Opinions on VTL preamps


I would like to know how the VTL preamps (2.5 & 5.5) compare to similarly priced pres from ARC, Conrad-Johnson, etc. What about reliability? Would be used with a McCormack DNA-1 dlx amp and Magnepan 3.6/R´s. Thanks in advance.
hasse
no problems in last six months.It will make horrible noises if i forget to turn the rest of the system on before the amps.may be they where loaded up or something.they work fine now and keep getting better.I figured it was the speakers polarity.Its very dark in my listening room,ecept for the glow from all the tubes.
I cannot report on anything VTL, except that my dealer here in Austin is a nightmare......... so I don't buy anything from them including VTL. I sent my ARC VT200 in to the factory, all was great. Nice people fast dependable service.
I have a deluxe preamp. I use it with a 200 watt per channel solid state amp. The combination produces a huge soundstage, depth detail and very little listening fatigue .
oh forgot to mention that Deluxe Preamp  has performed flawlessly since the late eighties ! No service at all
I used to own a 2.5. Really nice preamp. No issues what so ever. Never had the 5.5 but now own a 6.5. Both have been very reliable, no issues. 
The remotes work well. The 2.5s are a steal now for what they go for.