The Codex had  synergy with my system providing more soundstage depth and separation of individual instrumentations.  Also noted a lot more distinct aspects of the recording venues that I am more familiar with on my vinyl recordings.  The sound really drew me into the music emotionally.  I previously enjoyed a Lector CDP for a few years that had similar properties, but was much darker in its presentation.  Back listening to my basic level Meridian Exploreer2 while I continue to decide my next pursuit.  Though my dealer did make me a nice offer on a new Codex...

drrsutliff July 21, 2017 01:14

Thank you Dave.

drrsutliff July 20, 2017 10:47

My local Ayre dealer loaned me a Codex DAC to audition this past weekend.  I have it running Roon>Logitech Touch>Codex.  i have a feeling that I want one to live here full time.  Not quite the same as my vinyl, but ...

drrsutliff July 19, 2017 01:54

Hello Jeff,

drrsutliff July 19, 2017 01:49

How does the Ayre sound with the Thiels, now?

frozentundra June 26, 2017 23:10

Ayre VX-5 twenty is now in the system.  Started the breakin tonight and it is already sounding excellent.  The past 15 years have had tubes in the power position so this is a real change, but this amp is doing something special in my system.  I will be upgrading to XLR in the near future, but the initial hours will be with my Audience AU24 SE rca cables until the ordered XLRs arrive next week.  The next major upgrade will be in two weeks when we close on out new home and I have a new dedicated room for this system to occupy.

drrsutliff May 19, 2017 02:06

The system sounds beautiful with the new Origin Live Resolution MK3-1 turntable.  Mounted my Illustrious Mk3-c tonearm and upgraded to the Cadenza Black from the Bronze.  For the enlightened of what a little more power my local dealer is loaning me an Ayre VX-5 twenty for a few days starting tomorrow. Should be an interesting weekend comparing my phi upgraded PA100/100 with the latest Ayre.

drrsutliff April 22, 2017 00:58

Added the Meridian Explorer2 into the system.  Logitech Touch USB out to the Explorer2 with a Wireworld Starlight7.  Looking forward to experimenting with MQA through Tidal when it comes online.  Also very pleased that in this configuration the Logitech Touch handles 24/96 and 24/192 files wireless.

drrsutliff September 03, 2016 15:40

Upgraded the VAC Standard LE to the VAC Renaissance Mk III.  This has opened up the entire soundstage more than I had even hoped.  The system continues to be vinyl focused with a small use of my Pono player for access to digital.  The Audience cables have also been upgraded to SE status with an audible increase in performance.  Spent too many hours last night "getting used" to the changes the Renaissance Mk III brought to the system. I will need to set aside some additional time to be sure the excellent reproduction I enjoyed last night was real.......

drrsutliff January 26, 2016 12:14

System edited: Ortofon Cadenza Bronze has replaced the Benz Ebony. Blacker backgrounds with increased refinement and air around instruments. Excellent upgrade for this system, though the replicant100 stylus required some attention to get properly dialed in. Absolutely worth the effort IMO. Increased base definition has allowed me to retire the REL sub, and the Lector CDP is now gone as I am looking to upgrade to a DAC server system in the future.

drrsutliff August 12, 2015 11:07

Rick,
How big is your room?
The room node/slap must be a large one with the 2.4's and rel sub.
I'm lucky in that my room is well damped and large(16x36)with a raised ceiling.

I've always wanted to listen to
VAC, but are hard find around wi.
Lots of Audio Research,though

Bless you for keeping your mother in law.

You must be a very patient one.

My son in law started me into computer audio.
Up to that point it had been 1995-2000 were my last system upgrades.The last 3 years I have almost upgraded all the important stuff.
The Thiel cs2.7 was my first choice of speaker, but was way supercharged in price since the 2.4`s

Keep up the good work

Jeff

frozentundra September 04, 2014 04:57

Thank you Jeff. The sound absorbers were needed before the first note emerged from a system in this room. The slap echo was almost comical. This space is in the center of the home with a lot of reflective surfaces and openings to other rooms. It was never intended to be the space for my system, but the room initially intended for that duty is now occupied full time as a living space for my wife's mother. The VAC amp works well with the Thiels as it has an excellent power supply and is capable of handling down to a 2 ohm load if needed. Computer audio will be in the future so I appreciate the insight.

Rick

drrsutliff September 04, 2014 02:20

How do the tube VAC's power the Thiels?
I noticed you are doing lots of room absorbers to the room.

If you were doing computer audio, vs analog I would say to use Dirac IRC room correction instead of absorbers

Unbelievable the change in sound for the better.

Nice system

Jeff

frozentundra September 02, 2014 03:16

System edited: Added and rearranged some room treatments with a positive result.

drrsutliff August 01, 2014 00:12

System edited: Thiel CS2.4s have replaced the Audio Physic Tempo V speakers. Trying to decide if the Rel Strada III will stay as the bass from the Thiels is very satisfying. Overall a pleasant improvement as the VAC amp is producing an amazing soundstage and presence through the Thiels and the slight tipped up top end experienced with the Audio Physics has been replaced with one not so exaggerated. Overall the system is more musical and enjoyable.

drrsutliff January 25, 2014 05:02

System edited: Rel Strata III is now providing sub bass support. The integration took some time, but using the high level inputs crossed over at 30 hertz provides amazingly subtle, solid support to the lower frequencies without drawing any attention to itself. Other recent upgrades include additional Adept Response power conditioning from Audience, and a retip of my Benz Ebony H by SoundSmith. (Thank You Peter)

drrsutliff December 08, 2013 13:46

System edited: Added Audience PowerChord e cables. The Benz is off to SoundSmith for a retip so I installed the VAC Divinyl SUT and installed my recently aquired Denon 103D. Now i see why people state this is a very special cartridge.

drrsutliff July 16, 2013 01:06

System edited: Replaced the Cardas Golden Reference SC with Audience AU24e cables. I loved the Cardas presentation, but it was a little heavier than my system needed. The Audience cables seem to have nice synergy with the matching ICs that I have previously employed in this system.

drrsutliff June 01, 2013 01:16

Visited the VAC office last weekend while in the area with my son's soccer team. Picked up my Standard LE, that had been in for service, and was able to visit with the Kevin and Brent for a few minutes.
I had the privilege of seeing one of the new Statement Line amplifiers during the visit. It looks better in person than any of the pictures I have seen posted or published. A piece of aural and visual art.
The Standard LE sounds excellent with its new coupling caps and a few resistor upgrades. After a week of breaking in the repairs with the factory supplied tubes I rolled in some 1950's Tung Sol 12au7s and Mullard 10M 12at7s. I am extremely excited and satisfied with this combination and the entire system.

drrsutliff April 22, 2013 14:27

The recently added Cardas Golden Reference speaker cables have
produced a special synergy with my Audio Physic speakers creating a
beautifully balanced top to bottom presentation with exceptional detail and
musicality in this system. In addition, after consulting with Andy at Vintage
Tube Services, the VAC Standard LE preamp tubes have been changed to
NOS RCA 12AU7s and 12AX7s in the line section. The system now has
more detail and body with an increased 3d sound stage. These two
changes may have brought me to a good stopping point for a while. Time
to just enjoy the music.

drrsutliff January 27, 2013 16:12

System edited: Recent change to the Cardas Golden Reference SC. They really helped balance the Audio Physic speakers and present a beautiful wide and deep sound stage. New tubes from Vintage Tube Service for the VAC Standard LE should be arriving in a couple of days and at that point the cables should have be well settled in since the were previously owned.

drrsutliff January 11, 2013 18:40

System edited: Added an Audience aR1p conditioner. The CryoParts Power Strip II is connected to the conditioner by a Zu Mother PC and the equipment is all connected to the power strip by Zu Mother PCs. Also added a Billy Bags 4 shelf rack that was already mass loaded by the previous owner.

drrsutliff June 14, 2012 23:41