Noice from fan in Audio Research VT 100 MK III

It is possible the fan needs replacement. Mine was never that loud and I could not hear it from my listening position. The tubes in the VT-100 MK III are not that close together so I don't think it would be a problem to disconnect the fan. The original VT-100 did not have a fan at all.

Arenakbt, strongly recommend that you call Calvin at ARC and discuss problem with him. There's a couple of threads current or recent running on A'gon which speak to the deleterious effects of heat on elelctronic parts, particularly certain types od caps.

If Cal recommends that you stay with a fan, he may advise you that it's an easy DIY. You may want to ask him if the fan used in the new Ref 150 could be dropped into the VT100 MkIII. I mention this because the ARC web site says the fan used in the Ref 150 is super quiet.

Good luck.

I own a VT-100 MK III, and I would say your fan needs replacement. My listening position is roughly ten feet from the amp, and the fan is completely inaudible past about two feet. I'd suggest you take this opportunity to send the amp to ARC to have the fan replaced and have the amp given a general check-up. ARC is great about finding and replacing any parts out of spec for reasonable fees.

I believe the Ref 150 fan is almost or exactly the same as that in the Ref 110 and that the silence of the Ref 150 fan is due to different venting to cut down on turbulence.