VAS Audio — Local services in Aberdeen Township

First and foremost, I will start this review the same way I will finish it: VAS Audio are the absolute best company in the audiophile/hifi stereo business. Hands down, no contest.

So, I told Steve about a month ago that I finally wanted to make the jump from a MM cartridge to a low output MC in my stereo setup, and that I was thinking of asking him to do something with a Sumiko Blue Point Special. He decided to upgrade me to a Blackbird after hearing what kind of music I listen to (for the same price that I was willing to pay for the BPS!)…and got to work. A month later, I just received the cartridge today, and it is, no exaggeration…life-changing how good it sounds. Where to begin…stereo image is six feet wider than my old cartridge (a Shure M91 MM with a micro line stylus), surface noise is now nonexistent, every single instrument sounds more “live” (as in the actual instrument being in the room with you instead of being a recording), deeper bass, higher highs, everything you could ever want out of a cartridge. Now, I realize that many of these positive points could be solely due to the cartridge upgrade….but I will also say that I have heard $10k+ carts on friends’ systems and in demo rooms, and Steve’s modded Blackbird puts them ALL to shame, even on my humble, roughly $5k total setup (see below for my complete setup; much of it I purchased used, hence the roughly $5k total). Aside from all of that, Steve was so kind to me through this process…he allowed me to split my payments up in a way that worked for my budget, he kept me updated with photos and videos the whole entire way through, and packed the cartridge so safely that I think it could’ve been run over and still made it here in one piece.

And so, here we are again…VAS Audio is the best company in the audiophile business. I will stand by that statement no matter what. Three years after my first purchase with them and after countless phone conversations, I am happy to say that I am a VAS customer for life, and feel honored to consider Steve a mentor and close friend.

Setup: Pro-Ject The Classic SB SuperPack turntable, VAS Audio modified Low Output Sumiko Blackbird Cartridge with Diamond PA boutique stylus, Pro-Ject Tube Box DS2 Preamp, Reisong Tube Amplifier, Klipsch RP-8060FA floor...

[ ] Consummate professionals, incredible customer service, and personable, generous attitudes. This is how I can best describe the business Steve and Ray Leung run known better as VAS NYC. I originally purchased a custom MC cartridge from VAS on eBay, not realizing that it would not be compatible with my current tonearm. I messaged them, asking if I could cancel the $580 order that I’d already paid for. Most sellers would have said no, and held on to the money. Instead, Steve and Ray did the right thing and said sure, no problem. I messaged them back asking if they had any quality MM cartridges for sale, and they made a custom wood built off of a Shure M91ED cartridge with a micro line stylus. They charged me a -very- fair price, and were with me every step of the way setup and troubleshooting. I then purchased a Vinyl Bath RCM from Ray and Steve and they shipped it INCREDIBLY quickly and I have to say it is the best RCM I’ve used. If a VPI is a Mercedes Benz, a VAS Vinyl Bath is a Rolls Royce. From the temperature regulation, to the sound insulation, to the side liquid gauge, this thing is a BEAST and I know it will bring me decades of quality record cleaning. I can’t express enough gratitude to Steve and Ray for the incredible customer service and attention to quality detail in their products. The little things, like remembering my name every time I call to always being willing to answer any question I have, Steve and Ray are incredible individuals who run a quality U.S. company. You can buy with absolute confidence from VAS NYC. I do want to also give a disclaimer, Steve and Ray didn’t ask me to write anything on their behalf, I have no affiliation with their company other than being a customer, and they don’t even know what I’m writing. I just feel inspired to give these two guys a review that hopefully comes close to matching the customer service they’ve given...

VAS - Steve and Ray Leung fully renovated my Sumiko Blue Point Special, Adcom Crosscoil, and Grado Sonata Reference phono cartridges. Extremely smooth transaction, products were returned better than manufactured specs, sound and imaging quality way beyond $1k price points, and I was able to learn more in talking with them than most audiophile shops and manufacturers.

The VAS team was very understanding of my current and future audio needs - having sold me a Cayin 688R full tube amplifier and reviewed my VPI HW19MKIII/ET 2 tonearm. With a vast library of LPs in all categories, listening to my cartridges was more than enjoyable.

I would quickly recommend them to anyone looking for audiophile, tube amps, cartridges - new, upgraded or reconditioned equipment, recommendations,...