Audio Research VT60 power amp

sucks2beme
sucks2beme Posts: 5,601
edited May 2007 in 2 Channel Audio
What's the scoop on this tube amp? Not a lot of info online about it.
I'm looking at one for about $600.
50 wpc mid 90's built.
"The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." --Thomas Jefferson
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  • janmike
    janmike Posts: 6,146
    edited May 2007
    Audio Research is highly regarded in the Audio world. I am not too sure about this piece as I am looking at their Reference line for the pre and the VT100 or VT200 on the amp side. Here are a few specs if you do not have any.


    Power output 50 watts per channel continuous from 20Hz to 20kHz. Approximate actual power available at "clipping" 52 watts (1kHz).
    Power bandwidth (-3dB points) 15Hz to 40kHz
    Frequency response (-3dB points at 1 watt) 3Hz to 40 kHz
    Input sensitivity 1.05V RMS for rated output
    Input impedance 100K ohms unbalanced
    Output taps
    Output regulation Approximately 0.6dB 16 ohm load to open circuit
    Overall negative feedback 19 dB
    Damping factor 14
    Distortion 1kHz total harmonic distortion typically 1% at 50 watts, below .05% at 1 watt.
    Slew rate 7 V/µs
    Rise time 10 µs
    Hum & noise Less than 0.5mV RMS - 95dB below rated output (IHF weighted, input shorted)
    Power supply energy storage 184 joules
    Power requirements 105-125VAC 60Hz (210-250VAC 50Hz) 265 watts at rated output, 300 watts maximum, 175 watts at "idle"
    Tube complement (2 matched pairs) 6550B, (2) 6922 driver, (1) 6922 input
    Other
    Dimensions VT60: 14" (35.6 cm) W x 7" (17.8 cm) H x 13.3" (33.8 cm) D. Output connectors extend 1" (2.5 cm) to the rear.
    Weight VT60: 32.7 lbs. (14.9 kg) Net; 48 lbs. (21.8 kg) Shipping.
    VT60SE: 36 lbs Net.

    MSRP $1995
    Introduced in 1994
    Michael ;)
    In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
    NORTH of 60°
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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited May 2007
    That's probably a great amp; as Michael says, ARC makes some good stuff. For that price I'd go for it...worst case you sell it.
    _________________________________________________
    ***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***

    2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
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    Thank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman
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  • tom t
    tom t Posts: 543
    edited May 2007
    go to www.arcdb.ws everything you need to know
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  • AndyGwis
    AndyGwis Posts: 3,655
    edited May 2007
    Sucks, you're spending way too much time at AC lately!

    If you got the scrilla and won't have to spend a month on the couch, go for it! I might evenlet you resell it to me at a discount when you move on to your next amp :)
    Stereo Rig: Hales Revelation 3, Musical Fidelity CD-Pre 24, Forte Model 3 amp, Lexicon RT-10 SACD, MMF-5 w/speedbox, Forte Model 2 Phono Pre, Cardas Crosslink, APC H15, URC MX-950, Lovan Stand
    Bedroom: Samsung HPR-4252, Toshiba HD-A2, HK 3480, Signal Cable, AQ speaker cable, Totem Dreamcatchers, SVS PB10-NSD, URC MX-850
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  • sucks2beme
    sucks2beme Posts: 5,601
    edited May 2007
    I know some of their stuff is top notch. I don't think this one is at that level.
    Class AB?
    "The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." --Thomas Jefferson
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  • tom t
    tom t Posts: 543
    edited May 2007
    i would go for it if you are looking for 50 wpc tube amp. and it work's
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  • sucks2beme
    sucks2beme Posts: 5,601
    edited May 2007
    AndyGwis wrote: »
    Sucks, you're spending way too much time at AC lately!

    If you got the scrilla and won't have to spend a month on the couch, go for it! I might evenlet you resell it to me at a discount when you move on to your next amp :)

    I'll make you a great deal on a slightly used B&K!

    There is a set of demo Spendors there calling your name.
    I let them know you're coming.

    Everything in this place gets checked over well. All their trade ins are nice. Makes you wonder
    what these guys are trading up to.
    "The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." --Thomas Jefferson
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  • janmike
    janmike Posts: 6,146
    edited May 2007
    Orion Blue Book price is $900, so $600 seems like a pretty good deal if it is good shape. But how much life is left on the existing tubes and what will it cost to replace the tubes.
    Michael ;)
    In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
    NORTH of 60°
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  • AndyGwis
    AndyGwis Posts: 3,655
    edited May 2007
    Look around their show-floor and it's easy to see there is plenty of upgraditis left, even for those already owning some nice AR stuff.

    Some great stuff in there. . . new and used.
    Stereo Rig: Hales Revelation 3, Musical Fidelity CD-Pre 24, Forte Model 3 amp, Lexicon RT-10 SACD, MMF-5 w/speedbox, Forte Model 2 Phono Pre, Cardas Crosslink, APC H15, URC MX-950, Lovan Stand
    Bedroom: Samsung HPR-4252, Toshiba HD-A2, HK 3480, Signal Cable, AQ speaker cable, Totem Dreamcatchers, SVS PB10-NSD, URC MX-850
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  • sucks2beme
    sucks2beme Posts: 5,601
    edited May 2007
    MINE. MINE MINE MINE!
    Got it today. The amp was part of some three way trade they had going.
    They know its history pretty well.
    Tubes are not too old.
    Looks great. No noticable marks on the tube cage or sides.
    These guys WOULD NOT let me take it out the door without pulling the tubes and wrapping them in bubble wrap. They are 1st class all the way.
    Now comes the hard part. How to present it in the rack.
    There will be some crap coming my way. Angry wife.
    There will be FM deals on 2 channel amps.
    "The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." --Thomas Jefferson
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  • AndyGwis
    AndyGwis Posts: 3,655
    edited May 2007
    So, just a few questions (great snag BTW!):

    - Does AC negotiate at all on used gear?
    - What else was involved in the three way trade?
    - Is it the VT60 or VT60SE?
    - Was there any other cool stuff up there?
    Stereo Rig: Hales Revelation 3, Musical Fidelity CD-Pre 24, Forte Model 3 amp, Lexicon RT-10 SACD, MMF-5 w/speedbox, Forte Model 2 Phono Pre, Cardas Crosslink, APC H15, URC MX-950, Lovan Stand
    Bedroom: Samsung HPR-4252, Toshiba HD-A2, HK 3480, Signal Cable, AQ speaker cable, Totem Dreamcatchers, SVS PB10-NSD, URC MX-850
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  • sucks2beme
    sucks2beme Posts: 5,601
    edited May 2007
    AndyGwis wrote: »
    So, just a few questions (great snag BTW!):

    - Does AC negotiate at all on used gear?
    - What else was involved in the three way trade?
    - Is it the VT60 or VT60SE?
    - Was there any other cool stuff up there?

    Its the vt60.
    There was also an integrated Audio Research VSi 55,
    Audio Research VM220 mono tube power amps, and
    the Spendors.
    There was a vt100 that came in on trade for a used Reference 110.
    The vt60 came in on trade for the vt100.
    I came in and grabbed the vt60!
    I haven't tried working them down on the used stuff.
    These guys DON'T look like a pawn shop.
    There will be a Rotel rb980 and your old B&K st202 coming up
    for sale here soon. Maybe a Nad 521i cdp, too. Gotta go take some pictures.
    "The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." --Thomas Jefferson
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  • AndyGwis
    AndyGwis Posts: 3,655
    edited May 2007
    Yeah, you don't want to insult guys like that by squabbling over a few bucks, but it is used audio so they couldn't be too put off by an "offer," right?

    This your first trip into tubeville? Good luck selling the other stuff. I'm off the market since I got my two channel rig squared away. Love my sound (at the moment).
    Stereo Rig: Hales Revelation 3, Musical Fidelity CD-Pre 24, Forte Model 3 amp, Lexicon RT-10 SACD, MMF-5 w/speedbox, Forte Model 2 Phono Pre, Cardas Crosslink, APC H15, URC MX-950, Lovan Stand
    Bedroom: Samsung HPR-4252, Toshiba HD-A2, HK 3480, Signal Cable, AQ speaker cable, Totem Dreamcatchers, SVS PB10-NSD, URC MX-850
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  • sucks2beme
    sucks2beme Posts: 5,601
    edited May 2007
    AndyGwis wrote: »
    Yeah, you don't want to insult guys like that by squabbling over a few bucks, but it is used audio so they couldn't be too put off by an "offer," right?

    This your first trip into tubeville? Good luck selling the other stuff. I'm off the market since I got my two channel rig squared away. Love my sound (at the moment).

    At my age, no its not the first tube system:D
    My fisrt stereo was a BSR amp/speaker turnable set up. Tubes!!!!
    I also got the ASL tube headphone amp.
    "The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." --Thomas Jefferson
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  • janmike
    janmike Posts: 6,146
    edited May 2007
    Congrats & Enjoy.
    Michael ;)
    In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
    NORTH of 60°
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  • Ricardo
    Ricardo Posts: 10,636
    edited May 2007
    Congrats. Pics!!!!
    _________________________________________________
    ***\\\\\........................... My Audio Journey ............................./////***

    2008 & 2010 Football Pool WINNER
    SOPA
    Thank God for different opinions. Imagine the world if we all wanted the same woman
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  • engtaz
    engtaz Posts: 7,663
    edited May 2007
    Congrats
    engtaz

    I love how music can brighten up a bad day.
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