VACAvatar SEusedVAC Avatar Special Edition (SE) Tube Integrated ampGreat condition, got the Reciver in the second year it came out, purchased directly from Kevin Hays the factory since no dealer in San Diego, this is the upgraded top of the line version with paper...3500.00

VAC Avatar Special Edition (SE) Tube Integrated amp

Listing ID: lisa81b9 Classified 
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Condition
8/10
Payment methods
Ships fromchula vista , CA, 91915
Ships toUnited States
Package dimensions18.0" × 23.0" × 11.0" (100.0 lbs.)
Shipping carriersUSPS, UPS or FedEx
Shipping cost
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Original accessoriesRemote Control
AverageResearch Pricing

Great condition, got the Reciver in the second year it came out, purchased directly from Kevin Hays the factory since no dealer in San Diego, this is the upgraded top of the line version with paper in oil and extra upgrades,  was in use for very little time in my office as a second system, my main system is BAT electronics.
This amp has mostly been used with Acustic Energy, Proacs and Focal speakers with great results.
Kevin Deal at upscale audio, sold me -hot rod- tubes EL34 Ruby and GE NO, sometimes they are a little noisy for the first 5 min, you may require to change or re tube.  The remote does not work well, and not sure if if can find !! ja ja ja. Please call with any questions sixonenine sixsixsix ninefoursixfive.   

Parcial review:

The tonality of the midrange was a bit on the romantic side, yet not as romantic as the cj CAV-50, but more so than the Manley Labs Stingray. Those of you who remember my review of both the Stingray and the cj CAV-50 would recall i felt the CAV050 would possibly be preferred by classic and jazz lovers while the Stingray could be more to the likes of the rocker in you. i would peg the Avatar as being capable of making virtually everyone happy. In pentode mode the rocker would be righteous which in triode mode the glorious harmonic reproduction would be much admired by those who prefer classical and jazz. As for myself, i also preferred triode for rock, too. The balance of the overall frequency spectrum and harmonic structuring thereof, combined with excellent boogie factor, makes the Avatar a truly extraordinary piece indeed!

This is not to say triode is overly euphonic harmonically speaking. Far from it! In fact is seems to be less euphonic than the cj CAV-50 which also uses EL34 tubes but also have better pace and boogie factor! Think of the Avatar as one bodacious $3,600 integrated amplifier that could easily beat out $5,000 or more worth of separate components. It is in the synergy of the pre-amplification and amplification sections that make this a truly amazing unit! The sum being greater than the parts. As i said before, it reminds me of the great classic Marantz 8B with incredible rhythmic capabilities.

 

All You Need Is Love...
...and possibly the VAC Avatar. While not on the bargain basement side of audio on the cheap, the truly great stuff rarely is. After all, you do indeed get what you pay for. A truly fully functional pre-amplification section, a wonderful phono stage and a very flexible amplifier which can also be used for those of you with home theater aspirations. As for myself, i now find myself truly in love that the Avatar does so many things so right. Is it perfect? No, but nothing is. When so much sounds so right, and the music has great pace as to make one dance in their listening room, then what could be so wrong? It is in the overall capability of delivering the beauty of music while making me dance that brings me to the conclusion, with tongue in cheek, that the Avatar just may truly be a bargain as it were. It has flexibilities and capabilities unlike any other integrated unit i have ever seen while also delivering so much wonderful music into my humble abode. So just maybe all you need is love... and a VAC Avatar. In the end what really matters is that you...




Would prefer a local sale in So. Cal however will ship at owner expense. 
https://www.stereophile.com/integratedamps/400vac/index.html

http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/0300/vacavatar.htm

Questions for the seller
"The quality of the piece" being obviously higher (to other then the seller) then almost everything else used on AG being sold for considerably less less then it's full retail price?
Some pieces like tube amps appreciate over time. this one has custom rare tubes that add to the value along with the Special Edition. Are you interested in the amp ?
Both reviews you give list the price as $3700 although I did find a store once selling the SE for an asking of $4500. The remote is listed as a $390 option at the time of the reviews you proffer. Is this really the price you meant to ask & not a typo?
My price for the amp right now is at 4500. Think that this is a high but reasonable price because of the quality of my pice. The remote was damaged at some point.
What's the blue tape covering?
Is just a pice of the amp cover nothing really to show, are you interested in the amp??
do you have the remote? what doesn't work well with it?
don't have the remote, you can order from VAC its just a volume control in plastic no more then 40 dollars
do you have the original gold nobs for the unit? looks like those gray ones are replacement ones.
This are the original ones, this is the Special edition version of the avatar they came this way
does it have a phono stage inside the unit? Jeff [filtered]
yes it does, factory installed
Could you post a photo of the rear of the unit, so we can see what kind of inputs and outputs it has? Thanks
Sure good idea I forgot ! Thank you kind Sir. Adrian

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