Should I consider the newer Audio Research pre & power amps, when I play records not CD's

Thank you for the response. Thank you regarding the phono stage. So, even if it says phono I may have to use a separate phono preamp? New is out of the question but a few years old used might be within range. I just sold my Conrad Johnson pre amp and my Dynaco ST 50. The Dynaco sounded great but no enough power. 

I appreciate the help very much. I never realized I was so far out of date. I listened to ARC years ago but could not afford it. I am not dead set on ARC and am now realizing there are great companies out there, producing a high quality products. Why do you need DACs and what are some good phono preamps?

Years ago in the store we had plenty of time to test different products. Our technician got an ARC SP3A and a D 76. We were able to compare it to most of the McIntosh line of tube amps and other solid state equipment. I fell in love with the ARC sound then. I had to sell the stores to care for my father and my second love "1940's 78 RPM Wurlitzer jukeboxes" kept me sane while taking care for him with Altimeters. All the jukeboxes have mono tube amps (6L6-5U4) type amps and all need restoration. (new caps and tubes) I have looked at the Ref 110 most are over $5000. I like the idea of the VT-100 in the $2500 range and going for a very good preamp and phono preamp. The reviews on the LS17se and the LS 25 & 26 are pretty good. Probably a dumb question but can a regular CD player be plugged into a Line Stage preamp without a DAC. The use of a DAC is confusing. 

Thanks everyone for the help. I read a few hours a day to try to update myself. There are not any dealers close so I have to do the research. What about the VS 115 w/KT-120's and Ref 75 & 75SE compared to the Ref 110?

There are a few ref Ref 75/75se for sale is was why I asked. The 75 uses 4 KT 120's and the SE uses 4 KT 150's. I know most people like the ARC with the metal front. I like the open tube VS 115 style, also. There is one for sale with (8) KT 120's instead of the 6550's and the reviews on that amp seem pretty good. I see the Ref 110 uses 8 6550's, also. I have B & W 804's that require at least 50 watts of power. I would think the 75 would be OK but the 110 or 115 might be a little better.
I have 100's of albums on my computer.  I am finding that using a good DAC (ARC DAC8 etc.) this music will sound pretty good. Is this correct? If so what other DACs are pretty good? With technology growing like it is, am I better getting a good newer DAC.
Just curious did you upgrade to the Ref 5 SE from the LS15? The Ref 5SE is pretty expensive. I shouldn't think so much about the price. I have people buy 1940's jukeboxes that play 78 records and spend $10,000 or more.
Thank you for taking the time to help me out.

I looked up your speakers and they are extremely nice. I love the workmanship and the sound must be terrific. Leave it to the Italians. I have a Ducati motorcycle. I purchased the B&W speakers because I have always loved them and the price was very good. They disappear better than any speaker I have ever owned. They are 90DB SPL and 75w would be the bottom I would accept in power. The 110w or 115w would be a little better. I am not a loud loud listener. I will upgrade them to a better pair as time goes on. No matter how good the equipment is "the speakers are the most important."
How do you get from the computer to the DAC without using USB? Do you use a USB to AES/XLR?  If I understood you the computer audio is not as good as a CD even with the DAC8 or other DAC units?
LS25mk11 For sale on audio Mart hope the link works.
thttp://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649316600-fs-audio-research-ls25-mk-ii-pre-amplifier/images/13894...
 

 I have the house set up so I can run the Ipad thru the house or just the video system. I was thinking I wanted to keep the audio system separate and just play records but the more i read about streaming the music the more I want to go that way. I just have to educate myself how all this stuff works. I have read about the Aurender and also the Lumin. The Lumin D1 ($2000) with a DAC is less but does not store the music. The Aurender N100H does store the music. What is the difference other than storage? The Lumin A1 has gotten incredible reviews but at $7000 it is out of my price range.
I have decided on ARC equipment mainly for the sound but also the resale. I am sure over the next few years I will make changes and ARC seems to do well in the resale market. I had looked at Herron Audio and liked what I read but the resale aspect of it concerns me.

Thank you Frank for the thoughts. The first ARC amp I listened to was a  76/SP3 40 years ago and have wanted ARC ever since. I how have the money to get a few things on my Bucket list, but was amazed at how far out of touch I am. I restore old 1940's jukeboxes (state of the art in 1940) and all have tube amps, that have to have all the caps replaced and new tubes. The cartridge is like a nail (yes, a nail) and has to be upgraded. I don't think the 60 is enough power for me. I put the Ref 75 at the least I could use. If I upgrade my speakers, I could just get another one and biamp.    I would like to get a Ref 150 but the price is a little more than i want to put out.  After reading reviews on the Ref 2 and 3 and the recommendation from Lostbears I am going one of them.

I am just stuck on tubes. I love the warmness they offer. Yes a pain but I feel they are worth it. I love Magnepans an had a pair of the ARC Magneplanar Tympani's back in the 70 and loved them. They took up the hole room. They have come a long way over the years. 

I can't say I am converted but the older I get some things are just easier. I was so thankful the preamps had a remote. Learning about digital DAC and Streamers is very confusing, but I will figure it out. "I hope"

I am trying to get rid of, at least part of the rope. When I started my quest to play records again, I was not aware of the advances that had been made in digital music. I can remember the first time I compared a CD (2 by oversampling) to a record, it was like listening to AM radio. My experience now is only with an ipad using Bluetooth thru the system in my shop. I did dive into learning more about digital music and with the help of Lostbears started to understand the ins and outs of playing digital music. A streamer is on the have to have list, after reading everything regarding them. I still very much want to play records and well aware of keeping them in good condition. I have over 500 LP's and all are in rice paper sleeves, cleaned before and after use, and I take the static out before and after. Compared to Digital it is a pain. That being said, It is going to hard to beat listening to Pink Floyd, Dark Side, on MFSL UHQR, a glass of wine or Grand Mariner, except I have to get up and turn it over. Then after it is played, clean it and put it away and get out the album I want to hear next. I can see how it would be easy to get spoiled sitting in your listening chair with an Ipad to select what you want to hear. Not to mention a favorites list.

I try to take the time to research each of the systems you'll have, mainly to educate myself. With most of the new stuff (mainly Digital) I have much to learn. 

Thank you for all the options. Any experience with Aurendar or Lumin streamers?

We sold McIntosh at the store years ago. I actually went to the factory In NY. Showed us around for 2 days. What I remember the most is they took us all out to dinner and ordered for us. Out comes a piece of Prime Rib so big I though they were going to carve it. But noooo!!!!! I find out later it was called the McIntosh cut at the restaurant. I wounder if they still do that?  

I went thru the B&O (new caps, belts, and lub. It is a good table but I am going to keep it with the video system. I have beem looking at turntables and phono preamps. Vpi is high on the list and also Music Hall, Rega, and Thorens. I have not done any research on new cartridges. I have an older Denon 103D, Shure V15 Type lll, and an extra B&O mmc20cl I can use. I have always liked the Denon.

I have looked at the VT 100 MKIII (it has XLR inputs) over the other 2 models and the Ref 75. What is your opinion on the 2 amps.

I am in Virginia, not Pasadena. I have checked locally but there was never an ARC dealer close. This area is mostly McIntosh because there were a couple of us selling them. The closest ARC dealer does not stock much anymore. They are more into A/V systems. I am older and my hearing is "no where near" as good as it was years ago. I mainly don't want to purchase something that I would have trouble selling, should I want to upgrade. One thing about ARC and other companies is when they do make something that people dislike the sound of the value drops and they are hard to sell, when you do want to up grade. I keep hoping a ref 110 might pop up at a decent price. If not a Ref 75 is in my future.
When you convert analog record to digital does the quality of the turntable matter? What is a good analog to digital converter?

I have read and heard from you'll that the ARC LS 25 MKll is a good pre amp in the lower price range. I know the ARC  Ref 2mkll and the Ref 3 are better. They seem to never show up for sale. Why not consider the LS 26 and LS 27 over the LS 25? Just some opinions.

When hooking a DAC to my computer I can use USB and I also see an optical connection near my speaker jack. Which is better to use to get the siginal to the DAC?

I have missed 2 Ref 3 over the last week. I am going to make an offer on an ARC 5SE and hope I get it. I have also been looking at the ARC 75 and 75SE. Is the SE worth the difference in money? I ordered a VPI turntable and was wondering what phono preamps would be good with probably an Ortofon MC (open to suggestions). I have always like to sound of the Ortofon and I liked a Denon 103D years ago. I have looked at the ARC phono 5 and 7, PS Audio Nuwave, and others but would like some seggestions on phono preamps?

Update, I purchased an ARC Ref 5SE and a Ref 75 amp. It has to come from one coast to the other and hopefully it will arrive in tact. I will probably upgrade the B&W's to a larger model speakers and may have to get a larger amp or get another Ref 75 and bi-amp. Thanks everyone for the help. I have to turn my attention to a phono preamp and there are so many out there hopefully I will make a good choice. Suggestions welcome in that area. I will also need a DAC at some point. I keep looking at the ARC DAC8 but I have a lot to learn in that area.