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Re: Audio Research VTM120

64.252.64.226

Posted by gadsons on December 18, 2001 at 08:46:41

In Reply to: Audio Research VTM120 posted by Leslie Loh on December 17, 2001 at 08:46:32:

The VTM-120 was basically two monoblocked VT-60s and yes it was one of those duds that failed to sell. Keep in mind though that ARC monoblocks almost never sell in huge numbers. Still, I think this one did rather poorly at the box office even for monoblocks for a few reasons.

1. It was part of the no-faceplate aesthetic disaster that afflicted all the early VT series except the SE versions.

2. Though I remember that the VT-60 was spared (I'm not sure about the VTM-120), the V and early VT series were also part of the balanced input only marketing disaster.

3. To many ears (including mine) the VT-60 didn't sound as good as the V-70 it replaced.

While the Classic 60 and V-70 are essentially the same triode design, the VT-60 is a return to the ultralinear design of its D-70 ancestry (though it does sound quite different than the D-70 as well). Although I think ARC got it right with the VT-130 and 150, I remember that the VT-60 was a little hard and thin sounding and I don't remember feeling like it made up for that with superb resolution. I never heard the VTM-120 and its been a while since I heard the VT-60, but I think sonically you'd be better off with the Classic 120s, or the VT-130.

I'm not a big fan of the current (6h30) VT series, or the 6922 VT-200 either. The VT-100 II is a giant killer but no bargain and it's somewhat difficult to tube roll. For just about the same money you can get one of the market's best bargains nowadays, an Infinicapped VT-130SE. Slap some Svetlana KT-88s in there and find something decent to replace the Sovtek 6922s. Then you'll be cooking.

You may also want to check out the BAT VK60 monos which can be had fairly cheaply now. Similar vintage, auto-biasing, cheaper retubing, and you'll get 120 a side (though with much higher distortion but we're tubeophiles so who really cares about that) and the sound quality will shame the VTM-120s.

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