@lawaspen
I agree 100% with millercarbon's approach to buying gear. There are not a lot of brick and mortar stores around anymore. And as I have gotten older, I am uncomfortable sitting in someone's showroom for hours and hours to educate my ears and then walk out, thanking the salesperson for his/her time, ... but not buying anything.
If you check my posts, you will see that I am a longstanding ARC fan, ... mainly because when I was a kid, ARC was the brand to get. So when I jumped into the audio waters in my later years, I stayed with ARC gear. That said, I stipulate upfront that there many, many fine brands of gear on the market today and that there are many good brands to choose from.
I do not know what your budget is. However, if you like your ARC VSi 55, then why not pick up another ARC integrated amp? I think the ARC VSi75 is still in production. According to the ARCDB website (www.arcdb.com) , the VSi75 MSRP is (was) $8K, but maybe you can pick up a preowned unit for less.
The ARCDB website says that the VSi75 was issued in 2013. I have no clue if ARC will replace it in the near future. But, ... following millercarbon's advice, if you like your VSi55, why not do some research on the VSi75.
BTW, the VSi75 was issued with KT-120 tubes, which in my experience were a big improvement over the 6550 tubes that the VSi55 uses. I do not know if ARC approved the use of KT-120 or KT-150 tubes in the VSi55. I understand that the VSi55 was issued with 6550 tubes. But if KT-120 or KT-150 tubes are approved for the VSi55, you may be quite surprised by the SQ improvement all around. Check with ARC customer service if these tubes can be dropped into the VSi55.
As regards KT-150 tubes, per the ARC website, you may find interesting that:
Good luck!
Bruce
I agree 100% with millercarbon's approach to buying gear. There are not a lot of brick and mortar stores around anymore. And as I have gotten older, I am uncomfortable sitting in someone's showroom for hours and hours to educate my ears and then walk out, thanking the salesperson for his/her time, ... but not buying anything.
If you check my posts, you will see that I am a longstanding ARC fan, ... mainly because when I was a kid, ARC was the brand to get. So when I jumped into the audio waters in my later years, I stayed with ARC gear. That said, I stipulate upfront that there many, many fine brands of gear on the market today and that there are many good brands to choose from.
I do not know what your budget is. However, if you like your ARC VSi 55, then why not pick up another ARC integrated amp? I think the ARC VSi75 is still in production. According to the ARCDB website (www.arcdb.com) , the VSi75 MSRP is (was) $8K, but maybe you can pick up a preowned unit for less.
The ARCDB website says that the VSi75 was issued in 2013. I have no clue if ARC will replace it in the near future. But, ... following millercarbon's advice, if you like your VSi55, why not do some research on the VSi75.
BTW, the VSi75 was issued with KT-120 tubes, which in my experience were a big improvement over the 6550 tubes that the VSi55 uses. I do not know if ARC approved the use of KT-120 or KT-150 tubes in the VSi55. I understand that the VSi55 was issued with 6550 tubes. But if KT-120 or KT-150 tubes are approved for the VSi55, you may be quite surprised by the SQ improvement all around. Check with ARC customer service if these tubes can be dropped into the VSi55.
As regards KT-150 tubes, per the ARC website, you may find interesting that:
The VSi75 was released with KT120 output tubes. A running production change was made switching to the KT150 output tube and lowering the main board to accommodate the height of the taller KT150s in the tube cage. For customers using the VSi75 without the tube cage, no change is necessary to use the KT150 output tube.In my experience, KT-150 tubes made a really big SQ improvement over KT-120 tubes and most definitely over 6550 tubes. Another advantage is that you can use an ARC amp with KT-150 tubes to heat your room! :)
Good luck!
Bruce