ARC 100.2 opinions
- Thread starter MikeCh
- Start date
CDLehner
New member
I had a 300.2, before I replaced it with a DS-450 
- Thread Author
- #3
I had a 300.2, before I replaced it with a DS-450
Chris, I believe the 100.2 vs. 150.2 & 300.2 are different overall designs with the 150.2 and 300.2 being class T. Not sure if or where they'd differ sonically.
Jerome W
Active member
I have had a 100.2
Sweet and warm sounding amp. A bit like the MC501 sound if you know it. Clearly colored.
Perfectly able to drive 4 ohms loads.
With some speakers, an amp that one could keep for a long time.
Envoyé de mon iPhone à l'aide de Tapatalk
Sweet and warm sounding amp. A bit like the MC501 sound if you know it. Clearly colored.
Perfectly able to drive 4 ohms loads.
With some speakers, an amp that one could keep for a long time.
Envoyé de mon iPhone à l'aide de Tapatalk
highEndguy
New member
I also had the 100.2
Excellent amp
The best SS from that ARC era
Excellent amp
The best SS from that ARC era
CDLehner
New member
No shi...kidding? I always thought it was same series, different power. My bad :blush:
- Thread Author
- #8
The 100.2 amp arrived last week and I finally got it unpacked and installed this morning to replace the ARC D130 in my downstairs setup. Been listening for a little over six hours now.
Wow the 100.2 sounds beautiful! It's got a similar mid range beauty as the D130 (grain free and liquid) but with more punch, definition and control in the lower registers and the top end extension benefits from the same robust control too. Very dynamic and smooth with plenty of detail. Everything just sounds tighter with no slop or overhang.
The 100.2 does run a little warmer than the D130 in the same rack. I measured the temps below with a digital kitchen thermometer:
~~~~~~~~
Running for the past 5 hours in my room that was 67F to start, now 74F
100.2 WITHOUT FANS RUNNING:
118F - top of chassis
122F - heat sink close to chassis
100.2 WITH FANS RUNNING:
100F - top of chassis
108F - heat sink close to chassis
~~~~~~~~
I'm not opposed to running the small muffin fans as they are very quiet (rated around 20db / 26cfm +/-) and they work well to circulate the air. But if I don't have to, I'd rather not.
Is 122F degrees at the heat sink fins too high to be safe for the 100.2?
Wow the 100.2 sounds beautiful! It's got a similar mid range beauty as the D130 (grain free and liquid) but with more punch, definition and control in the lower registers and the top end extension benefits from the same robust control too. Very dynamic and smooth with plenty of detail. Everything just sounds tighter with no slop or overhang.
The 100.2 does run a little warmer than the D130 in the same rack. I measured the temps below with a digital kitchen thermometer:
~~~~~~~~
Running for the past 5 hours in my room that was 67F to start, now 74F
100.2 WITHOUT FANS RUNNING:
118F - top of chassis
122F - heat sink close to chassis
100.2 WITH FANS RUNNING:
100F - top of chassis
108F - heat sink close to chassis
~~~~~~~~
I'm not opposed to running the small muffin fans as they are very quiet (rated around 20db / 26cfm +/-) and they work well to circulate the air. But if I don't have to, I'd rather not.
Is 122F degrees at the heat sink fins too high to be safe for the 100.2?
- Thread Author
- #9
It would appear this is the normal running temperature. I've just taken to running the muffin fans if the amp will be powered up for six or more hours just to be safe.
Man this amplifier is just SUPER! Has all the delicate finesse and loads of reserves too. It mates very well with the Aesthetix line stage in balanced mode.
Man this amplifier is just SUPER! Has all the delicate finesse and loads of reserves too. It mates very well with the Aesthetix line stage in balanced mode.