VTL MB450 monos Vs. BAT VK 60se monos?

Hello Imformusa,

Assuming the BAT VK-60se monoblock amps can drive your speakers properly my advice would be to .... go with BAT.

If you do decide to go with the BAT's it might be a good idea to get a fresh new set of 6c33 output tubes for them. Good luck to you whichever amps you choose.

Enjoy,
Tom

I have owned both amps, though my BATs were the 150SEs. The BATs probably sound a little better, but they don't have the brute strength that the VTLs do. If you need a lot of power or are used to it you might be disappointed by the BAT amps. I personally would choose the VTLs on the fact that they have more power and I really like the sound of more power. The VTLs are HOT very hot, the BATs are hot but not nearly as bad. I personally had a fair amount of trouble with my BAT amps blowing fuses, where I had zero trouble with the VTLs. Incidentally I have moved to Parasound JC-1s and could not be happier (tubes, especially high powered amps are a pain in my opinion)

Depends a little on you speakers and room. Source as well.

But I am partial to recommending you stick with BAT here. The VK60SE mono's are a steal for the performance and a perfect match for you pre amp.

The VTL's are great amps to, no issues there. Just the synergy gained from a BAT pre and BAT amp combo is something special I believe.

Good luck !

Wow Ejlif! I am really surprised. I had the JC-1's and the MB450's in the same system for a while (Maggie 20.1's as well as Gallo Ref 3.1's), and to my taste the VTL's put meat on the music whereas the JC-1's sounded pretty flat and uninteresting. Either different synergy or different taste! All the Best, Peter

Peter, I guess they must just mate a lot better with my Ayre K1x pre better possibly? Don't get me wrong I do like all the amps mentioned a lot, but for me everyday realities like massive heat output as well as the need to turn the amps on and off and wait for them to power up and be ready are enough to turn things in favor of the JC-1s. For instance with either tube amp I wouldn't bother with turning them on for 30 minutes in the morning before work, there is nothing musical about that!