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audio research vt 200 mk II vs the vt 200

HI, I AM NEW TO AUDIOGON, SO PLEASE BARE WITH ME.I RECENTLY PURCHASED A USED ARC REF 2 MKII. PREAMP. I AUDITIONED IT WITH A SET OF ARC REF 210'S. THE SOUND WAS FANTASTIC. WHEN I GOT HOME I INSERTED THE REF 2 MK II INTO IT,S NEW HOME ON MY AUDIO RACK. I TURNED THE SYSTEM ON TO HEAT UP BEFORE SETTLING INTO WHAT I THOUGHT WOULD BE MUSICAL BLISS ,BUT THE MAGIC WAS GONE. MY PRESENT AMP IS SOLID STATE .THE MARK LEVENSON 332.IT SOUNDS OK, BUT A SMALLER SOUND STAGE. ANY WAY, MY QUESTIONS ARE (1), WHICH AMP IS THE MOST RELIABLE, THE VT 200, OR THE VT 200 MK II. AND (2)HOW DOES THE REF 2 MK II, SOUND PAIRED WITH THESE AMPS. I WOULD LIKE TO RECAPTURE THAT SOUND I HEARD WHEN I AUDITIONED THE REF 2MK II . THE NEW ARC REF AMPS ARE NOT AN OPTION, DUE TO PRICE. PLEASE HELP !!
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swampwalker's avatar
swampwalker
5,138 posts
 
Jim- Pls unlock your caps. It makes your post hard to read.
louisl
179 posts
 
I am reporting my comparison on the VT100 MkI vs. the VT100 MkII (which is my preference of all the VT100 series). I assume my comments regarding the VT100 will be the same for the VT200 models.
The VT100 MkI is a wonderfully musical product. However, to me, it didn't have quite the extension, detail or air that the Vt100 MkII presents (and the bass was much tighter and deeper on the MkII model). The VT100 MkI sounds to me a little too thick, with transients sounding a bit too rounded.
When the MkII replaced the original VT100 it had:
1) the power supply of the VT100 MkII was double the reserve of the original VT100 MkI
2) an IEC connector for the power cord, thus allowing you to choose what power cord you wanted to use (you've got to hear these amps using a FIM / CRL 'Gold' power cord)
3) the VT100 MkIII went from a fully tube input stage to solid state input stage.
Again, in my opinion, the MkII is the best sounding of the VT100 models.
I hope this provides some insight for you.
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jion OP
4 posts
 
That is exactly the type of feed back i need. Thankyou so much Louis1. NOW,if someone could share with me how the pairing of the Ref.2 MK II, and the vt 200 MK II OR VT 200 sound ,that would be great. DOES it sound bright ? How is the sound stage? etc.
arcl60
24 posts
 
Hi jion,
I'm still have a VT200 which is a great amp, i used it with an LS25MKII preamp and the match was fine (a lot of power, very dynamic, a lot of details, and a nice medium, the 25MKII provides a very open sound as well). The VT200 is a very reliable product, no issue since i had mine, i'm using KT88 and not the 6550c tubes. For the VT200 you need to be aware that the fan is little bit noisy. There is 3 positions for the fan speed, and mine is set on medium, so maybe the low position will be enough. When a said noisy, i just wanted to say the fan, the VT200 is absolutely noise free on the speakers. I listen a Ref2MKII, not at home but i guess it will be a great match. I upgrade my VT200 with VT150SE and i can tell you there are not on the same league, the VT150SE sound fantastic, the main difference is the VT150SE are sounding more liquid with a lot of air all around the instruments, the sound looks very easy, very natural. I recently upgrade my LS25MKII with Ref3 and the same result is observed between VT150SE and VT200.
However, i can tell you that the VT200 is an excellent product and for sure a good choice. Sorry i cannot comment on the VT200MKII , i've never listen to it. MKII uses 6H30 in driver vs 6922 for the VT200, i don't know if it makes a big difference or not.
Laurent
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