I've never dipped my toes into tube amps, sticking to pre-amps only. I've felt life is too short to be messing around with power tubes. I'm sure others disagree.
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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I did exactly as you for decades. Being reticent of getting into tube amps. About ten years ago, I made the plunge... now all my amps are tubed. I would never consider going back. The S100 and S200 are great products and are very musical, completely lacking in "solid stateless"... but bringing the power and musicality. But still not the nuance of tubes. Unless you run your system all day long... tube changes only come many years apart. Well work |
@jc51373 which pre are you using? I have my eyes on the new LS-3 but there are zero user reviews on it. |
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