2. amps-preamps
  3. 1159138051

ARC VT100MkII

I'd appreciate if any of the VT100MkII owners can share their thoughts about this amp.

I am considering this amplifier.
It will be run via balanced cables with the rest of my ARC components - LS-25MkI preamp and CD3MkII cd player.

Cabling is Acoustic Zen Silver RefII from CD3MkII to LS-25 and Matrix RefII from LS-25 to amp. Speaker cables are Acoustic Zen Satori Shotgun.

Questions I have about the VT100MkII amp:
1) What is its sonic signature? Is it relaxed, laid back, forward?

2) How hot does this amplifier get?

3) How audible is the fan noise from about 7-8 feet away at low volume listening?

4) Will it manage to drive my B&W N803 speakers?

5)Any issues such as reliability aside from re-tubing?

I listen mostly to rock, blues, jazz and some classical. I like natural, dynamic presentation, but not harsh, analytical or forward sounding. Imaging and soundstaging is important. Good bass is a MUST.

I have listened to this amplifier before and the only think I remember is that I really liked it but it was long time ago and it was driving speakers that are easier on amplifiers than my N803s are.

Thanks very much for your thoughts!
audphile1

Showing 2 responses by steveaudio

steveaudio
331 posts
 
I owned a VT100MkII for a few years, & used it with my b&w M802 SIII speakers. The VT100MkII is a great amp, but I found it didn't have quite enough power to make the 802's sound their best. Weak or muddled bass was one problem. I finally sold it, & bought a C-J MF2500A SS amp that really brought the 802's to life.

I think with the more hard-to-drive b&w's, tubed amps are not the way to go. Unless you could afford something like a VT200 maybe (?), or the larger VTL monos, but, there are a lot of nice SS amps available for a lot less $$.

Oh, I used the VT100MkII with Merlin speakers also; that was a nice combination.
steveaudio
331 posts
 
Audphile1, I don't know how much more difficult the M802's are to drive than the N803's. I've owned several sets of b&w's tho. With my M802's, I was usually thinking, TWO VT100MKII's might be the ticket.

I did re-tube my VT100 myself once, & almost electrocuted myself--I got zapped, but good (you have to bias it with the amp turned on). I think I got a quote of $500 + shipping each way to have ARC do it.

If you want a tubed power amp, & don't mind schlepping it/paying for retubing when the time comes, would a larger amp, or monos, be a possibility? Just with the larger, floor-standing b&w's, I'm thinking, 100 wpc? I dunno.

Just my 2 cents, good luck, steve
More to discover