VTL Tetrode/Triode

Mine don't even have the MultiCaps (MIT caps), they just have the yellow "VTL" caps. I'm trying to decide whether to go with the InfiniCaps, as VTL uses, or the DynamiCaps, both of which are made by TRT. I described where I was sonically and where I wanted to go to both Peter Moncrieff (the manufacturer) and Michael Percy (the retailer) and they unanimously recommended the slightly more expensive DynamiCaps, but that was before I switched to the KT-88EH's and made some changes regarding the input tubes (including adding tube dampers) which went a ways toward addressing the brightness I was hearing in tetrode. VTL officially prefers the Infinis, while Moncrieff's comments seemed to imply that they were flatter in their response than the DynamiCaps, which from his description sound like they're probably a bit more 'tailored' in their response, but in a way that he apparently thinks better serves the music in many circuits and systems...scary choice ;^)

Thanks. I will, for sure, look into the infini caps. This seems like a logical, first step to take. I really appreciate the feedback from everybody.

the infini caps VTL uses are custom made to different specs for VTL they aren't off the shelf infini caps

That's what VTL says, although I couldn't find out exactly how the parts are supposed to differ. I also couldn't get TRT to either confirm or deny this assertion of proprietary specification for me. VTL seems to charge around twice as much for these parts as they're generally available for - assuming they'll even sell them to you at all; I've found the company is very loathe to assist in any way owners wanting to do mods on their own or hire outside tech assistance that's qualified and local to them. That VTL charges $200 more for the InfiniCap upgrade than for the MultiCap upgrade raises my eyebrows; that suggests a parts cost increase of over $16 per cap for my amps, way more than the actual retail difference - in fact, it's slightly above the InfiniCap per-piece retail price itself!

They are insistent that the cap mod be done at their CA factory, which I can understand for reasons of quality control and warranty impact, not to mention their own business. Plus, they will perform other updates if needed - such as to the fusing and certain resistors - while the amps are in, and retest them generally and provide you with updated test documentation. But for those of us who don't have a warranty with VTL anyway and live on the opposite coast (and who've already had the factory updates performed), this means shouldering 2-way shipping charges considerably north of $200 (you must ship the way VTL says) for the privilege paying the factory almost double what is commonly charged for this same job done independently. Tell your local tech that the manufacturer wants $1K (not including shipping) to replace 12 (in my case) capacitors that cost about $15 apiece retail (at $50 an hour, this would imply around 16 hours of labor, but since the job should only take about half a day for a skilled tech, well, you do the math) and see what kind of reaction you get... ;^) Add in the associated expenses, risk, and hassle of shipping, plus the extended time the amps will be away from the system, and you can understand why I'm inclined not to worry about VTL's vague claims concerning the InfiniCaps they use.

Yeah, that is somewhat strange. But everyone needs to make a living, I guess. I emailed VTL about prices but haven't received a reply yet (maybe because I bought my amp used, so I'm not exactly a priority customer for them).

On another note, I listened to Sonny Rollins "Way out West." Here is my take: Everything sounds more similar in tetrode vs. triode than on the Brahms piano trio No.3, mentioned in a previous post (maybe because that piece has more of a dynamic range?). However, track 4 (Wagon Wheels) does sound better in triode (at the same loudness settings), even ravishing, especially at the beginning, but maybe it is almost too pretty. On other tracks, especially track 1 (Old Cowhand), I can make the bass lines out better in tetrode. But from the midrange on up, triode preserves the harmonic structure a little better, and there is more air between the players (if I don't crank up my pre-amp too much).

It's almost as if triode makes the music slow down a little, and you can hear more into the internal fabric of the instruments. In tetrode, everything appears a little faster, with better rythm. I noticed I foot-tapped more in tetrode mode, and listened more closely in triode.