ARC VSi75SE v. MF Nu-Vista 800

I would without question recommend the Audio Research for sound quality. I am very familiar with all their products. Less so with MF… but have read lots. However, since they are going to be part of a tv system… that is a different story. 
 

First headphone jacks out of nearly all, even high quality components are not good… so not much of an asset. Also, if you are talking about 5 channels, the center should be the same speakers, and not of wildly different sonic character from the other channels. 
 

Just as an aside… it is much preferable to separate two channel audio systems from HT if you can. Vastly different objectives and requirements. If I had say $25K for systems… I would put $20K in audio in a separate audio system and $5K in HT. But you may not be able to do this.

So, I guess the MF wins if this is the only two choices. 
 

If there are options… I’d be happy to look at the whole picture. There is a place to put photos and I’d your existing components under Virtual systems. I am 71, so this doesn’t come from a young whippersnapper,

THe operant word re: HT was "double duty". My legacy components, those I use for "serious" 2-channel listening, will be routed directly to the new integrated, bypassing all HT electronics & cables.

Context: The home theater uses relatively inexpensive $2K Class D amps to power the surround & center speakers; but its FL & FR signals will be sent to a single dedicated input of the integrated. Not yet sure if I’ll route analog FL/FR receiver output directly to an analog input or first pass the receiver’s unprocessed digital output through an external DAC. But there’ll be time to make that decision after I settle on an amp.

Either way, I’ll always drive the front-channel Harbeths with the same higher-quality power amp (and possibly preamp), regardless of whether the source is the existing A/V receiver playing a multi-channel disc or streaming 5.1 movie; or a stereo SACD, LP, or outboard DAC.

Oh, and re: headphones, the MF has a line-level output that would drive my Class A HP amp nicely.  I'm not sure how I'd extract headphone output from the ARC but that's not a dealbreaker for me.

I hope that clarifies things.

But I’m a little confused myself. After recommending the ARC, you cite the MF as the better choice. Was that a typo?

One other thing: I hope you’re not conflating popular MF’s M-series amps with its more esoteric Nu-Vista line. Completely different animals; e.g., the Nu-Vista integrated that just replaced the 800 I’m considering lists for $22,000; with Nu-Vista separates running twice that.

The Nu-Vista line is based on a modern version of 1950s nuvistor technology -- essentially tiny solid-state metal-and-ceramic vacuum-tube-like devices. I’d suggest browsing Michael Fremer’s Stereophile review of the 800 for a quick heads-up if you’re not familiar.

Btw, Mikey’s review contained some of the highest praise I’ve ever heard him give to an amp. In fact, some of his characterizations of the 800’s sound quality seem a lot like those I’ve heard about ARC tube gear. Hence, my original question.

See: https://www.stereophile.com/content/musical-fidelity-nu-vista-800-integrated-amplifier

Anyway, thanks for the reply; I think we were discussing a similar issue earlier this week, and I consider it a real opportunity to be able to discuss ARC gear with someone as knowledgable as you.

But given these clarifications, do you still recommend the MF? Remember that I’m trying to consider only differences in sonics at this point.

The ARC amp will outperform the MF. More real, natural, musical sound. I suppose it depends on how much time you run your HT. Lots of folks run the HT way more than the 2 channel. The start up time is a couple minutes… I have a friend with one… he will tell me exactly next time when he starts his up next time. My Ref 160s is 3.5 minutes.

If your HT is on 8 hours a day and a couple hours for audio only. That is going to cause you to replace the tubes every year. If that is not a problem… the definitely go for it.

My concern would be the difference in character between the center and surrounds given really natural musical sound to the FR and FL and budget solid state to the center and surrounds.

To see where I am coming from look at my virtual systems. My HT is B&W 805 speakers and two subs with Meridian Surround and Rotel 250wpc amp. My main system Sonus Faber speakers and all Audio Reseach components. I have a separate headphone system Aurrender/Ayre/Woo 300b. So I am familiar with the tradoffs.