Tube amps that kick ass?

I owned VTL 250 mono's for several years and a good bud has owned the 450's even longer. The 250's are wired in triode and sound even better than the 450's when they're switched to triode and either will definitely get the job done; especially since you're only driving the top portion of your Vandy's and they're a pretty easy load.

I too am running a system that has powered subs and only use tube amps for my 89db, 6 Ohm main speakers. About 18 months ago I swapped my VTL's for a pair of 140wpc Atma-Sphere MA-1's and to say they were a huge improvement over the VTL's would be an understatement.

Everything is cleaner, clearer, smoother and much more refined. I'm getting way more information out of recordings, both cd and vinyl and the sound is just more believable. The VTL's sounded sorta muddy by comparison.

My main speakers are good down to around 50Hz and with the MA-1's, bass is fast and weighty but not exaggerated and more importantly, pitch and timbre are spot-on.

Both VTL and Atma-Sphere are well built and you'd probably be happy with either of them but the MA-1's will definitely take things up a couple notches.

Happy Hunting.

Though I went from VTL 250's to Atma-Sphere MA-1 MkIII's, it wasn't because I thought the VTL's were rolled off or that they had any other serious flaws for that matter. I just decided it was time for a change and wanted to try something different.

Actually, I thoroughly enjoyed the VTL's for over six years, they were trouble free and I could happily go back to them. I'm sure my friend who went from the 450's to the VAC Phi 300.1's would say the same thing.

On the other hand, both the 250's and 450's are outclassed when compared to either the MA-1's or the VAC's as they well should be considering the large price differences.

Fplanner2000, my buddy just replaced his VTL 450's with a pair of the VAC Phi 300.1 monos and as you say, they're wonderful. Right out of the box they stomped the 450's in every sonic area I can think of and they continue to improve with breakin. Of course at $18k each retail, they should be good.

As Atmasphere says, the M-60s would probably work well and I almost went with them but in the end I figured if 60 watts was good, 140 would be even better. They are quite "spectacular."