Need advice in Audio Research Classic C-60Amp


I just purchased a classic C-60 to pair with my old Vandersteen 2CE’s.

Right now I’m just using Blue Jeans biamped speaker cable terminated in spades on the amp end. The classic only excepts wire that are screwed in on the back of the app. This means I’m going to have to cut the ends off the spades, and because it is Bi-amped I’ll then have two positives wires and two negatives  going to one channel. 

So my options are to just not use one of each color (one red one black) or twist the two reds together and twist to blacks together.  My question is what is the best way to attach the wire to the amp. Do I need to buy a different type of termination or is it just the bare wire that gets screwed in. And how do you think I should go about doing this with the wire I have. 

Also one follow-up question, if I just cut one black wire and one red wire from the spade, and tape them up, is there anything I should be worried about, sonically?
last_lemming

Showing 3 responses by djohn

I have owned the ARC Classic 60 since new.

Agree on the above comments in replacing the Caps. I would not send this to ARC since it will be very expensive. I just had mine rebuilt in the last few Month’s by Scott Frankland Associates who is very familiar with this Amplifier. The 4 Large Caps with Red Tops in the center of the Amp are called Filter Caps and Scott was able to source new ones that fit so these were changed.

There is also the problem of Tube Auto Bias on this Amplifier which does not work well. Every time you have to change the Tubes you need a Technician to Bias this Amplifier for you. If you do not have a Tech close by then it is a very large hassle with this Amplifier. Scott modded mine with test probe locations and adjustable pots so I can check my own Bias with a Meter since I was tired of lugging this Amp around for someone to Bias it. It was a brilliant solution.

If you wish to get by for now with your Cable connection problem order these;

https://www.partsconnexion.com/VAMPIRE-55446.html

They fit perfectly and they can be crimped or soldered. Two will also fit easily on each of the + or - Channel Screws. I do not recommend the Adapters mentioned above.

Do not use Bare Wire.

Mod was not over $1,000 for the Bias Pots.

Please remember that I changed a number of Caps on the Circuit Board. There are other Caps that will need to be changed due to the Age of the Unit.

You seem to focused on Bias only at this stage.


I am glad that you talked to Scott Frankland as I advised.

oregonpapa also made some good comments to illustrate how good this Amp is. I did not change the Power Cord with an IEC and I did not change the RCA’s.

Instead, I put my money into a Mod performed by Scott that eliminated the Auto Bias. What he did was drill 3 Ports on the base at each side (Black Steel Base) and also installed 2 Trim Pots on each side at the back so they are vertical standing. For me to Bias this Amp now I just stick 2 Voltmeter Probes into each respective port and I can adjust the Bias myself. Brilliant.

Recently, he changed the 4 Filter Caps with the Red Caps in the middle of the Circuit Board & also installed some V-Cap Copper Foil Teflon Caps where they matter sonically on the Circuit Board. This has elevated the performance and it was well worth the money.

As you are attempting to save money you are proceeding the wrong way. To Bias this Amp it has to be on for a minimum of 30 Minutes and you adjust it with the bottom plate removed.

Unless you know what you are doing there are Lethal Voltages at play here while you are poking around.

You need to stop and think about Shipping this Amp to someone that is highly skilled.

dweller also made a good comment that the Tubes that are in it could be OK for the Short Term since Upscale is familiar with Audio research. But what specifically was done before the Sale? Only certain Tubes can be used in this Amp and you stand the risk of blowing a Resistor that is Soldered to the Circuit Board.

Like oregonpapa, I have owned this since New and it is well worth modding. Scott has been the only Tech that has touched this Amp previously, recently, and will do so again in the future if needed.