BIAS TUBES VM220 ARC

Bifwynne, thanks for getting back to me and offering some good advise. I talked to calvin right before I got your last message. He thought it might be bad tubes, thats why I ordered the new set of tubes, and he said the KT-120 would work GREAT with my VM-220. He said it would really help my vandersteen wood quatros in the lower end, and mid's.

I am puzzled why he did not bring up the point of a bad Bias resisters as a possible problem, I think he assumed it was the tubes. going to call back and ask him for further help. as well as going about replacing the resister.

What do you have as a phono stage? Just started into the vinyl world and bought the nano(clearaudio) for now but wanted to get a better one and thought about Joule/ Modwright/ ARC advise? thanks

I will get back to you after i talk to Calvin again

Thanks Stacy

My electronic gear is all ARC. Check my system thread. My phono pre is a PH-7. Looking to swap it for a PH-8, which I understand is almost as good as the Ref Phono 2 (not SE).

Obviously, I like ARC equipment, so take what I recommend with a grain of salt. I would stay with ARC for your component gear. Aside from excellent performance and build quality, there's a natural synergy when going all ARC. Just my opinion. Not looking or interested in starting another thread about whose equpment is the best.

Back to the bias question -- you can tell very quickly if you have a bad tube or something else. Just switch the tubes around. If the tube is bad, the bias readings will follow the tube. If something else is going on (e.g., bad bias resister) dropping a known "good" tube into the suspect socket will not help.

ARC amps are pretty robust. I would be surprised if there is a serious problem. Hopefully it will be a bad tube or at worst a bad bias resister.

If you speak with Calvin tell him Bruce from PA sends his regards!

Hi Wholesale,

Anything to report re tube switching and/or need for repair? Did Cal help you advance the ball any?

Bruce