Solid State to replace Audio Research REF110?

12-08-13: Zd542
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.

Interesting. I'm thinking that the reason for that statement, and for some of the problems that have been reported, might be the effect that Ralph (Atmasphere) described in his two posts starting here, which relates to interactions that may occur between amplifiers having very extended low frequency bandwidth and preamps having less than ideal stability in their power supplies. I note that the specified 3db bandwidth of the Ref 110 extends to a very low 0.6 Hz. I note also that Ralph mentions ARC specifically in his second post, although that experience occurred many moons ago.

Another possibility, of course, might be that ARC is anticipating that some users will not follow the proper turn-on and turn-off sequences (amp on last and off first), which might result in the amp having to process large transients that may be generated by some preamps at turn-on or turn-off.

Regards,
-- Al

I would not jump the ship with tube amps. Like Bojack,I have been using QS products for years and never a problem.

SST Ambrosia should do a good job for you

I would recommend researching the following depending on your speakers impedance and recommended amplification/power.

First Watt SIT-1 Monoblocks
Wells Audio Innamorata Amplifiers
Pass Labs XA.5 Series
Merrill Audio Veritas Twin or Monoblocks

Pass Labs.