Summary: It has taken me a long time to write my feelings down about the VAC Avatar Super, about three years to long, why, I can not say. In fact, as I write this review I recently sold it sold it due to moving to a smaller but nicer condo, and because of that purchased a smaller less expensive system.
I have participated in this audiophile hobby for what seems a long time now, and have had the pleasure of owning and listening to a variety of different equipment that has ranged from good to excellent. With this in mind, the Avatar Super (which, I miss) is one the best items I have “ever owned or purchased”; this includes sonically, appearance, ease of use, durability, versatility, quality of workmanship and customer service (the people at VAC are simply fantastic). I will not get into the details of valuating the sonic qualities of the Avatar Super, for one can read various reviews. However, I can say to anyone looking at a $7,000 and below cost integrated amps to at least consider and listen to the Avatar Super, it just might be what you are looking for.
In closing, there are many integrated, power amp/pre amps to choose from at or below this price range and yes there are units out there that only cost $700 to $1,000 to $2,000 + that I must say are very good. However, I feel there are only really a few integrated amps in the $7,000 price range that begin to get pretty close to that “high end” experience that experienced Audiophiles seek, and I feel that the Avatar Super is one of them. Does the Avatar Super compare to units costing $10,000, $15,000 or $20,000 +, almost NO, (lets face it, you typically get what you pay for). However, over the three years of owning the Avatar Super it never disappointed and more importantly it faithfully provided excellent listening each and every time I had the pleasure of using it. More importantly, it never left me wanting for more, which is a hard thing to find in this sometimes elusive, narcissistic hobby!
Strengths: price - performance - ease of use
Weaknesses: really, none that I could find
Similar Products Used: BAT, Audio Research, McIntosh, Musical Fidelity
What a strange review. You enjoyed it, but sold it simply because you moved to a smaller place(?) Is it all that big? And then, you say that you are not going to go into specifics about the way it sounds. Well gee, that's what this site is for. Not very informative. _
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Summary: I've owned a variety of solid state products, Quicksilver tubes, and Audio Research LS8, PH3, VT60, LS5, and VT130, but none of them have come close to the musical enjoyment I've experienced with my VAC Avatar integrated tube amp. The separates may have certain advantages with regard to detail, delicacy, mid range sweetness, and low-end slam, but it was much harder to integrate, took up more space, consumed more energy, and was a great deal more hassle to deal with. In the end, I ended up getting dissolutioned and was ready to give up until someone recommended that I listen to the VAC Avatar integrated. Needless to say, I purchased one immediately, been happy with its performance, and have not looked back since.
I can't even tell you how many nights I've popped a CD into my Rega Planet or spun a vinyl on my Linn LP12 and caught myself smiling, knowing that I've made a great decision with my VAC purchase. Sure, I may not be getting the same great phono stage that was in my old PH3, but what I do have is close and enjoyable enough. My old LS5 may have much greater detail and sweetness, but it was also a whole lot harder to integrate and was too revealing of other components' weaknesses. Besides, the balanced XLR to single-ended RCA converters were flimsy in my opinion. I won't even tell you how many power amps I went through before I was satisfied.
One piece of advise: Listen to the Avatar in triode mode if you can. I listened to it for two years in ultralinear mode because I thought I needed all 60 watts of output, but ever since I switched it to triode I have not switched it back. Find yourself an efficient pair of speakers and forget the wattage. I don't even feel the need to turn the volume past 10 o'clock. 27 watts of triode is plenty! I certainly became a triode convert quickly.
Even if I can afford the most expensive tube system, I won't give up my Avatar. It's just been that good. The only thing that would make me part with it is an extraordinary woman who might make me choose between her and my musical enjoyment or an unforeseen financial hardship. With my Avatar, I have to upgrade other components in my system just to keep up with its performance and musicality. I don't even find it necessary to upgrade to the SE version.
Find an Avatar, purchase it, enjoy it, and don't look back - just as I did.
Happy listening... John P
Strengths: Ease of operation, system integration, tube sweetness and delicacy, pretty darn good bass, and overall musicality. It's as sweet as listening to Van Morrison, Marvin Gaye, Tom Waits, Roger Watters, Robbie Robertson, Dave Matthews, and so on.
Weaknesses: None to mention.
Similar Products Used: Audio Research separates
Quicksilver Mono 60s, Mini Mites (25s)
Conrad Johnson PV10
Krell 300i
Arcam
NAD separates
variety of solid states
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Rating Reviewed by: john logan(Unregistered User)
(AudioPhile)
Review Date March 23, 2003
Overall Rating 5 of 5
Value Rating 4 of 5
Used product for More than 1 year
Visitors rate this review 3.00 of 5,
1.00 votes
Review 3 of 19
, from Durham, NC
Price Paid:
$0.00
from VAC
Summary: More update on Avatar:
I recently had Kevin upgrade the Avatar to the "SE" components and install a pre-out for use with a sub or bi-amping.
Performs even better than before; and since it has survived shipping around the country 4 times now with savage UPS men and brutal Fed ex couriers, I suspect it may be (almost) indestructible.
Strengths: Customer service countinues to be second to none.
Weaknesses: Difficult to mount and wire in trunk for use with car stereo. Have had to resort to transistor amp for mobile listening.
Similar Products Used: McIntosh MA 6500
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Summary: In a world of niche products, the product that embraces most other products virtues without falling folly to thier excesses is the top dog. In this case the VAC clearly gets my vote as well from others I suspect, for the TD. This fence post rider of sorts embraces so many of the traditional virtues of tube gear but adds the speed and direct tightness of transistors. I love what the tube gear of past has offered but, being a die hard SS fan I could not deal with most tube short falls. The AR is extended from top to bottom but really lacked timbre, slam and rythmn. The CJ had better timbre but lacked top end and directness. If I did not know better, I would have suspected that NAIM had moved thier headquarters to sunny florida and decided to go tube.
Strengths: Multifaceted product with stunning looks and sound beyond approach.
Weaknesses: Company does not make enough money to pay off major stereo magazines to buy votes.
Similar Products Used: Real music! That good
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Summary: Update on previous review: I have had the Avatar for over a year now and it has only gotten better. Extended listening in the triode mode has convinced me that the description "27 wpc" is meaningless. As Kevin Hayes modestly describes, "tube watts have longer legs". What an understatement. I have to amend my previous review about demanding material; I have yet to encounter a DVD-A or SACD that the Avatar can't handle. I have found limitations only in the bass response of my speakers, not the ability of the amp. In addition, the amp has allowed me to find good things in mediocre and even poor recordings. In an age of ever increasing digital processing and feature laden audio equipment (just HOW many inputs and signal processors do you need?), the Avatar is focused on and excels at the fundamental task; reproducing sound well enough to make you forget about the gear and listen to the music (Alhtough I must confess that in a darkened room, the glow of the tubes still beckons, even after a year).
Strengths: I will eventually have to replace the tubes, which will probably trigger another religious experience. (Are you now or have you ever been a purchaser of soviet vacuum tubes). Far more user friendly than other tube gear I've looked at over the past year. The "hassles" of owning tube gear that have been repeated to me are minimal compared to the rewards. Outstanding customer service. Mr. Hayes was kind enough to share his opinion and experience with me both in numerous emails and in a 30 minute-long phone tutorial. It's difficult for me to imagine Mr. Sony taking time to explain how his minidisc players work.
Weaknesses: I will eventually have to replace the tubes, triggering a decrease in the weight of my wallet. A pre-out option would be nice (for biamping with the VAC Auricle).
Similar Products Used: None of any consequence. Considering the price points of the comparable solid state gear, The Avatar is a true bargain.
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