Advice on purchasing classics amplifiers.Which one

Any way you could demo them? That's the best way to decide. Without hearing them, I would put my money on the VTL's.

Hard to know what you like or what your system needs to sound the way you want it to. Depends on what you want to get out of your system - how you want your system to sound etc...Totally your call. Good luck!

I would probably agree with Fefer 77 and say VTL. However the ARC is an extremely good amp and very stable.

My guess is the ARC is a bit less of the classic tube sound if that helps your decision. You did not say what direction you wanted to take your ML's.

Try to find an Audio Research D 250 mk. II, it is a lot better. Actually one of the best ever made by ARC and it has really got a lot of power.

Beware of possible repairs lurking beneath the surface, esp. the transformers [as my VTLs required]. The VT is the easy choice if a modern design and execution is a parameter. But the 6550 is not the ideal output tube. Also avoid the Mk III bs, for which ARC is so famous. You'd think they'd get it right the first time. If I may, why the fealty to tubes? Good luck and let us know how you make out.

Jaguar1845, I would say that while the VTL amplifiers of 1980's vintage are not normally thought of as being unreliable, the build quality racheted up by leaps and bounds during the 1990's. Compare an amp of theirs from 1990 to one from 1996; night and day different.

For example, check out some of the circuit boards in some(not sure about this one) of their amps from this period. They are secured at one end, with a lot of parts on the other. It's a classic diving board effect, with the board flapping around when handled. It was corrected as time went by, and VTL products appear to offer great build quality. Also, the quality of wiring, soldering, and just everything in general related to the amplifier improved steadily for the better as new models and revisions were released.

In no way do I mean that this amplifier will not be reliable, but I have a friend who owned some VTL products, and always commented on how things had improved over the years from so - so to very, very good.

Based on that, my recommedation would go to either the Audio Research or the Conrad Johnson. Both are normally bulletproof. Which you decide on should come down to your taste, as these amps are very different in sound.

The Audio Research will not at all feature a classic tube sound. Rather, it will be fast, analytical, dry, and pretty neutral. In other words, it will sound much more like the Krell and Mark Levinson amps it is meant to compete with.

Conversely, the Conrad Johnson products of the 1980's are classic tube. They will be sunny, warm, and romantic. If you are looking for tube sound, it will definitely be the CJ. Bass will be more loose than the AR, and the treble will be more restrained.

I know which I would pick, but your decision can only be made by you.

ps - Based on your list of amps/price range/vintage, I would also look around for a VAC amplifier. Excellent quality stuff, with sound that really special. I have really liked my encounters with the Vintage Hi - Power amp.
GOOD LUCK!

I need an amplifier that could produce the bass slam that the Monolith II are noted for, coupled with a fine mid range and highs. I play Jazz, rock and R&B music. This should help in your advice. I cannot stand to listen to an amplifier that does not have the bass slam, but must also perform on the rest of the audio range.
Also the AR VT-100Mk2 at 100 wpc, I believe is not enough for CD's with extended low frequency music. Back to the topic, and with the information I have provided which would you recommend? Again thanks to mall for your iformative suggestions. Audiogon is truly a great place.

...looks like you definitely need either sub or >=200W/ch amp even tube.

First, try to get the price down for VTLs.
Be ready for surprises using 14y.o. equipment or the dealer check-up and replacement of old aged parts is highly recommended in this case to avoid more serious troubles.
In general VTLs built like a tank and never break but to ensure yourself you shouldn't take chances.

Forget about used 15y.o. CJ that can bring too much "surprises"

Another great option you might research especially for jazz and R&B is Jole Electra VAMP integrated hybrid amplifier with MOSFET output that could even cost bellow 2k used and has extra preamp outs for bi-amplification if needed.

If bass is a priority you might want to consider one of the newer sweet solid state designs like the CJ MF series, Gamut or Plinius. Reliable and within your price range.

PERREAUX 250P
Asking $1875.00 obo
New Retail $4500.00
Condition 8/10
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Ship from 60 lbs from Canada, British Columbia
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Description
Amp is 3yrs old .
Shipping via DHL Air From My Location to San Diego California is around $75 U.S.
Reference Dual Channel -
The PERREAUX 250 is a high quality reference dual channel 250 watt power
amplifier incorporating dual mono power supply topology and balanced input
circuitry.
Power output : 250 watts per channel
Inputs : Balanced and unbalanced
Dimensions : 482mm W x 195mm H x 520mm D
Colour : Black
1 x Dual RCA Inputs
1 x Dual Balanced Inputs
2 x Parallelled Output Terminals Per Channel
# Features

Dual Power Supplies
Mos-Fet Output Stage
Very High Power Output & Current Capability
Multiple Protection Systems
Driver Stages Running In Class A - Output Stage Running In Sliding
Class A/B
Soft Start Providing Delayed Power On and Instant Off
# Specifications

Continuous Power (Watts RMS per Channel) 20Hz - 20kHz, @ 8 Ohms / @
4 Ohms: 250 / 450 Watts
Total Harmonic Distortion Worst Case, Prior to Clipping @ 8 Ohms:
0.02%
Frequency Deviation 20Hz - 20kHz: ±0.25dB
Hum & Noise 20Hz - 20kHz, Referenced to Rated Output: -100dB
Dynamic Headroom, Conservatively Rated with Music: 2dB
Current Output Capability Per Channel: 60A
Damping Factor Minimum 20Hz to 1KHz: 700
Input Impedance Normal / Balanced: 12k / 20k Ohms
Input Sensitivity Normal / Balanced: 1.35 / .67 Volts

jag,I have a pair of monolith 111, which I love,I am powering them with a conrad johnson mf 2200 power amp, it puts out a very sweet and powerfull 200 watts per channel, on the bass, I am using a pair of nht sa3 sub amps with a solid 250 watts per channel, you can get cj right now on audiogon for 725 and the nht amps for about 350 each,the combo is fantastic belive me Ive been around the block a couple of times and this combo is special. good luck,null1