Audio Research VS110, VS115?

The VS110 and VT100 are out of production, so if you want a new amp then the VS115 is the way to go. I have owned the VT100 amps and listened to the VS110. Imo, going from the VT100 series to the VS110 would be a major step down and backwards. The VS110 is only single ended whereas the VT100 and the VS115 are balanced designs. The VT series sounds awesome! I plan to get a VS115, but have not listened yet, but I think and hope that it will preform as well as the VT100. The VS115, imo, really is the VT100mk3 but with an open design instead of being put into a box. I think they did this to avoid overheating issues. I did not ever overheat a VT100, but I can see where people would try to put them in a rack and overheat them.

I am interested too. I have the lower power vs55 and have heard the vs60 in my system and can't tell them apart.

6550c what do you find are the major similarities and differences between the two VS amps?

I've also had a ref 110 in the mix for week now so I am jaded for sure.

b

The VS110 may sound good too, but the VT100 has more of everything. More detail, more tigher focused bass, deeper bass, more midrange bloom,more subtal nuances to notes, more quite space between the actual music notes etc, more soundstage. It takes me quite a while to really notice these things. I need to listen to allot of recordings to really hear and notice. It takes a while to really get to know the sonic signature of gear. I need to live with it for a while and try different speakers, cables etc.

Adrian, I currently own a D70 Mk2 and your memory of your old amp is accurate.
In fact, with current gear this amp is IMHO still very close to SOTA. I have actually AB'ed the D70 ( Ok I did roll in some NOS tubes) against a VT 100Mk3 and our group all preferred the D70 that night! The VT has more power and can drive the speakers a little easier in the bottom end, BUT that is were the superiority ends... The D70 Mk2 has one of the best midrange reproduction and ability to portray air and space of any amp that we have had in my system, easily outpacing the VT 100Mk3 that night!!
In fact one of my 'phile friends is selling his VT 100Mk2 to replace it with a D70 Mk2.
Amazingly, another 'phile friend who owns the Ref110,and who raves about that amp, likes the D70 Mk2 enough that he is planning on using one as a swap out with his Ref 110 on certain music!
So, since you can acquire a D70Mk2 at a give away price right now, you might want to re-acquaint yourself with an old friend.

Many kind thanks to my fellow audiophiles on Audiogon and your very helpful submissions!(6550C, Bjesien, and Daveyf)