2. amps-preamps
  3. 1221802840

audio research vt 200 mk II vs the vt 200

HI, I AM NEW TO AUDIOGON, SO PLEASE BARE WITH ME.I RECENTLY PURCHASED A USED ARC REF 2 MKII. PREAMP. I AUDITIONED IT WITH A SET OF ARC REF 210'S. THE SOUND WAS FANTASTIC. WHEN I GOT HOME I INSERTED THE REF 2 MK II INTO IT,S NEW HOME ON MY AUDIO RACK. I TURNED THE SYSTEM ON TO HEAT UP BEFORE SETTLING INTO WHAT I THOUGHT WOULD BE MUSICAL BLISS ,BUT THE MAGIC WAS GONE. MY PRESENT AMP IS SOLID STATE .THE MARK LEVENSON 332.IT SOUNDS OK, BUT A SMALLER SOUND STAGE. ANY WAY, MY QUESTIONS ARE (1), WHICH AMP IS THE MOST RELIABLE, THE VT 200, OR THE VT 200 MK II. AND (2)HOW DOES THE REF 2 MK II, SOUND PAIRED WITH THESE AMPS. I WOULD LIKE TO RECAPTURE THAT SOUND I HEARD WHEN I AUDITIONED THE REF 2MK II . THE NEW ARC REF AMPS ARE NOT AN OPTION, DUE TO PRICE. PLEASE HELP !!
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sjsanders
4 posts
 
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.
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jion OP
4 posts
 
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
sjsanders
4 posts
 
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.
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jion OP
4 posts
 
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
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