2. amps-preamps
  3. 1171208842

VTL 450 mystery - please help


Hello Folks:

I am now the very proud owner of the VTL MB-450 monoblock. They were built in 1998 and upgraded with every available option in 2003. The seller has an impeccable reputation and I trust him. With that said, something very very upsetting is happening that I could use some advice on.

The first night that I used them, I brought them over to a friends home who has a new PS Audio Premier power conditioner and we plugged both of the amps in and listed for a few hours with no problems. Late that night, after I left, one of the amps B+ fuses blew out.

When I went over to run some tests, we found that both amps tube bias readings are about dead-on and while we were working on one of them with no signal, the other fuse in the other monoblock also blew and I thought I observed one of the tubes near the front of the unit glow unusually bright just before that happened.

The preamp that my friend has is passive, built by Creek and was not muted. The home also has one dedicated power line and one older power line that the other unit was running through.

Bea at VTL told me that sometimes power conditioners inhibit the amount of current that these amp's need to function. She also recommended that I buy a new set of tubes.

Can anyone help?!!

Thanks.

D.H.
danhirsh

Showing 1 response by vegasears

vegasears
1,173 posts
 
I previously owned VTL 300 Deluxe MB’s for many years. I had them fully upgraded in the early part of this Century. I took the amps to VTL myself and was given at tour of the factory. I met and have talked to the owners many times over the years. Truly, stand up people.

Once I tried plugging the 300’s into a PS Audio PPP and they sounded anemic and recessed and quickly plugged the amps back into my dedicated 20 amp outlet and they sounded normal again.

My advise is to buy a set of tubes from VTL and establish a business relationship with them. While you are getting to know the amps you may have questions and they have the answers. Every time I’ve called with questions. The first question from Bea’s is “Where did you get the tubes?” It helps to answer “From You!” Yes, you will pay a little more but you will be a customer.

More to discover