Valve Amplification Company Signature Mk2a SE VAC Preamplifier with phono stage

The
Signature Mk2a Special Edition (SE) is one of the highest rated preamplifiers
on the market today. It is a fully balanced design with no coupling capacitors
and features a hand-wired circuit. There is no loop feedback so the output is
stable and free from dynamic interactions with the load. This unit has the
optional gold knobs and MC/MM phono stage. The preamp has five single-ended line
inputs two of which include balanced XLR inputs, as well as a fully balanced
Cinema Bypass input. There are two outputs that can be used in either
single-ended or balanced mode. The audio circuit is pure Class-A triode, with
zero feedback. The tube complement includes two 6DJ8/6922s in the line stage
and six 12AX7s in the phono stage. The line stage can use a variety of tube
types (8416, 7308, 6922, E88CC, ECC88, 6DJ8, 7DJ8, or 12DJ8 twin triodes) for
those who like to tube roll.

The phono stage
is sensitive (44 dB MM, 64 dB MC), quiet, and is fully compatible with
low-output, moving coil cartridges. Gain is adjustable, as is resistive
loading. A separate power transformer is used, eliminating any disturbance of
the delicate phono signal by the powerful line stage. The external power supply
feeds the line and phono stages separately to keep the two stages
electronically isolated.

This
Signature Mk2 was manufactured at the end of 2012 and was returned to the
factory last year for full upgrade to the current Signature Mk2a SE (Special
Edition). The upgrade primarily replaces the input transformers to the premium
designs used in the Statement and Master ranges.

The preamp
will come with two tubesets including 6DJ8 and 12AX7 tubes that were installed by
the factory at the time of the upgrade. I am also including a full set of
Genalex/Gold Lion E88CC/6922 (line stage) and ECC83/12AX7 (phono stage) that
were recommended by VAC as upgrades over the stock tubes. These Genalex current
production reissue tubes were purchased from Upscale Audio and are platinum
graded and cryogenically treated, retailing at $464 for the set. The unit also
comes with its remote, a 12-gauge power cord, and its original box and manual.

My reason
for selling is that I recently upgraded with the purchase of the VAC Master
Preamplifier and Signature 200 iQ amplifier (see photos). Although the Master
does improve on the Signature preamp, the differences are subtle and truly
represent the law of diminishing returns. At less than 1/3 the cost, this
Signature Mk2a SE provides 95%, and maybe more, of the Master’s performance.

Paypal is
the preferred method of payment and I will cover the fees.  Unfortunately due to my recent experiences
with forged bank checks from A’gon buyers, payment by check or money order will
delay shipment until check clears the bank clearinghouse (10 working days)-
sorry.