 
|
Audio Asylum Thread Printer Get a view of an entire thread on one page |
For Sale Ads |
|
|
Audio Asylum Thread Printer Get a view of an entire thread on one page |
For Sale Ads |
98.21.107.61
I seek some information from those with experience with the ARC VT-200 power amp. I have a VT-100 Mk I that I have owned for a number of years. When I bought it, I returned it to ARC for a checkup, and since then, have had no problems with it. (It is currently being repaired due to a power outage/surge that damaged its circuitry slightly.)
My speakers are currently B&W Matrix 801 IIs and Quad ELS-63s. The VT-100 had plenty of power for the Quads, I'm not so sure about its mating with the B&Ws. So I have been considering maybe trying a VT-200 to get more power for the B&W speakers.
I am a bit wary though because of heat, size and weight and a rumor that the VT-200 "eats tubes". That it runs hot and individuals who own them are having to return them for replacement tubes rather often. Is this a correct perception? (This has certainly not been the case with my VT-100.)
Many thanks,
George
Follow Ups:
I have a VT 200 sitting in a storage room because it failed for the 4th time in a couple of years. I bought it new in 1999 and it worked flawlessly for nearly eight years and then it would somehow fail and I had to send it back to Audio Research, who were great and the failure typically was a blown resister and/or tube.
To fix the failure was usually less than $100, but it cost over $400 to ship there and back to the Detroit area.
My guess is after time and heat the parts became susceptible to overload if I did the wrong turn off sequence, which seemed to precipitate my issues. I will admit that this failure to follow the sequence was alcohol inspired.
The sound of the VT 200 is superb and it drove my Sonus Faber Extremas superbly.
More output tubes will mean more exposure to possible tube failures. ARC does not fuse the output stage and given the size of the power supply in this amp if a tube does fail it can really cause a lot of damage, expensive repair. The circuit is identical to the VT100 except for power output so a VT200 will no more eat tubes than a VT100.
This amp is a monster in terms of size, weight, heat output, etc. Not sure it will be a meaningful step-up from the VT100. I think you would have to step-up to the REF300 to really make a difference.
ARC lied about the power output of that monster amp!
Thanks for this tip. I read that review but didn't focus on the test results, mostly because I don't understand them that well. But this certainly causes me to have pause about further consideration of the VT-200. They're so big, heavy and hot, there would have to be some tremendous differences in performance to justify those liabilities, and the power difference would likely be of negligible benefit. My room is 14 x 22 with the speakers ca. 8 feet apart out from the 14-foot wall. I listen at what I would guess are moderate levels (ca. 90 db peaks on my RS meter).
My VT-100 is in for repairs, so I'll see what the "doctor" orders for repair of it before I buy anything else.
Thanks,
George
Well, you are only getting a 3db increase. Hardly noticeable. If 100W isn't enough, 200 won't be much better. I would stay with the VT-100 if you are happy with it.
Post a Followup:
| FAQ |
Post a Message! |
Forgot Password? |
|
||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors:
Top of Page ]
[ Contact Us ]
[ Support/Wish List ]
[ Copyright © 2024, Audio Asylum, all rights reserved ]
