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

Vac PHI 200 better sound then ARC.

Zd542,
I need to think the preamp choice. I believe you are correct. A proper preamp match with the ARC is mandatory.

Taters,
Thank you. I think that's why I naturally gravitated to Conrad Johnson. I could almost use more sweetness/warmth than I am getting now. I fell in love with my Strads after hearing them with McIntosh MC2301's. While I often think of that combo, I may be better off where I am.

Gpgr4blu,
I know more than a few dealers that swear by the ARC/Sonus Faber synergy, even before they became dealers for either.

Ebm,
I've owned a VAC preamp before and while it was nice (perhaps great), it never bowled me over like my GAT.

Thank you all so far for your thoughts and opinions. I am still on the fence but hope to hear from new GS and Ref SE owners soon.

03-17-15: Gpgr4blu
My opinion is ARC is better with Stads as the Strads tend toward sweetness and don't need more. ARC is not sweet, but bloomy in the midrange. ARC is no longer slightly harsh and whitish in tone in the upper mids as it was known to be perhaps a decade or so ago.
Of course now that ARC and SF are under the same ownership (I am told that ARC now uses SF, among others, in its listening rooms), the synergies may increase.
That being said, Conrad Johnson makes great gear as well and has moved away from its thick, velvety, golden hued midrange of old (which came with a lack of extension in the frequency range) to become quite neutral and extended. Its close. Neither will disappoint.

Well said!

03-18-15: Ebm
Vac PHI 200 better sound then ARC.

NOT to my ear!

Thats great enjoy.