Best monoblock tube amp with Vandersteen 5A

You should also give a listen to the ASL Hurricans, The VTL 450's and VAC 70/70....all great!

There are a lot of good products out there, mostly with one common factor, PRICE. There are several dealers I know of, myself included that have used $10k preamps as their personal reference best. The new Belles 21-A can actually replace many $10k plus preamps as the better sounding performer. At $2495 it allows you to buy one of the best power cords on the market to get even better performance. With a pair of 150-Reference monoblocks you get power, dead neutrality with no hard emphasis, a seductive tube-like character with no coloration, and the absolute tightest and controlled bass in the business. You'll know you've got qualities that can't be touched at far more money. The bass control and depth is so good that owners of the 3A's who used a subwoofer with them are finding no need for the sub when they use the amp. It has to be heard to be believed

It's not a monoblock but try the Rogue audio Zeus. I a/b'd it against a pair of ARC VTM 200's and found the Zeus to better the ARC's in every way. The midrange on the Zeus is killer in triode mode. I use a PSE HL1 preamp and the combination of these components with the model 5's is spectacular.

Holygrail, Regarding your comment on the subwoofer, is there not an improvment in the mids and his as a result of removing low bass out of the main box, and the freeing up of the main amplifier not having to drive the bass? I thought the use of VS subwoofers went beyond just producing deeper bass.

I'm getting incredible sound with the VAC Phi 220 monos.