Audio Research 100.2 amp

Ken, I've had some experience with S.E. and its been generally good. Of course the usual caveats apply: depends on the particualar salesman,day you go there, and making them understand that you are there for a serious listen(not that you're absolutly buying the product). If you are interested, email me and I'll give you someone's name who i've dealt with. Peter

Ken, take Peter up on his offer. I have only dealt with S.E. long ago, when I was looking for a used piece of equipment (they have a LOT of good used equipment); they were friendlier and more helpful than the other NYC high end Meccas (except Innovative Audio, to which I have sent numerous people starting out in this hobby because they are good at educating and at letting you listen). A friend of mine bought VTL MB 750s from them, used, at a great price and he was happy with the amps and the buying experience.

Reprince: Thanks for your input. I was a bit concerned by those feedbacks on Audiosurvey.com. Peter: You've got a mail. I really do appreciate both of your help. Now I am tatally at a loss, but this is the fun part. Ken

hey khokugo, what preamp do ya use? this wood also affect yer amp choice.

how about a nice electrocompaniet aw100 amp? i got one adwertised here on audiogon, asking $895... ;~) yeah, i know - shameless plug! only selling it to find an aw75 to match my aw75, so i can run a pair bridged.

Khokugo, the ARC100.2 is an all-FET transistor design which in my opinion sounds somewhat veiled compared to solid state amps possessing bipolar transisitor outputs or even MOSFET outputs. The 100.2 has the same "problems" that older all-FET Conrad Johnson SS amps had, although in newer CJ's they've switched to bipolar output (keeping only the FET gain stage), for increased clarity while retaining some warmth. (See Stereophile review of CJ MF2500 amp for details.) If you listen a lot to classical and want to avoid the harshness of many bipolar amps (e.g. steely violin sections), you should try some MOSFET-output amps, which are being made nowdays much better than before (they used to be somewhat hazy and bass-wimpy). With MOSFETs you get the warmth & 3-D imaging of tubes without the etched/brittle sound of many pure-bipolar transisitor amps. There are many such amps available; do a search on AudioAsylum (using keyword MOSFET) for many discussions and recommendations. Finally, consider the new BelCanto EVo200.2 solid state amp (which I own, and can be found used for as low as $1600). It has a unique MOSFET-type switching ouput device, and is a great synthesis of solid-state and tube-like character. Of course, you could go in the direction of tube amps, but in my experience dealing with tube gear can be expensive and complicated. (Tube amps can sound wonderful, though...) Good luck in your search.