Audio Research VSi60 integrated reliability?

I would not blame ARC but rather the tube manufactures. Quality is up and down. Since you have the choice of 6550's from Russia or China, I choose Russia. Tubes are not at all like transistors. Once a tube is on, it's going downhill. Some blame also goes to the consumer. When ARC says their output tubes are rated for 2000 hrs. they mean it. I can't tell you how many ARC amps I've seen that were abused. When your 2000 hrs are up that doesn't mean to wait till a tube arcs to replace them. It also doesn't mean if one tube fails, just replace that one tube. It also doesn't mean if the fuse blows, up-size the fuse. When you buy a Ferrari, don't put regular unleaded in it. Any tube amp from any manufacturer can arc a tube, it's the nature of the beast. Treat it well, and it will last many lifetimes. Abuse it, and it won't last long.

I've owned a VSI60 for over a year and it's an awesome sounding, reliable amp. I'd recommend it highly for it's price/performance - even better sounding with the new KT120 tubes.

There may be some tube amp companies that have reliability problems, but I don't think ARC is one of them. I've owned at least half a dozen ARC tube amps/preamps since 1978, including a VS55 and VSi60 currently, and I wouldn't keep buying their products if I had been experiencing problems with them. Yes, tubes have to be replaced, you have to make sure the bias is set correctly, and occasionally you may have to replace a resistor if you own the amp long enough, but this company did not gain its reputation by making unreliable products.

Go for separates.

Happy listening!