[Reveeb]

I'm currently investigating 3 Amplifiers for my VMPS RM40 speakers and would like to get feedback/recommendations from experienced users. The Amps I'm looking at are: Pass 250.5; BAT VK-600; McIntosh 501's. Each quite unique from the others but all very good. Which one(s) mates best to the RM40'S and reasons why?

I listen to Jazz, classical, Blues and a lot of vocals.


Thanks for your help!

[John Casler]

I'm currently investigating 3 Amplifiers for my VMPS RM40 speakers and would like to get feedback/recommendations from experienced users. The Amps I'm looking at are: Pass 250.5; BAT VK-600; McIntosh 501's. Each quite unique from the others but all very good. Which one(s) mates best to the RM40'S and reasons why?

I listen to Jazz, classical, Blues and a lot of vocals.


Thanks for your help!

Hi Reveeb,

Welcome to the VMPS Circle.

I think you'll find a lot of suggestions about the best amps to use, and there are several "past" threads on the subject if you browse back through the older posts.

[zybar]

I would add in the following amps as possibilities:

McCormack DNA-500
Moscode 401HR

I have heard or owned all of the amps you listed (except for the 501's) and the Moscode would be my choice out of the group.

The great news is that the Moscode has a 33 day audition so you can hear it for yourself and decide.

George

[warnerwh]

That's a tough call. As John said there's alot of different amps that people are using. I've not heard any of the amps but the Macs. I'd be inclined to go with it due to the Mac house sound.

On the other hand you're investing enough money to biamp. My personal system is presently using a Cinenova 3 for the woofer sections of my RM 40's. The mid/treble is handled with a Van Alstine Fetvalve 550 with NOS Mullards.

Once Jim Romyne said: "You haven't heard Vmps speakers until you've heard them with tubes." This I must concur with. The sound of the lightning speed planars and ribbons is magical with some tubes.

My amp isn't very tubey, just a bit being a hybrid. Enough to take it where no SS amp I've heard has gone. I also used a Blue Circle BC 24 hybrid which had also been excellent. In both cases the tubes last a very long time and there is no need for any biasing. Well Frank Van Alstine says you should if you use different tubes in his amps but it works fine the way it is for me. I should add there's at least two other people running Van Alstine's gear on their VMPS speakers. These people consider these amps unusually unique as do I.

The Van Alstine amp has a cleanliness and timbral accuracy I've never heard any pure SS amp do. I've not heard the current Moscode that George has recommended but I'd add that to my list if I were you too as it's also a hybrid.

One last note: Vmps speakers will let you hear everything good or bad. They are Ruthless! In the end it's only your taste that matters but you've got outstanding speakers. I too listen mostly to Jazz and the realism in my fully treated room is commonly uncanny. If you don't have bass traps/room treatment you'll get more improvement taking some money from your amp budget and adding it there, I guarantee that!

[woodsyi]

I'm currently investigating 3 Amplifiers for my VMPS RM40 speakers and would like to get feedback/recommendations from experienced users. The Amps I'm looking at are: Pass 250.5; BAT VK-600; McIntosh 501's. Each quite unique from the others but all very good. Which one(s) mates best to the RM40'S and reasons why?

I listen to Jazz, classical, Blues and a lot of vocals.


Thanks for your help!

I really like big tubes on the ribbons.  If you can convert yours to OXO and install amps for the woofers, I would go with a great tube amp for the ribbons.  I use a pair of Extreme Hurricanes on the ribbons http://www.responseaudio.com/extreme%20asl%20hurricane.htm and I am extremely happy with the performance -- especially vocals.  These are no longer offered as new but I bet Bill can mod a pair for you.  Or he may already have a new Extreme Monsoon (if not the new Hurricanes) ready to go.  I believe Wayne really liked one of Bill's amp on his RM30s at RMAF.