Audio Research VT100 MKII Amp is on the way.

vc69
vc69 Posts: 2,500
edited April 2010 in 2 Channel Audio
So here is the story:

The same friend that sold me my VTL 2.5 pre and I were perusing the Audiogon the other night and we ran across a VT100 MKII amp. He has been interested in one (He's going all ARC, hence my getting the 2.5) for some time. Thing is, he's on the road touring a good bit of the time and has no place to hook the thing up and enjoy it. Long story short, I'm going to be the beneficiary of this purchase for at least the summer months. So, a big step up coming to my system soon.

It will also afford me some time to get my hand on the VTL ST150 I am yearning for.

Comments from anyone with experience with ARC amps or VTL amps is welcome.

I am pretty damn excited. :)
-Kevin
HT: Philips 52PFL7432D 52" LCD 1080p / Onkyo TX-SR 606 / Oppo BDP-83 SE / Comcast cable. (all HDMI)B&W 801 - Front, Polk CS350 LS - Center, Polk LS90 - Rear
2 Channel:
Oppo BDP-83 SE
Squeezebox Touch
Muscial Fidelity M1 DAC
VTL 2.5
McIntosh 2205 (refurbed)
B&W 801's
Transparent IC's
Post edited by vc69 on
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  • vc69
    vc69 Posts: 2,500
    edited April 2010
    Here is a link to specs, etc.

    http://www.arcdb.ws/VT100/VT100.html
    -Kevin
    HT: Philips 52PFL7432D 52" LCD 1080p / Onkyo TX-SR 606 / Oppo BDP-83 SE / Comcast cable. (all HDMI)B&W 801 - Front, Polk CS350 LS - Center, Polk LS90 - Rear
    2 Channel:
    Oppo BDP-83 SE
    Squeezebox Touch
    Muscial Fidelity M1 DAC
    VTL 2.5
    McIntosh 2205 (refurbed)
    B&W 801's
    Transparent IC's
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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited April 2010
    100wpc tube amp is fantastic! I've heard all tube ARC systems and they are great. Good luck with the equipment and enjoy the sound.
    Jake
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  • janmike
    janmike Posts: 6,146
    edited April 2010
    Congrats on the amp. I own the VS115 and LS26 and love them both.
    Michael ;)
    In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
    NORTH of 60°
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  • sucks2beme
    sucks2beme Posts: 5,601
    edited April 2010
    I've got a vt-60. There's nothing that doubling the wattage COULDN'T improve,right?:D You'll enjoy it a lot.
    "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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  • stuwee
    stuwee Posts: 1,508
    edited April 2010
    Wow, I'm jealous! That is a sweet tube amp. It's been awhile since I've played with one, IIRC, it plays just about any speaker you throw at it. Big, brawny soundstage :D. Cable sensitive, so have fun playing with diff ones. Would the new owner be lending you any? Short speaker cables sound best, this amp is a heavy beast, it should be on a nice amp stand on the floor between the main speaks.

    Have fun with that sweetie pie! :cool:
    Thorens TD125MKII, SME3009,Shure V15/ Teac V-8000S, Denon DN-790R cass, Teac 3340 RtR decks, Onix CD2...Sumo Electra Plus pre>SAE A1001 amp>Martin Logan Summit's
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  • vc69
    vc69 Posts: 2,500
    edited April 2010
    Thanks guys. I am going to build a cart so I can roll it out of the way when not in use. At 95lbs., I am not going to be moving it often. I have some Transparent MusicWave speaker cables (approx 8ft) and several different Cardas and Transparent IC's to play with.

    Any recommendations or experience with other speaker/IC's to try? My budget is shot right now as I just paid off the VTL 2.5 preamp and Transparent cables I bought and I am going hunting for an VTL ST150. Our goal (my friend and I) is to have an all ARC rig (his) and an all VTL rig (mine) to contrast and compare.
    It's a lot of fun having a close friend that is into this stuff as much as I am. Especially when he'll loan me such nice gear. :)

    Janmike: He is actually looking for an LS25 to go in front of this amp. He and I both prefer the analog look of the 25 as opposed to the digital display on the 26. Out of curiosity, about how much did you pay for the 26? Did you listen to any 25's?
    -Kevin
    HT: Philips 52PFL7432D 52" LCD 1080p / Onkyo TX-SR 606 / Oppo BDP-83 SE / Comcast cable. (all HDMI)B&W 801 - Front, Polk CS350 LS - Center, Polk LS90 - Rear
    2 Channel:
    Oppo BDP-83 SE
    Squeezebox Touch
    Muscial Fidelity M1 DAC
    VTL 2.5
    McIntosh 2205 (refurbed)
    B&W 801's
    Transparent IC's
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  • vc69
    vc69 Posts: 2,500
    edited April 2010
    Well the amp is in play. What an astounding upgrade from the TFM35x. This is a new level of audio bliss. Pics to come this week.

    It isn't as heavy as I had expected. Dunno why shipping weight was listed at 95lbs. It si a space heater no doubt. Man it sounds sweet.
    -Kevin
    HT: Philips 52PFL7432D 52" LCD 1080p / Onkyo TX-SR 606 / Oppo BDP-83 SE / Comcast cable. (all HDMI)B&W 801 - Front, Polk CS350 LS - Center, Polk LS90 - Rear
    2 Channel:
    Oppo BDP-83 SE
    Squeezebox Touch
    Muscial Fidelity M1 DAC
    VTL 2.5
    McIntosh 2205 (refurbed)
    B&W 801's
    Transparent IC's
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  • janmike
    janmike Posts: 6,146
    edited April 2010
    vc69 wrote: »
    ...

    Janmike: He is actually looking for an LS25 to go in front of this amp. He and I both prefer the analog look of the 25 as opposed to the digital display on the 26. Out of curiosity, about how much did you pay for the 26? Did you listen to any 25's?

    I paid under $4K for the LS26. I never did listen to the LS25 and had considered it at one time, but went with the opinion of several reviewers for the newer gear. I think I made the right decision as the LS26 is said to outperform the Ref 2.
    Michael ;)
    In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
    NORTH of 60°
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  • vc69
    vc69 Posts: 2,500
    edited April 2010
    I am absolutely astounded at the performance of this amp. Even more so, the revealing nature of my total system. The LS90's are quite a speaker when you put some nice stuff in front of them. I am hearing a new level of detail and nuance when listening to recordings I have been familiar with for many years. The image is absolutely astounding and the "flubby" bottom-end is gone. The thing that really haunts me is that I will never again be happy with anything less and playing in this sandbox is pretty expensive. I'm "rurnt".
    -Kevin
    HT: Philips 52PFL7432D 52" LCD 1080p / Onkyo TX-SR 606 / Oppo BDP-83 SE / Comcast cable. (all HDMI)B&W 801 - Front, Polk CS350 LS - Center, Polk LS90 - Rear
    2 Channel:
    Oppo BDP-83 SE
    Squeezebox Touch
    Muscial Fidelity M1 DAC
    VTL 2.5
    McIntosh 2205 (refurbed)
    B&W 801's
    Transparent IC's
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited April 2010
    Congratulations,, yep you are "spoiled" for sure,, now;)
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • vc69
    vc69 Posts: 2,500
    edited April 2010
    Here are some pics to ogle. Didn't want you guys to think I was full of **it :)
    -Kevin
    HT: Philips 52PFL7432D 52" LCD 1080p / Onkyo TX-SR 606 / Oppo BDP-83 SE / Comcast cable. (all HDMI)B&W 801 - Front, Polk CS350 LS - Center, Polk LS90 - Rear
    2 Channel:
    Oppo BDP-83 SE
    Squeezebox Touch
    Muscial Fidelity M1 DAC
    VTL 2.5
    McIntosh 2205 (refurbed)
    B&W 801's
    Transparent IC's
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  • Flash21
    Flash21 Posts: 316
    edited April 2010
    Nice. Audio Research is just a few miles from where I sit at work...wish I could afford their stuff.
    Steve Carlson
    Von Schweikert VR-33 speakers
    Bel Canto eVo2i integrated amp
    Bel Canto PL-2 universal disc player
    Analysis Plus Oval Nine speaker cables and Copper Oval-In Micro interconnects
    VH Audio Flavor 4 power cables
    Polk Monitor 10B speakers, retired but not forgotten
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  • polkatese
    polkatese Posts: 6,767
    edited April 2010
    Very nice looking tubees amp! grats!

    Did it get hot fast? I supposed it needs to sit by itself in an open area?
    I am sorry, I have no opinion on the matter. I am sure you do. So, don't mind me, I just want to talk audio and pie.
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  • vc69
    vc69 Posts: 2,500
    edited April 2010
    Yeah, it's virtually a space heater. It's so beautiful though, why put it in a rack?
    -Kevin
    HT: Philips 52PFL7432D 52" LCD 1080p / Onkyo TX-SR 606 / Oppo BDP-83 SE / Comcast cable. (all HDMI)B&W 801 - Front, Polk CS350 LS - Center, Polk LS90 - Rear
    2 Channel:
    Oppo BDP-83 SE
    Squeezebox Touch
    Muscial Fidelity M1 DAC
    VTL 2.5
    McIntosh 2205 (refurbed)
    B&W 801's
    Transparent IC's
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • sucks2beme
    sucks2beme Posts: 5,601
    edited April 2010
    vc69 wrote: »
    I am absolutely astounded at the performance of this amp. Even more so, the revealing nature of my total system. The LS90's are quite a speaker when you put some nice stuff in front of them. I am hearing a new level of detail and nuance when listening to recordings I have been familiar with for many years. The image is absolutely astounding and the "flubby" bottom-end is gone. The thing that really haunts me is that I will never again be happy with anything less and playing in this sandbox is pretty expensive. I'm "rurnt".

    ARC will do that. There have been several times I've thought about just buying
    a Classe cap-151 and be done with it, but the ARC keeps pulling me back.
    SS isn't cutting it. I need to find a good ARC preamp. The DAC is about the only
    thing that doesn't have tubes in it right now. All the headphone amps
    are glass hybrids, and the pre/power are full tube.
    Right now there's bound to be some Internet punk who will state that tubes
    CAN"T sound as good as SS. And I will razz the crap out of him.
    "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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  • stone of tone
    stone of tone Posts: 78
    edited April 2010
    vc69 wrote: »
    I am absolutely astounded at the performance of this amp. Even more so, the revealing nature of my total system. The LS90's are quite a speaker when you put some nice stuff in front of them. I am hearing a new level of detail and nuance when listening to recordings I have been familiar with for many years. The image is absolutely astounding and the "flubby" bottom-end is gone. The thing that really haunts me is that I will never again be happy with anything less and playing in this sandbox is pretty expensive. I'm "rurnt".

    The LS90's are incredible. I enjoy them most with no negative feedback in class A.

    Stone of Tone
    Sony Tport>Illuminati D-60>Audio Alchemy DTI-Pro>Prophecy Cryo-Silver Reference i2s>Audio Alchemy DDE 3.0 w/remote wand>Kimber Select 1030>Decware Zen Select Amp (SE84CS)>Kimber Select 3033> SDA 1/in Stereo only

    Sony Tport>IllumD-60>AA DTI Pro 32>AudMagicMysticRef i2s>AA DDE 3.0> Kimber Hero Int>Rotel RA-1062>Kimber Timbre>EmotivaXPA2>Kimber 8TC Speaker Cable>SDA SRS 1.2/use SDA always>Kimber 9033 to/hi Pass jumpers> Kimber PK10 Palladian Power Cord to Rotel
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,137
    edited April 2010
    vc69 wrote: »
    Well the amp is in play. What an astounding upgrade from the TFM35x. This is a new level of audio bliss. Pics to come this week.

    It isn't as heavy as I had expected. Dunno why shipping weight was listed at 95lbs. It si a space heater no doubt. Man it sounds sweet.

    That great Bro. I'm glad you are enjoying all tubes. I'm a little green with envy as I know how the 2.5 sounds and it must sound heavenly with the new amp.
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