Amp/Preamp Asylum

RE: C-J Premier 140 VS. ARC VT-100 MK II or III

69.248.131.226

Joe Appierto

A

In Reply to: RE: C-J Premier 140 VS. ARC VT-100 MK II or III posted by George S. Roland on October 05, 2014 at 17:15:23

The lack of responses so far might be indicative of not many out there familiar with both.

I see from your profile that you currently have the original ARC VT-100 and was wondering what you were looking for in a successor amp? Also, would you be using it with all of the speakers you've listed or one pair in particular?

I'm familiar with the c-j Premier 140 having owned one for 7 years or so. First as the basic model and then with the upgraded CJD Teflon caps. During all of that time it was paired with Quad 989s so to the degree they're similar to your 63s, there may be some relevance.

Joe

Follow Ups:

RE: C-J Premier 140 VS. ARC VT-100 MK II or III - George S. Roland 14:57:49 10/06/14 (2)
Thank you for your response. I have used the VT-100 Mk I with both of my speakers: Quad ESL-63s and B&W Matrix 801 Series IIs.

I am considering upgrading to a slightly newer amp, looking for better sound. I know most people consider that the B&Ws need a huge, powerful solid state amp, and I am considering some of those as well, but so far, I tend to prefer tube power amps.

I have read about problems with the Premier 140 blowing out tubes and needing an upgrade to stop that process. Any info you can provide about that would be appreciated.

C-J responded to me that a new tube set was $985. or so.

Best,

George
- RE: C-J Premier 140 VS. ARC VT-100 MK II or III - Joe Appierto 16:01:07 10/06/14 (1)
  I'm assuming that c-j was quoting for a complete set of 11 tubes: 3 small signal (1 x 6922 and 2 x 6H30) plus the 8 power tubes. Their tubes are always well-tested but kind of on the expensive side. You could replace the power tubes with a matched set of KT120 from Upscale Audio, for example, for about $400 and the reissue Tung-Sol 6550 for even less at $312. I preferred the latter in the 140 but you'll get differing opinions, naturally.
  
  I did have old stock power tubes blow while using the 140 but that was a function, in my opinion, of the tubes themselves and not the amp. In essence I was using the amp as an expensive tube tester. When using tested, current production tubes it was never an issue. Finally I did manage to blow a resistor (after using an over value plate fuse) and while the amp was at c-j, had the Teflon capacitor upgrade.
  
  Once the amp was back, I only used current production, tested power tubes or old stock that I knew for sure were reliable. In the 1000+ hours I used the amp afterwards there was never a problem with blown fuses or tubes.
  
  Never having heard the VT-100 I can't express any opinion regarding one versus the other, I can say that the 140 was not a "tubey" sounding amp. Having owned both it and a Premier 11A, there was a decided difference in their sound with the 140 being decidedly in the "modern" camp.
  
  Hope this helps and if you have any other questions, don't hesitate.
  
  Joe
  - Thanks, Joe NT - George S. Roland 18:24:00 10/06/14 (0)
    thanks

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