High end amp - my last step

Now I'm in a better position - tweeters are fixed and seem to be OK.

I spoke with my dealer about my choices and the best way to go about listening to them. He firstly suggested I should revise my list. I reason I respect his opinion is that he didn't just poo-poo anything he didn't distribute.

He did poo-poo, however - Boulder and the Meridian DSP8000.
The Meridian I have to listen to anyway given I know the guys at the factory and they are trying to help me.

He suggested out of my list that he recommended the Pass Labs, VTL, Dartzeel (which he said would be enough power for my speakers and room) and Lamm.

He also said I might consider something that was not on my list (that he does distribute) which was the Krell Evolution range. (New prices in the UK are hideously expensive - pounds=dollar price - so even with my budget I could only afford an Evolution 402 or stretch to 600)

The Evolution One costs about £50,000 or $90,000 over here!! For that I could get used MRA monos and swap the PSUs.

Has anyone heard the evolution range and how they compare with the others?

I think given the Krell import policy to the UK, I won't be getting value for money. VTL prices are comparable with the exchange rate as is the Dartzeel.

Dmurfet: Skip the Krell/Wilson Combo it's dynamic but not musical...... I've heard way to many combo's that sounded really bad.

Cytocycle - thanks for the response again - I've tried searching for a definition of "musical" but not found any. I guess that's the point though - it's the bit you can't measure that draws you into the music. Perhaps I'll have a better idea once I have heard some of the tubes on my list, but I'd ask you of your opinion of what makes an amp musical.

Also - I understand from other posts that Krell is often accused of this non-musical / sterile sound. I also read in a review that the evolution has addressed this characteristic - was your comment related to FPB series or Evolution?

I think someone mentioned the CAT - a localish dealer (High End Broker) has a pair of JL-1 Signatures going for only 12500 Euros - which is a massive discount from new if I recall correctly. They might be worth an investigate!

With that I suggest my new list is:

DSP 8000 (factory organising a demo for me - my dealer hates them "comparing a Frod Escort to a Ferrari" but I have to give them a listen)
Krell Evolution - but think too expensive for me and now 2nd hand market to judge.
VTL S-400
Pass Labs - XA-160/200
Lamm 1.2 Ref
Dartzeel (which should be similar to Lamm me thinks)
MBL - if I can find an outlet to demo

Let me put it this way I don't believe there is good synergy between Wilson Speakers and Krell, both are revealing and dynamic and there can be too much of a good thing (Can make your system sound clinical). I can't speak for the Evolution series.

Lamm would be the opposite of Krell, Midrange that you can dive into, mid bass that hits you up, rolled off lower registers versus Krell SLam, and the Krell bright edgy front end. These comments are related to Wilson/Krell combo only I have heard Krell sound ok on Avalon, and I liked the older KSA-250's that were full Class A.

I agree that you would have a ultra clean system with Meridian 8000's and a digital cable. Keep in mind all of these combo's have virtues and deficiencies, and it's a matter of picking which comb will make you most happy.

If you haven't ever owned tubes, make sure you have a good dealer to deal with for help, the nice thing about the VTL is it is modular so if you had a problem you can plug a computer into the serial port and find out what it is, plus everything you want to know about each of the tubes. The powersupplies can be disconnected and shipped separate so should never have to crate the monster up to send back for repairs. The reason I say this is I had to send my Lamm's back in their crates and they only accept air shipment and you can image how much that cost to overnight crates! Something I factored in my next purchase. I've heard the VTL150 stereo on Sophia's and it as magical. I've heard the S400 on WP7's but it was out of my reach $$$ (and would power the Maxx II's my next goal) and so I went with the Theta's. The S400 does automatic tube biasing while you listen so it will be the least possible tube maintenance of any tube amp.

I've heard good things about the Dartzeel, and the new pass models.