great soundstage,imaging,dynamics,wonderful sound period..

Is's very musical amplifier.

Replacing tubes

It's real magic amplifier. System was: Theta Digital Jade/Generation V, Preamplifier - Audio Research LS-15, Speakers Thiel Cs 2.3 Cables- Transparent Audio Reference.
This amp with Thiel is real great combo. It's like real music.

Similar Products Used:

Krell FPB-200c, Levinson 334, Bat VK-500, Electrocompaniet AW 180-M, Jeff Rowland Concentra.

On a cost/performance, basis this 100w/ch dual mono current "dumper" willmake you proud of it every time you sit down and listen... I've owned the
VT100 for about a year and then upgraded to the MKII status recently, and
found that the additional 270 joules of power capacity and IEC power cord
connection is $995.00 well spent!

With the MKII incarnation, I noticed that the musical presentation didn't
present itself with significantly more forcefulness, but tended to "flesh out"
the instruments, tighten the imaging, and definetly present vocals in a more
natural and direct way. Also, to my ears it seemed that the entire
soundstage became a little more open and clear, lending to greater information
retrieval and a more "palpable" instrumental soundstage.

Finally, I have started the after market power cord audition trek and found
that the Nordost El Dorado power cord improved on the dynamics, noisefloor
reduction, and improved inner detail to the music that I search for. YES,
cords do make a difference (sometimes positive, sometimes negative). The
VT100 MKII is very sensitve to power cords, and this is good! You can
easily "tune" the sound of the system to your liking!

All in all, a truly legendary amp. that, in a synergistic system, will never
fail to amaze and please...

Current System:

Theta Data Basic II transport
Nordost Moonglo Silver Digital (AES/EBU)
Muse Model Two Plus DAC
Nordost Quattro fil interconnects
ARC LS7 (w/NOS tube complement and retrofitted IEC power cord connector)
ARC VT100 MKII
Alpha Core Goertz MI3 Divinity speaker cbls.
Thiel CS 2 2

Black Diamond Racing cones, Things, and Pits (MK3 and MK4), Vans Evers
Reference 83 PLC, Nordost Double Pandora power cords (source), Nordost
El Dorado power cords (pre and power amp), Nordost ECO3 anti-static spray,
Audioprism Quietlines filters and ENACOM AC plug-in capacitors.

Art

I just upgraded from a 100.2 to the VT100 and it is outstanding. Tube sound is much more harmonic and I get much less listening fatigue. Best sound I ever heard.

Good amplifier but it costs too much for the sound it offer.I prefer Krell and Levinson sound, (more detail and dinamic).
go for solid state: replacin tube it' a... nightmare.

This amp is, simply put, one of the finest amps available. Any fool who would rather have a solid state over a good tube amp like this doesn't listen to live music. Tubes just get the tonalities right.

Undeniably one of the sweetest sounding amps due to its excellent design. Allows my good re-collection on listening to the very sweet vocal sounding and mids of LS 3/5a. It has also good transient attack, details on the highs, good control for the bass. Really a good all rounder performer. For its price it is valued for money. Will keep the MkII for the rest of my life.

Similar Products Used:

VTL Ichiban, Jadis JA-500, VTL TT25, Manley SE300B/PP

It sounds as if the musical instruments
are in the room playing

None, and I am still trying to find one.

This just might be the last Power Amp
I will ever need to buy.
For 25 years I have owned and listen to
High End Solid State Power Amps and have
never been happy with the sound.
And I also always had to Bi-amp for
better sound. I have listened to most
brands : Mark Levenson, Bryston, Krell,
McIntosh, Audio Research D400 mkII. And they all just sounded "BAD".
Then the dealer recommended to try
a Audio Research VT-200 Vacuum Tube Amp.
When this amp was put on I could not
believe my EARS it was MUSIC playing.
This just pointed out my mistake for
25 years,,Solid State....
Tubes are conductors, and Transistors
are Sem-i-conductors. I would have
bought a VT-200 but because of the size (to deep) I had to look for a smaller amp if possible. so I thought two
VT-100 mkII amps bi-amped would work.
When I got the first VT-100 mkII home
I found that one amp was all I needed.
The sound of music in my room is life-
like as if the instruments are playing
in the room,,, with powerful low Bass to life like highs. I listen to JAZZ
and ROCK music..
CURRENT SYSTEM:
Audio Research LS22 (vacuum tube)
Audio Research VT100 mkII
Audio Research CD2
Magneplanar MG 3.5
NBS Master II interconnects "Balanced"
GOOD LUCK AND HAPPY LISTENING

Similar Products Used:

All Solid State "High End" Amplifiers.
Now starting to listen to other Vacuum Tube Power amps.

I've been looking for this moment for many years, I finally got the amp and preamp I dreamed of. The VT 100 MK II and LS 25 are just magical... No words can describe the beauty and the way all the audio components disapear to let the music come alive. A thousand thanks to the Audio Research team.If I could give 10 stars to these 2 components I would.

Well what can I say. I hear EVERYTHING!!! I have this unit coupled with a AR LS-15 pre-amp, and Vandersteen 2-ce Speakers. This is an incredible Amplifier. It does not labor! In fact it takes everything you can throw at it and laughs in your face and says is that all there is. I finally have ramped up to Audiophile equipment after years (let see maybe 30 years) going through one amp / receiver combination after another. I've used Equalizers, reverb amps, surround sound amps but frankly I am so impressed with his unit (yes it was a leap of faith to pay $5000 for this AMP) that I still can't believe what I am hearing. Totally complete reproduction with all the nuances of the source (and I'm still using a cheap CD player and Cassette player. AR has tuned me on and there is no turning back now. If you can get one of these and want to plunk down the money, you will wonder why you ever waited so long!!!