2. amps-preamps
  3. 123296-8622

Will Changing my 100 Watt Tube Amp to a 200 Watt SS Amp Solve My Problem?

Hello All,  I have a 100 watt Audio Research VT100 mk II amp, with an Audio Research LS-25 preamp.  My speakers are relatively low in sensitivity, and I find that I must turn the volume up to 3 o'clock on the preamp to get enough volume for a loud listening experience.  When I do that, I am introducing more background noise.

I would like to achieve a quieter noise floor.  I am also curious about the limits of the 100 wpc amp with the Mira Monitors.  Would an older Krell 200 watt class A amp "control" the speakers better?  If so, what are the benefits of this?  There are a few amps on this site that caught my eye, all about the same value as my amp, so I can potentially make a move with very little cost.  Is this a good idea? How much wattage increase is necessary to get a significant enough difference?  Would a jump to 150 watt solid state be sufficient?


here are the 3 amps that caught my eye:

Ayre: https://www.audiogon.com/listings/solid-state-ayre-acoustics-v-5xe-amplifier-2016-02-05-amplifiers-h...

Krell: https://www.audiogon.com/listings/solid-state-krell-ksa-250-2016-02-14-amplifiers-91754-monterey-par...

BAT:
https://www.audiogon.com/listings/solid-state-balanced-audio-technology-bat-vk-250se-bat-pak-2channe...



You can see my complete system here if you want to know more about the other components:  https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/5421



Thanks!
Mark
marktomaras
marktomaras OP
544 posts
 
Do you think my Whest PS .30R is the culprit here?  I can definitely say that my PS Audio DAC does sound quieter than the analog, both driven through the ARC preamp.  I was under the impression that the Whest is quite a capable phono stage, with ample gain and balanced circuitry.  It is definitely a confusing process to determine how components play well together!
marktomaras OP
544 posts
 
Maybe I should sell all of my components and get a used Devialet!
newbee
4,767 posts
 
Does it have a quiet phono stage? Or you could buy a gun. Personally, I I had to go solid state I think I'd choose the latter! :-)
marktomaras OP
544 posts
 
Ha!  Newbie, I love the tube devotion.  I am wondering if I am a fool for considering it.
almarg's avatar
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almarg
9,670 posts
 
Hi Mark,

I have no experience with the Whest phono stage, but based on all that I’ve read about it I too would expect it to be very quiet with a Lyra Delos, which is rated at 0.6 mv output under the standard test conditions. And since the phono stage is solid state, noisy tubes are not an issue with it.

Also, the circuitry in the front end of your ARC LS25 preamp, up to and including both the gain select circuitry and the volume control circuitry, is all solid state (as can be seen in the schematic at arcdb.ws). So noisy tubes are not an issue there as well.

And you’ve already done significant re-shuffling of how your components and cables are physically positioned, to minimize any noise coupling that may be occurring as a result of how everything is positioned.

So regarding the noise issue I’m pretty much out of ideas at this point. Other than to suggest that if you already haven’t you try unplugging all of the digital stuff from AC power, to verify that digital noise is not radiating or otherwise coupling into the analog front end.

Regards,
-- Al

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