Buy tubes from Audio Research or not

I had an amp sent to ARC for repair. The work was under warranty but they would not do the work unless they could re-tube it. They made $500 off a $.05 resistor.

I get that they don't want problems that bad tubes could cause but that was not cheap. Can't complain too much because I love the sound and quality, just beware that this can happen.

This is why I did not buy ARC, the warranty! VTL stands behind their products 5 yrs and with none of that bull. That would have really pissed me off. Vtl also guaranties their tubes 6 months. And they do, I had a few replaced by them no charge, just short of 6 months. Any issues, they bend over backward to satify you. That is what a highend co. is suppose to do and should do, period!

The reason you blew a resistor is because an output tube arced. When this happens the others output tubes are not far behind. Therefore, it's to your advantage to replace all the output tubes since they all have the same amount of hours on them.

Hifigeek1: I own a VS115. Couple months ago, I blew one 6550 "Winged C." As you said, I figured that the other tubes might not be far behind. Fortunately, I had a new set (2 quads) and replaced the 2 quads, checked and adjusted bias and everything seems fine. I rechecked bias 2 weeks ago and made some minor adjustments. As stated, the amp seems just fine. The question is: if the amp works and bias is correct, could the blown tube have caused damage that I am not seeing? Thanks. BIF

Yes. it's possible a resistor or resistors may have changed value. Usually when a tube arcs it takes out a resistor. If you feel the need, you might have a qualified technician make sure the resistors around the failed output tube still measure the proper resistance and that you have correct voltages at the tube socket. G