First Look: The New All Tube V-60 From Vincent Audio
I unpacked the triple-boxed Vincent Audio V-60 integrated amplifier the other day and what a beauty she is. As the images show, this all-tube 60Wpc amp has a look that is equal parts homage to the past but with its sights set squarely on the future. A thick aluminum clad chassis prevails, with fit and finish nothing less than excellent. Note the compete lack of screws or bolts on the pristine surfaces. Prior to firing the V-60 up I needed to remove the foam packing inserts protecting the tube compliment. This was done by unscrewing the four, burly aluminum knobs placed at each corner of the heavily vented top panel (each knob has an ultra-thin nylon washer to protect the brushed surface). The V-60 has four inputs, an input selector at the right side of the front panel. The large volume control knob dead center has a red pin light that illuminates when actuated by the remote control.
The eight power stage tubes are Russian made 6CA7, a version of the reknowned EL34 but, says Vincent Audio with greater power reserves. These are augmented by a pair of 6CG7. The preamp stage are a pair of 6922s also Russian produced.
As the pictures show the output and power transformers are robust, and heavily shielded and carefully finished. But not light-the V-60 weighs in in excess of 60 lbs. Bias voltage and current control is hands-free and fully automated, constantly compensating for the aging that occurs over the natural life of each tube.
My initial impression of the V-60 is that this is one tractor-pulling 60 watt amp with dynamic reserves that are more than a match for my listening room–especially so on a reasonably efficient loudspeaker like the newly unpacked Sonics Amerigo that I blogged about last time. The sound is airy, almost silken. There’s a rich amount of midrange bloom and presence and a dimensional soundstage that seems to push the walls of my room into the neighbor’s yard. Like all electronics but particularly tubes, it’ll need a few hours of break-in but the changes are already evident as imaging grows more precise, the frequency extremes smooth and find further extension. Price is $4995. www.vincent-tac.de or www.wsdistributing.com.
Note: The red-illuminated acrylic face plate on my review sample still has the Euro-spec logo of Vincent Audio’s German partner T.A.C. (Tube Amp Company). The US version is pictured here.
Comments
This unit had to be made in heaven.
I went to the US D and manufactures site but found nothing. It appears to be a balanced design. If that's true, and has true balanced inputs, it should be a contender
Also maybe someone can tell me what is wrong. I cut and pasted my website url :http://www.vitalityscience.com
Still getting to know the V-60 but as for inputs, there are four of them, RCA only.
Neil Gader Associate Editor The Absolute Sound
Neil,
Can the Russian output tubes on the V-60 be replaced with either the Kt 88 or the 6550 tubes?
Nice preview, NG:
You seem to be following the integrated amp sector of the high-end much more closely than any other TAS reviewer, at least until they too discover the joys of this underappreciated segment of the market. A question: I may be wrong but didn't you recently make the Pass Labs INT-150 your reference amp? The associated equipment choices listed in your most recent product reviews suggest as much. If so, what a nice choice.
I wonder if you have any thoughts on how the INT-150 might pair with the superb PSB Synchrony One speakers. I own the older Platinum M2s, and as much as I love the mini's, the Synchrony is the better speaker. I had the chance to hear a pair at a local dealer's showroom over the weekend and came away lusting. Simply amazing and at its asking price, a bloody steal.
Any chance you might review this model given what you describe elsewhere as its siginificant performance gains over the Two?
Thanks for the good work.
Amandela
Amandela77
Amandela,
thanks for the kind words. In fact I had to return the Pass Labs INT-150 review sample(sadely) but it is indeed on the cutting edge of this segment and would no doubt drive the PSBs beautifully. It's true that I didn't review the Synchrony One's but I did have some one-on-one time to appreciate the advantages of their three-way configuration which offers improved mid-range dynamics and focus over the Twos and a bit more coherant bass. Something to also consider is your room size. You don't want to over-speaker it and the Two's certainly have plenty of reserves for any medium volume room. Still, both are terrific speakers and as you already know, great values. But wow those Platinum's are also fine compacts- I recall writing about them when they debuted. Seems like you can't go wrong whichever way you turn. But there is a reason why the Synchrony One is so labeled-it is deservedly PBS's top of the rung speaker. BTW-look out for my coming reviews of the Marantz PM-11S2 integrated and the ATC SIA2-150 coming up in Issue 194. they are significantly less costly than the Pass. How competitive are they? My lips are sealed, for now.
Neil Gader Associate Editor The Absolute Sound
Hi Neil-
I am powering my PSB Synchrony Ones with the Primaluna Dialogue II integrated amplifier. In your estimation, is this a good match? I have been very impressed with the sound. I do not listen at extreme levels but will turn it up occasionally and am impressed with the music detail I am getting from this combination. Would something with more power work even better with the Synchrony Ones? The Dialogue certainly seems to have enough power for my room. I am convert to tube amplication and want to stay on that route and believe this pairing a very good one. Look forward to hearing from you.
Thanks.
Hi, Neil.
I'm sorry for possible off-topic, but searching for "speakers for Pass Labs Int-150" I've found this page.
I'm going to buy Integrated+speakers. As started points are: at one side Int-150 because of your review in TAS-184 and at the other side - Verity Audio Rienzi - because of another review in TAS. Unfortunately I've only managed to audition
1. Int-150 + Sonus Faber Toy tower (first distributor)
2. Jeff Rowland Continuum (250) + Rienzi (second distributor)
3. Sim Audio Moon i-7 + Rienzi (second distributor)
The winner is third set. But I think Toy is not best choice for Int-150 (unfortunately Cremona a bit expensive for me and I suppose it's not so good for small rooms as mine - 3.4x5.4 meters). Would you be so kind to tell your opinion about Int-150+Rienzi versus Moon i-7+Rienzi and may be another speakers for Int-150 not as expensive as Rienzi.
My player is: Linn Unidisk 1.1
My music is: all classic, chamber rock and RIO, prog and art rock, jazz.
Thank you.
Oleg.
Oleg,
Either way, Simaudio or Pass Labs you're putting together a terrific system. The Pass may have the edge in tube-like warmth and ultimately power, but the Simaudio may take the cake in speed and attack but it would be awfully close. It's a great position to be in-frankly you cannot lose! Speaking of Sonus Faber, I'm just about to unpack the new Liuto loudspeaker. About half the cost of the Cremona and unless my ears deceived me at CES where I heard them for the first time, they represent alot of the Cremona performance with massive dynamics, great extension and a very relaxed, warm character. I'll be blogging about them shortly. Stay Tuned.
Neil Gader Associate Editor The Absolute Sound
Thank you, Neil, for your answer and advice. I’ve already asked distributors to arrange Pass+Luito auditioning. So I did for Pass+Rienzi but to no effect. Comparing Pass+Toy with Moon+Rienzy I should say that first configuration fails especially in music with sophisticated and saturated musical texture. I mean last 5 minutes of Mahler 2nd symphony, Messianen organ works SACD (La native du Seigneur №5 Les Enfants de Dieu – with great bass) and “Larks' Tongues in Aspic, Pt. IV” from King Crimson’s “Happy With What You Have to Be Happy With” CD.
Thank you again. I will be waiting for your opinion about Luito and for invitation from distributor to listen it.
Oleg.
Neil,
Another question. How would you compare the V-60 to something like the BAT 3xi/ vk55 combo. Which one would you choose for yourself. I am looking at purchasing oneo these for my Klipsch Lascalla II's. Thanks...
Hey Quincy,
By expressing your satisfaction with the sound, you've pretty much answered your own question. Obviously you have a strong sense of your own listening habits and I would guess your room is appropriate to the amp. The great thing about the Ones is that they're are pretty easy to drive allowing folks like yourself the option of tubes or solid state. Personally I love the PrimaLuna stuff and while a bit more power might provide more headroom and low end thrust in a larger space (esp. at head-banger volumes), the Prima and the PSBs leave no doubt in my mind that they are made for each other. Wise choices!
Neil Gader Associate Editor The Absolute Sound
Thanks for your response Neil. The Synchrony Ones and the Primaluna Dialogue 2 have been a great match. I have had them for about a year now. I recommend both wholeheartedly and are pleased that you agree. I do not listen at headbanging levels but will crank it up at times. I have never had the need to turn the volume up more that about 40% which speaks to the power of the amp and the efficiency of the Ones. At lower listening levels they really excel.
I am a happy subscriber to TAS- keep up the great work!
Quin Neal
In reference to the Vincent Audio V-6, a beautiful, apparently well built intergrated. First, when will the intergrated amp be available for purchase? Second, can you separate the amp from the preamp sections? This unit is a nice alternative to consider in regard to valve integrated amps that are way out of my humble price range. Are you satisfied with the specs on this unit and could you address the bass reproduction on it? Thanks for your consideration, Randy
Randy,
Nope, there is no separate preamp out, sorry. In terms of performance you'll be able to read all my impressions in Issue 195 or thereabouts. Suffice it to say, this is a very robust performer-seemingly bigger than it's 60W would suggest. The sound is spacious and bloomy in the way only tubes can convey yet it has better than good control in the bass. Obviously speaker matching is paramount but even when pushed hard the V-60 has a very forgiving sound and never even hints at the more clinical personality that often characterizes some solid state.
Neil Gader Associate Editor The Absolute Sound
Hi Neil
also thanks to your convincing review, I'am the happy owner of a v V-60, and in top of that I've bought the CD-player C-60 of the same Vincent line (ndr which is in effect Shengya, made in China). The investment has been eased by the fact I live in China, where those two high-end gems can easily become yours at 1/3 of the EU/US retail price. I've matched the perfect duo with my "old" loudspeakers Acoustic Energy AE 120 (89 db sensitivity) and, despite the overall satisfaction, I feel distinctively that my loudspeakers do not match the Vincent duo, shortly they don't play in the same league. I was then considering a serious upgrade, also taking into consideration your suggestion to pay attention to the sensitivity of speakers. Do you have any suggestion, in addition to the rather obvious match with Klipsch Lascalla II? Thanks for your consideration, Raimondo
I don't know exactly how much you want to spend-there's quite a price difference between the Klipsch and the AE. But a good choice might be something from PSB, like the Synchrony One or Imagine series. Both are efficient and will be easily driven by the V60. Tubes match up well with these speakers.
Neil Gader Associate Editor The Absolute Sound
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