Creme de Creme of ARC amps..hmmmm...D79A or D160, I have not seen either on Audiogon for awhile...in fact I do not
think I have ever seen a D160 for sale, rare and a keeper.
think I have ever seen a D160 for sale, rare and a keeper.
The Ferrari 288 GTO of ARC Tube Amps
Further to my fried Levinson, I am hoping some ARC gurus might give me some advice on a new power amp.
Those of you who have read my Retro High End system might understand -- I have a weakness for circa late 80's high end cult classics including my ARC SP-11 MK II and Tympani IVas.
Although dated in some respects -- like the 1986 Ferrari GTO -- these classics were way ahead of their time, continue to compete with the best of the new gear but IMO are more fun and involving to own.
Can any fans of ARC tubes suggest an amp that might best suit my taste? What is the 288 GTO of ARC tube amps? M-300s? (Or are the M-300s more like an F-40 -- fabulously brutal but less refined?) Or would M-100s drive Tympanis?
Or should I be a little less retro and go for a newer unit -- say Classic 150's.
If you havent already guessed, my taste leans more towards midrange, warmth and soundstaging and I am not obsessed with the last word in detail and resolution. These amps are tricky to demo and very $$$ to ship/return so any advice is greatly appreciated.
Oh -- and if I havent asked too much already, it would be great if the thing didnt require constant service and/or raise my room temperature to 180 degrees.
But of course that is secondary.
Thank you.
Those of you who have read my Retro High End system might understand -- I have a weakness for circa late 80's high end cult classics including my ARC SP-11 MK II and Tympani IVas.
Although dated in some respects -- like the 1986 Ferrari GTO -- these classics were way ahead of their time, continue to compete with the best of the new gear but IMO are more fun and involving to own.
Can any fans of ARC tubes suggest an amp that might best suit my taste? What is the 288 GTO of ARC tube amps? M-300s? (Or are the M-300s more like an F-40 -- fabulously brutal but less refined?) Or would M-100s drive Tympanis?
Or should I be a little less retro and go for a newer unit -- say Classic 150's.
If you havent already guessed, my taste leans more towards midrange, warmth and soundstaging and I am not obsessed with the last word in detail and resolution. These amps are tricky to demo and very $$$ to ship/return so any advice is greatly appreciated.
Oh -- and if I havent asked too much already, it would be great if the thing didnt require constant service and/or raise my room temperature to 180 degrees.
But of course that is secondary.
Thank you.