Tubes Asylum: REVIEW: Vacuum Tube Logic - VTL IT-85 Integrated Amplifier (Tube) by Oyster

==Introduction==

VTL IT-85 is VTL's new entry into the integrated amplifier market. Recently showcase in CES 2000, I got this chance to do a home audition to partner my new acquisition - Joseph Audio RM22si (replacing the trusty B&W CDM1). This fresh from the oven IT-85 required a run-in period of 100 hours and I came fairly close to this mark in just two weeks. Think I better find a way to hijack this month's electricity bill from my wife...

==Look and Feel==

The standard VTL no frills, industrial look is maintained. I was told that the IT-85 uses the same chasis as the ST-85. The extra room available in the ST-85 must have been used to insert the active pre-amp. The cage housing the tubes is solid and firmly secured sending a hands-off signal to itchy hands. At the back, I find quality parts used starting from the solid RCA jacks and 2 pairs of speaker binding posts (not four). The power cord is detachable - for me, this is a must.

==Features==

The IT-85 has a clearly defined upgrade path. There is a pre-out you can use for your subwoofer or bi-amp with a second IT-85 or ST-85. The headphone amp comes without extra charge and is an additional plus point for those who listens privately. There is no in-built phono stage but from the product literature I received from them, it was offered as an option during THE show. Lastly, a three buttons, simple and handy remote control which many more expensive pre-amps have left out. See below for the complete data specifications obtained directly from VTL.

==Sound==

For those who have experienced the big brothers of VTL MB-450, 750 etc, the VTL signature sound - open, clean, big soundstage, holographic imaging can all be found in this small package. This 80wpc baby (or powerhouse) moves the pistons of RM22si effortlessly. I stress tested this attribute with amplifier warning tracks from the XLO/Reference recordings - "Shiny Stockings", "Polka and Fugue". There was no sign of strain even at volume challenge my neighbours' patience. From dynamic tracks, the IT-85 is fast, impactful, immediate with transient speed of a solid state. On the softer front, I put on numerous vocals and strings only tracks (from Laura Fygi to Narada's Samplers) to test its purity and realism. The IT-85 is clean, neutral, natural, never tubey but neither is it cold. There is no sugar or spice or MSG. What you get is music in a relax fashion, non-fatigue and very real. During this Chinese New Year period (which I have the opportunity to do an extended home audition), I have had many non-audiophile guests commenting on the realism of the sound.

==More solid state than solid state?==

Comparing this integrated with Jadis Orchestra Reference (which I had the opportunity to home audition too), the latter has a sweeter and richer tone (more tubey). The Jadis' lush mid is most captivating when you listen to the human voice and is a tad better in instrument decay. However, the Jadis is weaker in rock and may not play as loud or has sufficient control for the lower octaves of a 86db floorstander like RM22si. I also find the IT-85 is more detail (a solid state feature?). The remote control, build quality, headphone amp and upgrade path could be one's tide breakers between the two. However, the VTL is also much dearer (about S$1000 more).

==Verdict==

VTL's design objective of IT-85 is an integrated that combines the goodness of TL2.5 and ST85 in one box and making it sound very close to them combined. VTL claimed success in this no small feat. I did not have a chance to do such a comparison but I would love to bi-amp with ST-85 to see how much a lusher mid I can get. The less tubey sound of VTL may not appeal to the romantics or vocals centric audiophiles. But this is one dynamo that that can handle competently small scale jazz to heavy guitar riffs of AC/DC.

***Data Specification and Feature List***

Tube Complement: 4 x EL34, 2 x 12AU7, 4 x 12AT7
Rated Output Power: 75 watts per channel into 5 ohms
Input Impedance: 20K ohms line in, 135K ohms amp in
Optimum Load Range: Speakers 4 - 8 ohms, Headphones 50-500 ohms

Power Consumption: Idle = 140 W
Full Power = 500 W

Output impedance: 1.5 ohms amp out, 60 ohms headphone out, 400 ohms pre out
Dimensions: W = 16" (40 cm)
D = 12" (30 cm)
H = 7" (18 cm)

Weight 45 lbs (20 Kg)

Controls and Outputs:

Front panel: Volume, mute switch, 5-input selector, processor loop/amplifier input switch, headphone jack, headphone engage switch, power-up switch

Rear panel : 5prs single-ended line inputs, 1pr buffered pre-outs, 1pr processor loop/amplifier inputs, 1pr fixed
tape/processor outputs, AC fuse, B+ fuse, AC input connector, 5-way speaker binding posts

REVIEW: Vacuum Tube Logic - VTL IT-85 Integrated Amplifier (Tube) Review by Oyster at Audio Asylum