Audio Research vs. VTL

caesar said:

Anyone compare these 2 brands? What are the differences is sonic signatures? Why did you choose one over the other?

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microstrip said:

I have both - ARC source and preamplifier, VTL amplifier. Two friends of mine have the VTL 7.5 .

In my opinion, the VTL's are "punchier" than the ARC, but the ARC have more finesse and ambiance. The choice will depend on system and personal taste.

Although many people do not believe in sonic synergy, I am a firm believer and choose equipment to maximize the whole system, the highest priority are the speakers , then the source and only at the end the amplification.

I listen to both LPs and CDs and want to have the best of both media. After many experiments and mistakes, I settled in the tubed CD players of ARC - for my taste and budget, they represent the best value for money in digital. I have heard more detail, better bass or more slam from other more expensive players, but for the music I enjoyed the CD7 and now the CD8 much more. I found that to maximize these CD players I needed an ARC preamplifier - I tried other top preamplifiers, but the combination of the ARCs improved the overall system - that feeling of power, not loudness, that it is impossible to tell in words, the sensation of easiness, medium purity and nuance are extraordinary.

My Soundlabs need a lot of power. ARC top tube amplifiers are very expensive and heat a lot. I could get an used pair of VTL 450 for a very nice price and they sounded excellent in my system. Later when a pair of VTL 750s showed in the used market I managed to get them.

Several HIFI distributors have listened to my system. All of them pointed this aspect : it sounds musical and you are in constant discovery - details are showing without being etched. As one of them said - you do not feel the need to change anything. Within its limitations - I heard systems with better dynamics and bass - and for the type of music I listen to (only acoustical - classic, jazz, vocal ) it is good enough for me.

Both brands have good reliability and excellent after sales service in my country. But as I learned many years ago, if you buy reliable tubes and have a stable mains supply tube equipment lasts forever, and the only intervention has been the periodical replacement of tubes that I carry myself.

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caesar said:

Thanks, Microstrip. Have you compared the 750's to the ARC 600 or 610 amps?

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