Recent engineering breakthroughs have resulted in a major upgrade to one of VTL’s most important products - the TL-7.5 Reference Line Preamplifier. Four years after introducing the TL-7.5 to universal acclaim, VTL has revised it for an even higher level of performance. The new design, known as the TL-7.5 Series II, adapts current gain technology developed for the new TP-6.5 Signature Phono Stage. The upgrade results in a lower overall gain (20dB-balanced, 14dB single ended), as well as a dramatically lower noise floor. Luke Manley, President of VTL, credits the improvements to intensive ongoing R&D at the company. “While working on the forthcoming TP-6.5 phono stage, we developed a high current circuit to resolve with very low background noise the small distances that a phono cartridge travels, and we have applied this thinking to the TL-7.5 Series II.” The new circuit delivers even wider frequency response as well as superior musicality and transparency, while maintaining the neutrality that the TL-7.5 Reference Line Stage is famous for. Also included in the upgrade are new parts selected to enhance the resolution with even more speed and presence in the critical top end and midrange. For increased compatibility with modern home theater systems, the Series II adds a fully bi-directional RS-232 control.

The newest addition to our Reference line, the S-400 Reference Stereo Amplifier adapts the outstanding technical achievement of Siegfried to a single-chassis stereo design. At 400 watts per channel, the S-400 packs plenty of power for the most demanding musical passages while retaining a remarkable ability to resolve the finest details. With the same precision-regulated power supply and highest quality components as the monoblocks, users can expect a fast, articulate and unusually vivid sound that comes very near to that of Siegfried.

When VTL introduced its awe-inspiring 1250-watt Wotan amplifier in 1996, Luke Manley, VTL’s President, called it “the culmination of all we know about amplifier building at VTL.” But even as he spoke those words, change was brewing—both in the audio industry and at VTL. The growth of home theatre meant that amplifiers were being called on to perform an array of new functions. Meanwhile, VTL was confronting the question of how tubed equipment would fit into modern home entertainment systems. Reliability and consistency of tubed components were issues that had to be decisively resolved. With these questions in mind, Luke began formulating ideas for a new Reference amplifier; tubed to be sure, but packed with technological innovations and breaking new ground in sonic excellence. After five years of intensive R&D, designing, testing, refining and listening, VTL’s newest addition to the Reference family is ready… Siegfried 800-Watt Reference Monoblock Amplifier has arrived.