Audio Research Ref75 se

hey thank you all for your responses!

well the thing is that i tried to find some good SS gear but it couldnt or it was more expensive.

for example the 75se is for 6.1k$

 and i found PASS Labs for 2-3k$ more ax60.5 was around 8k i think.. might be more

cant find  Ayre anywhere .

so its either i need to wait for some used Pass or go with the tube 75se which i kinda like tubes anyway, even tho i can live with both SS or Tubes.

BTW @skucie I might be getting the new Signature III if i can sell my vandys and i will be adding just 500$ so its really good to hear u had good experience with them!

i found PASS LABS XA30.5 + XP-20 pre for 8.7k$ 

what do u think..? should i go with it or with the Audio Research

You shouldnt buy anything in that price range without listening/demoing with a purpose. You should, however, go listen to alot of different gear.

Where do you live? Are there dealers near? Make appointments. Decide if you are set on your speakers, if not, figure out what you want. Then determine appropriate electronics. I love, absolutely love, the ref75se. The ref75se will not be performing at its best with your vandys. I also have great appreciation for the pass xa series. My experience owning the 30.5 years ago was it was sloppy in the lower bass. The .8 series is better with bass. Im not terribly fond of pass preamps.

OR

If you dont want to spend a little time and money to go and determine what you want, then by all means buy whatever you want.

Well the problem is that , sadly I can’t listen to all this gear.. but I came down to 3 amps.

I will say that, I want the amp to stay with me for the next years and that I will have room for update the speakers. atm I have to stay with my vandy’s and im quiete fine with it.

:so these are the 3 amps

1. ARC Reference 75SE

2. BRYSTON 4b SST2

3. Pass Labs xa30.5

I can listen only to the bryston probably. might be also listen the pass labs checking it out.