I have owned a lot of amps in over the past 33 years--most recently ARC Ref 600 Mk lll's at 600 wpc. I made an about face 6 months ago and sold them for Vladimir's ML 2.1 SET mono's at 18 wpc. I am using them to drive my Wilson X-2's. They do it with ease and plenty of headroom to spare. Having said this I can also comment that the ML 2.1's are the most musical amp I have ever owned. I don't see another amp purchase down the road even with Vladimir's upcoming mega amp the ML 3 SET which will have MSRP of $135K--rumored to be b/n 30 and 35 wpc.
As far a tube rolling I have recently bought 2 different pair of 12AX7's for the ML2.1's
I managed to get a pair of circa 1965 NOS Telefunken ECC83 with rib plates as well as circa 1957 Mullard's with long plate and square getter halo.
I was simply amazed at how different and much better the sound is comp[ared to the tubes supplied by Vladimir. The Telefunken's probably get the nod but the Mullard is also excellent--much warmer but not as much bass and less articulate.
As far a tube rolling I have recently bought 2 different pair of 12AX7's for the ML2.1's
I managed to get a pair of circa 1965 NOS Telefunken ECC83 with rib plates as well as circa 1957 Mullard's with long plate and square getter halo.
I was simply amazed at how different and much better the sound is comp[ared to the tubes supplied by Vladimir. The Telefunken's probably get the nod but the Mullard is also excellent--much warmer but not as much bass and less articulate.