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Model: | Classic 120 |
Category: | Amplifier (Tube) |
Suggested Retail Price: | $7000./pr. |
Description: | 110W monoblocks, KT-88 output tubes. |
Manufacturer URL: | Audio Research, Inc. |
Model Picture: | View |
Review by O'Shag (A) on January 24, 2005 at 13:40:42 IP Address: 198.81.26.75 | Add Your Review for the Classic 120 |
My Classic 120 monoblocks are balanced, and drive a pair of KEF Reference 107s. Although of hybrid design, they deliver a distinctly triode-tube sound - slightly smoother and less etched than an equivalent solid state amp. The Classic 120s posess several outstanding attributes, perhaps most noticable on first listening is the quality of image and soundstage. Their ability to receive information from the preamp and create a detailed three-dimensional image on a soundstage of correct depth and width surpasses anything I have listened to thus far. As a hybrid design, these amps benefit from 'the best of both worlds'. They retain a beautiful balance, with great speed, grain-free clarity and detail, plenty of punch, and of course that velvety smooth triode sound. The midrange is simply outstanding, and this is at the heart of their tremendous musicality. I find the Classic 120 monoblocks to be a synergistic match for my KEF R107s(also outstanding) and they show the full extent of these speakers midrange capabilities. In terms of power reserve, the Classic 120s will drive my KEF's 4 ohm load without any strain. The KEF R107s are capable of VERY high volume levels without distortion, and the Classic 120s will remain unperturbed and utterly smooth even at these SPL levels. This is not to say that they can match my most powerful solid state amp in terms of raw power.To extend the period between frighteningly expensive tube replacement, I use my Classic 120s only on weekends. For the rest of the week I make do with one of my solid state amps. Each week, I wait with a little anticipation and excitment for Friday evening, when I can flick those toggle switches and fire up the Classic 120s,
For those who are more inclined toward a very clean and clinical sound on the cooler side of neutral, then these monoblocks may not be the ideal choice. But for my taste, they are the best I've ever heard.
Product Weakness: | May be a tad smooth for those that prefer a very lean, clinically clean, cool sound. |
Product Strengths: | Relay image soundstage and detail info to the speakers very effectively. Wonderful triode sound. Powerful enough to drive most speaker loads at high SPLs with ease. If you don't like em, they are brilliant room heaters during the winter |
Associated Equipment for this Review: | |
Amplifier: | ARC Classic 120 Monoblocks |
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): | ARC SP6e |
Sources (CDP/Turntable): | Carver Tube CD player / ARC DAC2 |
Speakers: | KEF Reference 107s |
Cables/Interconnects: | Transparent Musiclink /Musicwave |
Music Used (Genre/Selections): | All types |
Room Size (LxWxH): | 24 x 16 x 8 |
Room Comments/Treatments: | None |
Time Period/Length of Audition: | 1 year |
Type of Audition/Review: | Product Owner |
Follow Ups:
Your amp all the time, life is too short and tubes are not that expensive. Beside the Russky's make some darn fine toobs these days.Now dump the sand and grab the glass. You wouldn't drink beer out of silcon now would ya???
Hi Loon,
Thanks for the advise. You present a good point. Fact is I'm panting to fire them up at the end of the week, and sorely tempted to use 'em during the week. With respect to Russky tubes, which make do you recommend for the Classic 120s? A good friend of mine suggested that I would be better off getting my own tubes rather than from the factory, because the price would be so much less. He said that the sonic difference is negligable. What do you think?Best,
I owned an early Classic 60 and traded it in a on a V70 many years ago. I now have a VT100 MK3 as my primary amp. I still own the V70 as a backup amp. I had often thought about getting a second V70 and using them like monos to bi-wire my speakers. In my opinion the Classic/V series was one of ARC's best designs. I would love to own a set of Classic 120/V140 monos.
Anyway ARC recomends SED winged "C" 6550s for those amps. These are the same as the old Svetlana tubes. Don't get the new Svetlana tubes, they are not the same. I don't buy my tubes from ARC, they are just too expensive. You can get the same tubes for about half the cost from other places. I bought a couple quads about two months ago for around $90. a quad. That seems to be the average price at most places. I prefer NOS RCA for the 6FQ7 tubes.
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