Here's a thread i had initiated a few years ago. I have not made the move to any of those 3 mono amps listed here although if i intended to replace my Classic 120's modded by GNSC in 2005, i would lean toward a pair of 210's or a REF 150. More toward the 150 i think. I just want to "scale down" to an amp that uses fewer power tubes. The 120's have 16 (in Triode configuration) vs 8 in the 150 in partially cathode/coupled topology which is said to be superior sonically to pentode and triode operation but the jury is still out on this claim.
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?aamps&1206112630&openmine&zzSmoffatt&4&5#Smoffatt
Although i have replaced my phono preamp and line stage a few times since 1990 when i first acquired the 120's, i have some difficulties coming to grip parting with the 120's. Sweet sounding triode sound with separate power supplies and no "grain" whatsoever. Steve told me that he would take the grain out with his mods and he did. I would have to AB'd the 120's vs a 150 in my system/room and then decide. An ARC dealer in Montreal told me that doing such comparison would be futile and disappointing. "You need to go to a pair of REF250 or REF210 with KT120's in them if you want to make a worthwhile comparison". Only a sales pitch perhaps but i have known him for 25 years and i trust/value his opinion.
All the best in your search.
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?aamps&1206112630&openmine&zzSmoffatt&4&5#Smoffatt
Although i have replaced my phono preamp and line stage a few times since 1990 when i first acquired the 120's, i have some difficulties coming to grip parting with the 120's. Sweet sounding triode sound with separate power supplies and no "grain" whatsoever. Steve told me that he would take the grain out with his mods and he did. I would have to AB'd the 120's vs a 150 in my system/room and then decide. An ARC dealer in Montreal told me that doing such comparison would be futile and disappointing. "You need to go to a pair of REF250 or REF210 with KT120's in them if you want to make a worthwhile comparison". Only a sales pitch perhaps but i have known him for 25 years and i trust/value his opinion.
All the best in your search.