I had VX-R four plus years and ran into same problem with output device overheat/ fail. i did upgrade to Twenty when amp was back at factory where they took fantastic care of me.
Some observations after a year or so with the amp driving Vandersteen 7 mk2.
A much more tubelike amp than the initial configuration - mids are smoother more fleshed out richer - even a bit full. the treble has lost a bit of extreme air and extension. the old config when left on had a very delicate etched quality and shimmer that for me in my system anyway is missing. I had to leave the old config on 24/7 to get best sound - the Twenty kicks A in about 10 minutes. bass is better defined. I will say that many of my comparative hours were with Vandersteen 5a.
Is it worth the extra $ ?
Probably IF it gets you out of the old thermaltrac output devices and into a new warranty period.
Hope this helps.
ayre product and support are first rate in my book and experience.
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