VTL IT-85 or Mcintosh MA6500

Apples and oranges here, your comparing a tube integrated to a SS. If a Mac integrated is what your interested in then listen to the MA2275 if its within your budget. This unit comes with 4 12ax7's ( 2 for tone and 2 for phono ) a pair of at7's and a quad of KT88's. Power output should be very close to your Vtl, FWIW Ive owned all 3 and my preference leans towards the 2275..that being said the 6500 was excellent also and very musical. In fact I prefered the 6500 over it's bigger brother the MA6900. Good luck, enjoy and let us know what your conclusions are.

Les here,Thanks for the response... Sometimes I wonder if I should start going back to seperates, just go ahead and sink the money into some reference gear and stop going sideways and start really upgrading. I think I'm addicted to hearing new gear every so often even if it's not a major upgrade.

I think I'm addicted to hearing new gear every so often even if it's not a major upgrade.

The first step to recovery is admitting it. :)

Befor I found this website I had an ARC SP-6b and an Acurus power amp for 5 yrs with no complaints or obsessive thoughts........ but it is a fun hobby, something to do. but then again ignorance is bliss.

So I went and A/B'd the two amps and the Mcintosh sounded a little punchier and had a nicer midrange to it and a slightly bigger soundstage.......... the extra wattage in the Mcintosh helped I guess............ but don't get wrong the Vtl has a nice sound too, a rawness from the tubes that I like.......... Any way that's my opinion from the direct A/B listening. I wish I could have them both in my home for a couple of days. So now I guess I'm gonna sell my VTL.