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ARC VS-115 vs ARC Ref-110

In light of ARC rolling out the new Ref-150 and discontinuing the old Ref-110, I am thinking about stepping up from the ARC VS-115 to the ARC Ref-110. Some prior Forum comments have said that the VS-115 is roughly 85+% of the sonic quality of the Ref-110. The cost of making the change is approximately $2+K.

Has anyone who has critically A/B'd the two amps in a position to opine whether it's worth the bucks? Check my system thread for a description of my other components. The alternative is to wait for the Ref-150 to hit the secondary market and make a jump from the VS-115 to the Ref-150.

Thanks for the advice.
bifwynne
7 responses Add your response
hifigeek1
770 posts
 
I don't know if you really gain all that much. Sonically I'm sure there will be some improvements. The bigger step would be to go to the Ref-150.
lostbears's avatar
lostbears
538 posts
 


I own a Ref 110 and it is much better than the VS 115. I have not heard the new Ref 150 so I can't comment on it. So far my dealer does not have a demo. I would like to hear one but have no plans of replacing my Ref 110 in the near future. I do plan on using kt120 tubes on my next retube. I would also like to compare a Ref 110 using the kt120 tubes with the Ref 150.

It will probably be a while before you can find a used Ref 150 at a reasonable price.
bifwynne OP
2,206 posts
 
Lostbears, have you actually had the opportunity to critically compare the VS-115 and Ref 110. If so, in what ways does the 110 do a better job than the 115. BTW, I changed out the 6550C tubes for the KT-120s. BIG difference for the better.
lostbears's avatar
lostbears
538 posts
 

I did not have both amps in my system at the same time. I heard the Ref 110 a couple weeks after the VS 115. I owned a VT 100 mk3 at the time and was looking to upgrade. I took home a demo VS 115 for a weekend. A few weeks later my dealer said that he had a used Ref 110 that the original owner was trading in. I had not borrowed a Ref 110 because it was a bit out of my price range. When I heard the Ref 110 in my system I was just amazed at how good it was. It had this rightness that my VT 100 mk3 did not have. When I had the VS 115 in my system I did not get that same feeling.
bifwynne OP
2,206 posts
 
Lostbears, sorry for the late thank you. Since we traded posts, I spoke with a local ARC dealer. He advised me to wait for the Ref 150 to hit the used market. As an aside, I've kept an eye on the A'gon ARC "for sale listings" and casually observe that the prices for used Ref 110s are hovering in the low $6ks, which is a bit lower than usual.

I wish the amps weren't so da*n heavy because I would like to audition the Ref 110 and one day the Ref 150 at home. Even hauling my amp to the dealer is a major PITA.
hifigeek1
770 posts
 
As I said in an earlier post. It's worth the wait. The Ref150 is the way to go.
bifwynne OP
2,206 posts
 
Gary, you were right. I finally made the jump to the Ref 150. Extremely pleased. Having said that, I think the VS-115 is a great amp. Other than a blown bias resister or two, never gave me a problem. And it really sounded good. But the Ref 150 is better.
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