Audio Research Ref75 se

@tomic601

tyvm for your detailed response , i will join vandy forum for sure.

also i have heard my vandy with Aesthetix Mimas and Atlas. the Mimas sounded great but not close to detail and imaging of the Atlas, the Atlas was better all the way noticebly

@ghasley

well some are private and some are in dealers shop. for example the REF75SE is private and he wouldnt move his current speakers an inch... idk he just dont want to connect my speakers to his expensive system by his words.

anyway I will be listenning to the Pass labs and as for the Bryston i get it with BP-6 pre and BDA-3 dac all bryston set for the whole weekend :D

im really trying to listen to a lot of gear, some ppl dont appreciate it and feel like im not serious wasting their time.

The Atlas is a Bad A amplifier and has two additional possible future upgrades thru the factory the Signature and Eclipse. All three superb and as you may know have a built in high pass filter compatible w Vandersteen powered bass models. 

@tomic601 

when u say reliable do you mean mechanic wise?

op

here are a number of solid state amps (some integrated) i think would work GREAT with vandy 2ce sigs, are commensurate with the level of that speaker, and cost effective too (compared to 6 grand for the arc amp)

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisaf3eb-belles-350-a-reference-stereo-amp-solid-state

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisae85h-benchmark-abh2-solid-state

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisaeifi-bryston-solid-state

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649813813-hegel-h190/

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649750997-2000-plinius-9200-w-xlr-amp-phono-amp-home-theater-bypass-awesome/

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649816064-kinki-studio-ex-b7-mono-blocks-silver-mint/

these will all give you great sound with your speakers and will match very well in tone, and ability to drive them properly, esp on the bass end -- at these prices, you can enjoy, and resell at minimal loss if they don’t suit your fancy (i have zero affiliation with any of these, do your due diligence on seller and condition)

that said, if you like tubes, prefer eye candy to sonic/system synergy with the 2ce’s, and/or plan to move onto better more expensive speakers, by all means the arc ref75 is an absolutely wonderful amp to own

all the amplifiers you are considering have a reputation as reliable. All come from long standing storied firms in the industry. w reputation for quality. A tube amp will wear out tubes eventually…and when tubes fail something has to give, typically a fuse. The ARC tend to use a sacrificial resistor on the amp because they feel fuses have a detrimental effect on sound quality. You can research this or talk w ARC owners, there are MANY on this site. 

jim