New VTL Stereo Amp?

the old st 150 uses 4 6550 per channel. i just replaced my cary 805c with the vtl, and dang if the vtl doesn't sound better. the 150 is a sweeet amp, and has nice control over the bass, something the 805c lacks (too much bass bloom).

Hey Steve, I see you upgraded your M-L's -- not too surprised they like the added power and control.

The new sophisticated look is certainly sexier, though I don't think as distinctive. But personally I'd rather have those very useful handles and attendent classic straked grille as on my 185's, assuming nothing has changed in the circuit. And assuming the rest of the chassis and the faceplate attachment points haven't changed, I wonder if VTL will maintain the old faceplates as an option, since they're bound to still need to have 'em on hand as replacement parts for the thousands already in the field...

Hi Fi+ has a review in issue 44 as I recall. They liked it but noted that resolution and separation of instruments were not its strong suit but liked the bold solid sound.

hey alex... i guess i'm not surprised. the efficiency rating on the new logans is 92db. the woofers are active. but more power still helped. or maybe it was just the push pull circuit. i think even 100w of SET probably still would've felt soft in the bass.

the VTLs don't hold a candle the cary's imaging, layering, holographic presentation, but i just couldn't handle the bass, it was like a giant balloon. even tho the logans are active, i think they take on the amps character, from top to bottom.

i also tried the conrad johnson 140 on these logans and it sounded awful. anemic, dry, lifeless, totally controlled and totally restricted. the VTL is much warmer and full bodied, yet punchy. bold solid sound is about right.

you still have MB185s w/ some Theils?

Yep, although for the moment I'm evaluating a recently-acquired McCormack DNA-500 which exceeds them in several areas. Your description of the VTL vs. CJ (tube) sound is actually very similar to my take in a comparo I did a few years ago between my then-amp, a CJ MV55, and a VTL ST-85, although I have to stipulate that there was a question of relative tube condition between the two amps, and I thought the CJ did have the more neutral frequency response. What tubes are you using now?