Which amp to buy? ARC GS150 or Reference 150 SE?

"I like the meters on the ARC GS150 (easier for bias adjustments) but the Reference 150 has no meters. How much of a pain is it to bias the Ref 150? Do I need an external meter to bias the Ref 150?"

Meters or no, always use a multimeter to set bias. Besides, how would you be able to use the front meters anyway? All the tubes are connected to them. I believe on the 150 you only set bias for half the number of tubes in the amp. One bias adjustment does 2 tubes. Regardless, just buy the amp that sounds the best. Setting bias is a simple matter, and there's really reason include the adjustment as part of your purchase decision.

More important is your choice of preamp. The Ref 150 only operates balanced so you want to make sure you match it with a preamp that will give you the best sound quality and no problems. Personally, if it was my system, I would use an ARC preamp.

Thank you Zd542. I appreciate your opinion.

At the level you are looking at, it's all good. ARC, however, has been around a long time and will be around in the future should you need servicing or take advantage of upgrades as they become available. Also, the GS series is just so good looking (personal opinion). Matched up with an ARC preamp of the same series and you are at the top of the audio world. You could spend more, and get less at this point.