Why not find an ARC dealer (or even ARC) and let them check it out for you?
Please give me advice about an ARC VT 200 amp
In a few days I'll be the owner of an ARC VT 200. I've never owned a tube amp, much less one of this size. I'm reluctant to plug in this amp for fear that there may be some considerations that I'm overlooking. I haven't found much info about the operation but I did read that a variac should be used to bring the voltage up, and that a shorting pin needs to be installed in the balanced inputs if the single ended inputs are used. I've never heard of either a variac or shorting pin, and I'm wondering if you could please give me your thoughts about these items, as well as anything else that I should take into consideration before plugging it in, and during use.
I will be using the single ended inputs. The amp has not been turned on for 3 years. I was told that the owner was fastidious about the maintenance of the electronics and the tubes. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
I will be using the single ended inputs. The amp has not been turned on for 3 years. I was told that the owner was fastidious about the maintenance of the electronics and the tubes. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
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I keep seeing "Never turn on a tube amp without a load". I don't think this is correct. I had my Audio Research Classic-60 recapped at an authorized ARC dealer. I saw the amp turned on sitting on the workbench but not connected to speakers. The tech said "it's alright to have the amp on just don't give it an input signal without speakers attached". Can an AGon super tech member verify this please? |
@dweller , you are correct. The exception might be if the amp is somehow unstable without a load but IMO such an amp would be borderline criminal to sell on the open market. FWIW a variac is not needed to restart this amp. If you are concerned about the condition of the filter caps, remove the tubes in the amp, and get a 60 watt light bulb (incandescent) and wire that in series with the power cord (if you don't know how to do this, have someone that knows electricity to do it for you- its not hard). Then turn the amp on. The bulb will light up, but as the caps charge it will dim out. This will prevent any dangerous currents from damaging anything. If the bulb stays lit, the amp needs service. If the bulb goes out, reinstall the tubes and run the amp normally. Let it play for a while before you take it seriously as it will need some 'break in' time. That's a whole lot cheaper than a variac! |
@irish_tim First tube amp! Wow, did you pick doozy for your first tube power amp. It should arrive with the tubes removed. You will need to install the tubes. You can’t just install the small 6922 tubes where ever want. Hopefully the guy you bought the amp from marked, identified, each of the 6922 for the tube socket they are biased for. Match the number on the tube to the appropriate tube socket number. Tube socket numbers are on the circuit board near the sockets. DO NOT JUST STICK THE 6922 TUBES BLINDLY IN THE AMP. You will seriously damage the tubes, and or the circuit boards, and or resistors in the amp. Hopefully the guy marked, identified, the 6550 power tubes as well. They also require biasing and are matched pairs or matched quads. Not sure on the VT200, can’t remember. Even if they are identified for the correct tube socket, they should be checked for proper bias. Power tubes are somewhat easy. That is for someone that has done it before. Lethal voltages inside. If the guy did not mark, identify, the 6922 tubes when he pulled them you are screwed! You will have to either send the amp to ARC, or find someone locally that works on ARC VT series power amps. How to bias an ARC VT200. http://www.audioresearch.com/ContentsFiles/VT200_BiasAdjust.pdf ARC VT200 schematic wiring diagram, download. https://elektrotanya.com/audio-research_vt200_amplifier.pdf/download.html http://www.arcdb.ws/VT200/VT200.html Jim |
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