The Little ARC That Could... And Still Does!

[chops-tube]

One of my brothers stopped by yesterday afternoon and while I was at work and dropped of this sweet little mint ARC D130 for me to try since he's still playing around with my Odyssey Audio amp.

Since bringing in the Monitor Audio BX6's, I have yet to hear them through my own amp, only through the Marsh A200s and now the D130.

I have to say, this little D130 sounds a bit more relaxed and refined. It has a nice, spacious sound stage, deep and articulate bass, neutral midrange that is awfully reminiscent of quality tube power, and a crystal clear, crisp top end which lacks any kind of grain. I can only imagine that this is just a small taste of ARC's tube amps.

I've read mixed reviews about this amp, saying that it lacks bass or has fuzzy, sloppy bass, and/or a thin, bright top end. Also heard some say that the top end was also lacking, being quite veiled.

As far as I can tell, with everything that I've listened to so far, the D130 is a perfect match to the rest of my system. Granted, even for being as old as it is, it still took a good couple of hours of "warming up" before it really showed what it was capable of. Even at whisper levels last night all the way up past 3am (yes, I was up that late listening), it sounded just as I described above.

It's quite the amazing little amp. Of course, the real test will be whenever I get my Odyssey amp back to compare. However, at the moment, I am in no big hurry as I could very easily live with this amp. My only gripe is that I wish it had the classic silver face. Oh well, can't win them all.


I wasn't exaggerating either when I said this amp is mint!

[cmalak]

Is the D130 a Class D SS amp?

[Higgens]

The D130 is class a/b

[chops-tube]

The D130 is Class Old School. LOL

They were built between 1996 - 2001. Wish I knew when this one was built. It looks brand new inside and out!

[The Lost Bears]

[
They were built between 1996 - 2001. Wish I knew when this one was built. It looks brand new inside and out!

Just call Audio Research with the serial number. They will be glad to tell you when the unit was made and if it has ever been back for repair. I always do this on used ARC pieces I am interested in.

[jdandy]

The Audio Research D130 is a class A/B amplifier.

According to the Audio Research database the D130 was introduced in 1996 and discontinued in 2001. It retailed for $1995.00.






Specifications :

Power Output.................................130 watts per channel into 8 ohms
..................................200 watts per channel into 4 ohms
Power Bandwidth............................DC to 150 kHz into 8 ohms, -3dB points
Input Sensitivity...............................1.7V RMS for rated output (25.5 dB Gain)
Input Impedance.............................150kohms unbalanced, 300kohms balanced differential
Output Regulation...........................0.08dB 8 ohm load to open circuit
Overall Negative Feedback...............21dB
Damping Factor..............................100
Slew Rate.......................................50V/microsecond
Rise Time.......................................1.7 microseconds
Hum And Noise...............................Less than 55 microvolts RMS
Power Supply Energy Storage..........104,000uF
Power Consumption.........................400 watts at 130WPC 8 ohms
.........................640 watts at 200WPC 4 ohms
.........................800 watts maximum
.........................75 watts idle
Others............................................ Input polarity: Non-inverting at unbalanced inputs.
............................................Balanc ed pin 2+ (IEC-268)
Dimensions(w x d x h).....................48.5 x 28 x 14 cm
Weight...........................................1 2kg


The Audio Research D130 Power Amplifier

[chops-tube]

It's definitely a stout little amp, that's for sure. I've been listening to it all day today, and it is simply wonderful sounding. My brother left the Marsh amp here just in case I wanted to put it back into the system. I don't see that happening anytime soon.

[2fastdriving]

I sense another arc convert is coming home.

[jdandy]

Charles.......Looking at the circuit topology in the nudie photo the ARC D130 looks to be a very well designed amplifier. If this were a new amp being sold today it would probably retail for $4500.00. I like the looks of the interior a lot.

[Cohibaman]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Charles.......Looking at the circuit topology in the nudie photo the ARC D130 looks to be a very well design amplifier. If this were a new amp being sold today it would probably retail for $4500.00. I like the looks of the interior a lot.

Big transformer, all metal film resistors, nice symmetrical design, very few electrolytic caps...