2. amps-preamps
  3. 127679-91597

Should I consider the newer Audio Research pre & power amps, when I play records not CD's

I worked in and owned upper end audio stores back in the 1970's. (McIntosh B&O Magnepan, etc) I have been pretty much out of audio for the past 30 years. In my old age, I want to play the records I have saved (many MFSL & Japanese virgin vinyl) I kept my B&O linear 4002 W/mmc20CL cart. and it still works and I have newer B&W 804 speakers. I am going to get a new table of better quality. I have always wanted an Audio Research tube amp and Preamp. I am considering the LS 26 or LS17SE Preamp and older D90/115 or newer VS 115 or the Ref 75SE. I am in my 60's and my hearing is not as good as it was, plus I am lost with all the digital technology. (just started using a smart phone) I just wanted to get opinions spending $4000 on older ARC or bite the bullet and spend in the $7000 up. Is it worth spending the money for the new equipment when I am only playing records. 
juke4u
randy-11
1,913 posts
 
How reliable are ARC Pre-amps?
juke4u's avatar
juke4u OP
50 posts
 
Thanks everyone for the help. I read a few hours a day to try to update myself. There are not any dealers close so I have to do the research. What about the VS 115 w/KT-120's and Ref 75 & 75SE compared to the Ref 110?
lostbears's avatar
lostbears
538 posts
 

 Both the Ref 75 and Ref 75se are a bit better. It is a matter of power. For my Sonus Faber Elipsa SE speakers, I felt the Ref 150 had tighter more well defined bass than the Ref 75. I am sure that is because of the extra power. I really wanted to prefer the Ref 75 because of the meters. BTW the Ref 75 can run KT 150 tubes without a problem.

 I have not heard the VS 115 in a long time. But I don't remember it being better than the Ref 110. Surely not in the same league as the Ref 75 or 75se. Both the Ref 75se and 150se are very impressive. If you mate one of them with a Ref 5se, you would have a system that would be very hard to beat. 


juke4u's avatar
juke4u OP
50 posts
 
There are a few ref Ref 75/75se for sale is was why I asked. The 75 uses 4 KT 120's and the SE uses 4 KT 150's. I know most people like the ARC with the metal front. I like the open tube VS 115 style, also. There is one for sale with (8) KT 120's instead of the 6550's and the reviews on that amp seem pretty good. I see the Ref 110 uses 8 6550's, also. I have B & W 804's that require at least 50 watts of power. I would think the 75 would be OK but the 110 or 115 might be a little better.
I have 100's of albums on my computer.  I am finding that using a good DAC (ARC DAC8 etc.) this music will sound pretty good. Is this correct? If so what other DACs are pretty good? With technology growing like it is, am I better getting a good newer DAC.
Just curious did you upgrade to the Ref 5 SE from the LS15? The Ref 5SE is pretty expensive. I shouldn't think so much about the price. I have people buy 1940's jukeboxes that play 78 records and spend $10,000 or more.
Thank you for taking the time to help me out.
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
10,311 posts
 
TonyKay, the SP-11 is not one of the legendary ARC classics, hence it's lack of sale. It replaced the SP-10, which IS one of the classics. The SP-11 suffers from the subtly "white/dry" sound of the early ARC tube/ss hybrids, the SP-10 has an old-fashioned tube sound---lush, soft, sweet. Neither is as transparent and uncolored as newer ARC pre's, which can be had for less $ than the SP-10 and -11.
More to discover