AR VT80SE compated to Ref 75SE amp discussion

Jimbones,

As a big Quicksilver fan and owner here, I strongly recommend you consider the KT Monos. I have recently purchased a pair, and I can say that they are FANTASTIC sounding amps...musical, engaging, great bass, zero fatigue, and shockingly quiet. I also own Mono 120s and actually feel the KT Monos are every bit as great, plus they have the benefit of being able to use a variety of KT-based tubes. I'm running the stock Chinese 88s, and they simply sound marvelous. The one difference is that the Mono 120s allow for individual tube bias, while the KT Monos require a true matched pair of tubes, as the bias screw sums the bias for both tubes. Not saying AR isn't good, but I'd put my QSs up against them any day of the week.

Neither. Buy their latest designs. Most of the tube worries are gone now that they use fuses instead of diodes for protection.

I now have a pair of CJ Premiere 12's and also a NAD M23 for summer use

So, what was the verdict?

@cleeds

thanks for the add’l info - for years the arc’s entry level amps were run single ended, and the reference series ran balanced... this may have changed in the case of the more recent lines

i’m happy to be corrected re the balanced differential amplifier topology as it relates to the newish vt80 se -- perhaps after the op speaks to paragon and does his detailed research he can set us all straight once and for all

there is no doubt in recent years, arc designers have gotten 'religion' in terms of making the amps more flexible and user friendly for customers - witness the auto biasing, output tube fusing, rca and xlr availability for all models... nice, glad this day has arrived (and long overdue...)  :)

For decades Audio Research Amps only offered balanced inputs. The new Reference series now offers single ended, but recommends using balanced.

You can’t go wrong with either. Musical preference. For me, I am completely enthralled with the VT80. I may get one for my library with all this talk.

jjss49

... the vt80se doesn’t have balanced topology - they just give you one set of xlr inputs for convenience if you only have a balanced source, but the circuitry is not balanced ...

I think you are mistaken. ARC is noted for its differential amplifiers - even amps like the old D76 that had only single ended inputs were differential amplifiers.

If you check the VT80’s specs, you’ll see that the input Z is 300K ohms balanced but 150K ohms on the single ended inputs. That suggests a balanced amp to me.

seems like I cant go wrong with either one. I hate when companies install XLR on the equipment but dont install the required circuitry.

To me the VT80 really captures the magic of music… it also has the newer internal auto biasing circuits which are likely to have longer tube life. I was simply captivated by this amp when I first heard it. I really wanted to buy one the moment I heard it (but I already have an all ARC REF system). It is simply a beautiful sounding piece of equipment.

@jimbones

https://audioresearch.com/product/vt80se/

no, the vt80se doesn’t have balanced topology - they just give you one set of xlr inputs for convenience if you only have a balanced source, but the circuitry is not balanced - read the description of the vt80se vs the ref 80 (ref75 replacement)

the guys at paragon will confirm

The VT80SE is balanced, or at least the reviews say so and there is a XLR on the unit. I'll give Paragon a call.

the main difference is the arc reference series is fully balanced topology whereas the vt80se is a single ended design

sonically they will be similar but i suspect the ref 75 will have more nuance and blackness of background, ultimate treble and bass extension, and potentially, soundstaging

note - i own the ref 75 but have not heard the vt80se in my own setup

paragon av in ann arbor michigan is a major arc dealer, you could call them ask for their advice, i am sure they know each piece very well, they are open and helpful