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

I just finished a long session tonight with my ARC D70 mk2. If you are interested in an amp that can now be had for not huge money, and want a giant killer, imo this is the amp for you!
i have ’AB’ ed this amp against the later VT series and the classic series, it was really no contest!! The little D70mk2 just kills them!
Now , as usual there is a price to pay... the age of this amp dictates a couple of things..you will need to have the amp set up by a tech, the biasing procedure is a nightmare, plus you will need to get cables with small spades only. This due to the old fashioned speaker connectors that the amp uses. However, if you accept these issues, I believe you can acquire an amp that imo has little to no competition....even today. WZJ hit one out of the park with this amp and the highly sought after monoblocks... the M100’s. I suspect these amps were his zenith! And what a zenith they are!

I have read and heard from you'll that the ARC LS 25 MKll is a good pre amp in the lower price range. I know the ARC  Ref 2mkll and the Ref 3 are better. They seem to never show up for sale. Why not consider the LS 26 and LS 27 over the LS 25? Just some opinions.

When hooking a DAC to my computer I can use USB and I also see an optical connection near my speaker jack. Which is better to use to get the siginal to the DAC?

 They don't show up as often because they are keepers. But if you take your time and search, you can find one. I have not seriously listened to the LS26. IMO the LS27 is not one of ARC's better efforts.

I see a couple of Ref 5se preamps going for $7000 here on Audiogon. That is a deal at almost half price. The Ref 5se is so very much better than the LS27 it is amazing. It is very special and another one that will be a keeper. There are a lot around because people are upgrading to the Ref 6. But I believe they may also become hard to find. 

I have missed 2 Ref 3 over the last week. I am going to make an offer on an ARC 5SE and hope I get it. I have also been looking at the ARC 75 and 75SE. Is the SE worth the difference in money? I ordered a VPI turntable and was wondering what phono preamps would be good with probably an Ortofon MC (open to suggestions). I have always like to sound of the Ortofon and I liked a Denon 103D years ago. I have looked at the ARC phono 5 and 7, PS Audio Nuwave, and others but would like some seggestions on phono preamps?