Audio Research Ref210 vs Ref300 vs VTM200

The three amps you ask about are all very good, but there are some noticeable differences in character.

VTM200- these were a breakthrough for ARC. They had a combination of the best control and extension at the frequency extremes of any ARC amp until that point. They sounded more neutral than the original version of the REF300. What they do not do at all (even less than is typical for ARC) is sound tube like. Some may not like this. They almost sound more like a great solid state amplifier. Not very liquid or pretty, but very accurate and fast.

REF300mkII - The mkII was redesigned after the VTM200's broke new ground. Once this was done, the REF300 achieved and even higher level of musicality and power combined with the improved control and extension at the frequency extremes that was pioneered in the VTM200's. The REF300mkII, however, still sounds friendlier and more tube like than the VTM200's.

REF210 - This current REF series is another breakthrough for ARC for they have now officially eliminated any trace of "silvery" or "white" sonic artifacts in their high frequencies. The REF210 has a more liquid and grain-free presentation than the other amps mentioned above. The sound is much more tube-like in this way, yet paradoxically very controlled and neutral with excellent extension at the frequency extremes. Once you get used to the sound of the REF110, 210 or 610T, the older amps sound somewhat grainy, congested and analytical by comparison.

I am an ARC dealer (and a huge fan of the new VS115)

I agreee with Davemitchell regarding the VS115...it may be their best amp ever, and also the most affordable tube amp they offer..win, win!!

Thanks Davemitchell. If you were not an ARC dealer and you were in my position (can't quite afford a REF 210), what would you do?
REF300 MKII, VTM200......or keep the Classic 120's until you can afford a pair of REF 210 new or if/when a used pair comes up for sale?
In a nutshell what would better the 120's by the widest margin possible.
Thank You

The VTM 200's were analytical sounding and whitish in tone color...almost everyone who's owned them has sold them! The new vs115 will seem like a much more powerfull amp in the bass region and improve your sound overall.

Dave b and I seem to have similar feelings about the sound characteristics of some ARC amps, although I actually like the VTM200 amps quite a bit so long as they are partnered with the right system and speakers to balance their less tubey sound.

I guess if I had to pick between those two (VTM200 and REF300mkII) purely based on sonics I would choose the REF300mkII.

The other things you could consider are the VS115 or REF110, which may have plenty of power for your speakers. I did a quick check of the current iteration of the Verity Parsifal and they are 8 ohms nominal with a minimum impedance of 4 ohms. They are also pretty efficient at 89db. Without seeing actual measurement graphs I don't know if there are any difficult phase angles, but they appear easy to drive. I'm not sure if your version is the same or not.

The other thing you can do with 8ohm speakers is run two VS115's or REF110's in a balanced bridged or push pull configuration. I recently set up a system doing just that on Vandersteen 5A's with two REF110's and the results were incredible. So you could start with a single amplifier and see if it's enough power, and if not, just add a second one later. (Not recommended for 4 ohm speakers)

I guess my point here is that the VS115 and REF110 are both better sounding in nearly every qualitative way than the VTM200's and REF300mkII's except for power.