So...what's a "reset button" sale? That's right; EVERYTHING in this picture is for sale! The...
SOLD- PS Audio PWD mkII DAC w/Bridge (http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=120199.0)
- (David) Belles Ref 150a v2 power-amp (http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=120202.0)
- PMC FB1i speaker (
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=120203.0)
But this ad, is for the
VTL 2.5 tube pre-amp.
To me...audiophile is a verb. I don't ever assume good is good enough. So...I've spent the last several years, trying various DACs, pre-amps, and power-amps; in search of the best system, I could possible assemble...at this budget.
So why sell? Did I mention audiophile was a verb...lol. No; with an impending move, I've taken on the challenge of down-sizing. Just don't want to drag all this kit, cross-country; so I'm going to move to something smaller and simpler...until I settle in to my new digs (and no, it's not the NuForce DDA-100...lol. That was in my Office rig, and was just for fun)
As they say...my loss is your gain; and I dare say any and all of this kit, would serve you well. I'll just paint some broad strokes on each piece here; but if you have any additional questions, about a particular piece(s)...just drop me a line. I don't mind talking a little shop one bit.
As for the VTL 2.5...being a single-source, discless-digital 'phile; I went the DAC-as-preamp route for a long while. In theory, it made sense; more direct connection, less ICs in the chain, etc. I don't know; I had varying degrees of success. Then one day...on the advice of someone who thought it was more a good idea on
paper, than in reality...I tried a dedicated, active pre-amp. Like all things pertaining to gear...I started doing my research and homework, and started-out with the highly regarded (David) Belles 21a (with Auricap upgrade). Since I was starting out...I read many opinions; but got intrigued with the 21a, because I stumbled upon a tube pre-amp "guru" of sorts. The guy had tried a TON of tube pre-amps in this price-range; and the 21a was his bang-for-buck champ.
I was delighted, as a first choice; it really opened my eyes, to what a
good pre-amp could do (and I was partial to that fat, round, tube sound). But as I've already established...I'm the kind of 'phile that's never satisfied, with just good. So as time wore on...I tried some highly-regarded Conrad Johnson units; first the ET-2, then ET-3...and even an SS unit...just to see how the other half lived, the Premier 18. ALL good; but nothing ever quite satisfied my itch to stop trying other units. Then...I happen to re-visit, that pre-amp "guru"; something had toppled the Belles 21a, in its price-range. The VTL 2.5! This guy, actually liked it better than its big-brother; the more expensive (natch) 5.5. I was intrigued...and a 2.5 was on my radar. Then...in looking for 2.5s, I came across a VTL forum. In there...they were saying, good as the "old" 2.5 was; the new 2.5, smoked it in a big way. Hell...I was sold; and I was not disappointed. The latest gen of the ridiculously priced 2.5...stopped me from looking for another pre-amp. Sure...I experimented with Integrateds sometimes; just to switch back and forth, between them and the separates. But the VTL 2.5 always stayed on the sidelines, ready for duty.
7/10 (just for ownership, and I may have noticed a small mark the other day; that I never did before. I am hiendpawn at Audiogon; perfect feedback, and notorious for under-rating)
$1400
