Valve Amplification Company Standard Musicbloc 160 VAC Power Amplifier

I bought these amplifiers in 2008 when they were advertised on Audiogon as follows: "These are incredible 160 watt monoblock amplifiers and I love them so much the only reason I am selling is to buy the latest version. VAC has always made one of the finest tube amplifiers that does not sound tuby. Dynamic and extremely well controlled in the bass. I've found them to be really a superb match to the Talon speakers--and you may have seen that we regularly use VAC with Talon at trade shows--with good reason--they sound fantastic. On top of that they are incredibly reliable. With the exception of a tube going out (which happens with all tube amplifiers on occasion) I have had zero problems with not only this set of amplifiers but all VAC equipment I've owned." In 2011 there was an Audiogon advertisement for a similar set of MB-160s as follows: "These are probably one of the best "bang for the buck" amps ever made by VAC, giving virtually the same level of performance as the amazing Phi 300, but at a small fraction of the price due to the plain-jane chassis (still welded from solid 1/4" plate just like the Phi, but without all the glass and shiny bits). Plus of course they are very convenient to place, either side-by-side in the same space as a stereo amp, or outboarded as monoblocks." I've repeated the above advertisements because I can't say it any better! Buyer is advised of some cosmetic issues with these amplifiers: There is what is looks like a crease or matchline of the metal down the middle of each amplifier, which is how I received them, and clearly how they were shipped from the factory, see "plain-jane" above. The area around the power switch on one of the amplifiers has some discoloration/smudging of the metal finish, probably due to an inappropriate cleaning fluid. There are minor scratches (mostly closer to swirl marks) elsewhere, consistent with Audiogon's 7 rating. Pictures available on request. These two amplifiers will be shipped (at buyer's expense) in the same two VAC boxes they arrived in, 14H x 25W x 19D, and a little under 50lbs, EACH. I've changed out the original VAC KT-88 tubes to Red Lions, all tubes were all tested about four months ago. I'll include three of the old VAC tubes in case one of the tubes dies in shipping. I've used the amps with a variety of speakers by Talon, Klipsch, Paradigm, Revel, and Wilson; the sound is always clear and powerful. I know I'll regret parting with MB 160s, they are soooo sweet!