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.
cwlondon
Jafox: wasn't the D250 a servo type, as I recollect???
If I had the moola, I would like Albert said, take a D79A
and do some serious modern mods. I thought it was THE killer
ARC amp. I think it has about a jillion joules of energy, it
would drive about anything. By the way, I still have a
picture of the D160 from their literature, still hanging
on a basement wall. I REALLY lusted over that one!!!!
Shubertmaniac:

You're not the seller of the D-160 on ebay by any chance, are you?

I am otherwise thinking I should take your advice and buy it...
That D160 you mentioned on E-bay, so far appears to be going for a bargin bin, yard sale price at $1500! I would think that at anywhere under $2500 you would never have a problem getting you money back out of it if it weren't the sound you were after. Seems to be a respected unit here on Audiogon.
All of a sudden there are two D-160's on E-bay. Tympani's can be bi-amped can't they? Just a thought?
Two D160s Wow! Who would of thought!!! But be aware of any vintage tube amp: most likely they need to be retubed and
matched. There are 10 6550s total and finding matched sets will not be inexpensive. $1500 in my opinion is high, by the
way. I would not pay more than $1000. You are asking why don't I go for it, since I have lusted over them for 18 years?? Owning them and oogling over them are two distinct
ideas. It would be like dating Christy Brinkley, great idea
but could you afford the VERY HIGH MAINTENANCE costs??????