Wish you could just hear both of them in your system, there's no better way.
Since you can't I'll offer my 2 cents worth, I've heard both brands fairly often
over the years. I would prefer the VAC amplifier by a comfortable margin.
Based on my hearing the VAC Phi is fuller of body and tone and more
complete sounding and has very good resolution and transparency. The
reproduction of instruments and voice is better i.e. realistic, involving and
convincing. This type of presentation I find more natural and emotionally
engaging. The ARC at least to me are leaner, drier and thinner in
comparison. Some may consider them higher resolution but I
disagree.They have what I hear as a more traditional transistor character
which
obviously will appeal to some depending on personal taste and objectives.
The VAC equipment has high quality parts and very stout power supplies in
general. The 200 Phi uses the same premium output transformers as the
300.1 sibling, probably why the 200 Phi weighs a hefty 90 pounds vs 47
pounds for the REF 75.I not suggesting that weight means everything but
good transformers matter significantly in tube amplifiers.
Regards,
Since you can't I'll offer my 2 cents worth, I've heard both brands fairly often
over the years. I would prefer the VAC amplifier by a comfortable margin.
Based on my hearing the VAC Phi is fuller of body and tone and more
complete sounding and has very good resolution and transparency. The
reproduction of instruments and voice is better i.e. realistic, involving and
convincing. This type of presentation I find more natural and emotionally
engaging. The ARC at least to me are leaner, drier and thinner in
comparison. Some may consider them higher resolution but I
disagree.They have what I hear as a more traditional transistor character
which
obviously will appeal to some depending on personal taste and objectives.
The VAC equipment has high quality parts and very stout power supplies in
general. The 200 Phi uses the same premium output transformers as the
300.1 sibling, probably why the 200 Phi weighs a hefty 90 pounds vs 47
pounds for the REF 75.I not suggesting that weight means everything but
good transformers matter significantly in tube amplifiers.
Regards,