In all honesty I think the result of the choice will be a total system pairing highly dependent on how you percieve your speakers sound. I use a Cary pre with uber 6SN7s, the famed Ws, into tube power amps wich are Opera Consonance Cyber 800 monoblocks using 6CA7s outputs tubes. While they are definitely not the tubey, slow, syrupy, tube amps of yesteryear, I was concerned that the combination might be too much. However my speakers are JM Lab Focal Electra 936s which tend to be very detailed and analytic. The result is sheer nirvana for me anyway.
Now I strongly recommend tube power amps and tube preamp but I also think there is a place for good SS preamps because I am convinced it is the tube power amp that really matters. If your speakers are warm, polite, British style laid back etc. You might find greater synergy from the ARC or even a good SS pre.
I am saying this as an ardent collector of 6SN7s. They have the best tone IMO of all preamp tubes but the gear you use with them must be relatively clean.
Also watch out for microphonics in 6SN7s they are prone to suffer this problem when buying old stock. It is almost unavoidable, however a tube which is noisy apart from microphonics is not part of the deal. The noisy tube should be returned to its seller without question. Some will accept returns of microphonic tubes if you can get them to represent them as "Phono" grade or just non microphonic prior to buying them. Always ask if they are quiet non microphonic ubes first. I am fortunate to owm massive brass 6SN7 tube damper which alleviates rge microphonics. I don't think they are made anymore .
Now I strongly recommend tube power amps and tube preamp but I also think there is a place for good SS preamps because I am convinced it is the tube power amp that really matters. If your speakers are warm, polite, British style laid back etc. You might find greater synergy from the ARC or even a good SS pre.
I am saying this as an ardent collector of 6SN7s. They have the best tone IMO of all preamp tubes but the gear you use with them must be relatively clean.
Also watch out for microphonics in 6SN7s they are prone to suffer this problem when buying old stock. It is almost unavoidable, however a tube which is noisy apart from microphonics is not part of the deal. The noisy tube should be returned to its seller without question. Some will accept returns of microphonic tubes if you can get them to represent them as "Phono" grade or just non microphonic prior to buying them. Always ask if they are quiet non microphonic ubes first. I am fortunate to owm massive brass 6SN7 tube damper which alleviates rge microphonics. I don't think they are made anymore .