I've had a chance to listen to the S200 Amp. It was at a local dealer using the LS2 preamp and Wilson watt/puppy speakers. I must say I was very impressed. The overall sound was fluid, detailed yet also somehow just easy. I compared it to the S100 amp. The s100 amp was excellent but I felt the s200 was better in every way. The bass was deeper, image clearer, the presence of each instrument better defined. I did not try the LS1 amp as the store owner felt that the LS2 was so vastly superior that it was not worth my time. FWIW, I brought in my current amp, a Mark Levinson 585 integrated. This amp is no slouch. But I found the AR combo much more engaging. The biggest differences were increased bass and instrument detail. I ended up buying the LS2/S200 combo. So, I was impressed. I suggest having a listen if one is available locally.
Audio Research S-200
ARC has finally updated their website to show their six new products. Of them, this is the one I can see myself buying in order to get away from the demands of my Ref 150 SE (though my Ref 80S is seemingly easier on tubes). The ARC site shows next to nothing about the design principles reportedly adopted/impemented by Mike Bettinger. One side of me says "who cares" since by and large all solid state amps look pretty much the same inside and despite the manufacturer's claims, there is precious little that is groundbreaking in amplifier design, particularly with class A-B. But the other side of me wants to see what ARC has to say. I am particularly interested to read what they will admit to; after all can there really be any doubt that ARC came back out with two solid state designs to get away from their vulnerability to the fluctuations in the tube market?
So, does anyone have any information at this point?
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- 19 posts total
- 19 posts total