The Statement iQ power amplifier is the first in a series of VAC components featuring the VAC iQ Intelligent Continuous Automatic Bias System. For the price of one, you can buy a very nice car, but every music aficionado will tell you the price reflects it's true value.
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The VAC iQ System is the result of 18 years of research and development by the engineers at VAC, and represents the first time in history that each tube in the output stage of a vacuum tube amplifier can be held precisely at the optimal bias point at all times, regardless of how loudly or softly the music is playing. The result is sound that is always the best it can be, reduced distortion and noise, longer tube life, and increased reliability.
The VAC iQ System also alerts you when a tube is growing weak or has failed. The Statement iQ power amp also features newly improved output transformers (56 pounds per monoblock!) with smoother, more extended frequency response. Input signal handling has been changed to a more pure, direct connection. Various changes to the power supply and chassis materials compliment and support the iQ system and circuit refinements.
Statement 450 iQ power amplifier delivers 450W at 2, 4, and 8 ohms and with frequency response 4 Hz to 75 kHz.
Now, if you have good power amplifier, it is good to have a nice preamplifier too. Here comes the Statement Line. The audio chassis is designed to prevent unwanted interactions among the circuits. Interconnecting wires are carefully routed and directed by spaced machined nonmetallic guides. The hand-wired vacuum tube audio circuit assemblies are bonded to massive brass loading plates, which in turn are isolation mounted to the main chassis for a very effective filter at audio frequencies.
The avoidance of negative feedback and inclusion of input and output transformers confers the relatively unique trait of eliminating unwanted stray interactions between the source components and power amplifier, such as long chain interactions between their feedback loops which tend to coarsen the sound and flatten the sound stage. A massive separate power supply is a dual mono design with substantial energy storage and high inherent regulation. ■
