New tube amp for ML Prodigy CAT, VTL, ARC????

Have you considered a pair of VAC Standard 220 monoblocks?
They are powerful and utilize (4) KT 88 output tubes. I have a pair running with balanced inputs and they seem to pack a powerful punch. They also have taps for low impedence loads and adjustable negative feedback controls.

Just one thought to add to your list.

Are you using a sub with the Prodigys or are you able to get sufficient bass response?

Gerry,

Thanks for the input. For some reason VAC amps are not really on my radar. I don't know much about them or thier "house" sound. Do you have any idea on how they might compare to my ARC? They are relative bargains compared to some of the other offerings though. To answer your question.......... I have tons of bass from my Prodigy's and had to buy some bass traps to tame it down a little. I think my speakers are probably a bit too big for my room but they sure sound good.

If possible the Cats will be quite a nice treat. Great base control and just super mids and liquid highs. I feel the Cats are more romantic than the arc amps. If your looking to spend the money do yourself a favor.

I had VT100 MKIII and recently upgraded to the VPA's. NO COMPARISON! As diferent to safe-sex and..... The VPA's will breath life to your recordings....recreates the recording sound space. Was just listening to a CD I hadn't heard for years (SINEAD O"CONNER)think I will need bryl-creme next time to keep the hairs from climbing up the back of my neck. There are some good deals used. I bought used on the ...GON, was so impressed that I exchanged for new at full price!

I have a very different take on the CAT vs. ARC than Bozo. But then again, that is no surprise as I have not had much in common with anybody with orange hair. 8-)

It's very difficult if not downright impossible to make any blanket statement about the sound of ARC preamps or amps as there has been no consistency or evolving refinements to an existing "house" sound here. I owned the Classic 60 and Classic 150s and these were very non-romantic. These amps can often sound analytical, forward, and in fact downright fatiguing....even in the context of an all-ARC setup. The ARC VT130 was a different beast altogether with incredibly full and rich midrange to die for. The bass was lacking the ultimate extension and control and the top end was not as resolving of low-level information, but this amp was incredibly musical. When I heard it compared to the VT100, the VT100 was much more tonally coherent but lacked the musical involvement for me. And fortunately, the VT100 did not have the "faults" of the Classic series. I would think that the VT200 which is essentially a bigger brother to the VT100 would have nearly identical sonics to the VT100. The VT130 (along with the VT150s) was indeed a more tubey sounding amp with its portrayal of dimensionality that it predecessors and successors simply did not have.

I have since gone through Counterpoint NPS400 (awesome amp) and Wolcott monos to now owning a pair of CAT JL-3 Signature amps. The CAT amps are NOT IN ANY WAY a romantic sounding tube amp. Their strengths include dynamic contrasts like few other amps (ss or tube) can do and they handle the leading edge of the notes with clarity and speed like few other amps as well. But tonally, they are rather flat in that they do not portray a fuller-than-life midrange (upper or lower) to bring on a "warmth".

The CAT amps are an awesome match with the Sounlab speakers as the resolution of each shows the capability of the other.

John