Joe Auwen Posted April 3, 2005 Share Posted April 3, 2005 The only tube amps I've heard, so far, are the vintage McIntoshs! I will be picking up a pair of these VTLs tomorrow and was wondering if anyone on the forum has had any experience with them? Thanks, Joe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franczyk Posted April 3, 2005 Share Posted April 3, 2005 I have heard other VTLs, and was impressed.. They are very musical and get the foot tapping. I hope the Rennasiance 80s sound like the VTLs I have heard. I absolutely loved them the first time I heard them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spaaaz Posted April 4, 2005 Share Posted April 4, 2005 VTL makes a good product and if the price is right I dont see how you can go wrong.good luck and post your observations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOSValves Posted April 4, 2005 Share Posted April 4, 2005 I have a set of VTL MB-100 that Spaaaz traded in. There not bad at all a little sharp on the top which I may go in and cure. The driver circuit is a slight problem if you want full power out of them. Not sure why they used 2 12AT7's the way they did it can not drive the amp to full power cleanly (lots of distortion at full power). But with Klipsch speakers this is a none issue since you would have to be deaf (or you will be deaf) if you drive the amps to full power LOL !!! I'd rate the amps over any Quick Silvers I've heard for sure but still not a match made in heaven for horns. I'm thinking about using them in a Bi-amp setup do drive the bass bins just for the fun of it. Craig Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piranha Posted April 4, 2005 Share Posted April 4, 2005 How would you rank them against Mark III's? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOSValves Posted April 4, 2005 Share Posted April 4, 2005 Depends on the Mark III's condition. Completely redesigned like I do to them? I'd take the Mark III's without a second thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Auwen Posted April 5, 2005 Author Share Posted April 5, 2005 Picked up the M80s this afternoon and after cleaning 3 years of dust out of and off of them, I ran them up slowly on a variac, set the bias (had to change out 2 bad 5881 tubes) and plugged them in to my system. They have been running about 2 hours now and are starting to warm-up. They were initially a bit sharp and not very open sounding. I think I'm going to like them... :-) Craig, do you have any info on adjusting the AC balance and bias of the 12AT7 tubes..? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOSValves Posted April 5, 2005 Share Posted April 5, 2005 There is no bias adjustment for the 12AT7's. The AC balance is done with a function generator and either a scope or distortion analyzer. If you have these items let me know I can walk you through the AC balance. Oh and the sharpness is still there after warm up your ears and mind just got used to it Craig Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Auwen Posted April 5, 2005 Author Share Posted April 5, 2005 Craig, I have a signal generator and o'scope. The distortion analyzer won't be here for another few days. One of the 5881s went 'cherry' on me after about 3 hours, so I will be ordering more today. Is that a product of the tube going bad or is it a circuit problem that I would need to address before putting new tubes in..? thanks for you help.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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