Back to sand?

sucks2beme
sucks2beme Posts: 5,690
edited June 2010 in Electronics
I've been thinking of going back to sand from the ARC vt-60.
The ARC has a great sound, but 50 wpc comes up short sometimes.
I've been scouting out some deals on SS amps in the 100-200 wpc range.
There's a BAT vk-200 locally that caught my attention.
Am I completely crazy to think about it? I know the BAT is supposed to
be a very good amp. There's only a few SS amps that would make me switch.
Budget will top off at about $1200. I know I will be losing some of the tube magic,
but the extra watts would be nice if the amp doesn't take me too far down
the audio chain. The preamp would still be tube.
"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
Post edited by sucks2beme on
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,136
    edited June 2010
    Tube pre, sand amp . . . oh, oh, oh it's magic!
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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited June 2010
    hearingimpared wrote: »
    Tube pre, sand amp . . . oh, oh, oh it's magic!

    Agreed. You'll still have tubes in your system, so you're good!
    Jake
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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited June 2010
    If 50-60 watts isn't enough there are higher powered tube models out there, no need to give up the glory. Mine are 200wpc.
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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  • sucks2beme
    sucks2beme Posts: 5,690
    edited June 2010
    madmax wrote: »
    If 50-60 watts isn't enough there are higher powered tube models out there, no need to give up the glory. Mine are 200wpc.

    200 wpc tube amps are going to be a bit more pricey than $1200!
    "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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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited June 2010
    What about bi-amping with tubes on the highs and SS on the lows? That would give you the bass punch you're looking for without losing the tubey goodness.
    Jake
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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited June 2010
    sucks2beme wrote: »
    200 wpc tube amps are going to be a bit more pricey than $1200!

    It depends on the deal obviously.
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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  • sucks2beme
    sucks2beme Posts: 5,690
    edited June 2010
    I can't say 200 wpc tube amps come up very often or very cheap.
    I know ARC stuff in the 100 wpc range is about double the budget used.
    I'd also like to to NOT heat the room up to 100 degrees during the summer.
    I really like the ARC sound, I just need the extra power and getting the heat
    factor down would be a bonus. Of course, my tube hybrid Stax amp
    puts out almost as much heat as the ARC. Texas in the summer- what a treat!
    "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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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 33,077
    edited June 2010
    sucks2beme wrote: »
    I can't say 200 wpc tube amps come up very often or very cheap.
    I know ARC stuff in the 100 wpc range is about double the budget used.
    I'd also like to to NOT heat the room up to 100 degrees during the summer.
    I really like the ARC sound, I just need the extra power and getting the heat
    factor down would be a bonus. Of course, my tube hybrid Stax amp
    puts out almost as much heat as the ARC. Texas in the summer- what a treat!

    If you like your current amp,but need more juice,those Musical Fidelity Super chargers may be up your alley. Ted had them for awhile and if I recall,he liked them,and used are in your budget.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited June 2010
    tonyb wrote: »
    If you like your current amp,but need more juice,those Musical Fidelity Super chargers may be up your alley. Ted had them for awhile and if I recall,he liked them,and used are in your budget.

    The super charger is especially cool if you like the sound of your tube amp but just need more wattage.
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited June 2010
    sucks2beme wrote: »
    I can't say 200 wpc tube amps come up very often or very cheap.
    I know ARC stuff in the 100 wpc range is about double the budget used.
    I'd also like to to NOT heat the room up to 100 degrees during the summer.
    I really like the ARC sound, I just need the extra power and getting the heat
    factor down would be a bonus. Of course, my tube hybrid Stax amp
    puts out almost as much heat as the ARC. Texas in the summer- what a treat!

    Here was just one out of many. Its 100wpc at $1500...
    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=83683&highlight=cary+tube+amp
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 33,077
    edited June 2010
    I still kick myself in the **** for not jumping on that amp.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited June 2010
    tonyb wrote: »
    I still kick myself in the **** for not jumping on that amp.

    Me too, and I didn't even have a use for it... If I picked up every good deal I've found I'd have another 20 amps.
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 33,077
    edited June 2010
    Frickin' A my man, me too. But if he likes the sound of his amp,needs more juice but doesn't want more tubes....Superchargers baby,and they are going cheap these days.
    I suggest giving old Ted a ring,he could fill you in better than me,if thats the route you might take.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • sucks2beme
    sucks2beme Posts: 5,690
    edited June 2010
    I've got some leads on a few options via pm.
    I'm getting ready to clear out a bunch of my cheap stuff
    out of the closet. Then it's decision time. Stuff like that Cary
    doesn't come up often at all. I really hated to see him sell it, too.
    The ARC going away would be a tear jerker. The ARC sound
    is that good. But the goal is to make life simplier. Bi-amping and other options are going the wrong way. Maybe I should sell it all and
    put the Marantz 2285 back into service. Stick a couple of coat hangers
    out of it into a couple of Hershey's and rock on. knuckle dragging at
    it's best!
    "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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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited June 2010
    What about a hybrid amp? Tubed input with SS output? I've heard many say they think it's the best of both worlds.

    http://www.audioresearch.com/HD220.html

    http://grantfidelity.com/site/Shengya_A216
    Jake
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  • sucks2beme
    sucks2beme Posts: 5,690
    edited June 2010
    zingo wrote: »
    What about a hybrid amp? Tubed input with SS output? I've heard many say they think it's the best of both worlds.

    http://www.audioresearch.com/HD220.html

    http://grantfidelity.com/site/Shengya_A216

    I screwed up a couple of months ago. There was a modded
    counterpoint (np100) up for sale. That would of been perfect.
    I am open to a good sand or hybrid. I've got several hybrid
    headphone amps that sound outstanding. I'm just mulling around options.
    I put a lot of my garage sale crap up on CL, and am making room so
    I can get the next amp, and run it head to head with the ARC before doing
    anything stupid. Not that it ever stopped me before.
    "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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  • RuSsMaN
    RuSsMaN Posts: 17,985
    edited June 2010
    We should talk, soon.
    Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service.
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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited June 2010
    RuSsMaN wrote: »
    We should talk, soon.

    You guys should get a room. :D
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited June 2010
    Keep an eye out for the VTL high powered amps too. I've seen several of them in great condition over the years go for much less than they are worth.
    madmax
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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  • vc69
    vc69 Posts: 2,500
    edited June 2010
    I have recently seen older VTL ST150's go for around $1500. My buddy paid a little less than $2500 for the ARC VT100 I'm using now.
    -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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  • Big Dawg
    Big Dawg Posts: 2,005
    edited June 2010
    tonyb wrote: »
    I still kick myself in the **** for not jumping on that amp.

    Me too....
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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited June 2010
    Type in Manley on Agon and you will see a 90wpc for $900 and a 100wpc pair of monoblocks for 1500.
    http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?ampstube&1280265230&/Vtl-Deluxe-Stereo-90-90wpc-tub

    Cheap tube deals are out there. :)
    madmax
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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  • sucks2beme
    sucks2beme Posts: 5,690
    edited June 2010
    Screw it. I'm re-tubing the ARC and standing pat. The wife dropped
    my spare cash on getting the house repainted(she says i'm too old to climb ladders) and I'm tire of fighting about it. A couple of other deals went south, so
    I guess that's my hint not to change anything.
    "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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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited June 2010
    Fair enough. :)
    Jake
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