I have a 850 running through a BAT VK60. Great combo. This amp is different than the ARC VT100. Depends on speakers that you have which may be better for you. The BAT is killer in my system. IMHO, use the balanced outs in the Wadia with a fully balanced amp, it helps...and you paid for it with the Wadia, might as well use it. BTW: If you spend a ton of $$'s, a preamp does help the Wadia, but it's not cost effective. I'm using a BAT VK50SE now, started with the Wadia only...
New To Tubes & Direct Wadia to Tube Amp
I currently run a Wadia 850 direct to a Jeff Rowland Model 2, with balanced XLR interconnects. I have been thinking about purchasing a tube amp to check out the differences. I would greatly appreciate some advice on the following questions: (1) Do you recommend against a direct Wadia 850 to tube amp connection, where the tube amp is unlikely to be balanced? (2) Do you think there will be an improvement in sound with a tube amp over the Jeff Rowland Model 2, assuming a good quality amp? (3) What amps do you recommend. I have been considering everything from a used Audio Prism Debut to Quicksilver Silver 60 Monos, to the Kora Jupiter to the Audio Research V100MKII, to Sound Valve, to the Audio Electronic Supply Superamp. As you can see, I am all over the board and lost, having absolutely no experience with tubes. (4) What are your thoughts on tube mono amps versus stereo amps? (5) Is auto bias adjustment a good thing or a bad thing? My speakers are fairly efficient at 90db / 8 ohms/ I greatly appreciate your input.