can it bee that audio research vsi 75 has lack of open highs/mid ?

OP,

That is terrible. What country?

Well from my experience with ARC and lots of audio buddies… open,  natural and detailed is what Audio Research is all about. Unless you are looking for etched clinical, ARC should be it. The VSI75 is perfect. What source are the using… what speakers?

the country is Israel.
usually importers here import from those kind of items just few examples , and sometime only if you order it specially.
have now:
crick audio integrated.
well tempered tt and arm.
monster alpha 2 cartridge.
speakers and phono stage are in a plan to upgrade.
right now kef speakers and SCHIIT MANI phono.
but i would not pay lot of intention to what i have today, since the only thing that will stay is the turntable.
and what i heard in the store was on several speakers and oracle phono stage, TT German turntable( hope i remember the right brand) , don’t know which cartridge.

@stone1

Thanks. Helpful information. So, understanding your situation better. The normal recommendation would be to say, find your speakers first. Then work on subsequent components.

After fifty years of improving my audio systems. I am going to tell you my prejudges view. I would buy the VSI75 on faith. It is an incredibly musical integrated amp. While sometimes it is easy to get waylaided by highly detailed trebly forward imaging, the musicality of that amp is truly amazing. That is a world class piece of equipment you can build a truly great system around. Then, I would pick pieces to complement it… definitely an Audio Research Phonostage… you want to hear your TT sound great,

I am prejudice, after pursuing the high end for over fifty years and now owning an all ARC system that amazes me every time listen to it… am sad when I have to do something else.

Buy the way, a fellow audiophile came over recently commented on how great the imaging was on my system. Audio Research is known for that too.

thanks.
i am planning an additional listening in the shop, and than make my final decision .

@stone1 

Were you to go ahead with purchasing the Ref 75SE I would highly recommend that you replace the pair of factory supplied new production Sovtek 6h30 Pi EB with genuine pre 1990 production Reflector Corp 6h30 DR 

Genuine DR’s have become increasingly hard to find and there are a number of eBay vendors listing new production Sovtek Pi EB as NOS 6h30 DR

They are a little expensive however you only need a pair and they will most certainly audibly out perform the ARC factory pair.

See below an online guide to recognising genuine pre 1990 Reflector plant production 6h30 DR

I would recommend this upgrade to any member running ARC equipment with the stock ARC tubes.

http://www.aca.gr/index/hiend/hiendArticles?row=1988