VTL MB-450 with Maggies

Good thread. I look forward to the responses. I just bought a pair of 3.6R's that I'm currently using with Electrocompaniet Nemo Monoblocks, which are 1200 watts into 4 ohms. I have an interest in VTL and Audio Research tube amps and wonder what the good people of Audiogon might have to say about using them in conjunction with Maggies.

Hasse, it doesn't look like you're getting an overwhelming number of replies to your specific question. I can't address the two amps you specifically mention, but I can expand your field of consideration if you're not completely set on one or the other of these amps. Maybe this will jump start some comments from others who've heard the amps you're asking about.

The best sound I've heard from Magneplanar 3.6 speakers has been with the Wolcott P220 amps, with a further improvement when matched to the much more expensive Atma-Sphere MA-2 MkIII OTL amps. Both of these tube amps deliver 220 watts and both were able to drive the Maggies to a higher output than I'm comfortable ever listening to in Slipknot1's 24x16x9' listening room. (Slipknot has since changed speakers after his 20 year devotion to Maggies.) On the Maggies, deep bass was fully present with both amps, with the Atma-Spheres having somewhat greater extension and definition. There was never an issue of not having enough power to fully drive the Maggies, and the dynamics, resolution, timbre and overall natural presentation of the music was better than I've ever heard on the 3.6s.
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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.

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.

### update, I upgraded to Magnepan 20.1's, and I have to say that they are a better match for the vtl mb450 than the 3.6 Magnepans were. A very worthy upgrade!

I should follow up this thread to clarify WHY I thought the VTL MB-450 was better matched to the Magnepan 20.1 than the 3.6.

The Magnepan 20.1 goes a lot deeper, basswise, than the 3.6 did, and allows the VTL MB-450 to perform optimally, in my opinion, while with the 3.6, I didn't think the speaker was truly letting the amplifier perform at its peak. However, for you (smart!) people who love Headroom, there's nothing to complain about, no matter how you slice it...

I am still an Audio Research owner, and in addition to the VM220 monos and the aforementioned VTL MB-450 Monoblocks, I have added VTL MB-300 and Audio Research Classic 150 to the stable.

I should further specify that my VTL amps are the older, Signature versions, the new ones are more easily configurable, so I hear, as they have adjustable feedback and I am also told they have better bass.

But in all honesty, i don't feel there is any need for improvement, as the bass my amplifiers make is awesome, and I love it! IMO there is no more realistic rendition, in my opinion, of a "stand up" bass (acoustic bass, double bass) that you could ask for... Instead of upgrading, I just bought another pair...