VTL 750s have graced my system for almost six years. I've owned many powerful tube amps but this big VTL has staying power. Excellent performance, high power and great reliability.
Are you using 6550's or KT88's Albert and why did you decide to use the tube you did
Marty uses all Shuguang KT88s in his Siegfried
Not sure but do know it was 3K to retube
Probably the standard version, Shuguang Treasure asking price is $7200.00 for minimum quantity to tube up the VTL Siegrfried or VTL 750 (very similar amps).
The 750s are terrific amps. I used them with both big Genesis ribbons and with the big Krell Lat's.
I really appreciated their "liquidity" in triode mode ... they are to (most, particularly solid state) amps as a Koetsu Rosewood Signature is to a Grado MM: big gorgeous soundstage, fterrific tone, great information density.
What really upset me with those amps was how much improvement was garnered from Silent Running Audio stands and a pair of PS Audio 1000 power regenerators.
The 750s are really the only gear I've ever sold that I routinely wish I'd kept.
I like the term information density! Information density affects so many things: dimensionality, harmonic envelope, etc.
BTW, join the crowd with the SRA VR bases! I ordered the SRA bases from Kevin at the same time as my ART amps so as to make sure they arrived at the same time Wished they didn't make that difference but as I said earlier, I think the SRA bases make the biggest improvements under the amps (as compared to the phono or turntable). Of course the latter two sit in my system in a Craz rack as compared to siting the amps on Goldmund cones.
I guess I should try the SRA then, I've had five different types of isolation devices under my VTL 750 and so far and the winner is Stillpoints component stands. Probably second place was Grand Prix Audio amplifier stands + Apex footers.
Did you compare SRA to either of those?
As far as the carbon fiber goes, and having played with stuff from Avid and Black Diamond Racing, I just feel that this material its own colorations.
I'm with you 100% on that, it takes awhile to realize you've traded one problem for another. That happens a lot in high end audio. I think the Stillpoints is an excellent, pretty much no compromise solution and from what you report the SRA must be too.
Actually reread my post and meant Wilson Benesch, not Avid. Had Avid on the mind since just got their new phono stage called the Pulsare. Might even hook it up this weekend.
Sam, I think the Amplitrex is an incredible test device, problem is I have not spent enough time reading the book and using it to know how to advise you. There has to be a numerical reading for tubes that provides best possible match for a circuit. Does the manufacturer have a blog where users can trade data?
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