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

 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. 

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.

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.

 The Ref 75 shipped with KT120 tubes and the 75se uses KT 159 tubes. But you can use KT 150 tubes in the Ref 75. Like all the fairly recent ARC amps that have vertical tubes. 

 I am not that familiar with your speakers. But I have a feeling something like the Ref 150 will sound a little more open with more well defined base My Elipsa SE speakers are rated at 91 db  sensitivity and minimum 50 wpc. I preferred the Ref 150 to the 75. But the only real way to know for sure is to try them in your system. 

 I had 2 systems. I sold a Ref 2 mk2 to upgrade to a Ref 3. Then the deal for the Ref 3 fell through. I put the LS 25 mk2 from my other system in the main room while I looked for a new preamp. After not being impressed with a demo LS 27.  I took home a demo Ref 5se for the weekend. The next Tuesday morning I called my dealer and told him I did not want to return the Ref 5se. How much would he sell it to me for. The Ref 5se  was that good I did not want to let it out of my system. I had to also sell my beloved LS 25 mk2 to afford the Ref 5se. So now I only have the main system.

 If you have to compromise, I would compromise a bit on the amp. You can always upgrade later. The preamp will have more of an impact on your system. Used the Ref 5se is a real bargain. It is just an incredible oreamp. It is easily twice as good as the LS 27. 

 I also own a DAC8. I am thinking of moving from a computer to an Aurender streamer. Maybe one with a build in DAC. The DAC8 or DAC9 for that matter does not work that well with  Aurender (or Moon) streamers. The nice thing about the Aurender is that it has a 2 TB hard drive so you don't need a computer. You can just copy your music files to the hard drive.

The DAC8 requires software which does not seem to be one of ARC's strong suites. I also own a Ref CD7. The Ref CD7 is very noticeably better than the same CD ripped and played with a computer through my DAC8. The DAC8 sounds best through AES and worst with USB.

 You may want to browse  AudioAficionado.org They have an Audio Research section, B&W section and many other manufacturer specific sections. 

I looked up your speakers and they are extremely nice. I love the workmanship and the sound must be terrific. Leave it to the Italians. I have a Ducati motorcycle. I purchased the B&W speakers because I have always loved them and the price was very good. They disappear better than any speaker I have ever owned. They are 90DB SPL and 75w would be the bottom I would accept in power. The 110w or 115w would be a little better. I am not a loud loud listener. I will upgrade them to a better pair as time goes on. No matter how good the equipment is "the speakers are the most important."
How do you get from the computer to the DAC without using USB? Do you use a USB to AES/XLR?  If I understood you the computer audio is not as good as a CD even with the DAC8 or other DAC units?
LS25mk11 For sale on audio Mart hope the link works.
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