It is no secret that I have a soft spot for over-achieving budget gear. Also as conspicuous, at least if you are familiar with my reviews over the years, is the consistent success of the products associated with the name Dusty Vawter. I first met Dusty in the twilight of the Audio Alchemy era, and I have had the pleasure of reviewing a host of products he has been associated with, both as partnered with Greg Schug at Monolithic Sound and his own products, over these many years. I also have the pleasure of sharing a passion for both photography and auto racing—in particular Formula One—with him. So, when he offered me the opportunity to review his latest phono stage, I was more than happy to accept.

The $299 VPP-1 is housed in the same case as all CIA products, measuring a scant 4.40"W x 2.65"H x 4.40"D. Don't let the miniscule size mislead you. Inside is a beautifully laid out pc board populated with high-quality—if not the absolute best money can buy—parts in a sensible and effective circuit. In the active pursuit that simple is better, the design is straightforward, utilizing a passive RIAA filter between two Class A active stages.

This is a surprisingly versatile little box, providing capability for both MM and MC carts, given its modest price and compact size. Now, it is not as versatile as the big-box, big-buck contenders, but it offers more than you would have any right to expect from something about the size of the power supply for my computer's printer! Adjustability is handled by a pair of DIP switches, one for each channel, accessible from the back panel. You can enable or bypass the subsonic filter, switch between 40 or 50 dB of gain, 47 k or 100 Ohms of resistive and 0 and 100 pf of capacitive loading.

The front of the unit is plain but not drab, with clear stenciling and only a bright blue LED pilot to indicate its operational state. One look at the back panel and it is clear that, though no corners are cut, no wasteful frills are indulged. The simple Phillips screw head for the ground connection, the nondescript, single-ended jacks and the recessed DIP switches reveal the all business, no pretense attitude, quite clearly.

The first thing that caught me about this new CIA entrant, even right out of the box, was its remarkable bass performance. It seriously bested my previous budget benchmark, the $399 Monolithic Sound PS-1, even when it was hitched to its $259 upgrade HC-1 power supply. That, my friends, is no small accomplishment! Dusty also informed me that the newly improved Monolithic PS-2 will be coming my way soon, so be looking for that update in the near future.

Treble performance is clear, crisp, and detailed, but not sharp or harsh. Affordable phono stages typically come in two flavors: bright or lackluster. Yet with the VPP-1, the higher frequencies have the requisite focus to keep those of you who really like to listen to cymbal attack and decay (like me!) interested, without the often-included glare or edge in that area. This was a very pleasant surprise. In my experience with budget phono stages, this is usually a fairly vulnerable area. The VPP-1 is a welcomed crowd pleaser.

Midrange is surprising neutral overall, with just a slight tinge toward the warmer side of unbiased. There is an inherent ease and correctness to the voices of female vocalists, pianos and massed strings. More often than not, budget gear leans a little more toward the cooler side of neutral, a sonic attribute that, along with the typical brightness, quite often contributes to easily identifying such units as the less expensive phono stage they are.

But honestly, bass is where this little guy eats its competition alive. I have never heard such coherent and deep bass from a phono stage under about a grand. It digs deep and what it brings back is articulate. Not world-class mind you, but so much better than you'd have any right to expect at this price that I had to call Dusty and congratulate him immediately.

Staging is very solid and wide, if just a bit more forward and larger than lifelike. Imaging lock is excellent, with no obvious float or wander to instruments anywhere in the presentation during all my listening.

Replacing the stock, wall-wart power supply with the optional $159 VAC-1, the VPP-1's already surprising bass performance becomes remarkable by comparison. Bass guitar runs are more concise and faster while the lowest registers seem more extended. Still not world class, but what the heck do you expect for a $460 total investment? The noise floor also takes a bit of a nosedive, always a good thing with a phono stage, though it is still not as velvety-black silent as world-class phono stages. Lastly, dynamics and spatial effects are heightened noticeably as well. Some will find these admittedly minor improvements less compelling than others, and may opt out on the VAC-1. To these ears, its contributions were significant and, once heard, indispensable.

I must share my thoughts on one final triumph, and something that I found to be perhaps the most significant achievement of this little upstart. The synergy of the music it offers up to the thirsty listener is greater than the summing of its individual attributes. It offers an inescapable sense of sonic balance. I cannot begin to convey the importance of musical balance, an often-overlooked attribute and one that is often elusive at any price, and most especially in this neighborhood. This obscure element of design accomplishment is best described by Doug Blackburn in his treatment on the subject from May 1999: "A Question of Balance." It is an achievement that is often unrealized, even at the cost-no-object levels of this sport. Yet the VPP-1 seems the embodiment of this obscure concept of balance at this price point. No, it is not without its flaws. But the undeniable fusion of timbre, space, dynamics and pace happily conspire to allow this affordable analog front end to win over both novitiates to vinyl, and old black pie dogs alike.

While the VPP-1 is without question not as accomplished in any aspect as the phone stage that sat in session prior to its arrival, the EAR 324 Deluxe, or the one that has taken its location as it leaves, the DSA Phono One that is in beta testing, what the VPP-1 accomplishes for under $300 is no less impressive. Its remarkable bass performance, easy going yet detailed upper registers, inescapable rendering of pace, and its remarkable sense of musical and sonic balance make it a perfect choice for a first-time or budget vinylphile or for that second system.

Though the VPP-1 can be purchased without the optional VAC-1 high current power supply, the lowered noise floor and notable improvements in dynamics, bass speed and definition, and depth of stage the VAC-1 bring to the party make it a no-brainer. What can I say? Dusty has done it again with this musically satisfying little silver box. The VPP-1 gets my highest recommendation as an over-achieving budget phono stage.

VPP-1 Specifications:

Gain (1 khz): Selectable 40 db/50 db 
Resistive Load: Selectable 100 ohms/47 k ohms 
Capacitive Load: Selectable 0 pf/100 pf 
Subsonic Filter: Selectable on/off 
Subsonic Filter Frequency: -2.5 dB @ 20 Hz 
Dimensions: 4.40"w x 2.65"h x 4.40"d 
Warranty: 1-Year Parts & Labor 
Price: $299

VAC-1 Specifications:

AC Input Voltage: 115/230 VAC 
Output Voltage: 14 VAC @ 1.44 Amps 
Accessories: IEC Type AC Cable, AC output Cable 
Dimensions: 4.40"w x 2.65"h x 4.40"d 
Warranty: 1-Year Parts & Labor 
Price: $159

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