Thread: arc vs115 wow

hmmm, a nice 120w stereo amp would look great on the bottom shelf of my rack in between the snapper!!!
can someone blow this pic up, please . i havent figured that out yet.thx!!!!

The VS115 revisits the classic look of the VS110 with its open architecture and natural anodized top plate – now more ventilated for better heat dissipation. Drawing upon the successful REF110 input stage design, the VS115 uses a FET input with two 6H30 triodes in each channel for gain and as a cathode follower-driver for the 6550C-equipped output stage. This allows both balanced and single-ended connections in a true differential topology yielding a much wider power bandwidth (110kHz in contrast to 40kHz for the VS110). There is a new power transformer, and power output from the four matched pair of 6550C output tubes is 120WPC, providing excellent drive and control. Bias test points for each output tube are located on the rear panel, along with a 12V trigger which allows remote turn-on. A heavy 20-amp IEC detachable cord conducts the A.C. supply.

While the VS115 physically resembles the discontinued VS110, sonically it is in another league. The VS115 immediately makes clear its wider power bandwidth with more speed, top-end air, improved resolution and more articulate, impactful bass. Textures and timbres are finely rendered and silky-smooth, with the grainless resolution of which only our Reference series amps have previously been capable. In short, the new VS115 is highly engaging, musically rewarding and an unparalleled performer at its price. For the music lover who wants the best attributes of tubes in both style and performance, the VS115 is a new amplifier that will be impossible to resist.

Did you buy this?

Looks sweet!

Not yet , but I'm thinking on it. I'd like to start running tests against the snappers and see which is better. Got a few I been thinking about.

I really like the new ARC gear, but the snappers are hard to beat. Very interesting.

I was looking at that amp. It looks really nice. I bet the Snappers are slightly warmer. I love tubes

Once you are in ARC gear is hard to get out
Unless you are Big Mike
But I have faith he will repent for his sins

Nice!

It reminds me of my old vk60. But somehow is twice as powerful.
Technology is amazing.

Steve, you need to take a step back buddy. Like Joe said in that other thread - Focus! You're going through withdrawals. In a couple of weeks you'll be getting your new table/arm/cart set up. You should be scouring the 'net for new vinyl to play on that sweet rig. Once everything is in house and set up (don't you have new speakers coming too?) you'll melt into the couch and be in your happy place beyond the warm glow of those snappers.

Snap out of it! (pun intended!)

Lmao!!!!!! You notice? I'm feeling out of sync. With this new gear very close but not here, I can't get stereo off the brain. Everyday I find something else I want. Lol!!!
But seriously a high powered stereo amp would actually save me money. Because then I won't have to buy SET amps and super efficient speakers lol!!!!
Anyway Friday its off to Princeton record exchange. For a new stack of records.
I'm looking for monos too . I don't think I'm going to make it more than a week without ordering a new headshell and cadenza mono cartridge from Jeff. Once that table gets here....Hahahaha!!!

My vote goes for ARC and well the speakers Venere 3.0

Originally Posted by iamhifi

My vote goes for ARC and well the speakers Venere 3.0

By looking at the sweet equipment in your sig, I'm sure that's the way you'd vote. Lol!!
Took me awhile to get into the manley family. Now I want in the arc family too. I plan on keeping both anyway. Maybe veneer/ snapper
Magico s1/vs115 combos would be nice!!!

I like it an ARC that doesn't look like an ARC

I've had a VS110 for over 6 years, a steal for the price. Musical and warmish in signature, not the most revealing amp but certainly very musical. Very mid frequency friendly with rolloff in the high and low frequency. The VS115 has slightly better resolution with more dynamics than the 110. In my case it wasn't worth going from the 110 to the 115 though. Both prefer the KT120 tubes btw. I replaced it to have more resolution and less maintenance, had over 50 tubes to maintain then. New amp is in a different league but for the price the VS110 was pretty amazing, I do recommend strongly.

Originally Posted by gooch

I like it an ARC that doesn't look like an ARC

That's why I like it . Arc gear is all pretty awesome, but the looks of it have always"yaaaaaaawwwwnnnnnn" bored me. Lol!!!!

Originally Posted by RedSectorA

I've had a VS110 for over 6 years, a steal for the price. Musical and warmish in signature, not the most revealing amp but certainly very musical. Very mid frequency friendly with rolloff in the high and low frequency. The VS115 has slightly better resolution with more dynamics than the 110. In my case it wasn't worth going from the 110 to the 115 though. Both prefer the KT120 tubes btw. I replaced it to have more resolution and less maintenance, had over 50 tubes to maintain then. New amp is in a different league but for the price the VS110 was pretty amazing, I do recommend strongly.

Thanks for that, I've had several amps with kt88, and now with el34's(which I'm really liking)
I'd like to try something new to me ,like the 120's in my next amp.

Originally Posted by Petro85

That's why I like it . Arc gear is all pretty awesome, but the looks of it have always"yaaaaaaawwwwnnnnnn" bored me. Lol!!!!

Thanks for that, I've had several amps with kt88, and now with el34's(which I'm really liking)
I'd like to try something new to me ,like the 120's in my next amp.

KT120's are standard in the vs115.

Originally Posted by CR141

KT120's are standard in the vs115.

This is my first time with KT120's are I am loving what I am hearing right now. The tone of an EL34 with the balls to drive anything.

Originally Posted by CR141

KT120's are standard in the vs115.

Originaly came with 6550, now upgraded to Kt's.

Nice I was originally looking for a 211 amp , that's when I saw the coincident amp. Figured it was something new to me.
But I think the 120's are more for me. As joe said some power to drive anything.
I like that!!

I been reading about them both , I haven't heard either. But I think your right . For a little more money the ref 150 is pretty nice.
But the vs115 would still look really cool sitting in between my manley snappers.
I would sure save on gas bill this winter

I really like my VS110 and to my ears, prefer it to the VS115 which seems a bit more analytical than the VS110 which it replaced. Both are great amps and you just cannot go wrong with ARC!

Jim

Late response, but this post is for the benefit of anyone interested in picking up a VS-115 amp. The VS-115 used to be my amp for many years. I since moved up the ARC food chain to the Ref 150 SE. ARC has discontinued making the VS-115.

But if someone is interested in getting into a top flight tube amp, the VS-115 would be a great choice. I think it is a musical, great sounding amp. As regards reliability, other than the rare burned bias resister caused by a tube arc, never had a problem.

My only other caveat is that occasionally a Ref 110 amp comes up for sale. If the price delta is not to large, I'd opt for the Ref 110.

Btw, the KT-120 power tube is a drop in for both amp. IMO, KT-120s are a much better sounding tube than the old stock 6550 "Winged Cs."

Bruce

I owned the ARC VS-115 and it is a very nice sounding amp. It cost me a bicep tendon when I shipped it, so if I had it to do over again, I would never have sold it.

Mep, I see that you now own the Ref 75. Any comments about how the Ref 75 compares to the VS-115?? Did you ever get around to using KT-120s in the VS-115?

Btw, here's an fyi. ARC has approved the use of KT-150s in the Ref 75. Based on my experience with my Ref 150 (before SE upgrade), I think the KT-150s effected a big improvement. So if you haven't already road tested the KT-150s in your Ref 75, something to think about. BIF

Originally Posted by Bifwynne

Mep, I see that you now own the Ref 75. Any comments about how the Ref 75 compares to the VS-115?? Did you ever get around to using KT-120s in the VS-115?

Btw, here's an fyi. ARC has approved the use of KT-150s in the Ref 75. Based on my experience with my Ref 150 (before SE upgrade), I think the KT-150s effected a big improvement. So if you haven't already road tested the KT-150s in your Ref 75, something to think about. BIF

I ran my VS-115 with the KT-120 tubes. I'm running my Ref 75 with the KT-150 tubes. I have been a big fan of the KT-150 tubes since I first heard them in the Raven Silhouette monoblock amps that I reviewed some time ago. It's hard for me to tell you the difference in sound between the Ref 75 and the VS-115 if for no other reason that I did not own the Ref 5SE at the time I owned the VS-115. I will just say I'm proud to own the Ref 75 and I would not consider going back to the VS-115.

I hear ya Mep. Btw, you might want to give a thought to having ARC do the SE factory upgrade. It includes a fresh retube plus proprietary circuitry changes. The Ref 75 SE upgrade will not cost you another bicep tendon.

Oregonpapa, a fellow Audiogon member, moved up the ARC food chain from a Ref 75 to a new Ref 75 SE. He's posted quite a few comments about the change. I think he fell in love with his Ref 75 SE and wants to elope ... with his amp.

Btw, Marc Mickelson posted side bar comments about the Ref 75 SE in Roy Gregory's recent September 19th TAB review of the ARC Ref 150 SE. MM bought the Ref 75 SE and wrote "[i]f you can live with its 75Wpc and balanced inputs (and you have a $10,000 budget), I don't know of a better amp -- tube or solid state."

Originally Posted by Bifwynne

I hear ya Mep. Btw, you might want to give a thought to having ARC do the SE factory upgrade. It includes a fresh retube plus proprietary circuitry changes. The Ref 75 SE upgrade will not cost you another bicep tendon.

Oregonpapa, a fellow Audiogon member, moved up the ARC food chain from a Ref 75 to a new Ref 75 SE. He's posted quite a few comments about the change. I think he fell in love with his Ref 75 SE and wants to elope ... with his amp.

Btw, Marc Mickelson posted side bar comments about the Ref 75 SE in Roy Gregory's recent September 19th TAB review of the ARC Ref 150 SE. MM bought the Ref 75 SE and wrote "[i]f you can live with its 75Wpc and balanced inputs (and you have a $10,000 budget), I don't know of a better amp -- tube or solid state."

It's still not clear to me what ARC changes out besides adding the KT-150 tubes. The power transformer and output transformers remain unchanged. I asked ARC about the changes, but they are remaining very tight-lipped about what they are really changing out.

AUDIO RESEARCH REFERENCE 75SE STEREO POWER AMPLIFIER



http://www.hifiplus.com/articles/aud...wer-amplifier/

Originally Posted by joeinid

AUDIO RESEARCH REFERENCE 75SE STEREO POWER AMPLIFIER



http://www.hifiplus.com/articles/aud...wer-amplifier/

Thanks Joe, but Alan doesn't really shed any light on what's been changed out besides the KT-150s. I swapped out to the KT-150s in my Ref 75 some time ago and have been enjoying what they bring to the table. I suspect that Alan is hearing what the KT-150s do for the Ref 75. No doubt they are better sounding than the very good KT-120 tubes.

Originally Posted by mep

Thanks Joe, but Alan doesn't really shed any light on what's been changed out besides the KT-150s. I swapped out to the KT-150s in my Ref 75 some time ago and have been enjoying what they bring to the table. I suspect that Alan is hearing what the KT-150s do for the Ref 75. No doubt they are better sounding than the very good KT-120 tubes.

Agreed, I wonder how the GS series differs as well. These seems to be more confusion now than ever. I'm confused and am also tempted to try ARC gear.

MEP,

What you say is true ... the circuitry aspects of the SE upgrade are a mystery to me too. I got the same explanation when I spoke to Kal before opting to have ARC do the SE upgrade to my Ref 150. Here's a couple of thoughts and observations.

First, Kal told me that the Ref 150 SE SQ is very close to the SQ of the GS 150. Kal mentioned that the Ref 150 SE upgrade incorporates many (most) of the circuitry enhancements made to the GS 150. If you have any interest in continuing your investigation, I suggest you ask Kal to confirm for yourself what he told me. The relevance to the Ref 75 SE is that the same genre of circuit changes made to the Ref 150 SE no doubt are being made to the Ref 75 SE. Here again, ask Kal.

Second, there one or two published reviews of the GS 150. The reviewer(s), as I recall, thought the GS 150 was a better sounding amp than the Ref 150 (not SE). You should be able to find the review(s) by checking the ARC web site or doing a web search. The take-a-way is that if the same circuit changes made to the GS 150 were indeed incorporated into the Ref 150 SE, and presumably, the Ref 75 SE, then you have additional corroborative date to confirm that the mystery changes are not snake oil.

Third. Take a look at Oregonpapa's Ref 75 SE comments on Audiogon. He just became engaged with his Ref 75 SE and plans to elope. Another set of data points to consider.

Next to Last. Take a look at Marc Mickelson's side bar comments in Roy Gregory's September 19th review of the Ref 150 SE. I think I quoted MM's comments above. I think RG would like the Ref 75 SE better than the Ref 150 SE because the "75" has beautiful front analogue meters. SIC

Last point. Almost forget. ARC did the SE upgrade to my Ref 150. I think the amp sounds a lot better.

I am sure that whatever you decide will be a win-win. Good luck.

Bruce

Bruce,

Do you remember and can tell me what speakers Oregonpapa is using? I forget.

Thanks!