Everything...it surpasses any other amp I have owned or heard..and that say's alot!!

None!

Killer amp that will blow you away with any fairly efficient speaker..I have WATT/PUPPY V 6.0's. I have never experienced bass like I'm getting with any other amp/speaker combo..use the 8ohm taps regardless of speaker rating or you will not hear what the amp can do!! My refII MKII is fantastic as well..super tubes and j-fets are also used inside..wow! Transparent Reference cabling and power cables seem to be a great match-up...my Levinson 360s and 37 never sounded so organic and utterly smooth; the sense of ease on complex music is uncanny!!

Similar Products Used:

Krell FPB 600, Levinson 336, ARC VT 200(doesn't have 6h30 tubes or j-fets yet!)

Full and rich sound with very fine detail. Large soundstage with pinpoint 3 dimensional imageing.

None that I can find.

I just got this amp and had to write my first impressions about it.

This is a fabulous sounding amp. It has taken my system to the next level. It is a pleasure to listen to. I am not much for writing alot - I am enjoying this amp so much that I wanted to jump on here and share my experience.

If you get a chance to buy this amp, go for it.

Currently own (and love) the VT100MKII -- they're going used for about $2500 now, and not much can touch them. I listened to an A/B of the MkII against the new MKIII in a highly tweaked, top of the line system in an excellent sounding room (not a dealer). Verdict: All the listeners agreed that the amps were extremely similar sounding -- ARC's putting transistors in the new model does not ruin it. However, the MKIII had significantly more detail, which made it a better amp.

One possible caveat: the MKIII was slightly tipped up in the highs (not audible on strings, which still sounded beautiful) resulting, among other things, in increased vocal sibilance. In combination with the additional detail, this makes the amp less forgiving than its predecessor on imperfect recordings.

Basic system components:
AI M3 preamp
Alon V MKII speakers
VPI table (don't remember the make of the phono stage)
Sonic Frontiers CD player

I will check back in a couple weeks with my review... I just sent my VT100 to Audio Research to be upgraded to the Mk II version... I am dying here, waiting for it to return. The original version is often left me speechless. Sounds corny, but true. I can't even imagine how it could sound better... get a hold of a chesky catalog.. www.chesky.com .. and buy some awesome music for your system

I can't improve on the superlatives by multiple reviewers who have praised this amp except to say that if you own the original version of this amp you WILL notice a large improvement by having it upgraded to the MK II configuration. If you are considering tube amps at all, you have to audition this slice of audio heaven!

i have owned the vt100 for about 10 months now, replacing the vt60. what a difference. the vt100 is alive top to bottom. it has great bass and a
smooth top end. it is detailed when the music is there in the cd, and yet
is not overly forward. i especially like the soundstage, wide and deep. it
can image as well as any i have heard. it is also very quiet. one of the
best i have heard.

My 18-year old percussionist son and I just had the opportunity to audition a VT100MkII directly coupled to a Wadia 830 CD Player via its digital volume control. My system currently uses a Meridian Transport and DAC and Aragon 4004 MkII Amp. We compared the VT100 to Bryston 7B-ST monoblocks (500 watts each). Both products are the same price but not even close to the same sonic value in my system. The Byrstons' had somewhat more bass, but the VT100 provided the sound we had been looking for, but had NEVER previously experienced. After listening to the Brystons first and then the VT100, the improved sonics from the VT100 were not objectively explainable, but a clue during the initial listening session (I recognized after the the fact) was that I wanted to keep listening to this gem. After re-inserting the Brystons and then the VT100, the differences started becoming apparent. My son concurred with all the same positives and found no negatives. My son was the first to recognize the improved soundstage. We both appreciated the depth of the sonics and the lack of instrumental congestion and glare which allowed symphonic climaxes to be heard more accurately then we had ever experienced. On most good amps, the initial impact of the note is there, but on this amp the note's accurate decline was also present and the transition from the initial note to it's end was seamless. We compared several CD's. One that left an impression was Telarc's Big Band Hit Parade and Doc Severinsen's solo on Sing, Sing, Sing. This solo on the VT100 made the trumpet more palpable and naturalthan ever experienced. Another Telarc CD contained the Pink Panther theme and being a percussionist, my son marveled at the triangle's accuracy. I could go on about the joy of listening to this amp; however, suffice it to say this amp has only positives. It allowed my Martin Logan reQuests to show off their full capabilities. My only decision now is whether to purchase the VT100 or it's bigger and much more expensive sibling -- the VT200. While the VT100 created a spl more than sufficient in my rather large listening room (we do listen to symphonic and rock at realistic levels), I wondered how the VT200 would fair -- never satisfied are we, but my budget will probably decide on the VT100 for
me. In closing, do yourself a favor and try one of these wonderful amps before buying anything close to its price point -- Audio Research has a real winner --5-stars? You bet and then some!

The VT100 mkII is a magnificent amp. It is like a chameleon: it can be big, bold and powerful one moment and subtle, delicate and sophisticated the next moment.Presumably, this is due to its superb neutrality and transparency. This amp
also has a great sense of ease and brings the listener closer to the musical
experience than any other amp that I have experienced.
Distortions that I thought were caused by my CD player have been excised.
A peerless product at its price point that unquestionably deserves 5 stars

I thoroughly enjoyed auditioning this amp and soon realized that this amp provides many features of solid state while still remaining "mostly" true to the music and enjoyeable. The VT100 MKII is very accurate and neutral and is by far the quietest tube amp I have ever heard. The attack and decay of music notes, especially the piano, is as good as any amp I have heard. The amp seems to provide more than the rated 100 watts per channel and had enough power to provide more than adequate volume on my Legacy Signature III speakers.
I have not heard the original VT100, but I was told the improvements in the MKII are directed at filling in the mids and providing more punch in the bass. The bass was tight and fast; even on difficult pieces such as Will's, "The Vikings", (Reference Recording, HDCD Sampler 2). The pipe organ and all the instruments where well defined and in place; but without the depth and soundstage width I prefer to hear from the elite amplifiers.

I guess this brings me to the main fault that I have found with this amplifier. Although this amplifier does so many things great, it excels mostly in accuracy and bloom, but is somewhat lean without that lush warmth that you hear from tubed amplifiers such as Conrad Johnson's Premier 11A or especially the Premier Twelve monoblocks (more expensive). If you do not prefer that valve bite and warm tonality that makes almost all CD's sound special, this may be your amplifier. It easily sounds better than most of the mega-buck transistor amplifiers and will outpace almost all of the tube amplifiers. It is accurate but not lush, and this is why I turn it off thinking "something is missing".

The CJ 11A cannot match the bass of the VT100 MKII, but beats it everywhere else, less the quietness. The CJ Premier Twelve is just a better, more powerful amplifier; but at a higher cost. This cost difference is easily justified with the enjoyment value alone. When you turn off the CJ, you are anxiously waiting until your next listening session.

I offer a simple test to the disbelievers. If you prefer jazz, pop in Diana Krall's "Love Scenes" and see if the Audio Research gives you the goosebumps. It will probably not happen because the midrange richness is not there, and you may forget that this is a $5k tubed amp and wonder if that cheap Rotel RB991 is bettered by $4000 (I think not). Now try the Conrad Johnson 11A or Premier 12 monoblocks; and even though between tracks you will hear a slight hissing sound, the palpabilty and immediacy of the CJ will knock you out and you will immediately understand why tubes are magic. Soundstages do not get any wider or deeper!

This is not a review for Conrad Johnson just a logical illustration of the slight faults of the the Audio Research VT100 MKII. I truly enjoyed this amp and borrowed it with intent of making it an addition to my ever changing system; this will not happen. I only wish I had the amp when I auditioned my next preamp, the CJ Premier 16LS, which is absolutely magical. I believe this preamp could have filled in where the Audio Research was lacking. I wish I could give the Audio Research VT100 MKII 4 1/2 stars because it is better than 4, but not perfect. Give it a try and see for yourself, I give it 4 stars!

This amp rules...I'm sure of it. Though I've never actually heard it, I do own and love my VT100 from a year ago, before the MkII bussiness. I haven't looked into the upgrade as the sound I have now kicks ass. Maybe when it comes time to replace tubes or do some repairs or something of the sort, I'll get the details. For the meantime my amp rules, so this amp rules! Relax.