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ARC 100.2 vs. D240?

My local high end dealer offered me a swap of my 100.2 plus $500 for a mint condition D240. I'm currently running a pair of B&W 640i's with an eye toward uprading to the JM Lab Electra 946. I also use an Aragon Soundstage pre-pro. I probably listen to 70% music (mostly acoustic jazz) and 30% movies. My listening room is an open floor plan that measures 20'x 30' with 10' ceilings. Which one would offer a more "tube like" sound? Is the the D240 a significant upgrade over the 100.2 or is my dealer full of it? Any advice or suggestions is greatly appreciated!
herb4
ig40
64 posts
 
That's no deal! The 100.2 is probaly the best SS amp ARC made. The 240 would be a downgrade. Also, the 100.2 is worth about $1750.00 and the 240 about $720.00. Your local Hi-Fi dealer is trying to make a quick buck on you.
cytocycle
1,043 posts
 
If you want to upgrade try to find an ARC D400 MkII 200watt a channel solid state amp that sold for $6000 new.
9rw's avatar
9rw
318 posts
 
Your dealer is indeed full of it. I've owned the ARC 240MKII and the 100.2. The 100.2 is vastly superior in all aspects and worth about $1,000 more than the 240. I'd stay away from that dealer forever. Also, the ARC D400MKII is indeed a great amplifer, but it's better than the 100.2 only if you need the additional power. Otherwise, stick with the 100.2. They fly out of Audiogon for between $1,700 and $1,800.
labtec
189 posts
 
I would defer to 9rw's direct experience. However, just to give you some other feedback, I've heard several ARC fans who think the D240 is the best SS amp ever made by ARC.

I don't have experience with the 100.2, but I did listen to a D240MkII recently and was very impressed. Other SS amps may present a higher fidelity in certain areas, but I think the D240 excels in mimicking a tube sound from a SS design. This is difficult to do and can explain why some ARC fans, who are normally tube fanatics, like it.

Perhaps this is the source of the confusion in your situation. If you have the 100.2 and asked for an amp with a more "tube-like" sound as your message says, I can see a dealer recommending the D240. I wouldn't castigate your dealer just yet, unless he won't let you take the D240 home and see for yourself whether the deal is worth it.
tubegroover
2,320 posts
 
The dealer isn't dealing honestly. The fact is that he shouldn't be charging MORE in exchange for a component that has substantially less resale value. The deal should be predicated on the market value. The debate over which is better is irrelevant. If there is a 1K difference in fair market value with the 100.2 being of greater value, why is he adding an additional 500.00 to the price of a D240 which has lower market value? Your local dealer is a shark.
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