VTL Tetrode/Triode

I'll go along with the generalization of "The less complex, the more fitting the triode works". I have VTL MB-125's and tend to keep them in tetrode most of the time... I prefer the extra gusto and sheer effortlessness. I can find triode intriguing with the right mood which usually entails late nights and some smooth jazz but I'm often dismayed by the less than agile bass if I kick up the volume to any more than moderate levels. I find the increased "3D" addicting in triode but the tetrode always gives me that extra kick. Another generality, (obvious?) : the better the recording, the more it will display the virtues of triode... tetrode can rock to much less sophistication. Oops, does that make me some kind of "Common Joe"? Oh well. Just for the record, my good friend runs his MB 450's (I've got my eye on those someday) and his Wotans (2 separate systems) in tetrode virtually all the time. "Too syrupy", and "not tight enough" being his opinion... . It's sure nice having the option though isn't it ?!! Good listening.

Hello again, I agree that turning the amps off is a definite inconvenience... I'm always pondering how long to linger (off) before flicking the switch and going on again (I do the whole procedure in less than a minute) but there's always that hesitation in my mind when I click back on after running them hot for awhile... So far they've been flawless every time. I try to choose my mode and music at the beginning of my listening session just to avoid doing it although it sometimes can't be helped... I honestly think that because you must turn it off for switching modes that it actually makes sense keeping the switch on the back... This will keep unknowing fingers from flipping a mistake. In fact, when I saw the recent review of those big Neo classic Manleys in Stereophile it was seeing the switch on the front that actually brought this concern to mind. A small pilot light [on the front] indicating which mode would be a clever and convenient feature. I actually keep a small index card with "triode" on one side and "tetrode" written on the other which I leave near the amps to remind me where I left the switch positioned during its last use.Anyway, nice talking to you, maybe I'll spend a little more time hanging out with the virtues of triode a bit more... it really is fun playing with each type of sound.Happy listening.

Oops, looks like my answer didn't get posted quickly enough. Is it really true we can switch simply without a signal going through? That would be a lot easier... mute the pre and we're all set? BTW, I am driving 95 db efficient speakers (into a fairly stable 8 ohms which never drop below 6.5 or so):Silverline Sonata 2's. What my MB 125's are putting out into them is probably close to 100 wpc or so in tetrode and I'd guess about half of that in triode?... What do you guys sit your amps on? Mine sit on 2 navcom silencers [in the back] and a few sorbothane isolation feet in the front. This is all on a couple of sandwiched marble slabs (about .75 inch thick ] which sit on a pair of 6 inch speaker stands (not spiked) on the carpet. Do you think tip toes would be better than the sorbothane/navcom silencers combo?