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VTL MB-125 Performance Series
Review
by James Leahy
Introduction
One of my favourite small vacuum
tube Monoblocks Amplifiers is the VTL MB-125. If I had a budget of $10K
to spend on new vacuum tube power amplifiers these would be the ones I
would buy. Why...? For your coin you get a Monoblocks design with all
the benefits which that brings, unbelievable build quality, a tried and
true circuit design with modern components that will offer cutting edge
performance, stone cold reliability, lush mid-range EL34 vacuum tube
smoothness and that famous VTL sound.
They used 4 x EL34's and 2 x
12AT7's per chassis. The MB-125's offer real punch for their compact
footprint and can really push most Loudspeakers to their limit with a
true 100WRMS per channel. Believe me this is a lot of power for most
applications and in rooms of average size it will drive most
loudspeakers to live performance levels. I recommend that your system
begins with loudspeakers that will work properly and sound good in the
desired acoustic space. Matching the power amplifier to the loudspeaker
is usually a function of driver size, efficiency and budget. Efficiency
is not the only determinant - even though they may be very efficient,
many speakers with large drivers need tremendous amounts of damping
factor and current capability to control the drivers properly.
To get everything out of the Loudspeaker that it was designed for I
suggest that you use the highest power amplifier that you can. They VTL
MB-125 is a great starting point at a modest price for your
amplification needs that will offer a lifetime of trouble free use. The
circuit design in the MB-125's has been tried and tested for decades and
will provide rack solid reliability with the highest level of
performance for their price.
VTL recommend these Monoblocks
to be used with Loudspeakers of 8" (or 2x 6") configuration. I
strongly agree with this advise as for best performance and proper
use power amplifiers should ideally be matched to the chosen
loudspeaker load.
Once again like every VTL
Amplifier the MB-125's support a very well engineered and throughout
circuit protection system. There are B+ Fuses and also Mains fuses.
These Amplifiers can be used all day every day without fear of
damage from a catastrophic tube failure. This is a very important
factor to consider when you are buying. I have seen other big name,
very well known and respected Hi-Fi brands design and engineer their
products to operate and perform within a 'Perfect World'.
However, like most of us I
happen to live and operate in the Real World and things do go wrong
and when they do you will wish you had bought VTL instead of an
Amplifier that has had no time and effort spent on it's protection
circuit. This is a huge oversight in my opinion from some other
manufacturers not to include what VTL have always had and spent a
great amount of time perfecting to what we can enjoy as a standard
feature today.
Visually stunning the new
MB-125's front panels have thick smoked glass windows which show the
inner workings that are all vacuum tube along with the current VTL
Amplifier range.
Extruded aluminium front
panel with luxurious, modern look – Black or Silver options
available.
100 Watt Tetrode
/ 55 Watt Triode Monoblocks handmade in Chino,
California.
Protective cages
protect vacuum tubes and small fingers.
Triode / Tetrode
switchable; these Monoblocks will suit all musical
tastes with ease.
Very well
protected amplifier circuit technology with full safety
provision included.
Cages removed and
the internals revealed.
High energy storage
power supply > 200 Joules
Output tube
biasing circuit with top mounted testing points
provided.
2 x 12AT7 Driver
Tubes
4 x EL34 Output
Tubes
Sonic Evaluations
Buying VTL's smallest Monoblocks I was eager to
see what they would perform like in the
real world. Designed for the Audiophile with a limited budget that
requires high performance and exceptional quality the MB-125's
really deliver, now let me tell you why.
Once you understand that the 100w/ch power
class is a very heavily contested market segment that every major
Hi-Fi manufacturer tries to do well in. It is often the starting
point to which first time vacuum tube customers can start out in and
have an Amplifier that will be able drive most Loudspeakers to
realistic sound pressure levels and at the same time provide many
years of enjoyment without the need to upgrade further.
Manufacturers normally use this power class to showcase their best
value for money performance products.
See my thoughts on
How Much Power Do I Need?
for more details.
I also recommend customers start off with
around 100 W/ch of vacuum tube power for their systems and I have
found no better place to start than the MB-125's. This is the right
place to start without going over the top. Expect to pay around $10K
to get a this power level and feature set from a quality U.S. made
Amplifier in this power class.
For the price of these you of course get
Monoblocks where other vacuum tube companies are only offering
stereo Amplifiers that share the same power ratings as the MB-125's.
On a moderate system I would be most content to live with these
beauties everyday and enjoy the performance they offer. There is no
need to spend more than what the MB-125's cost on a pair of 100 Watt
Monoblocks.
That is why they have made my
Recommended Components list.
For a well matched and high performing system
my preference would be to match the MB-125 Monoblocks with the VTL
TL-5.5. The Series I, if you can find one still available or the
newer Series II if your budget will allow. This simple combo is
devastatingly effective at producing very impressive performance at
an economic price level to satisfy all.
Listening to JJ Cale - Naturally (1972) from
Mercury Records, the versatility of the MB-125's is very apparent
from the first track. The bass drive from these small vacuum tube
beauties is tight and controlled. I would think that it is best
described to be tuneful with control. When you consider you are
getting 200 Joules of energy storage per Monoblock the low frequency
drive and authority should make most potential owners more than
happy.
The midrange performance with EL34's is as you
would expect, liquid smooth and tonally accurate. The layering and
sonic sparkly of these Monoblocks is more detailed and spacious than
others of similar price that I have tested. With the MB-125's you
have the option to select Tetrode or Triode mode depending on your
tastes and the subject matter. Driving the right Loudspeakers the
MB-125's are very capable of producing a wide and dynamic listening
experience. They are also inexpensive to run as tube replacement
prices for these will not cause most any great concern.
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ASSOCIATED REVIEW EQUIPMENT |
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Line Stage |
VTL TL-5.5 Series I |
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Phono Stage |
VTL TP-2.5 |
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Loudspeakers |
Martin Logan Odyssey |
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Cables |
Furutech |
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Cartridge |
Ortofon Jubilee |
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Turntable |
Rega P9 |
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