Rocky Mountain Audio Fest 2010
Best of Show
The Audio Beat
![](http://www.theaudiobeat.com/rmaf2010/pics_101710/vtl_room.jpg)
VTL used Wilson Audio Sasha W/P speakers ($26,900/pair), a Basis Inspiration turntable with Vector tonearm ($47,000), and a full dCS Paganini digital rig --transport ($16,999), DAC ($17,999), clock ($7999) and upsampler ($10,499) -- to debut its new MB-450 Signature Series III monoblocks ($18,000/pair) and TL-7.5 Reference Series III preamp ($20,000). The soundstage of this system was immense, resolution was seemingly limitless, and tonality was a touch sweet -- all of which surely contributed to the nearly endless parade of listeners to the room. Also in use were VTL's TP-6.5 Signature phono stage ($8500), a MY Sonic Labs Ultra Eminent EX phono cartridge ($6800), and nearly $100,000 worth of Transparent Reference MM2 cables and power products -- this was a group effort to be sure.
One can never hear every system at a show that's grown to be as large as the Rocky Mountain Audio Fest, so any proclamation of "the best sound of the show" is more than a little suspect. However, no matter the circumstances or venue, any system that displays this level of musical insight would certainly be in the running.
![](http://www.theaudiobeat.com/rmaf2010/pics_101710/vtl_tl75_iii.jpg)
Among the TL7.5 Series III's upgrades are a completely redesigned power supply that eliminates the earlier version's high voltage gain and a new output stage that takes advantage of FET technology developed for green products.![](http://www.theaudiobeat.com/images/tab_icon_end.jpg)