage (7308, 6922, E88CC, ECC88, 12DJ8, 6DJ8);
2) Adds phono loading control (if unit has phono option);
3) RCA jacks changed to Cardas rhodium if applicable (mandatory with item 2 if the existing RCA jacks are gold in color).
Standard 105/105 "Phi 300.1" style input/driver circuit update $1,400 Fits the new front end circuit topology from the Phi 300, resulting in greater speed, dynamic, detail, and bass punch. Also more tolerant of negative feedback, the values of which are adjusted.
Standard 220 "Phi 300.1" style input/driver circuit update $2,000/pair As above.
Standard Musicbloc 90 "Phi 300.1" style upgrade, basically the smaller amp equivalent to the Musicbloc 160 upgrade described below. $1,000/pai Brings sonic performance to Phi Alpha160 quality.
Standard Musicboc 160 "Phi 300.1" grade passive parts upgrade, modified ground system $2,000/pair Brings sonic performance to the Phi Alpha 160 level for 50% of the difference in retail price.
Standard Preamplifier Standard Preamplifier LE $1,000 Revision of audio resistors and capacitors for increased detail, image size, weight, and harmonic richness. If necessary, remote control may be added for $600.
Vintage Line Stage Mk II Mk III $700 Conversion to direct interstage coupled circuit; new input wiring, new output coupling capacitors.

Contact VAC to discuss & schedule YOUR upgrade today.

VAC also offers: