ARC VT200 or Sonic Frontiers

Rwd- I cannot understand why more is not written about the VT 200 either. I am really wondering whether the new model VT's with the SS input stage is better than the all tube version's. Anybody out there ever compare ARC to Sonic Frontier? Anybody tried the new ARC 200 watt mono's?

Cmo: If you are really serious about owning ARC amps, you should consider calling ARC (non-toll free number and ask to talk with Warren G their chief "listener". He is very familiar with the entire amplifier line and the product changes. They have some very serious speakers in their listening rooms (see factory tour-linkable thru A-gon) and he is a very enthusiastic person to converse with. They also still support any product they have ever produced.

I own a VT200 Mk1, which recently did some mods inside the unit:
-replaced the infinicaps and wonder caps in signal output coupling caps and power supply bypass for stealth caps
-The original power cord replaced by transparent reference xl power cord.
- Replaced all tubes by using svetlana special edition

those improvements transform this extremely good amplifier into a new one vastly better than original.

-Much better low end, tight bass, extremely dinamic, some veil removed which mades a extremely accurate amplifier.
- the mids are to die for, clean as the best, articulated and effortless.
- top end is too another area vastly improved, in fact I don't know from what I heard a better top end out there.
- the soundstage increase and much better defined.
the system is:
VPI Classic turntable/dynavector vpi special cartridge
Audioresearch ref 3 preamplifier
Meridian G08 CD player
Nordost quattro fil balanced interconnects
transparent loudspeakers speakers cables

I had a SF Power 2 a few years ago. I would NOT recomned this amp. Sounding like SS, and had an upper bass bump that was very annoying.

Shakey

"I had a SF Power 2 a few years ago. I would NOT recomned this amp. Sounding like SS, and had an upper bass bump that was very annoying."

interesting. I used to own ARC VT-100 I/II/III and SF Power 2/2SE/3, I would not characterize any of them as having a upper bass bump and Stereophile measurements confirmed it. must be your setup.