Buy tubes from Audio Research or not

The advantage to buying ARC tubes include the 90day warranty, the fact that they have been burned in at voltage for 24hrs. so bias drifting is minimized, and are matched to the amp you need them for i.e. the biasing window of adjustment is optimized.

G

I am referring to output tubes only

G

The reason you blew a resistor is because an output tube arced. When this happens the others output tubes are not far behind. Therefore, it's to your advantage to replace all the output tubes since they all have the same amount of hours on them.

Yes. it's possible a resistor or resistors may have changed value. Usually when a tube arcs it takes out a resistor. If you feel the need, you might have a qualified technician make sure the resistors around the failed output tube still measure the proper resistance and that you have correct voltages at the tube socket. G

I had to repair a VS110 a few weeks ago. There not that bad to move if you have a friend handy. BTW I talk to ARC at least once a week and I tend to be a bit cautious with tube arcs etc. That being said, I understand you not wanting to shlepp your amp. I do make service calls for my customers when the need arises. Regarding the Crown DC300A, they are bomb proof.