Hi Madfloyd,
Myles and micro offer excellent points of reference. I would add, if possible, to maintain a reference set of tubes. Substitute a tubes(s) from this reference set, occasionally, and compare - aurally. If you observe a difference which doesn't agree with you, then you might consider exchanging the tube(s). Of course, it would be good practice to inspect the tube pins to ensure a fouled pin(s) isn't the cause of diminished performance.
) life with the biasing procedure, OR one can try oneself, BUT the likelihood is VERY strong that you plug in your tester to the board and not only blow up your amp...BUT BLOW YOURSELF UP as well. My tech told me that he thought ARC should have been under criminal investigation for the biasing scheme on my amp ( and apparently this applies to many other ARC pieces of the past as well). I guess the biasing procedure on you BAT amps does NOT entail a risk to one's health like my ARC, LOL(...) My tech told me that he thought ARC should have been under criminal investigation for the biasing scheme on my amp
, LOL).Micro, I am referring to my D series amp, and for that matter all D series amps. Also, to the VT series amps and apparently several others from different vintages. I'm not sure about the current crop, BUT I can tell you, these older amps are ANYTHING BUT child's play to bias. ( Unless of course, you want to get rid of your child once and for all
" ., But if you think biasing an ARC D70Mk2 is an easy matter or for that matter appropriate for the consumer, I say you're out of your mind. My friend's old VT100Mk3 was also just a MAJOR pain in this department. Our tech, who BTW, is an authorized tech for Mac gear in S.Calif, was NOT pleased at all with the scheme to bias these amps...and he has over 20 years in the biz.
Micro, I cannot believe that I am agreeing at all with Mark
To expect a consumer ( particularly one who is just a hobbyist and not an electronics tech...which is MOST likely going to be the Buyer demographic) to go through the complicated and potentially dangerous procedure to re-bias an amp is IMHO completely irresponsible and in-excusable on ARC's behalf. Let's put it this way, as my friend once described a scenario to me; say a young a'phile buys these amps and takes it upon himself to do the biasing, BUT poor soul goes and kills himself in the process....is that ok? Shouldn't have attempted it in the first place you say..
) wow Dave, do want some cheese to go with that whine?? sheeesh...(jus kindin
yes the d70 and d115 are a bitch to bias i once owned both and i had kentron at the 'evil' store do it. afaik, those amps were overly complicated with tube rectifiers and twice the parts count of a competently designed tube amp of today. An ARC ref75 looks barren inside compared to the d70.
Rob, that ain't whining, jes telling it like it is.
Just so I'm clear, I absolutely LOVE my ARC D70MK2, it is one of the best tube amps in the lower power ranges that I have heard. Like you said it is complicated compared to the Ref75...BUT I think the tube rectifier is a BIG plus in this amp. The D70MK2 is IMHO one of the best to come from ARC..too bad the biasing is a bitch.
). Micro, I cannot believe that I am agreeing at all with Mark
To expect a consumer ( particularly one who is just a hobbyist and not an electronics tech...which is MOST likely going to be the Buyer demographic) to go through the complicated and potentially dangerous procedure to re-bias an amp is IMHO completely irresponsible and in-excusable on ARC's behalf. Let's put it this way, as my friend once described a scenario to me; say a young a'phile buys these amps and takes it upon himself to do the biasing, BUT poor soul goes and kills himself in the process....is that ok? Shouldn't have attempted it in the first place you say..
