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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? 

fsonicsmith
kennyc
2,952 posts
 

Looking forward to giving the S100 or S200 a demo.

Wondering if speakers efficient enough, will the S200 sound superior/same/inferior to the S100.  

kapland
5 posts
 

I auditioned both s100 and s200.  S200 was just a bit better at everything.

iuliucra's avatar
iuliucra
2 posts
 

My present system consists of the ARC LS-3, ARC S-200, Canton Reference 5, Aurender N20 and Laiv Harmony DAC and it sounds fantastic ! The LS-3 has the internal DAC and it's hard to tell the difference between the Laiv and the LS-3 DAC , they're both really good dacs and can compete with dacs up to 5k. The S-200 is a powerhouse with excellent tight bass. I saw the Absolute Sound video with Tom Martin providing an excellent review is why I was interested in the in the combo. I have a local dealer who let me take home the LS-2 & S-200 to audition, and as a result they never went back to the dealer i purchased them. They're both in Black and when you dim the room lights those meters shine  

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