Experiences, good and bad, with VTL

i have not owned any vtl products. i have listend to them on demos. i love the 25tt's (just not enough jucie). if found the vt85 (think that was the number) ok; probably would be alot better with nos tubes. i will say that i own rogue monos (better price point; much improved sound with tube swap). i have retubed them with nos tubes from vintage tube services. i found it intresting that vintage will warranty all his nos and used tubes on all gear except "vtl". fwiw.

jim

Can anyone comment on the tube amps from Tube Research Labs? I know the company is technically not in business anymore. But in their day, they built an 800 and 400 watt triod amps. As I understand it, they built some monster amps.

Does anyone have actual user/owner or demo experiences?

I have owned VTL mono 125 power amps for over 5 years and have worked perfect. I have had no problems with short tube life with tubes from VTL but now use Tesla J/J EL34's and N.O.S. Telefunken 12AT7 thes are wonderful. I use a Cardas golden power cord and the amp loves them My interconnect is also a Cardas neutral ref. I drive Alon 5 with this amp and could not be more pleased with the sound . this is a very nice amp . marc

I have a VTL ST-150 for almost three years. It is the most musical & Powerful Amp I have every owned. They have blown resisters a couple of times , which is upsetting . But My VTL can Drive my Aerial 10t's Straight to Heaven ! From the shimmering highs... detailed midrange to Heavy Duty Bottom ! VTL makes great power amps!

Avnut. I have a lot of experience with Tube Research amps. I owned the GT 400 and a good friend owned the GT 300.

What do you want to hear from experienced users? Quality of sound, reliability?

On the thread topic, I have heard VTL in several situations, and several friends own them. I think they are a great product and am not aware of VTL having any more reliability problems than other high end / high power tube amps. All big tube amps will need some maintenance and tube replacement. It goes with the territory, but well worth it in my opinion.