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Advice on Repairs for Audio Research VT100 Mk II

Hi everyone,

I purchased a second-hand Audio Research VT100 Mk II for about EUR 2,500. After about 1 month, the fan died, which turned out to be faulty resistors near the fan. After about 6 months, there were some loud pops, and two more resistors were blown near one of the power tubes.

I sent it to the authorised Audio Research repair shop here in Germany and they quoted me the following for the repair work:

  • Replacing 10 Resistors 43100004 (at EUR 2.00 per resistor)
  • Replacing 10 Resistors 43100208 (at EUR 7.50 per resistor)
  • Replacing 8 6550 Tubes with J.J. Tubes (at EUR 20.50 per tube)
  • Replacing 8 6922 Tubes with J.J. Tubes (at EUR 83.95 per tube)
  • 13 hours of labour (at EUR 75 per hour).

For a total of EUR 1,905,60 plus 19% VAT, i.e. EUR 2,267. I pushed back and asked if really all of the tubes needed replacing and they said yes. I also pushed back on the price of EUR 83.95 per tube for the 6922 and they said that these tubes needed to be matched and therefore the costs include labour, shipping, and tuning/matching of the tubes.

Does that seem like a fair price for the work? I’m of course reluctant to spend on repairs what I’ve already spent for the amp itself. I’m fine with the price of the resistors, 6550 tubes, and labour but the price for the 6992 tubes seems too high. On the JJ Tubes website, these tubes sell for about EUR 20 a piece and they do not even offer matched sets of 6992. Do the 6992 input tubes really need to be matched?

Any advice or comments is much appreciated.

Thanks, Edward

edward78

Showing 2 responses by cleeds

cleeds
6,139 posts
 
edward78

... As to the burden if an issue comes up later, the shop will bear this burden for only 6 months, which is the guarantee they’re offering. It’s better than nothing, but not exactly confidence inspiring ... this amp already feels like a liability ...

Six months is actually a reasonable warranty for used equipment repair, especially for vacuum tube gear.

I’m sorry for your grief but it sounds like tube gear may not be for you. @jea48 may be right that the best thing for you to do is move on.

cleeds
6,139 posts
 

It's a fact of life that most tube amplifiers require periodic maintenance and ARC is no exception. I don't think it makes sense to quibble with your tech any more than it makes sense to quibble with your mechanic. Some ARC owners are comfy swapping their own tubes and replacing resistors themselves and that's a fair approach. But once someone is selected to do the job, they should be paid for the work they specify. That way, if there's an issue later, the burden is on them. And at the same time, you've shown them the respect they deserve. If you want the work done cheaper, you're free to take it elsewhere.

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