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Review 1 of 2
Price Paid:
$2000.00 Summary:
This amp trades for anywhere from $1000 - $1500 depending on the condition and state of the tubes, and is an ABSOLUTE BARGAIN in that price range. It's basically a Classic 60 that runs fully balanced (only balanced inputs) and has a better power up protection circut that extends tube life. It didn't sell as well as its well respected sibling mostly because it was part of the marketing misstep of balanced only inputs and outputs that sent ARC sales into a tailspin.
It's sound is sweeter and smoother than modern ARCs but not as focused in detail and soundstaging. That being said it, still leans towards highly focused definintion and soundstaging when compared to other tube brands. The tonal balance is extremely natural and lifelike and better than any other amp I have heard except for the new BAT-vk75se (I haven't heard the vk-60 though) and the VAC Ren 30/30. In short you get the tonal advantages of a good tube amp without losing clarity and precision a la CJ. Keep in mind that you can get this amp for $1500 or less.
Though rated at 65wpc, this amp has serious drive power. It handles my Watt/Puppies extremely well and even has a credible amount of bass authority and slam. Don't get me wrong, its nowhere near the bass heft and definintion of a Krell, Levinson, or Spectral (its only a 65 watt tube amp), but the bass is credible enough that you won't miss it and when you hear a woman sing, you won't ever go back to the artifical sound of those big solid staters. Did I say this amp trades for around $1500 or less? Strengths:
Very sweet and full bodied triode sound without the syrupy loss of detail that usually accompanies it. Weaknesses:
Like most ARCs the biasing is harder than it has to be, and like all ARCs it requires very precisely matched power tubes. Similar Products Used:
Owned other ARC amps, Krell, & Spectral. Listened extensively to CJ, VAC, BAT, Quicksilver, Audioprism, Levinson, and others.
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