Audio Research VSi55 Tube Rolling

I would recommend that you contact Dave Gordon at Audio Research--he is a great guy and a real industry veteran who could be an invaluable resource for you.

lrsky

I've got a VSi55, and would like some tube recommendations...rather than start a whole new thread, let's resurrect this thread after an 8 year hibernation...

Lots has happened since 2006...KT120s have been introduced to the mix (and fully compatible with the VSi55), and the KT150 (about which ARC is still mum regarding compatibility, and I have followed the other KT150 threads here but didn't want to hijack them), and I think the introduction of the reissue Gold Lion KT88s is a relatively new thing as well.

Has anyone done A/B comparisons between the 6550WE and/or the 6550 Winged C vs. KT120? Or maybe found a newer KT88 variant they liked better than anything else?

My VSi55 is in a smallish living room, powering a pair of Proac D2, and I listen to everything but country...from 80s rock to bossa nova to Charlie Haden to Yo Yo Ma, so I'd prefer a tube with a balanced presentation (rather than one that favors midrange presentation, for example).

Thanks in advance!

If you can still find winged C 6550's don't use them. The last of the production was not reliable. Apparently the plant burned down and are no longer available.

Bcgator
I've got a VSi55, and would like some tube recommendations...rather than start a whole new thread, let's resurrect this thread after an 8 year hibernation...

Lots has happened since 2006...KT120s have been introduced to the mix (and fully compatible with the VSi55), and the KT150 (about which ARC is still mum regarding compatibility, and I have followed the other KT150 threads here but didn't want to hijack them), and I think the introduction of the reissue Gold Lion KT88s is a relatively new thing as well.

Unless that ARC amp was designed for KT-120s I would just plug and play. Call ARC and verify the new design KT-120 is compatible without modifications.

Hifigeek1
If you can still find winged C 6550's don't use them. The last of the production was not reliable. Apparently the plant burned down and are no longer available.

The plant did get destroyed but there are some of us with a supply of Wing C tubes from years ago. I bought about 200 of them several years ago and still have 55 or 57 of them matched and new in box,

The Wing C is the best sounding modern KT-88/6550 there was (in my opinion).

Above should read unless that ARC amp was designed for KT-120, I would not just plug and play.