2. amps-preamps
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Cost Effective Audio Research Combo

Hi folks. I'm really looking for some guidance putting together an Audio Research amp/pre combo. I'm a former Naim user that wants to move to more power and different gear. (The good Naim stuff has just gotten way too expensive). I'm considering a Bryston 3BSST/BP20 combo or something used from Audio Research. However, while I can talk to you up and down about HiCaps, SNAICS, etc, I know little about the AR brand and some of the better products of the recent past. (Other than the fact that the SP9 was panned by Stereophile some years back). Here is what I am after:

About 100-150 Watts of Solid State power amp.
A nice tube or hybrid preamp that runs cool and has a GREAT phono stage.
I don't want any gear that's more that 5 years old.
I'd like to spend around 2000-2500 on the used market for the pair.
Comments about how what you are suggesting stacks up against the Bryston combo mentioned above

Thanks so much!
128x128dodgealum
yioryos's avatar
yioryos
723 posts
 
I vote for the ARC LS3B as well. Magic in a box.Got it.
George
theaudioking
5 posts
 
If you're looking for a cool running ARC amp, The only ones available are the 100.2, 150.2, and 200.2. These are all class T designs which means they utilize digital switching. I have a ARC D-240 MKII amp and a LS-9 preamp. Both are solid state. The preamp runs cool and sounds great. The amp runs very hot as do most ARC amps. The SS ARC class T amps that run cool can be very expensive on the used market because they are relatively new. If you can deal with one that is older and runs hotter, you can save significantly.
magnepanmike
57 posts
 
The 100.2 is not a digital amp. The 150.2 and the 300.2 are. Never heard of a 200.2???

The 150.2 actually retails $1,000 less than the 100.2 and can be found on A-gon for about $1800.00.

I have a 100.2 and indeed it is one of ARC's best.
dodgealum's avatar
dodgealum OP
1,404 posts
 
Magnepanmike you are correct. The 100.2 is not a digital switching amp. As such it runs considerably hotter than the 150.2. That being said, my comparison of the two amps led me to purchase the 100.2. Absolutely fantastic amp. I'm running it with a SP16 and really digging the sound. Thanks everyone for all your help!
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