VAC Upgrades... (updated 6 June 2008)
New upgrades for the Standard Musicbloc 90, Standard Musicbloc 160, Standard 105/105, and Standard 220
New PA100/100 upgrade coming soon
Many manufacturers release updates frequently, resulting in great confusion & expense ("Is the VS200 Mk IV Rev.a V2.01+ the current version???"). 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.
The table below summarizes the upgrades currently offered. Call to discuss sonic details; 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."
E-mail:info@vac-amps.com to schedule your component for update to the current state-of-the-art.
| Existing Version | New Version | Retail Price ($US) | Changes... |
| Avatar | Avatar Special Edition | $700 | All new coupling capacitors costing 20x the originals; same for
most of the audio path resistors. Many new power supply capacitors.
Sound with much more detail, body, image size, and harmonic content
(especially in the bass and lower midrange). Additional price to add remote control is $400 if the IR receiver hole exists in the front panel; otherwise $600. |
| CPA1 Mk II & CLA1 Mk II | CPA1 Mk III & CLA1 Mk III | $ 833 | New direct coupled Class A1 triode line stage circuit (faster, more
detailed, more transparency, more punch, much more ambience & "wetness"),
50% lower output impedance (better performance and frequency extremes & with long interconnects), new custom output coupling capacitors. Balanced main outputs may be added at the same time for $200. Custom modifications to the phono stage priced upon request. |
| Model 20.1 | Model 20.2 | $ 380 | Revised passive parts. |
| Model 22.1 | Model 22.2 | $ 380 | Revised passive parts. |
| PA35/35 | PA35/35 Mk II | $750 | Revision of passive parts, revised chassis grounding, new power supply noise suppression techniques, increased current capability in output tube pathway. |
| PA80/80 | PA100/100 | $ 750 | Revision of passive parts, revised chassis grounding, new power supply noise suppression techniques, increased current capability in output tube pathway. For additional fee, new "PA100/100" badging is applied. |
| PA90C/C1 | PA90D | $ 750 per channel | New interstage coupling capacitors, power supply noise supression modifications. |
| PA160 & PA160 Mk II | PA160 Mk IIA | $ 750 per channel | Similar to PA80/80 to PA100/100 update. |
| Phi 110/110 | Phi 110/110 input/driver update | $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 220 input/driver upgrade | $2,000/pair | As above. |
| Renaissance 30/30 (any) | Renaissance 30/30 Mk III-S (Signature circuit) |
$ 2,000 | Change of audio resistors and capacitors to "VAC Signature Series" components |
| Renaissance 30/30 Mk I & Mk II w/300B Sentry |
Renaissance 30/30 Mk III | $ 900 | Revision of passive parts. |
| Renaissance 30/30 Mk I & II w/o 300B Sentry | Add 300B Sentry | $ 600 | Add 300B Sentry |
| Renaissance 70/70 Mk II | Renaissance 70/70 Mk III-S (Signature circuit) |
$ 4,300 | Change of audio resistors and capacitors to "VAC Signature Series" components |
| Renaissance 70/70 Mk III | Renaissance 70/70 Mk III-S |
$ 4,100 | Change of audio resistors and capacitors to "VAC Signature Series" components |
| Renaissance 70/70 Mk I & Mk II w/300B Sentry | Renaissance 70/70 Mk III | $ 1,990 |
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)w/300B Sentry | Addition of 300B Sentry | $ 990 | Add 300B Sentry |
| Renaissance 140 Mk II | Renaissance 140 Mk III-S (Signature circuit) |
$ 4,300 per channel |
Change of audio resistors and capacitors to "VAC Signature Series" components |
| Renaissance 140 Mk III | Renaissance 140 Mk III-S |
$ 4,100 per channel |
Change of audio resistors and capacitors to "VAC Signature Series" components |
| Renaissance 140 Mk I & Mk II w/300B Sentry | Renaissance 140 Mk III |
$ 1,990 per channel |
Same as Ren 70/70 |
| Renaissance 140 Mk II w/0 300B Sentry | Add 300B Sentry | $ 990 per channel |
Same as Ren 70/70 |
| Signature Preamplifier Mk I ("Renaissance Signature") | Signature Preamplifier Mk II | $4,000 | 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. |
| Standard 105/105 | 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 | input/driver circuit update | $1,600/pair | As above. |
| Standard Musicbloc 90 | "Phi 300.1" style upgrade, basically the smaller amp equivalent to the Musicbloc 160 upgrade described below. | $800/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 $400. |
| Standard Preamplifier or Standard Preamplifier LE |
Standard Preamplifier Mk II | $1,000 | All new main audio circuit and board. New circuit provides balanced
outputs. Note: the oldest Standard Preamplifier chassis may not allow for fitment of balanced output connectors. Note: While the MkII has an internal power supply, the existing external PSU will be retained for upgrade models. |
| Vintage Line Stage Mk I & Mk II | Vintage Line Stage Mk III | $ 700 | New direct coupled line stage circuit, new signal wiring, new output coupling capacitors, power supply noise supression mod. No change made to knobs or power cord unless requested (Mk I to Mk II mods). |
| Vintage Preamplifier Mk I and Mk II | Vintage Preamplifier Mk III | $ 700 | As above; changes are limited to the line stage at this time. |
| Vintage High Power Mk I or Mk II | Mk III | $700 each | Similar to the PA100/100 upgrade described above. No change to power cord arrangement. |
| Vintage Seventy Mk I or Mk II | Mk III | $700 each | as above |
| Vintage Williamson Mk I,II,III | no official name as yet, but it sounds great! | $800 | as above |
Call VAC at 941-952-9695 from 8:00 - 4:15 EST to discuss & schedule YOUR upgrade today.
VAC also offers:
Valve
Amplification Company
E-mail:info@vac-amps.com
All web site contents copyright 2006 by Valve Amplification Company. All rights reserved. Specifications subject to change without notice.