Audio Research VM220 Revised Price - Excellent Condition - New KT120 Tubes

Offered for sale is a very nice pair of Audio Research VM220 Mono Amps. Please see photos as both amps are in great condition, cosmetically and functionally. Sequential serial numbers 24002801 & 24002802. The following is a link listing the features and factory specifications of these fine amps.

http://www.arcdb.ws/VM220/VM220.html

This sale includes original factory boxes, owner's manuals, bias tools, spare fuses, power cords, original warranty, quality assurance, and packing documents, upgraded tube damping rings, and factory sheet showing tube damping ring placements for various tube types.

Since I paid the "big bucks" for this listing in order to post 15 photos, I'm going to get my money's worth with lots of information. However, for those in a hurry, the short version of this listing is that these are fantastic sounding amps, AR quality built to last, with new KT120 & 6N1P tubes that should be good for 5-6 years. Amps were recalibrated and re-biased when the new tubes were installed. There are 3 major advantages of the KT120 tubes over the factory 6550C tubes: Almost twice the power, significantly improved sonics, and about twice the life. Audio Research presently uses the KT120 tubes in all their tube amps.

About 6 months ago, a complete set of new tubes (KT120's and 6N1P's) were installed, along with a recalibration and re-biasing of the new tubes. I will be happy to furnish anyone with a copy of the receipt for the new tubes, which cost $1,058. All the tubes were matched sets. Although these amps originally came with 6550C tubes, I installed the newer, more powerful, longer lasting and sonically superior KT120 tubes. Prior to doing this, I emailed Customer Service (Kalvin) at Audio Research who assured me that these VM220's would accommodate the newer KT120 tubes, and that the bias sh/be set the same as the 6550C's (65 mV).

The 6550C tubes have a plate dissipation of 35 watt each, versus a 60 watt plate dissipation of the newer KT120's. The VM220 amps were conservatively rated at 200+ watts (about 230 watts at clipping) with the 6550C tubes. Considering the significant increase in power of the KT120 over the 6550C tubes, I would think the power output of this pair of VM220 amps with the KT120 tubes would be noticeably greater. Also, considering the KT120's have almost twice the watts, but biased the same as the 6550C's, should equate to the KT120's having almost twice the life of the 6550C's.

I have included a copy of the factory's simple step-by-step procedure on re-biasing when installing new tubes. However, due to the recent new tube installation as mentioned above, this pair of VM220 amps with the KT120's should be good for at least 5-6 years with normal use.

After owning and auditioning many amps over the years, both solid state and tube, I chose these VM220 amps for 3 reasons - adequate power to drive just about anything, the weight of just 55 lbs. per amp, and thirdly - No Cooling Fans due to their design characteristics. I've gone to great lengths to have a sound proof, dedicated listening studio, and those cooling fans that manufacturer's describe as "quiet", aren't so quiet in a sound proof room.

These VM220 amps have to be heard to be fully appreciated. They sound warm and natural, yet very detailed and transparent. I was always impressed with the amount of "air" and "secondary harmonies" I could hear in both vocals and instruments.

Many audiophiles feel that although tube amps sound more natural and warm than solid state amps, they do not have the detail and transparency of a solid state amp. This is not the case with these VM220's. When I compared my VM220's with my Audio Research 300.2 and DS450 solid state amps, neither of my solid state amps could come close to the detail and transparency of these VM220's. In fact, these VM220's replaced my DS450.

The included upgraded Teflon tube damping rings have greater mass for better sonics and won't stick to the tubes like the black factory tube rings.

The tubes will be removed and shipped separately. Each individual tube, and each tube socket on the amps are clearly identified as to which tube goes into which socket. The procedure is very simple, and I will be available via phone should the new owner have any questions.

I am willing to deliver the amps anywhere in the Phoenix, Tucson, or Flagstaff areas. Buyers in other cities within a reasonable proximity to the NW part of Phoenix (San Diego, L.A., Las Vegas, etc.) should contact me and maybe something can be arranged. I will ship to an overseas buyer, provided the buyer pays for the shipping and assumes responsibility for loss and/or damage in transit. Anyone wishing to know what the shipping cost would be from zip code 85373 to their location, should use the following data when getting a quote from their preferred shipper: Each of the 2 amp boxes are 25.5" x 25.5" x 14.5" and weighs 65 lbs. each. These dimensions and weight are conservative, as the box is a bit smaller and weighs a bit less. I don't know at this time the dimensions of the tube box, but it will be smaller and light, so the cost will not be a factor.

Please review my feedback on Audiogon and Ebay (loveschina2000). I have shipped numerous audio components heavier and more delicate than these VM220's and have never had a problem. Please contact me via email or phone (719-531-7491) should you have any questions. Thanks for looking.