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Model: | M-125 amp KIT |
Category: | Amplifier (Tube) |
Suggested Retail Price: | $869 in KIT form |
Description: | VTA M-125 tube monoblock amplifier |
Manufacturer URL: | VTA |
Model Picture: | View |
Review by cirwin1 on April 23, 2014 at 18:23:17 IP Address: 75.62.16.39 | Add Your Review for the M-125 amp KIT |
After researching many vacuum tube amps in forums and looking at performance data sheets on line for about six months, I called Bob Latino with tubes 4 hifi, web site http://www.tubes4hifi.com/bob.htm. I decided to purchase two M-125 monoblock kits and do the assembly myself.
The kits arrived solidly packed in one heavy duty box (70 lbs.), with transformers and other components individually boxed and wrapped. Each component is individually zip locked bagged and clearly labeled. No need to read resistor color codes or capacitance values. The instructions are clear, to the point and there was no question as to exactly what to do next. Also included is a detailed color photograph of the assembled wiring. There is also a color drawing clearly showing all of the point to point wiring connections. I never felt lost during the assembly. I am using KT120’s for the output and 12BH7’s for the drivers. A Weber WZ68 copper cap rectifier looks great.
Immediately after completing assembly, I hooked up the Tyler Acoustics Linbrook System II’s, and plugged in a shorted RCA connector in the input for setting the bias. Next, I sent audio to the amp. In pentode mode, I had a distortion issue, but the sound was great in triode mode. I contacted Bob and he had me send him a photo of my wiring. He noticed I had not installed a wire from the negative speaker post to ground. Note that if you check off each step as completed on the instructions as advised, this will not happen. I added the missing wire and, wow, what a great sound. Good bass and crisp highs. I put in a bass track and the sound rattled the windows with clean smooth bass. Cymbals are crisp and clear. I run the units in pentode ultra linear mode. This seems to give more authority to the speakers resulting in more solid highs and lows. I probably have 10 or more hours on the amps at a fairly high gain and I think the sound is somehow improving. I have enjoyed several high end Yamaha A/V receivers in the past and still using a four year old unit, but none have compared to the two channel sound quality from the M-125’s. I had forgotten how two speakers can generate a wall of sound.
Even if you have never built a kit or soldered, this kit, as it is configured with an excellent instruction manual, photograph, drawing, and clearly labeled parts, you should have no problem putting this kit together. If you have a problem, as I did, you will find that Bob has the expertise to quickly resolve the issue and he is readily accessible by phone and/or email, from 9 AM to 9 PM, eastern. If you have never soldered before, you can find someone to teach you in about 5 minutes. I find it very rewarding to build anything, but when you can flip a switch and it comes to life, it’s a real thrill!
Product Weakness: | None - Don't expect any. |
Product Strengths: | Easy Assembly<br>Good Directions and Assembly Graphics<br>Smooth Solid Bass and Crisp Highs<br>Dead Silent with No Input - No Hum At All <br>Accessible Knowledgeable Technical Support |
Amplifier: | VTA M-125 |
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): | Tisbury Audio Passive Preamp |
Sources (CDP/Turntable): | I-Phone via Blu-Tooth, CD |
Speakers: | Tyler Acoustics Linbrook System II |
Cables/Interconnects: | Monster |
Music Used (Genre/Selections): | Various |
Room Size (LxWxH): | 12 ft x 16 ft x 8 ft |
Room Comments/Treatments: | Sliding Glass Wall, Tile/rug floor |
Time Period/Length of Audition: | 10+ Hours |
Type of Audition/Review: | Product Owner |
I have been running VTA's M-125s for almost two years now. As did crwin1, I purchased them only after extensive research and relentless email exchanges with Bob Latino, and can only echo the previous reviewer's experience assembling them. Unless you've got serious vision issues (cataracts in my case) there is no stress in assembling the kits. However, even spending the money on a factory build would still be a bargain. I have run antique Tung-Sol 6550s in these amps, as well as the new Russian KT-88s and KT-120s in them. The on-the-fly selection from triode to pentode mode is a plus. What I will tell you is this: I have friends who own some very expensive McIntosh and ARC tube equipment, for which they paid many tens of thousands of dollars for, and when they hear my M-125s, they break down and cry. Plus, if you get stumped at any step, during the build or even later about some esoterica, Bob Latino and Roy Mottram answer the phone, or at least get back to you via email in a few moments. I am no slouch to sound systems, and have a pair of John Bedini's amps and pre-amps for solid-state in the den. And I've owned Mac tube and s/s gear. Do yourself a favour, and no, I"m not on commission. The M-125s will give you a new set of ears.
Inputs: Ah Thoeb CD player, VPI Traveler with Ortofon, Oppo DVD; output through Clear-Day cables to Vandersteen 5ACs.
David
Nice review. The price shown, is it for the pair? Or just one?
$869 is the price for one M-125 monoblock amplifier in kit form.
Nice review. I think Bob's offerings are the best bang for the buck in tube amplifiers....or at least on the podium. I still have his ST 70 in house. With the inexpensive cap upgrades and the the proper tube selection, it can run with some pretty pricey company.
Nice review, well done, thank you.
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