VTL IT-85 or Mcintosh MA6500

Stick with the VTL. Unless Mac has made a significant turnaround I'm not aware of, it's hands down VTL is more musical.

Celtic66.

can you give us some more info as to why you say the VTL is more musical,have you tried either of the two unit's or had a demo with both of them ?

my curosity is alway's peaked when i see reccomendation's that give no reason as to why & come off looking vauge with no basis behind the reccomendation being given.

Les here......... I'm gonna compare the two this sunday so check on this thread next week.

I have listened to both the McIntosh MA6500 and the VTL with both Dynaudio 52se and Verity Audio Tamino X2. I was kind of surprised that the Mac sounded a bit two demensional, thin, and lacked the dynamics of the little VTL integrated as the Mac has much more power. I really liked the sound of the VTL, the base was deep and tight which I did not expect and it sounded more musical. I spent a lot of time listening to the VTL, the mac just didn't seem as enjoyble. I also listened to the Mac Tube integrated, I think that it is the 2275, and that sounded absolutley wonderful, but at a different price point. I do think though if your speakers needed the power the 6500 might be a better piece as it did sound nice, just not to the VTL.

I have heard the two but at different times, in different rooms, with different speakers. Take my impressions with that in mind. The Mac had more bass extension. The VTL has more transparency and emphasis on midrange. Glad you are able to hear both to make your own comparison. Phil Brady.