I havn't heard VTL amps but as owner of ARC VT100 Mk2 I can say that Preamp and Valve brand is very important. I'd recommend LS15, LS16, LS25 or REFERENCE (best) for preamp. And Svetlana 6550C valves and Svetlana (russian valves) 6922 for this amplifier. If you are using original Sovtek valves then you really missing a lot.
