August 13, 201015 yr Should be able to pick it up by the end of next week. I'm thinking it will be a pretty big upgrade over my trusty VK-42SE. Now all thats left are the amps. Right now I'm leaning towards the BAT VK-75se or 150se tube amps or the 600SE SS BAT amp. That should complete the BAT/Harbeth system.
August 13, 201015 yr BAT VK-75se is great amp, I heard it on a few occasions and this amps sounds awesome with right speakers.
August 14, 201015 yr Author http://www.vacuumtube.com/CES53.jpg Jon L, this is the other half of the preamp
August 18, 201015 yr Damn Tom, that's awesome! Did you get a choice of color, and if so which one? On the amps, definitely go for maximum tube power...like the 150s. When a tube amp can swing huge transients and still be well in its clean range, it's a thing of beauty. 150 continuous watts (should be able to do transients much higher) should be ample. The big big tube amp upgrade was the biggest difference I'd heard from electronics. Not quite as fun running them in this Georgia summer, though.
August 18, 201015 yr Author Damn Tom, that's awesome! Did you get a choice of color, and if so which one? On the amps, definitely go for maximum tube power...like the 150s. When a tube amp can swing huge transients and still be well in its clean range, it's a thing of beauty. 150 continuous watts (should be able to do transients much higher) should be ample. The big big tube amp upgrade was the biggest difference I'd heard from electronics. Not quite as fun running them in this Georgia summer, though. I was thinking about the Rogue M-180s too. I can swing a pair of those new for the 5500.00 and not have to worry about buying used. i got the REX new (demo) from a dealer. so its got the full warranty. Didnt get a choice in color but prefer what i did get over the two-tone. Its the all black one. Got it warming up right now. I feel your pain with the heat. Close to 40 tubes when spinning vinyl on the system now.
August 20, 201015 yr Tom's got almost 40, I've got 30 tubes in my chain so between us that's almost 70 Good thing we like the cheap(er) EH tubes.
October 17, 201015 yr Author Been using the VTL MB 185 signature amps and they are going to be staying. Incredible bass, balanced from top to bottom, lots of power. They also have had the stock caps switched to Hovlands and the resisters are upgraded to Vishay s102's. They have been on for 5 days and are quiet and no problems. if they continue this for another week I'll list my beloved Snappers for sale. They sound great but the Harbeths need more power for the bass to shine. I'm pretty much done. I Really wanted to build an all tube system that would be my dream system. With the VTLs and the REX preamp, and big Harbeths, dream come true. All I have left to do is get the Dynavector arm mounted and I'm done. If anyone is in the ATL. area drop me a line and bring some tunes, open for music pretty much 24/7.
October 17, 201015 yr Oh my. I really do need to come by sometime and listen to the latest incarnation of your system.
October 17, 201015 yr Author Oh my. I really do need to come by sometime and listen to the latest incarnation of your system. Fitz, give me a call if you can get by this week. I'm home tues,weds,sat. 678-969-0575 Tom
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