VAC Renaissance Mk 3 Preamp with MM/MC Phono Stage

VAC Renaissance Mk 3 preamp with optional (included) MM/MC phono stage in excellent condition. Original owner always kept in smoke free environment. Less than 250 hours use, the tubes are barely broken in.

Accepts 6 inputs, 2 of which can be XLR (balanced) and all 6 can be RCA (unbalanced) connections. Output can be either XLR or RCA.

The VAC Renaissance Mk III Preamplifier is a development of the preamplifier section from the highly regarded VAC Phi Beta Integrated amplifier and provides balanced and single-ended input and output capability. It is completely hand wired, and all switching is accomplished via high purity silver contact mechanical switches. The six active circuit elements are twin triode vacuum tubes, biased for Class A1 operation.

Remote Control
The lacquered aluminum volume/mute remote control is standard. In the mute state, the VAC logo changes from blue to red. Uniquely, our remote system is implemented with electromechanical switches and controls. This approach is considerably more costly than the usual digital interfaces, but has several major advantages. First, no VCAs, relays, or transistor switches (switched ladder networks) are used in controlling volume. This is mandatory for sonic purity. Second, VAC’s careful implementation avoids the use of microprocessors, which generate significant noise signals that, while sometimes not audible directly, can do damage to the sound.

VAC’s Cinema Bypass Mode
The line stage also offers a fully buffered tape loop and, which allows your high-end stereo system to integrate seamlessly with home theater. The cinema bypass input is a fixed gain input that allows your source component to control volume, and passes this signal through to the stereo power amplifiers without further processing.

Power Supply
The heavy power supply is external, with a 6 foot detachable umbilical cable. The optional (included) MM/MC phono stage uses six triode elements with passive RIAA equalization. Variable gain (42/62 dB) and variable resistive loading are provided.

Original VAC double box, manual and remote included. Buyer pays shipping & PayPal fees.