Audio Research VT 100 MK III vs. VS55

It sounds like the amp may be due for a re-tube. I try and tell people that no one ever sells a used amp with new tubes in it. If the amp sounds a bit diffuse,smeared, it might be time.

I have a VT100 mk3 and it images very well. I am using it with a Ref5, and feel in now way that it is limiting the performance of the preamp. I have owned a Ref110 previously, sold it, and really don't miss it with the mk3 around... It is completely silent in use, very transparent, and very "musical". I love it. Perhaps you need a retube on yours?

I am using an old VT100 mk II with a new LS17 and the sound was a bit “soft” or “closed” in the beginning. But it turned out, that the old tubes had a lot of hours on them and after changing both input- and output tubes in the VT100, the sound changed (after running the tubes in) and now I am very happy with the soundstaging. I find the LS17 and the VT100 mk II to interact well and I guess using the mk III should not be that different.

My loudspeakers do not provide at very broad soundstage, but it is deep and with a clear definition of instruments and voices. It is quite revealing and changes in cabling and source is quite “visible”. I use the 8 ohm tap and balanced cabling.

The only difference is some minor changes with circuit topology with the mkIII. The mkIII's front end is much easier to set up.