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Help with Hi Power Tube Amp Selection

I'm looking for some help in making up my mind (since auditioning will be impossible). I will be replacing my integrated amp (an Electrocompaniet ECI-4SE) with high powered monblock tube amps. The ones I'm considering are (in order of preference):

VTL 450 Sigs
ASL Hurricanes
Manley 250 Neo-Classic
Wolcott Presence 220

I've heard the Manleys, and like them a lot. I've heard lesser iterations of the VTLs, which also sounded good to me. The other two got awesome reviews. I love that big tube sound.

Here's the rest of my components:

Von Schweikert VR-4 III SE Speakers
BAT VK-D5 CDP w/ NOS Amperex Bugle Boys 6DJ8
BAT VK-5i or VK-30SE Preamp (also undecided)
Audience AU24 XLR Interconnects
AZ Satori Shotgun Speaker Cables

So, from your experiences, what would be the best fit in tube monoblocks?

Thanks!
1markr
pjl2122
83 posts
 
the manleys, and vtl eat tubesat a much faster rate ,i know i speak with the guys who sell tubes.these tubes are made to run hot.
ask vintage tube service.
mejames
986 posts
 
I will have to correct the previous post VTL amplifiers have longer tube lifes than many others due to the lower bias current being sent to the tubes than other companies typically do which increases their longevity. typically approximately 3000 hours for a set of tubes with VTL's
1markr OP
594 posts
 
The same should hold true for the Manley Labs amps, which bias their tubes at somewhere around the .25 volts range.
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