|
Audio Asylum Thread Printer Get a view of an entire thread on one page |
For Sale Ads |
152.130.8.67
Wondering how folks would describe and rate this pre and what it compares to say in the ARC line, etc. Also wonder how the phono stage would rate.
Thanks,
b
Follow Ups:
I have owned the 5.5 sig II for more than a year now. To me, it gives the best of all worlds - "tube sound" but without sacrificing frequency extensions or being too veiled. And it has a great sounding phone stage.
Edits: 08/28/14
No one has a local VTL dealer/retailer???
replaced an AR SP9 with the VTL. It is a very sweet sounding player, throws a wider/deeper/higher soundstage than the SP9 did. It is at VTL right now to fix a static noise they was intermittent. They also updated the power supply.
Would I buy it again? Yep.
Not really familiar with the VTL pre-amp so I can't post impressions. However, comparing the ARC SP-9, which was near the bottom of the ARC preamp line up 20 years ago, with the VTL 5.5 signiture which is I believe second from the top in VTLs current pre-amp line up seems hardly fair.
I like ARC pre-amps from the past and use a modified SP14 to this day. Would love to hear the VTL one day.
Actually the 5.5 is second from the bottom in the current VTL preamp lineup.
TL 7.5
TL 6.5
TL 5.5
TL 2.5
I have the TL 6.5 and I would favorably compare it to the ARC Ref. 5 preamp.
I really like it, especially when paired with my ASR Basis exclusive phono preamp.
My two cents worth.
True. However, it is the highest priced all tube unit in the line. I'm sure the 6.5 and 7.5 are more neutral and sophisticated in terms of the technology they employ.
Guys-
will you mention your local VTL dealer/retailer?
I too, replaced an SP9 (MKIII flavor) with a new full function preamp in the the same class as the 5.5 - an SP20. I think it would be hard to go wrong with either one, but I see you are matching yours with a BEL solid state amp. That might provide a better balance than using a unit with a more analytical character like current ARC product with JFETs and 6H30 tubes.
I'm firmly in the Abe Collins camp of matching pre and power amps often with different personalities themselves to produce a balanced result. If you've followed his many combinations over the years, he has found that the key is all about the end result. In my case, I use and am quite happy with a pair of VTL MB-450 power amps that tend to be on the yin side of the tonal fence. Perhaps a touch dark and slightly tubey. I found that the SP9's somewhat leaner yang character worked well in concert and I find that the SP20 does as well. I'm not as sure if I would be as pleased with an all VTL or all ARC combination even though I have the greatest respect for both companies. Having said that, I have heard a VTL 7.5/Siegfrieds combination that sounded superb.
Similarly, the SP20 provides better low level dynamics, more resolution and a wider soundstage than the SP9. It's really nice having a remote and I switched over to using balanced connections for both the DAC source and to power amps. Some day, I might use its clever line stage driven headphone amp as well.
I listened to the sp 20
And was impressed by a number of things - plus it's very easy to use. I agree with your assessment of its sonic character. I didn't get to listen to the head phone feature but it's supposed to be really good. The sp 20 and 5.5 definitely are yin/yang.
And thanks for all the great music you post.
Thanks! for sharing. I would love to audition some VTL gear. Dealers/retailers are not easy to find.
I was pleasantly suprised by the VTL gear. It really wasn't on my radar, but I like what I heard.
Post a Followup:
FAQ |
Post a Message! |
Forgot Password? |
|
||||||||||||||
|
This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors: