Well, not so fast. In my blog on Van L Speakerworks, I auditioned John Van Leishout's Silhouette Speakers and was undeniably impressed by the musical presentation these amazing and affordable speakers delivered.
When I returned home, I listened to several albums and a couple of CD's with the McCormack DNA-500 to establish a reference and then replaced it with the VTL. The VTL had VTL branded 6550 power tubes and 6201/ 12AT7 input/driver tubes. The entire time I am connecting the VTL, I am questioning why I am even going through this audio exercise. My mind consistently revisited what Chip Stern said in his 6 Moons Review of 2004: An iron fist in a velvet glove. The McCormack DNA-500 power amplifier is just such a product - a total high-end slam dunk, an utterly authoritative performer with a warm, supple sense of detail and sufficient reserves of power to drive any set of loudspeakers to full live music scale with an inviting sense of ease and intimacy. The DNA-500 doesn't necessarily emulate tube amplifiers but it is so thoroughly musical, richly textured and warmly involving throughout the entire midrange -- so well balanced from top to bottom, so easy to listen to for long periods of time without fatigue --that it might suggest the inviting humanity and forgiving overload characteristics of tubes to some well-traveled listeners, if perhaps not that elusive juiciness and iridescent detail that send chills down your spine-like tubes. Case in point, I was fighting this ambivalence between wasting time and energy and an uncanny feeling that this effort might prove to be serendipitous.
Listening to the same music that I had listened to with the DNA-500 my initial assessment found the VTL produced a warmer and more revelatory sound. In total disbelief, I initially found the VTL was more holographic, more musical, more transparent, more harmonically textured, and tonally richer. It exhibited greater Pace, Rhythm, Attack, and Timing (PRAT) which allowed me to experience a greater emotional connection to the musical presentation. Even more amazing, the Citation 1 and VTL combo was not "tubey" or "syrupy" sounding. The music was vivid, full, and crystal clear with great depth. Inexorably clinging to my old beliefs and rendering this incognitable, I dismissed this initial analysis and retired for the evening. My thinking was to go to bed and analyze it after a good night's sleep. I A/B'ed both amps for the next 8 days and every day I came to the same conclusion: I preferred the sound of the VTL to the DNA-500 even though the DNA edged out the VTL in bass slam. However, the VTL was so organically integral, the slightly diminutive bass was extraneous.The VTL sound had a character that was more natural and inviting. Also, the VTL'S 90 watts/channel was more than enough power for my Reference 90db efficient Focal Utopia Diva Be speakers. I had audiophile friends come over who knew my system well and they preferred the VTL. I have a 24 year old son, who for the first time ever, told me he clearly heard a difference in the musical presentation and truly enjoyed it. I have a blog on Audio Synergy and indubitably, the exceptional sound I was now experiencing, corroborates the quintessential power of synergism. The synergy between the Citation 1 and the VTL combo was enthralling. This revelation totally upstaged my long held belief, a belief that has mitigated me taking the plunge and running an all tube system. Of major importance with many tube power amps is biasing and with the VTL, this wasn't a difficult task. The DNA-500 is a magnificent, warm, musical, revealing, authoritative, powerful piece of electronics but it ain't "tubes" done right. Consequently, with the VTL in the chain, this all-tube system now possessed an ethereal, almost magical level of refinement. As extraordinary as the sound with the McCormack was, this all tube system with the VTL doing the amplification chore, is irrevocably on a more majestic level. I had great difficulty accepting this reality. My reference "Solid State" power amp had been usurped by this 20+ year old "Tube" power amp and the difference was startling. I have converted to "Tubeism".
We believe that it takes extra muscle in the electronics for a room acoustic to approach the recreation of the live musical event. Most modern speakers fully develop their potential only when they are controlled with high-powered amplifiers.
Purity
Music is complex, and we seek the musical purity that comes from a simple circuit path built with premium parts. We offer the full frequency response, so you get all the music with few electronic distortions.
Simplicity
Pure tube design, a short, simple circuit path; a big, well-regulated power supply, and a first-class, well-matched output transformer. Simplicity in design offers clean, pure sonic reproduction and ease of use for the listener.
Over the years, I have auditioned other tube manufacturers' products and none of them rocked my boat. In my opinion, what differentiates VTL from the herd is the "Simplicity" factor of their trilogy ( The "Less is More" approach). With the VTL there is simply more "there there" as a result of the musical presentation sounding more real and solid. FYI, stereo is from Greek and means solid. I purchased both the VTL and the Dynamic Design cables from John Van Leishout at Van L Speakerworks.
In my blog To Tube Or Not To Tube; That is The Question, I said: "Vacuum tubes are making a sententious comeback as more and more audiophiles become converts to the warm and glowing sound of good vacuum tube amplifiers, preamplifiers, and cd players. Personally, I wish Russia, Eastern Europe and China could produce the quality tubes of yesteryears which would bring the prices of NOS tubes down somewhere around reasonable". This is great time for audiophiles as The New Sensor Corp. may be on its way to establishing a new chapter for tube enthusiasts. My wish may very well be coming to fruition. Wikipedia says: The KT88 was introduced by GEC in 1956 as a larger variant of the KT66. It was manufactured in the U.K. by the MOV (Marconi-Osram Valve) subsidiary of G.E.C, also labelled as IEC/Mullard, and, in the U.S., Genalex Gold Lion.
Current production of the KT88 is limited to Shuguang (China), JJ Electronic (Slovakia), and the Russian brands manufactured by JSC Svetlana and New Sensor Corporation. NOS examples in good condition are extremely rare and quite expensive. Given its limited availability, the KT88 is rarely used in current production amplifiers, whether for guitar or hi-fi reproduction.
Historically, it has been far more popular with high fidelity stereo manufacturers than guitar amplifier builders, given its characteristics of high-power and low-distortion. Due to these characteristics, it is regularly used to replace 6550 tubes by end users seeking a guitar amplifier tone with less distortion. Enter Jim Mcshane.www.mcshanedesign.net Since I had no idea how much life was left in the 6550 power tubes of the VTL I had just purchased, I thought it would be wise to replace them. I contacted Jim Mcshane. Jim and I had established a rapport awhile back with regard to my Citation 1 and is unquestionably a class act. Jim informed me of the New Issue Genalex Gold Lion KT88's and assured me they would provide a more enhanced sound than the 6550's. He also recommended (2)NOS 12AT7 Siemens 801S's for the input position and (2) NOS GE's for the phase inverter position. It was difficult for me to fathom that this sound I was presently enamored with using the 6550 power tubes could be further enhanced with the KT88's. Affirmative! The KT88"s transformed the VTL's performance to an even grander level of musicality and refinement.
The New Sensor Corp. Genalex Gold Lion KT88's are made in Russia and after extensive research and engineering, New Sensor Corp. has reissued this famed tube. Through reverse engineering, this tube has been recreated down to the finest detail with gold plated grid wire, carbonized screen grids, and a tri-alloy clad plate structure for exceptional performance and sound quality. It is my sincere hope that New Sensor Corp. continues its R&D and discerns the secret that will increase the longevity of their new issue tubes to compare favorably with the proven durability of NOS tubes. Jim Mcshane's knowledgeable recommendations, professionalism and dedication to ensuring customer satisfaction were spot on. The KT88's and 12AT7's Jim recommended provided more shimmer and energy on the top-end and more definition and energy on the bottom. Consequently, replacing my Solid State DNA-500 with the vintage VTL Stereo 90 Deluxe Ultra-Linear Tube amp with the New Issue Genalex KT88's, I have fallen in love with the magical, addictive, all-tube sound my system now delivers. Anyone whose tube amp can accept KT88's and hasn't tried them, shame on you. Jim Mcshane and the New Sensor Corp. Genalex Gold Lion KT88's get my highest recommendation.