Do have anyone to purchase Audio Research REF 75SE in 2021?

nelson pass' amps can sound rather different from each other, based on version, power level, and topology... can’t lump them all together in my experience - different models give you something but you give up other things

arc ref 75 is definitely a special amp... se running kt150’s are an improvement in some applications, not others, as tube amps and their interface with specific speakers matters much in how the pairing sounds at end of day - once again, depending on the system and taste of the listener, the right pass amp can please as well or better than a ref 75 -- what we are dealing with here are absolutely top notch examples of products of their specific type

(i have both pass xa25/fw f5t as well as ref 75)

The Ref75SE doesn’t sound SS at all. It’s very musically convincing unlike former ARC products. 

@swede58 

A Pass 150.8.  It was plenty of power for my speakers (both the Thiel 2.4s and the Magnepan 20.7s) but the ARC amplifier just added tremendous refinement and delicacy and speed -- yes speed -- there is simply no comparison.  The ARC GS-150 is a great amplifier.  Of course it IS always about the amplifier speaker combo and perhaps the Pass matches some speakers better than others but the vast improvement with the ARC product for me was astonishing.

@pwhinson 

That’s interesting as Pass amps are

known for being a great match with

Magnepans.

Jim Smith wrote:

” Having worked at Magnepan, I still have some friends there. I know for a fact that some folks at Magnepan think that this X series - including the 260.8 & 350.8 - may be the best sounding amps that they have heard with their speakers. Of course, ymmv - but I doubt it.”