I have listened to this preamp for several months in a few different systems, and find it is almost as good as many more expensive units, in the most important areas... namely.. it has good weight in the bass, not up to that offered by the very best, but close enough in most systems, where the speakers often don't go really low anyway. In my system it is not as good as the VTL Ultimate that I have owned for 10 years, but it is about 1/3rd of the price!It has very good dynamics, excellent soundstage depth and width and a very natural balance tonally. I have not experimented with different tubes, the standard Chinese ones being about right in my opinion.
This preamp will reward you if you use good quality interconnects, and it also benefits from being supported on either polycrystal cones or a Townshend seismic sink to reduce unwanted vibrations.
I have not found power cords to alter the sound much at all, but as I am in NZ, and we have pretty pure AC power and 230 volts, it may make more difference in the USA where the voltage is half of ours so therefore the current will be double.
An enjoyable entry into the high end for a not so high end price.

If you listen to VTL like I have for about 8 years with the same equipment ( VTL deluxe preamp with deluxe monoblocks in triode )you really can say " I made an excellent choice ".So .. it all began with a good friend who was looking for a good preamp. I said don't look any further. I had the TL2.5 in mind ( without ever testing it) .You should know, never buy something without trying it in your own hifi and listening room.
I wanted to be sure, so I asked my dealer if I could test it.
My first impression was stunning. This preamp had the best bass I've ever heard. This is very rare with tube gear and I like this. After a while playing my favorite CD's I missed something. What this preamp does in the bass region and very fine 3D soundstage, it's screws up in the mid's and treble range.
My old preamp sounded more neutral and with much more musical detail.It was very quick on transients to. Believe it or not, I'm not someone who thinks that tube gear must sound warm and smooth.(If you like that sound,there's nothing wrong with it.)
I have to say, I made a modification on my old preamp that I can recommend to everyone (transistor or tube gear). Just replace your rectifiers with HEXFRED's. It's amazing !!!!!
Conclusion, this preamp (TL2.5) is very nice build, sounds like dynamite but it didn't give me the extra excitement I was expecting. At the end, all what count's is the music and the way anyone should enjoy it, neutral and well balanced in the whole freq. range.
It's also a shame there's no phono input(standard) making this unit overpriced for those who still loves LP's.

Speakers AlonII
VTL deluxe monoblocks (Triode / 807)
Interconnects VTL (white and black version) / LFD / Straight Wire RhapsodyII
Teac VRDS10 - Rotel RDD980 (Drive Unit)
Monarchy DAC 22A (modified)/ DR-1 Digital cable / Super drive DIP

Serious build quality, well-made remote control, best RCA's I have ever seen, very warm natural sound without the CJ colorations, well formed, deep and extended bass and very little noise or tube rush - pretty quiet for a tube preamp. This unit looks and feels like a more expensive piece!

The well-made remote only has volume and mute - not a show stopper.

The 2.5 takes the "edge" off average digital recordings and makes the presentation more relaxed on all digital recordings. It has a robust low-end and a very natural mid-band. I was surprised at the lack of tube noise - this piece is very quiet! This unit looks, feels and performs like a piece that costs double or triple its price. Highly recommended to someone who wants to get into tubes for their warm and natural abilities without the tube hassles.

Similar Products Used:

BAT, Krell, McCormack, Joule Electra

Breathes life and emotion into recorded music - major goosebump-capable

May lack the ultimate dynamic impact of some of the very best SS designs

After auditioning many preamps over the past 5 years, the VTL TL2.5 was the first to achieve what I was looking for - the ability to recreate the life and presence stored in recorded music. I imagine the tube-factor is a critical aspect of the TL2.5's ability to perform this magic. In the context of my system, this preamp delivers the goods (at least to my taste) like no other preamp I have heard. Dynamics are exceptionally good, voices are presented with 3-D presence, instruments appear surrounded by space, and bass is surprisingly powerful (but perhaps lacks the last degree of impact evident in the best SS designs). The VTL provides oodles of detail, but never sounds harsh or strident - making the best recordings shine, while still managing a palatable presentation of the bad ones - the latter being a critical quality if the road to nirvana is being on a path that allows us to hear the best in ALL the music that we love. In my opinion, this preamp is very special, is well built, and is exceptional value.

SYSTEM

CD: CAL Audio CL15
PREAMP: VTL TL2.5
AMP: Bryston 3B-ST
SPEAKERS: Aerial 7B
CABLES: Cardas GC

Similar Products Used:

Conrad Johnson PV10L, Rotel RC995, ADCOM GFP750, AR LS3, AR LS7, BRYSTON BP25, BAT VK20

I've listened to a lot of vacuum tube preamplifiers with my Meridian triamped loudspeakers. Before I found the VTL TL2.5, I was resigned to having to buy some $3000+ preamp just so I could get the spaciousness and clarity I know my speakers can deliver. When I tried the TL2.5, it was in direct comparison with an Audio Research line stage preamp and the difference was stark. The AR was stuffy and flat and the VTL was absolutely 3D. This has got to be one of the best vacuum tube values on the market. It excels at taming overly bright speakers (like mine) and throws a beautiful sound stage. I love it!

Incredible pure sound and depth

Best I've tried thus far. Remote only controls the volume.

When my Adcom preamp died decided to audition several types: Bryston, McIntosh (poor) and VTL. It was far and away the best. Incredible depth and clarity.

Similar Products Used:

Adcom GFP 750 - Died after 1 year

Lively and open sound. Good timing and pace keeps music interesting. Detail and soundstaging keep emotion in the music. Quality remote control.

Tiny bit lean compared to other tube preamps. Chassis needs to be dampened.

Having listened to many different units I selected the VTL 2.5 on its ability to make the music interesting and lively. There are other units in a similiar price range with better tonality but they don't let the music come through as effortlessly as the VTL. If anything, the 2.5 could use a little more lushness in the mids.
I have also found the unit is not particularly sensitive to upgraded power cords, unlike my VTL power amp was. However it does significantly respond to isolation products. I have tried a few and found they can increase detail and richness. Also, tube damper rings are an inexpensive upgrade which really pays off. I would definitely recommend this unit to a friend (especially at this price) and I am hoping to save up enough money to move up to the
5.5 preamp.

Similar Products Used:

AR LS 8. Rotel preamp. Marantz