Audio Research VT80SE amp vs Prima Luna EVO 400 or 300

Thanks to DaveyF for weighing in.  His description of the Guarnieri Homage speakers is accurate and much better articulated than mine. 

At this point, I'm leaning toward Audio Research- there are some obvious and other reasons.
  @flame, thanks for your suggestion re: the ref75. Oh, good, more homework for me!  I rarely change quality components so this is a fun adventure.

@jrw1971 - great comments on the ARC Ref 6SE, Ref 75SE and the new Ref 160S. 

I just upgraded my Ref 6 linestage to the SE version.  And my Ref CD-8 to the Ref CD-9 SE version.  Agree 100% that new ARC gear has a significant break-in period.  I'd say 100 hours just to begin to appreciate the gear.  Although I have read comments from some who say that it takes 600 hours for complete break-in, ... I am not sure there is a lot of significant incremental improvements after 200 hours.

My reactions and impressions about the Ref 6 SE and Ref CD-9 SE as compared to the Ref 6 and REF CD-8, .... in a word:  gobsmacked.

jrw1971, .... I find your comments about the Ref 75SE and Ref 160S interesting.  I am sure that ARC and many others would say that the Ref 160S is in another league as compared to its predecessor, the Ref 150 SE. I gather from your posts that the differences between the Ref 75 SE and the Ref 160S are more nuanced.  I own the Ref 150 SE and think it is a stunner.  The KT-150 tubes and other SE changes pushed the old Ref 150 "into another league" ... IMO.  Haven't  heard the new Ref 160S or M mono-blocks, so I really have no comments there.  

But if the OP finds our collective comments helpful, ... in summary, I can't say enough good things about my ARC gear.  I never head Prima Luna gear, but I am sure it is quality stuff.  So, ... sorry, ... I can't help you make a judgment between ARC and PL.

OP, ... good luck with whatever you decide.  I advise that if you are biased (that's a pun) in favor of ARC, try to pick up the Ref 150 SE or the Ref 75 SE (the Ref 150 SE's little bro), even if pre-owned.  Wonderful instruments. 

BIF      

Hey BIF,Yes indeed, I do find ALL the comments here quite helpful, and I intend to investigate the Ref 150 SE and Ref 75SE further.  

One thing @dekay , the only switches on my MFA amps are standby and operate. They take a quad of 6550 or KT-88 each.

@ps 

Some of my earlier ARC amps used 2 quads of 6550 SED Winged C tubes.  The newer ARC amps use KT-150s.  There is no comparison.  The KT-150s have reserve power capabilities that are significantly greater than 6550s and KT-88s. 

When my Ref 150 was upgraded to the SE version, ARC switched out the stock KT-120s for KT-150s.  Major difference, especially in bass.  The mids and high ends were really nice too.  

Google the tube specs on line.

That said, I think the current line Prima Luna line also use KT-150s.  It is worth checking.    

@BIF,
Thanks, and yes, I have learned that the latest Prima Lunas I’m looking into can use KT-150’s. That’s another reason I am interested in them. That, in addition to ease of biasing, gentle driving of tubes, etc, and down-sizing my system somewhat. My mono amps still sound very good but I’m hoping I can improve SQ and do it with a single, newer amp while keeping my Lumi preamp, which of course can only run unbalanced.