Solid State to replace Audio Research REF110?

As a former ARC owner, I'd try to find a mint pair of BEL 1001 monoblocks (no longer in production - Mr. Brown deceased).

Also great SS: Ayre, Pass, Krell, Spectral, BAT.

Owned ARC tubes for many years and had only one, non catastrophic, non-tube failure. Arc is great.

I did try a friend's passive pre-amp which caused all 8 6550 tubes to glow a bright blue (scary!).

I wonder how many ARC "failures" were due to using with other-than-ARC pre-amps?

I agree…don't give up on tubes, but go to a different brand that is more reliable and will not blow up on you. I have used Quicksilver amps (no PCBs) since 2006 and have had zero problems with the exception of a bad tube here or there. I had one tube in my Mini-Mites decide to put on a fireworks show, and the amp was absolutely fine, not even a blown fuse. I have also had a JJ arc on me multiple times with M60s, and again, amp was bulletproof.

"I wonder how many ARC "failures" were due to using with other-than-ARC pre-amps?"

Well that seems to makes sense. It does say on the first page of ARC's tube amp owners manuals that: ARC tube amps must be used with ARC preamps or damage will occur. I guess they put it in bold print for a reason.

Might want to check out Octave amps if you stay with tubes. I owned a V70se and traded up to the V110 integrated. I've had several tubes go bad including arc over and the protection circuit works. No damage. They also have a soft start feature to extend tube life.

Does using an ARC power amp with another brand preamp void the warranty?