VSi75 owners

[Harlequin]

Originally Posted by ariess

A friend of mine has been running a matched quad of KT150's in his VSi75 (after hearing that ARC has been doing this as of late) and is very happy with the result. He says the midrange is even better, beautiful spotlighting, even better dynamics than the KT120's. Says its no problem fitting the KT150's in the open design of the VSi75. Anybody else try this? A quad is $200 more than KT120's, but $200 is only 2.5% the cost of the VSi75, so why not (like putting premium gas in your nice car)

Whilst ARC has yet to make any official announcement or even attributable comment in this regard , from what little has escaped from the Dark Star one might theorize that ARC R&D may be a little more comfortable in respect of KT150 loading on the Mains transformer(s) as sported on certain of their recent models , they may however be a little less comfortable in respect of Mains headroom on other models , in particular were a Single Mains transformer is already supplying a Quad of 6550's or KT120's per channel .

Life testing of a new production valve and thorough evaluation of any potential implementation within existent models may take a reassuringly deal of time .

Mere speculation on my part of course !

[ChrisAZ]

As usual at this time of year, I'm getting a full on case of NGAS. I'm toying with looking at a new phono pre, a new integrated, and/or a new pre/amp - and I'm thinking tubes. I love the look of the VSi75 and guess that given its lineage it sounds spectacular - but I'll have to drive from Houston to Dallas or Austin to hear one in the flesh (about 3.5 hours each way). The main concern I have with the VSi75 is whether it will drive my SF Cremona M's to their full potential in a small to medium sized room (say 20' x 20' max). I listen to all kinds of music from chamber music to opera to folk to jazz to blues and metal. What do you all think about the matching of the VSi75 to the Cremona M, or would I be better off burning additional cash for separates (AR tube pre and DS450 Class D)?

[Antonmb]

Originally Posted by ChrisAZ

As usual at this time of year, I'm getting a full on case of NGAS. I'm toying with looking at a new phono pre, a new integrated, and/or a new pre/amp - and I'm thinking tubes. I love the look of the VSi75 and guess that given its lineage it sounds spectacular - but I'll have to drive from Houston to Dallas or Austin to hear one in the flesh (about 3.5 hours each way). The main concern I have with the VSi75 is whether it will drive my SF Cremona M's to their full potential in a small to medium sized room (say 20' x 20' max). I listen to all kinds of music from chamber music to opera to folk to jazz to blues and metal. What do you all think about the matching of the VSi75 to the Cremona M, or would I be better off burning additional cash for separates (AR tube pre and DS450 Class D)?

Don't really have any good advice for your question, but I have to ask: what is NGAS? I'm thinking New Gear Acquisition Syndrome? Tony

[ChrisAZ]

Originally Posted by Antonmb

Don't really have any good advice for your question, but I have to ask: what is NGAS? I'm thinking New Gear Acquisition Syndrome? Tony

You got it

[audio badger]

Originally Posted by ChrisAZ

As usual at this time of year, I'm getting a full on case of NGAS. I'm toying with looking at a new phono pre, a new integrated, and/or a new pre/amp - and I'm thinking tubes. I love the look of the VSi75 and guess that given its lineage it sounds spectacular - but I'll have to drive from Houston to Dallas or Austin to hear one in the flesh (about 3.5 hours each way). The main concern I have with the VSi75 is whether it will drive my SF Cremona M's to their full potential in a small to medium sized room (say 20' x 20' max). I listen to all kinds of music from chamber music to opera to folk to jazz to blues and metal. What do you all think about the matching of the VSi75 to the Cremona M, or would I be better off burning additional cash for separates (AR tube pre and DS450 Class D)?

Chris,
While I have not heard the VSi75 with the Cremona M's, I think you would find it has more than enough power. I personally heard the VSi75 with the notoriously difficult to drive Magnepan 3.7's and it had no problem. Areiss (who started this thread) drives B&W 802D's with his VSi75 and says it's a great match. I've seen much feedback on the Ref75, which obviously has the same power, indicating that it provides tons of punch. Obviously give it listen for yourself, but I'll bet you'll find it has what you need in terms of power, and it sounds beautiful.
Paul

[jakegt3]

I'm running my Cremona M's with a VS115, which has just a bit more power than the VSi75, and it has plenty of reserve drive capability. However, it really comes down to how loudly you play and the dynamic range of the music you listen to. I listen mostly to classical music at volumes that are "realistic" for this kind of music. That means much of my listening occurs at just 70-75 dB SPL, with peaks to 80-85 dB. For me, 85 dB is very loud in my medium size listening room (13'x24') and the VS115 is barely breaking a sweat at that level.

[ChrisAZ]

Originally Posted by jakegt3

However, it really comes down to how loudly you play and the dynamic range of the music you listen to.

As I noted in my post, I listen to all kinds of music with all kinds of dynamic range, both vinyl, CD/SACD and from my server. I like to listen to non-rock/blues music at normal performance levels or lower in my medium sized room and occasionally crank it up for Hendrix or Zeppelin (how could one not do so?). But I'm by no means having a dance party at my house and don't play it at ear splitting levels (i.e., levels which would make me want to leave the room) and my neighbors in the adjacent townhouse have never complained despite the common wall (it is a very well built townhouse, however, and they might be deaf). So that, your comments about the REF75 and the reviews I've read about the REF75, and my communications with some dealers in Dallas and Austin, suggest that I would be ok with the VSi75. I'm getting that itch.

[jdandy]

Chris.......Looking forward to your VSi75 review.

[ChrisAZ]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Chris.......Looking forward to your VSi75 review.

You are evil

[jakegt3]

With my setup (all ARC tube gear) driving my Cremona M's, there is midrange magic going on that I just don't get from solid state gear. I would almost describe the midrange as lush and vivid. My biggest problem with it is that when a listening session is done, I can't bring myself to turn off my equipment.

Just get the VSi75 and be done with it.