Tube amps that kick ass?

I have owned several tube amps (and hybrids) over the years. My rating of the amps that I owned is based on extended listening with many speakers including various Apogees, McIntosh, Legacy Focus, Totem, Avalon Ascent.

My rating is based on clarifty, details, depth, imaging, transparency, control, power, midrange purity, bass control. etc.

The rating is:

1. Tube Research Labs GT-800
2. Tube Research Labs GT-400
3. Jadis JA-500 (the bigger Jadis-800 is not worth the price but the smaller Jadis JA-200 has slightly better sound)
4. Audio Valve Challenger
5. Lamm M2.1 (hybrid)
6. VTL-750 (the one with high-quality caps).
7. Llano (hybrid)

So in summary, the TRL GT-800 kicks butt of everything else that I have tried or heard, including the SS ams in the bass area, as well as any area of sound, subjectiveky and objectively alike. I even doubt if any any amp can outperform it. It should be among the seven wonders of the audio :)

Darkmoebius, the thread evolved from the original question, and several amps mentioned were also out of the intended budget. I listed other amps to indicate the *relative" butt kicking.

The Audio Valve Challenger can also kick butts.

Moreover, list prices hardly matter any more, thanks to audiogon.

I also have a high opinion on the VAC.
Besides the VTLs are rolled from the top

By the way Keith, your speakers are not so highly efficient so you will be better off using a good amount of power like 80-100 WPC or so or at lpud volumes a lower power tube amp can clip.

You may also want to look at CAT amps even though VAC is a good choice too. Von Schweikert uses VAC to demo his speakers and the combo kicks butts. Both should be in your price range.

> Just bustin' your chops, Gallant, sorry

Bustin' my chops? LMAO, haven't heard that for long time.

No, the TRL have no rolled off in any of the speakers that I tried. But the VTLs were. We also tried them a friend's B&W 802 and we concluded the same.

I owned all of these amps.

This is based on my listening and I have not read any review nor do I care to.

Dand_ed:

I respect your suggestion but with minor changes as I mentioned in my previous post I used several speakers and also my friend's system.

"In my systems and my friend's system the VTLs sounded rolled from the top."

ok, pal?

Dan_ed: What you said is entirely possible but your argument should be directed to Albert because I just posted my opinion which admittedly is very subjective and relative, but not directed at proving someone wrong. So, long as we keep that basic principle in mid, it is ok to engage in useful and friendly argument. And if it gets a bit out of hand, I will be first to leave the scene.

In fact, arguing for "my toy is better" is not my forte, as you can see from my posts. But in true audiophile spirit with an open mind, Instead of getting irritated one can do something more creative. For example, I would be interested in comparing the TRL and VTL on a neutral ground here in the DFW area. I can bring my GT-400 (the GT-800 is too big and the contest is not worth the effort) and Albert can bring his VTL and also his own judges :-). I am willing to bring the TRL GT-400 anywhere in DFW area and try with any system for the contest. How about that ;-)?