VTL MB-450 with Maggies

The new 450s are fabulous. Several reports of people who have listened to the VTL in the LA High End show commented very favorably. As far as compatability w. Maggies, all I can say is I used to own VTL 100s w. Martin Logan CLSs years ago. That was a touch of heaven except the CLS panels needed replacment. If I could have used the VTL 225s back then it would have been perfect.

The 450s have a lot of power for most anything. The room size is important and your prefered volume levels. For me the VTL house sound is dynamic & musical. Not hyper detailed and not bright. Just musical. There is a lot of great product out there. Ultimately it comes down to preference and cosmetics and price.

I bought my Magnepan IIIa back in the day because I heard them on VTL300's. I think the extra power that the VTL provides over the ARC is the biggest benifit for you. Plus VTL's are easy on tubes compared to the ARC. Individually biased tubes on the VTL's versus expensive matched quads, sixtetts, octetes that the ARC stuff typically demands.

I almost bought the VTL450's for my Wilsons after hearing a pair power WP7's. I listened to the VTL S400 with the smart tube technology and it was magical but unfortunately not enough current to drive my Wilson Maxx's at the levels I like.

I'm using my 3.6's with the Manley 250 monobbocks/ARC LS 15 for over two years. Great sound stage. My first Maggies were the 2.6 purchase in 1993. My VTL experience was limited to Von Schwiekert/Shanling in 2005 while in the Bay area. The spkrs impressed me more than the amp at the time. This was consternating because of the reputation of VTL. This experience pushed me toward Manley Amps.

I believe heard this combination at Stereo Unlimited in Walnut Creek California. The owner's setup of the panels may be considered on the radical side but the imaging was the best I've heard with my very limited experience with panel speakers.

I have 3 mb-450 and they sounds smashing with Magnepan 3.6, a match made in heaven, in my opinion. I have audio research vm220 Monoblocks as well, and I like them with the Magnepan as well. It's only been 5 days since my VTL amps have arrived, and I just hooked the audio research back up to compare. Personally, I love them both, and would recommend either. I believe VTL is a more romantic and lush sound, and the arc product is a little more crisp. I have seen them compared to cocktails- the VTL sounds like a rum and coke, and the arc sounds like a gin and tonic. They both are perfect on the Magnepan 3.6.