audio research vt 200 mk II vs the vt 200

I have listened to lots of ARC amps and preamps; in my opinion the VT200 is one of the all-time best values in ARCs amp history. At $3k or less for a unit in 8 or 9 condition it is a great amp. The VT200 has authoritative low end - deep and tight; it has open and airy midrange and highs; great definition throughout but not analytic; it has excellent imaging. I can't say for sure, but I bet it is more musical than the VT200 MkII. If you buy a VT200 for 3k or less in good shape you should be able to get virtually all of your investment back if you don't like it, but it would be hard to imagine not enjoying how this amp sounds. It is heavy and will put out some heat and it will take up some space - it ships in a very manageable carton - but hopefully you won't have to ship it anywhere too often. If you can manage the size, heat, etc. you will like the VT200, I predict.

I have a VT 200 MkII and cannot fault it other than the heat it produces (only a problem in the summer in SoCal) and the aforementioned cooling fan noise if you sit within 10 feet of it (I have not tried switching it to low speed either). It is an incredible amp. On hand I have an extensively modified McCormack DNA-1 modified by the builder himself and a pair of Manley 300B/SE/PP monoblocks so I can compare it to some pretty good sounding gear. The fan is not at all intrusive, but in a very quiet listening room, you will hear it between tracks.

The MkII is a "faster" amp than the MkI sounding cleaner and affording more detail because of it. There is better attack and cleaner transients. The cost of upgrading a MkI to a MkII is pretty steep and costs alot more than the price difference between the two amps on the used market.

Hi,thanks to all my AUDIOGON responders.Thanks to Dbarger, for the clarification of model # in the comparisons between the VT100 series, and the VT200 series. HI_hifi, thanks for your vote of confidence in the vt200. Sjsanders,Thankyou, for your first hand knowledge and feedback on the VT200 MKII. I have a question.
Does the VT200 MKII sound bright in any way due to jfets
used at the front end, or is it smooth sounding , due to
the out put tubes? Thanks again, for the much needed feed back.
JION

I am not bothered by brightness in my system except on certain poorly recorded CDs, but associated components obviously have a great affect on this especially your source components. It certainly doesn't sound warm and fat either, but if you equate smooth with musical, then yes. I am a big fan of this amp's "sound." It is probably more neutral than the other components in the chain, a Hovland HP-100 and JM Labs Mezzo Utopia speakers. It probably sounds more like my modified McCormack, but with greater bass authority and midrange transparency, than it does to the 300B Manley run with minimal or no negative feedback dialed in which is has punchy bass and a definite tubey midrange quality which is killer on vocals. I would think of the AR as a pretty neutral amp with gobs of power and still very musical.

Hi to all. I recently purchased a ARC VT 200 MKII .Sjsanders described it perfectly. For me it's a perfect match for the ARC REF 2 MK II pre amp.I have listened to
cd via MARK LEVINSON 39 player. No poorly recorded cds allowed. THE MUSIC SOUNDS REAL, the speakers just dissapear.I can almost reach out and touch Patrica Barber's piano. ( I HEARD IT ON NPR HDCD )
For me this is the best.
THANKS to all who took the time to respond.
All the best