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Audio Research VT100 MK1 and LS15 HELP!!!

I recently bought this set VT100MK1 and preamp LS15 and while I was at this seller house he demonstrated the sound from his online Tidal on TV connect optical to the DAC Luxman DA - 06 then this go to the preamp LS15 and out into the VT100. This set up sounds amazing at his house. However, when I came home play CD from the Sony X1100ES Blu-ray player RCA output into the LS15 and out to the VT100 and it sound horrible - no bass at all in any type of music.  The sound sometime muffle and not clear and most importantly the bass missing tremendously. Im using a pair of KEF R900 Speakers. What is wrong here? can anyone help me correct the sounds? it is because I didn’t have the Luxman DA - 06 DAC? or it is because I don’t have those fancy hundred - thousands of dollars cable?  or the CD source is playin at 41khz /16 bit not high enough signal?  

This is my first system and I don’t know why I can’t get that high fidelity sound from the ARC equipments.  I'm waiting for the Audioengine B1 to arrive so I can stream Spotify into the LS15.   What is wrong with my set up?  Thank you in advance for helping me solve this.
kentrent
jea48
4,528 posts
 
Just right now, i used another old 80s preamp from Sony and the sound is boomy boost of full bass and tone control was on neutral (imagine if i crank that bass up). So this confirmed the vt100 is working and my LS15 preamp is not giving that sound. Perhaps because of the faulty V3 tube? I already ordered the new tube on the way. I’m hoping replacing this faulty tube will fix my bass response problem.

@ kentrent

I assume you used RCA single ended ICs to connect the Sony preamp to the VT100.
Read my post above ( page 2 ) about if the shorting jumpers were removed on the VT100. If you were using balanced ICs the jumpers must be removed.

Back of VT100
https://www.manualslib.com/manual/907956/Audio-Research-Vt100.html?page=3#manual


kentrent OP
71 posts
 
@jea48 yes. The shorting jumpers were removed.  I used RCA interconnect.  This will effect the sound if jumper not removed?
kentrent OP
71 posts
 
I don’t have any jumper connected to those balance output
jea48
4,528 posts
 
kentrent OP35  

 posts08-29-2019  
 9:20pm@jea48 yes.


The shorting jumpers were removed. I used RCA interconnect. This will effect the sound if jumper not removed?

The jumpers MUST BE REMOVED if using balanced ICs
The jumpers Must BE INSTALLED if using RCA single ended ICs.
Jim


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