VTL MB-450 Series II Signature Tube Monoblocks

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Rather than stick to the "pure function" designs of their previous MB-300 and MB-450 tube driven power amps, VTL has decided with the new MB-450 Series II monoblocks to drag tube amp looks into the 21st century. The Series II sports a new elegantly curved brushed aluminum front panel, with the input and driver tubes glowing behind a smoked glass panel to prove that yes, there's still tubes in there rather than transistors. The 450 Series II monoblocks feature many of the technologies developed for VTL's flagship Siegfried Reference amplifier, including "SmartTube" technology with automatic bias adjustment and fault sensing.

Other improvements to the Series II are new discrete regulated input and driver supplies, redesigned fully balanced input and driver stages, and a MOSFET driven voltage regulation system. The MB-450 Series II amps use a 12AT7 and a 12BH7 for the input and driver stages and eight 6550Cs or KT-88s for output. Power is rated at 425 watts at 5 ohms in Tetrode mode, and 225 watts at 5 Ohms in Triode mode. The MB-450 Series II Signature monoblocks are priced at $13,500/pr.