Audio research vsi-60 power concerns

Just to give you an idea, here is an iphone video of the VSI60 driving my new power hungry Studio2's in a HUGE room. This amp is not even half broken in yet and the speakers had only 5 hours on them when this was taken. The amp really only runs out of gas at ear bleeding levels.....or on very bass heavy stuff or orchestral works....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMZ4o9a6O88

Based on your listening and music preferences I would look for an amp with more power. Tube amps when driven to their maximum output have soft clipping which gives the listener the impression that they have more power than their solid state brethren, but in reality, you are listening to a distorted sound.

The B&W 804S specification places the Audio Researches vsi-60 at the minimum standard for amplification, but based on your listening requirements, I feel that you need more power to give you the clean undistorted sound that will satisfy you in the long run.

Will,
What size is your room and what db levels are you listening at?these factors really matter.
If the ARC amp has a very good power supply and transformers it could be just what you want.
I would`nt buy a SS amp just for a stated higher watt output, sound quality is the objective.

I am not suggesting that you go solid state, but when the speaker manufacture's own specs state a minimum power requirement of 50w - 200w coupled with an impedance dip below 3ohms, I get concerned about an integrated tube amps ability to drive the speakers. Typically, one thing that gets sacrificed with integrated tube amps is the quality and size of the output transformers.

We all agree that a mismatched amplifier to speaker combination will not yield long term satisfaction. If you do not have a chance to audition the amp personally, then I would error on more tube power based on your listening criteria and the speaker’s specification.

I agree with Brf. If you are a fan of Pink Floyd ,Radiohead and harder rock music there is a good bet you like to turn the wick up and for that more power would be recommended.