Audio Research reference amplifiers used with RCA IC`s and unbalanced preamplifiers

cleeds

yeah ouch!! Not looking for added service expense/shipping  if possible. I don't repair but am capable of changing tubes, biasing, changing fuses. 

I do have an audio technician who does repairs for me at a reasonable cost  

atmasphere

Thanks thats good information from an insider at ARC. I would try to purchase the ampliifier with a return provision ,if possible . 

I have both a REF150Se and a REF75SE- outstanding amps. I'm pretty sure ARC doesn't want you to use adapters and I def wouldn't entertain having anyone try to convert them to RCA inputs either. There are lots of guys out there who work on tube amps who confidently will tell you they can figure out anything on an ARC and work on it - in my experience they can't without the schematics- and ARC doesn't provide them to non authorized servicers. Also, Kalvin is not retired and is at ARC and is usually the guy who answers the phone. CAll them and ask them directly about the balanced / adapters question. Trust no one else in my experience. 

Both the REF75SE and the REF150 SE are outstanding amps- better than any others I've had and I've had a lot of high end gear. The ARC amps (and their pre amps- I have an LS28Se) are flat out musical, dynamic and detailed- somehow they just get it 'right" for me. Yes, tubes run hot; they use more electricity, they will age and fail and are expensive. Like most other high end toys - like owning a Porsche or similar- they're expensive to maintain at times- but- they're really really good. A tube set from Upscale for the 75SE runs about $700, from ARC $1300. For the 150SE from Upscale about $1600, from ARC $3300. They last about 3k hours. They make wonderful music always.

And, if you get a higher end set of XLR cables you will notice another uptick in performance resolution etc. I run a fully balanced system, Ref 9 CD->LS10-> D240 it’s fabulous musical and an endgame set.
See my set up here.