2. amps-preamps
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New tube amp for ML Prodigy CAT, VTL, ARC????

I am thinking of moving on from my ARC VT200 to another tube amp. Can anyone offer advise here? Some that I am considering are the BAT VK150, VTL 450's, CAT JL2, or maybe if I stretch a used pair of ARC Ref300's. I would love to include the Lamm ML1.1 (90 watts??) or the Nagra VPA's but am afraid they wouldn't drive my speakers very well.

Can anyone compare any of the above amps with what I am currently using to give some insight as to what might be gained with such a move? Should I just stand pat, as I think the VT200 sounds pretty darn good? Or, would there be a tremendous jump in performance? I would prefer to stay all balanced but am very limited when I add this into the mix. I like all kinds of music including loud R&R from time to time.

BTW, reliability and a company's track record are considerations.

Thanks for your help

Chris
cmo
cmo OP
471 posts
 
Jafox,

Have you heard the older CAT JL1 mono's (esp. the signature version)? Ken Stevens has reportedly said the newer models are better but those were supposedly incredible. What are the differences.

Does anyone know if the Atma-sphere MA-1 MKII.3 OTL's would drive these speakers?

Jjwa,
I would love to go the route of Nagra but am afraid they wouldn't drive the Prodigy's with only 50 watts.

Thanks for the comments so far

Chris
jafox
1,470 posts
 
Chris,

I have not heard the JL-1's but yes, they have gotten much praise from the beginning. A pair of these sold several months ago here for around $8k. You don't see them here too often. But the JL-2 is often for sale here at this price and I have yet to read that anyone prefered the older JL-1 monos to this stereo amp. So it comes down to picking your poison.

As for the Atmasphere MA1 amps, I heard these last year driving Soundlab U1s and this was mightily impressive. These were the higher efficient U1s which the amps had no difficulty driving at all. Are the ML Prodigy's a similar load as the SL's?

John
gregm
3,411 posts
 
Unless s/thing has changed, the Prodigys are much more difficult than the new Soundlabs. So an OTL may run into unnecessary trouble driving them -- i.e. not perform at its intended best. This would be a shame as the "best" with Atma is indeed excellent.
But, I spose Atma themselves would know better than me.
bpwalsh
1,207 posts
 
John (Jafox): you tell it like it is - the JL1s will drive them very well, but the improvements in the JL2 make it preferable in most cases. Thanks for bringing your JL3 Signatures down to play on the U-1s, it was quite an experience. Would have liked to put the JL2 in, but as you know we didn't have time. Next month will be even more interesting, with the additional tweaks installed.

Chris (Cmo): you shoulda been there!

Brian
flg2001's avatar
flg2001
543 posts
 
Why not a CJ Premier Tube amp ?

(just curious)
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