Buy a Pass, Curl/Parasound, or a Wolcott but be prepared to change the input and driver tubes of the last after break-in. VTLs, I am told, are made of explosium.
Help with Hi Power Tube Amp Selection
I'm looking for some help in making up my mind (since auditioning will be impossible). I will be replacing my integrated amp (an Electrocompaniet ECI-4SE) with high powered monblock tube amps. The ones I'm considering are (in order of preference):
VTL 450 Sigs
ASL Hurricanes
Manley 250 Neo-Classic
Wolcott Presence 220
I've heard the Manleys, and like them a lot. I've heard lesser iterations of the VTLs, which also sounded good to me. The other two got awesome reviews. I love that big tube sound.
Here's the rest of my components:
Von Schweikert VR-4 III SE Speakers
BAT VK-D5 CDP w/ NOS Amperex Bugle Boys 6DJ8
BAT VK-5i or VK-30SE Preamp (also undecided)
Audience AU24 XLR Interconnects
AZ Satori Shotgun Speaker Cables
So, from your experiences, what would be the best fit in tube monoblocks?
Thanks!
VTL 450 Sigs
ASL Hurricanes
Manley 250 Neo-Classic
Wolcott Presence 220
I've heard the Manleys, and like them a lot. I've heard lesser iterations of the VTLs, which also sounded good to me. The other two got awesome reviews. I love that big tube sound.
Here's the rest of my components:
Von Schweikert VR-4 III SE Speakers
BAT VK-D5 CDP w/ NOS Amperex Bugle Boys 6DJ8
BAT VK-5i or VK-30SE Preamp (also undecided)
Audience AU24 XLR Interconnects
AZ Satori Shotgun Speaker Cables
So, from your experiences, what would be the best fit in tube monoblocks?
Thanks!