t-mac

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Price Paid:  $2200.00 from Audio Today

Summary:
Hello, I have the VTL-MB100s which preceded the MB-150s. I beg you all to audition these amps, even with low sensitivity speakers. The dynamic capability of these amps must be heard. The benifit of tube amplification mids and highs and very good bass make these a must to hear. If you play very loud music I admit these are not going to make you happy. Having said that, I drive B&W 801 type II speakers with ease. The lower octaves blow away by friends, the mids and highs seduce them. I have owned these amps for 10 years, nothing has taken their place in my heart. Recommend experimenting with EL-34 tubes if you can budget them. I double dare you to compare them to any comparably transistor amp.

Strengths:
Dynamic, powerful and smooth. The illusion of being there, time and space are recreated with good recordings.

Weaknesses:
Need ventilation. No stacking of components.

Similar Products Used:
Counterpoint.

Summary:
I just picked up these tube mono amps about 4 months ago (used, about 5 years old). They play 150 wpc in tetrode and 75 wpc in triode. When driving my speakers in triode, the sound is smooth, refined, but lacks punch and dynamics. But, in tetrode, the sound is also smooth, as well as, full, great dynamics, 3 dimensional and very natural. I'm extremely happy with the sound. Hopefully, they will hold up as well.
Associated equipment: SAE 8000 FM tuner, McIntosh C-22 reissue preamp, VTL MB150 mono amps, Thorens TD125 TT w/SME 3009 MkII arm and Grado 8MZ Signature cartg., Pioneer PD65 Elite CD player, Denon DRM-740 cassette deck, Martin Logan Aerius i speakers.

Strengths:
Natural sounding, powerful

Weaknesses:
Manual bias and balance

Similar Products Used:
Quicksilver M80, Conrad Johnson Premier 4