Ayon spirit vs audio research vsi-60

then you should be 'home free' with the arc. its an incredible piece and the speakers are among the best. enjoy.

there is also the option of the new ayon orion amp. it is my understanding that the orion is the original spirit but manufactured in china instead of austria and retails for $2400 instead of the $4000 price of the spirit II. the spirit II would have better parts, made in austria and comes with more expensive tubes.
usa tube audio has a trail period.

i got offered the spirit tonight for 2850 shipped. It was used once for a demo and has 80hrs on the new tubes.

I think you should buy them both and start another threat titled:

The Austrian Hunk of Burning Love vs. the Minnesotan Monster, or something. It seems after posting so many threads on an amp you owe it to the community to conduct the shootout. ;) Please make it happen.

I just wouldn't pay too much for either when you can get them for 50 or 60 percent of retail here. Also, have you considered the chest pounding exotic Kronzilla, late ancestor of the tower climbing beast from Tokyo?

Keep us posted.

Sorry for all the posts, but when looking to make no mistake one needs to get as much info as possible. And there is no way i can afford both of them.