Angelsmtn: You make an excellent comment that we often don't know what we are missing. This is of course until we hear a product bring on a level of musicality and resolution we had not heard before in our system. This came for me when I got the Wolcotts, but even much more so when they were replaced by the JL-3's.
Your strategy to upgrade the VTLs when they need servicing is a good one. My older Wolcotts need the same kind of attention as your VTLs. And yes, look into trying KT88's. When I switched the 6550s to KT88s in my ARC VT130, wow, midrange bloom and harmonic richness. It was unfortunate the Tesla KT88 tubes I had were so unreliable.
I have not gotten into SACD or DVD-A formats yet. I am still very much a vinyl fan and I feel my CD playback sounds mighty good up against the vinyl setup. When the digital formats settle down a little more, I'd like to get such a player, maybe a universal player, that is also a big step up over my Pioneer PD65 as a transport. As a redbook DAC, the Manley Reference is so incredible and tough to beat except perhaps by an all out assault modern design tube-based unit. I tried many DACs, some incredibly musical, but the Manley was it for me a few years back when I bought it. Much has changed since then of course.
John
Your strategy to upgrade the VTLs when they need servicing is a good one. My older Wolcotts need the same kind of attention as your VTLs. And yes, look into trying KT88's. When I switched the 6550s to KT88s in my ARC VT130, wow, midrange bloom and harmonic richness. It was unfortunate the Tesla KT88 tubes I had were so unreliable.
I have not gotten into SACD or DVD-A formats yet. I am still very much a vinyl fan and I feel my CD playback sounds mighty good up against the vinyl setup. When the digital formats settle down a little more, I'd like to get such a player, maybe a universal player, that is also a big step up over my Pioneer PD65 as a transport. As a redbook DAC, the Manley Reference is so incredible and tough to beat except perhaps by an all out assault modern design tube-based unit. I tried many DACs, some incredibly musical, but the Manley was it for me a few years back when I bought it. Much has changed since then of course.
John
