VTL compact 100 mono blocks

Jhayman
Jhayman Posts: 1,548
edited June 2014 in 2 Channel Audio
I can get a set of these all redone and tubed for $1400
Now I'm 99% sure I'm am getting the Casta Model A speakers, 98db and only 18w
I believe these monos would drive them very nicely but can anyone shed some light on these blocks, are they even any good, reviews seem to say yes very good, but I'm looking for advice for my friends here, which I value your opinions very muc.
Can also get a set of Carver Black Beauty 305's in amazing shape for $5000..
I'm sure they would be better but basically Asing for John to pipe up here on these..
Also a VTL 5.5 preamp for a good price....
Thoughts are welcome..
ATC SCM40's,VTL TL 2.5 Preamp,PSB Stratus Goldi's,McCormack DNA 500,McCormack MAP-1 Preamp,Pro-Ject Xtension 10 TT,Ortofon Cadenza Red/Nordost RedDawn LS Speaker cables, Bryston BDP-2, Bryston BDA-2,PS Audio AC-3 power cables
Post edited by Jhayman on
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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited June 2014
    Seems a little high. I see Manley signature reference series monoblocks 200W tetrode/100W triode (switchable) for $1800-2000 in great condition now and then. I use a pair on my Duos which are 104 db and there is no noise or troubles.
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,557
    edited June 2014
    Those VTL's are sweet amps, they use Mercury Magnetics transformers. The price does seem a bit high (not much) for stock versions, but considering they have been redone I would say it's a good price. The Carver amps are also very nice. You couldn't go wrong with either, IMO.

    The VTL 2.5 sounds better than the 5.5 to my ears.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited June 2014
    There is magic in the vtl compact mono's,,, I used to own a pair,,,where are the bias pots located?
    If you get them,,do not skimp on the input tubes,, when dialed in properly,,they are fooking magic

    the pair that I had were the older version with the internal bias measurement points,,, be very careful here,,the more desirable ones had the external bias pots,, they do hold a steady bias though,, I miss mine dearly,, my brother has a pair of the vtl 100's,, and is very happy with them,,knowing what I know now,,I would say if the trannies are good,,then you will be a happy camper,,btw,,I paid 1k for mine years ago,,

    Good luck,,keep us posted.
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,557
    edited June 2014
    I thought you might chime in George. :cool:
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited June 2014
    Oh,,yeah,,one more thing,,, don't eff with the master bias ,, each tube has it's own adjustment,,play with that awhile,,when you get comfortable,,the master bias will be your friend,, I saw heaven once while tweaking the master bias, , most of all have fun.
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • Jhayman
    Jhayman Posts: 1,548
    edited June 2014
    Thanks for the advice guys you sound like you like them, which is good for me..:cheesygrin:

    Here's the add for them I was over at his house earlier and listened to the Casta's again, I like very much..
    He said I could buy the VTL's for $1400 and when he gets in his shipment of Integrated Melody Amps I can use full trade in value towards a Melody..
    http://www.canuckaudiomart.com/details/649129956-pair_of_vtl_100_watt_compact_mono_blocks_see_photo/
    ATC SCM40's,VTL TL 2.5 Preamp,PSB Stratus Goldi's,McCormack DNA 500,McCormack MAP-1 Preamp,Pro-Ject Xtension 10 TT,Ortofon Cadenza Red/Nordost RedDawn LS Speaker cables, Bryston BDP-2, Bryston BDA-2,PS Audio AC-3 power cables
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  • Jhayman
    Jhayman Posts: 1,548
    edited June 2014
    Thanks DSkip ..
    I was looking at those before but never pulled the trigger, but I did mention the Shuguang to him he tends to steer clear of stuff made in China..
    DSkip wrote: »
    Check this out at least:

    http://shop.grantfidelity.com/FACTORY-CLEARANCE-Shuguang-S300I-Integrated-Tube-Amplifier.html


    This could also be a contender for an integrated. While not SET, it is, by all accounts I've seen, a very sweet sounding little amp. I've had my finger on the trigger of this little bugger more times than I'd like to admit.

    http://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649128395-sophia_electric_baby_amplifier_located_in_vancouver_canada/


    A higher budget should obviously out-do these, but it might be enough to dip your feet in and see how far you want to take it.
    ATC SCM40's,VTL TL 2.5 Preamp,PSB Stratus Goldi's,McCormack DNA 500,McCormack MAP-1 Preamp,Pro-Ject Xtension 10 TT,Ortofon Cadenza Red/Nordost RedDawn LS Speaker cables, Bryston BDP-2, Bryston BDA-2,PS Audio AC-3 power cables
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  • marvda1
    marvda1 Posts: 4,901
    edited June 2014
    melody??? china!!!
    Amplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
    Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
    Dac: Sonnet Morpheus 2, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
    Transport: Jay's Audio CDT2 mk2, Lumin U1 mini
    Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
    Speaker Cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Organic Audio Organic Reference 2
    Interconnects: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2
    Power Cables: Argento Organic Reference, Synergistic Research Foundation 10 and 12 ga.
    Digital cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2 bnc, Tellurium Q aes, Silnote Audio Poseidon Signature 2 bnc
    Puritan PSM156
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  • txcoastal1
    txcoastal1 Posts: 13,287
    edited June 2014
    marvda1 wrote: »
    melody??? china!!!

    Actually Australia...by a Chinese guy


    Chinaussie???
    2-channel: Modwright KWI-200 Integrated, Dynaudio C1-II Signatures
    Desktop rig: LSi7, Polk 110sub, Dayens Ampino amp, W4S DAC/pre, Sonos, JRiver
    Gear on standby: Melody 101 tube pre, Unison Research Simply Italy Integrated
    Gone to new homes: (Matt Polk's)Threshold Stasis SA12e monoblocks, Pass XA30.5 amp, Usher MD2 speakers, Dynaudio C4 platinum speakers, Modwright LS100 (voltz), Simaudio 780D DAC

    erat interfectorem cesar et **** dictatorem dicere a
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  • Jhayman
    Jhayman Posts: 1,548
    edited June 2014
    I does not matter now anyways as I'm getting the VTL's for the time being and if I'm Happy with them I keep them and no Melody for me..
    I don't know enough about the company other than there made in Australia..
    He says what he likes is the Quality Transformers they use in their products..

    http://www.melodyamplifier.com/?page_id=274
    ATC SCM40's,VTL TL 2.5 Preamp,PSB Stratus Goldi's,McCormack DNA 500,McCormack MAP-1 Preamp,Pro-Ject Xtension 10 TT,Ortofon Cadenza Red/Nordost RedDawn LS Speaker cables, Bryston BDP-2, Bryston BDA-2,PS Audio AC-3 power cables
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited June 2014
    Looks like it has the B+ fuse..I can see the bias adjustment pots,, but not the bias points,,you may have to pull the bottom cover off to measure,, yuo will have to turn the amp on it;s side,,and be very careful here,, alot of volts inside.
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • txcoastal1
    txcoastal1 Posts: 13,287
    edited June 2014
    I don't think you will be disappointed

    As for Melody, they are a top notch manufacturer as I own one and know the US distributor very well. Have had the opportunity to listen to most of their line
    2-channel: Modwright KWI-200 Integrated, Dynaudio C1-II Signatures
    Desktop rig: LSi7, Polk 110sub, Dayens Ampino amp, W4S DAC/pre, Sonos, JRiver
    Gear on standby: Melody 101 tube pre, Unison Research Simply Italy Integrated
    Gone to new homes: (Matt Polk's)Threshold Stasis SA12e monoblocks, Pass XA30.5 amp, Usher MD2 speakers, Dynaudio C4 platinum speakers, Modwright LS100 (voltz), Simaudio 780D DAC

    erat interfectorem cesar et **** dictatorem dicere a
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  • txcoastal1
    txcoastal1 Posts: 13,287
    edited June 2014
    DSkip wrote: »
    .... butt thats not to say where you end up won't be a good place either.

    He will be able to change speakersas needed
    2-channel: Modwright KWI-200 Integrated, Dynaudio C1-II Signatures
    Desktop rig: LSi7, Polk 110sub, Dayens Ampino amp, W4S DAC/pre, Sonos, JRiver
    Gear on standby: Melody 101 tube pre, Unison Research Simply Italy Integrated
    Gone to new homes: (Matt Polk's)Threshold Stasis SA12e monoblocks, Pass XA30.5 amp, Usher MD2 speakers, Dynaudio C4 platinum speakers, Modwright LS100 (voltz), Simaudio 780D DAC

    erat interfectorem cesar et **** dictatorem dicere a
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,557
    edited June 2014
    You can use 6CA7's in the VTL's, which have more balls than the EL34's. Remove the cage support bars, the amps look better without them.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,557
    edited June 2014
    george daniel wrote: »
    I saw heaven once while tweaking the master bias

    :lol::lol::lol:
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • Jhayman
    Jhayman Posts: 1,548
    edited June 2014
    Thanks guys they are coming today along with my Casta Model A's and possibly a VTL 5.5 if I desire or I can just use my McCormack LD-2 but like Bluefox he's really pushing the Audience power conditioner with the Teflon caps ..
    Jesse I'll take the cages off try to find 6CA7's..
    I'll post a few pics later on after I get my basement sorted out.
    ATC SCM40's,VTL TL 2.5 Preamp,PSB Stratus Goldi's,McCormack DNA 500,McCormack MAP-1 Preamp,Pro-Ject Xtension 10 TT,Ortofon Cadenza Red/Nordost RedDawn LS Speaker cables, Bryston BDP-2, Bryston BDA-2,PS Audio AC-3 power cables
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,557
    edited June 2014
    try to find 6CA7's..

    You want the Treasures.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • Jhayman
    Jhayman Posts: 1,548
    edited June 2014
    Sorry Jesse are these 6CA7's called The Treasures or is it a specific brand?
    F1nut wrote: »
    You want the Treasures.
    ATC SCM40's,VTL TL 2.5 Preamp,PSB Stratus Goldi's,McCormack DNA 500,McCormack MAP-1 Preamp,Pro-Ject Xtension 10 TT,Ortofon Cadenza Red/Nordost RedDawn LS Speaker cables, Bryston BDP-2, Bryston BDA-2,PS Audio AC-3 power cables
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited June 2014
    That's a start,, he is gonna need 8 total,,another tube that plays well with the compacts are the older nos sed winged c el 34
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited June 2014
    Eh,, my experience with the Shuguang Treasure series has been extremely positive,, and they are manufactured in China. Hell of a good tube.

    Maybe I'm missing something here.
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • Jhayman
    Jhayman Posts: 1,548
    edited June 2014
    DSkip wrote: »
    You don't want them. They're Chinese....
    By Golly you're Right..
    At least I can't let him know I bought them, lol
    Oh system all put together sounds very nice, have a few new speaker cables and power cords in the mix so letting them burn in..
    ATC SCM40's,VTL TL 2.5 Preamp,PSB Stratus Goldi's,McCormack DNA 500,McCormack MAP-1 Preamp,Pro-Ject Xtension 10 TT,Ortofon Cadenza Red/Nordost RedDawn LS Speaker cables, Bryston BDP-2, Bryston BDA-2,PS Audio AC-3 power cables
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