RE: I'm a generation behind on ARC amps

Posted by AbeCollins (A) on August 6, 2012 at 07:08:16

In Reply to: I'm a generation behind on ARC amps posted by plantsman on August 4, 2012 at 16:41:43:

It's been a long time since I've owned ARC amps but here is what I recall.

The ARC VT100mkII sounded very powerful and robust in the mids on down. It had a pretty nice 'full bodied' sound but not quite as rich as a pair of Cary amps that also owned. It was indeed less 'colored' but still very much to my liking. I tried it with KT88s and 6550 tubes but went back to 6550's as they sounded more transparent to me.

The smaller ARC VT50 was a different story. It seemed a little lean in the mids and as expected not as dynamic as it's big brother. I really liked the VT100mkII but I couldn't get the midrange that I wanted from the VT50. I tried KT88's and 6550 tubes in it but neither got me there.

Can you describe what you're not hearing in the ARC VT100 that you like in the VTL and Atma-Sphere amps? I've never owned either of these brands. The closest to the VTL would be the pair of Manley amps I once owned.

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Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - Are tube liquidity/palpability and neutrality antithetical? - jazz251 14:39:15 08/04/12 (18)

No- its all about distortion - Ralph 10:39:06 08/06/12 (3)

RE: No- its all about distortion - morricab 05:02:34 08/08/12 (0)

RE: No- its all about distortion - Jim McShane 11:52:56 08/06/12 (1)

RE: No- its all about distortion - Ralph 12:53:24 08/06/12 (0)

RE: Are tube liquidity/palpability and neutrality antithetical? - Alex M 03:45:03 08/06/12 (0)

Nope - triode 13:41:39 08/05/12 (0)

RE: Are tube liquidity/palpability and neutrality antithetical? - Jim McShane 10:49:48 08/05/12 (3)

RE: Are tube liquidity/palpability and neutrality antithetical? - ahendler 12:32:59 08/05/12 (2)

Yes, but it's not the harmonics on the continuous tone that gives characteristic timbre. - Timbo in Oz 01:07:17 08/15/12 (0)

RE: Are tube liquidity/palpability and neutrality antithetical? - Jim McShane 11:38:55 08/06/12 (0)

Nope tubes have real advantages as amplifiers - Timbo in Oz 21:48:39 08/04/12 (0)

No - Jack G 18:07:43 08/04/12 (0)

I don't have an answer to your question - 1973shovel 17:46:04 08/04/12 (0)

I'm a generation behind on ARC amps - plantsman 16:41:43 08/04/12 (4)

RE: I'm a generation behind on ARC amps - AbeCollins 07:08:16 08/06/12 (3)

RE: I'm a generation behind on ARC amps - plantsman 06:17:45 08/07/12 (2)

RE: I'm a generation behind on ARC amps - Mechans 12:13:27 08/08/12 (1)

I only partially agree - plantsman 15:41:29 08/08/12 (0)

Follow Ups

RE: I'm a generation behind on ARC amps - AbeCollins 07:08:16 08/06/12 (3)

RE: I'm a generation behind on ARC amps - plantsman 06:17:45 08/07/12 (2)

RE: I'm a generation behind on ARC amps - Mechans 12:13:27 08/08/12 (1)

I only partially agree - plantsman 15:41:29 08/08/12 (0)

RE: I'm a generation behind on ARC amps

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