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Audio Research VSi55 Tube Rolling

i am very happy with my new ARC VSi55 integrated amp, but have been thinking about trying a bit of tube rolling. the amp now has about 400 hours on it, and to this point i have only used the stock tubes.

i would very much appreciate specific suggestions that you might have. i am also interested to know if anyone has tried "cryoed" tubes in their VSi55.

FYI - speakers are coincident speaker tech partial eclipse II's, and CD player is musical fidelity A5.

thanks!
skuras
ml8764ag's avatar
ml8764ag
502 posts
 
I have the VS-55 and love it (probably very similar sound to the VSI-55). You likely have stock 6550EH's (Electro- Harmonix). I very recently had a retube. ARC informed me that because of quality and longevity issues with the EH's, they are now recommending use of 6550 Winged C's for the VS-55 and VS110. The winged C's have a different sound...different strenghts. Overall, I like them better. You may want to start there...

NOTE: Rather than 65mV bias, they should be set to 55mV (per ARC).

Another tube to consider might be the (New Stock) Tung-Sol 6550's...I've hear a mix of things...mostly good.

(IMPORTANT: I encourage you to check with ARC before proceeding--...there may be special considerations with the VSI-55.)
lrsky
1,118 posts
 
I would recommend that you contact Dave Gordon at Audio Research--he is a great guy and a real industry veteran who could be an invaluable resource for you.

lrsky
bcgator's avatar
bcgator
355 posts
 
I've got a VSi55, and would like some tube recommendations...rather than start a whole new thread, let's resurrect this thread after an 8 year hibernation...

Lots has happened since 2006...KT120s have been introduced to the mix (and fully compatible with the VSi55), and the KT150 (about which ARC is still mum regarding compatibility, and I have followed the other KT150 threads here but didn't want to hijack them), and I think the introduction of the reissue Gold Lion KT88s is a relatively new thing as well.

Has anyone done A/B comparisons between the 6550WE and/or the 6550 Winged C vs. KT120? Or maybe found a newer KT88 variant they liked better than anything else?

My VSi55 is in a smallish living room, powering a pair of Proac D2, and I listen to everything but country...from 80s rock to bossa nova to Charlie Haden to Yo Yo Ma, so I'd prefer a tube with a balanced presentation (rather than one that favors midrange presentation, for example).

Thanks in advance!
hifigeek1
770 posts
 
If you can still find winged C 6550's don't use them. The last of the production was not reliable. Apparently the plant burned down and are no longer available.
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