VTL MB450 monos Vs. BAT VK 60se monos?

You won't be getting a dark sound with the VK Se version amps, they are anything but that. Depending on your Accuphase you may just be making a sideways move, especially if you are giving up power to go to the VK60se.

I have owned both amps, though my BATs were the 150SEs. The BATs probably sound a little better, but they don't have the brute strength that the VTLs do. If you need a lot of power or are used to it you might be disappointed by the BAT amps. I personally would choose the VTLs on the fact that they have more power and I really like the sound of more power. The VTLs are HOT very hot, the BATs are hot but not nearly as bad. I personally had a fair amount of trouble with my BAT amps blowing fuses, where I had zero trouble with the VTLs. Incidentally I have moved to Parasound JC-1s and could not be happier (tubes, especially high powered amps are a pain in my opinion)

Peter, I guess they must just mate a lot better with my Ayre K1x pre better possibly? Don't get me wrong I do like all the amps mentioned a lot, but for me everyday realities like massive heat output as well as the need to turn the amps on and off and wait for them to power up and be ready are enough to turn things in favor of the JC-1s. For instance with either tube amp I wouldn't bother with turning them on for 30 minutes in the morning before work, there is nothing musical about that!