The master cylinder (30) includes primary and secondary pistons (42, 52) each of which has a center compensation valve member (44, 60). An abutment member or pin (38, 40) extends across a bore (36) of the master cylinder (30) adjacent ends of each of the pistons (42, 52) and the pins (38, 40) are each engaged by shafts (45, 64) of the spring biased valve members (44, 60) of the primary and secondary pistons (42, 52). An output rod (43) of a vacuum booster (41) to which the master cylinder (30) is attached disposes the primary piston (52) slightly spacedapart from the respective pin (40) in an at-rest position. The primary piston (52) includes a self-adjusting compensation center valve seat (70) located within the primary piston (52), the valve seat (70) sealingly and slidingly movable relative to the primary piston (52). The valve seat (70) extends through a rear opening (59) of the piston (52) to engage the respective pin (40). The engagement of the valve seat (70) and shaft (64) of the valve member (60) ensures that the valve head (62) is always positioned a predetermined distance (C) from the valve seat (70) in the at-rest position of the primary piston (52). The brake pedal "feel" can be closely controlled to minimize soft pedal feel during brake actuation by minimizing stackup tolerances within the master cylinder (30) such that the valve member (60) of the primary piston (52) closes very quickly.