Will ARC VT-100 Mk. II drive ProAc 3.8's.


ProAc 3.8's according to the ProAc web site are 88db at a nominal impendance of 8 ohms. I play all types of music at a high volumn. Room is 11x17x8. Would like to drive ProAc 3.8 with one Audio Research VT-100. Can't borrow speakers from dealer, no ProAc dealer in my state. If I need to I will use two VT-100's. Has anyone tried the 3.8's with one or two ARC VT-100's. Please let me know how it sounded.
phlanoue
I love my ProAc 3.8s. They are natural, nuetral yet very revealing. They are not 'in your face' at all. I was using a Rogue 66 (60wpc) and the sound was great. However, it ran out of steam a louder volume levels. I traded it in and got an Accuphase P-450 (200+wpc) and now have no problem driving them to any reasonable volume level. I miss the tube sound however. In your room, I would recommend you go with one VT-100. If you need more power, you might get another one later and go dual mono. The VT-100 should have significantly more balls than the Rogue 66 I was using in a similar room.
VT-100 is magic with 3.8 -In fact, Proac uses ARC to "voice" their speakers...
That is what I am using and I am truly happy with the combination. I was using a Bryston 4B-ST that is rated 250 watts at 8 ohms. I don't miss the extra power that the bryston had. What I gain was a smoother amplifier that does wonders with vocals. So my answer to your question is grab the Audio Research VT 100 MK II, you will be very happy with it. Now I am not playing music that loud though but the sound does fill the room.
One of the best systems I have heard was at a friend house who was driving ProAc 3.8's w/ one ARC VT-100 Mk. II directly connected to a Wadia 860x (balanced) all Cardas Golden Reference. The room was similar to your dimensions. I like the system so much that it inspired me to purchase an ARC VT-50 (baby brother to the VT-100) for my ProAc 1SC monitors. My room is smaller so I didn't need all the power the VT-100 offered. Personally, I really like the synergy of the ARC amps w/ ProAc speakers. I have heard that ProAc actually voices their speaker to ARC gear....not sure how true this is though. Godd luck....
I drive my 3.5s with atmasphere MA 1,s They are a very easy load. What really blew me away, when I took my little quad stack, for the fun of it and hooked it to the proacs. the quad, 40 watts played the proacs to levels way beyond what the sonas fabor concerto,s plays. You don't need much power in my opinion.
Mike