Tube amps that kick ass?

I think the Audio Valve Challenger 180's I just aquired may qualify but I don't know if they can beat Albert's suggestion on the VTL monoblocks.

Keithmundy- What type of speakers are you driving?
I forgot to ask in my earlier reply.

Hello Rleff, I'm running Vandersteen 5A's.

FREQUENCY RESPONSE
22Hz to 30kHz + or - 2dB

EFFICIENCY
87dB at 1 meter with a 2.83 volt input.

RECOMMENDED AMPLIFIER
40 TO 200 watts per channel into 8 ohms for the upper section, 400-watt subwoofer amplifier built in.

IMPEDANCE
6 ohms nominal, 4 ohms minimum.

CROSSOVER
100Hz, 600Hz, 5000Hz and adjustable H.F., 6dB per octave

I agree with Albert Porter, this one is easy:
CJ Premier One
Melos 400
Jadis JA-500

All butt kicking and all 3D, range 3000-12,000 USD. + All drive MBL 101Es to concert levels.

Peter

I owned VTL 250 mono's for several years and a good bud has owned the 450's even longer. The 250's are wired in triode and sound even better than the 450's when they're switched to triode and either will definitely get the job done; especially since you're only driving the top portion of your Vandy's and they're a pretty easy load.

I too am running a system that has powered subs and only use tube amps for my 89db, 6 Ohm main speakers. About 18 months ago I swapped my VTL's for a pair of 140wpc Atma-Sphere MA-1's and to say they were a huge improvement over the VTL's would be an understatement.

Everything is cleaner, clearer, smoother and much more refined. I'm getting way more information out of recordings, both cd and vinyl and the sound is just more believable. The VTL's sounded sorta muddy by comparison.

My main speakers are good down to around 50Hz and with the MA-1's, bass is fast and weighty but not exaggerated and more importantly, pitch and timbre are spot-on.

Both VTL and Atma-Sphere are well built and you'd probably be happy with either of them but the MA-1's will definitely take things up a couple notches.

Happy Hunting.