Any info on the new Audio Research VS115 tube amp?

look on arcdb.ws they say single ended and balanced for $6495. Read the rest for yourself.

We've been running the new VS115 for a few weeks now and although it looks very much like the VS110 in terms of the open architecture with exposed tubes and transformers, the sound is radically different.

The VS115 is a fully balanced differential amp with 85% - 90% of the sound of the REF110 for $3500 less. It's so similar sounding to the REF that until you do a side by side comparison, you wonder if there is any difference whatsoever.

But there are some differences: The REF is slightly more see-though transparent and refined in the higher frequencies with just a bit more openness and liquidity. The VS115 actually sounds a bit more meaty and punchy, though, which is great for rock and jazz. This amp also has superb impact and control in the bass.

Since the discontinuation of the VT100mkIII (my longtime favorite) ARC hasn't had an amp as good for anywhere near $6500. Now they have one that's noticeably better and is knocking on the door of the REF110, so I'm going to get one for myself.

I'm an ARC dealer.

Question:

Will the sonic qualities of this tube amp be lost if it's mated with a digital preamp? I currently have a Chapter Electronics, Preface + preamp. Thanks for your input.

For the benefit of others (b/c Ebe and I communicated via email on this question) everything in the system still matters, and although I wouldn't pick a digital preamp as the perfect mate to an ARC VS115, that doesn't mean that the amp won't push the system in a desirable direction.

Does anyone have 600 hours or more on their VS115 and are your thoughts the same as when it was new out of the box?