thanks all so far
@verdantaudio I have been checking out the VTL offerings I will be checking in with Ralph but is seems some of the OTL's are not so good with the major phase swings and if I do go with Atma-Sphere my fear would be I will need closer to the top of his range which requires a bit more $$$ and more tube maintenance
@fstein having a HQ Dynaco clone now so am looking to switch it up a bit . I do have some Klipsch Heresy's as well and will keep the "ST-70" for them.
yes @ebm VAC is on the list too.... along with Quicksilver.
@soix that is the big question and one I find most difficult to answer.
"What sound/performance characteristics are most important to you and what do you like"
Every change I have made the last 10 years has opened the door to Sonic improvement . I hear more , the distinction of the instruments and the sound is often better - or I realize my vinyl is bad.. I have also found with the improvements other refinements are needed to compliment the recent change. Everything I have done so far made a difference ( not always better ) which has lead to another important - change/upgrade. Cables, Cords, Electricity all included. Recently I swapped a phono-pre Black Cube 2 for the Verto SUP . the previously owned (Used) -Costs were roughly the same and I found the sound better - smoother - warmer - realistic to my ears. I have also heard at times some albums that once sounded OK - not sound so good anymore . Now I find I am replacing some of my vinyl. To try and answer you , I prefer warmth with a good soundstage . The tubes have shown me the warmth and the slightly larger more dynamic woofers with the AMT tweeter opened the Soundtage for me along with adding bottom end . I do not care for brightness as I find it to fatiguing after a few songs . I have some Celestion A3's in my home theater . They can sound awful with certain tracks or movies and I use a Pioneer Elite system - all ~ 20 years old. My Kipsch speakers when driven with the Rogue Audio Sphinx v2, which I recently sold was too bright for my ears. I suppose complete 100% accuracy is not that important to me . But the instruments must be discernable . I need to hear the acoustic guitar when played and the subtle movements of the hands moving up or down the neck. I want to feel the urge to get up and dance when I put on some Reggae. A Strat by Clapton needs to sound like it should with great tone and a Tele played by Roy Buchanon etc...And when I listen to Ben Webster the sax needs to be in the room . Steely Dan needs to sound exceptional . I hope that helps . I realize I may be looking for the Swiss Army knife of Tube Amps at a reasonable costs . But a neutral , clean , warm quality sound is what I am looking for . An Amp that won't cost an arm and a leg to re-tube and ideally I can do some minor tube rolling for fun. If it needs work it should have some simplicity .
