Superior midrange, dimensionality, dynamics and goosebump factor

Hard to find, bass warmth

Well after living with an Audio Research VT 50 for a few years and having a lot of fun listening again, I found a Marantz 8b re-issue on eBay, new in the box. The re-issue was built by VAC for Marantz for a couple of years in the mid-90's, using original specs and vendors. The only changes were for convenience and reliability - the original circuit was used intact. On a whim, I bought this one thinking I would keep it as an investment and as a backup for the ARC. I had one of the original 8b's in the 80's and sold it for $400, the going rate at the time - it would easily bring $3,000 today. Anyway, I sent the new one I bought to VAC for a check up, and found out from Kevin that almost all of these went overseas - thus this one was probably a good investment again. This one originally went to a Japanese collector that had one too many and it got back over here - thank you ebay! The reason I say that is because, after a rather painful break-in (wow, was it bright!) this amp is as good or better than the original. The parts are identical, and made by the original vendors, according to VAC. I seem to remember a selenium rectifier in the original - this went away, and there is now a detachable power cord. Here is the kicker, after lengthy auditions with some audiophile friends, this amp just destroyed my ARC and everything else it's gone up against. The weird thing is, initially I almost got rid of it because it was so bright and steely during the break-in, I couldn't listen for very long. I thought either my speakers didn't like the amp, VAC just didn't get it right or my fond memories of the original were flawed. Then, one day my audiophile buddy came over to listen to some new music, we switched the amp on, put on a cd, and we both went WOW WHAT HAPPENED?!? Well, after making long comparisons, both by myself and with others, I sold the ARC! This wasn't supposed to happen! I wish I knew what the magic is in this 1960's era amp - it is stereo with a common power supply, it uses pentodes on the input and output, it uses feedback, and only has choke regulation. Maybe that is where all the new guys are going wrong - they are surrounding the tubes with solid state devices (regulators, current sources, etc.) that measure better but squeeze the life out of the music. Sid Smith and Saul Marantz somehow managed to craft something that is transcendent. What is so good about it? With the right ancillaries, and after a good 30-40 minute warm-up, the mids have a magical natural tonality that makes vocals especially have that goosebump-raising reality you only get at a live show. The highs are very clear, with just the right balance of sweetness and definition - no transistor regulator overshoot or ringing. This amp BREATHES, where others sound too controlled and/or electronic. It took replacement of most of my system to really get to the point where I could appreciate just how excellent this little amp is. I now use a Metronome Signature French-built Tube DAC, Marantz 7 (re-issue) preamp, Wilson Audio WATT 5.1's and silver wiring. Just the wiring change alone was educational on how much copper (even expensive) blurs music and obscures detail. I swapped out the stock tubes as well - another big improvement going to big bottle el-34s. At some point I'd like to swap out all the resistors with close tolerance metal film, but this may well cause the sound to worsen in some ways, so I'm going to just resist the urge. The weak spot is the bass, which adds a warmth to the sound full range. Some people beef up the power supply with additional capacitance, but I think that you lose midrange and high frequency definition doing this. Anyway, this doesn't bother me as I now biamp, and the amp only drives the WATTS down to 70 hz. I use solid state amps driving subs. The basic circuit is so well engineered and balanced that there is absolutely NO noise on power up and power down - with no rectifier tube. Try that on ANY modern amp with the relays disconnected and you'll be picking your speaker drivers up off the floor! Good 8b's are hard to find used, as almost all of them went out of the USA - I got lucky getting this one. The really nice 1960's originals have all left the country long ago - the ones that come up for sale are generally wrecks or have been modified. The same basic amp is still made by VAC though, it is called the Auricle and is reasonably priced at $2,000. It has a few circuit changes which simplify the feedback network and allows higher power output - 50 wpc from el-34s. Can't say if it sounds the same, but I'd like to hear it or hear others experience with it. Also, I've got to say that the folks at VAC are the BEST.

Similar Products Used:

ARC, Counterpoint, CJ, Dyna, Mac, etc.