If you like the idea of older and big powerful amps, on US Audio Mart, there is a fella in the Santa Clara area (CA) selling a pair of Audio Research Ref 600 Mk IIIs in a black finish for $10,000 bucks I think. That would probably mate up nicely to your ARC 5SE preamp. When it comes to audio gear, if I can't move it myself, I don't buy it. I seem to remember the Ref 600s weigh in around 170 or 180 pounds. I bet those amps sound glorious though...
Audio research and krell
So here goes I have a arc ref 5se and I am using a krell Kas 300s and recently I noticed the krell was making some noise when powered off so I made some calls to krell and found out that the older krell amps are not recommended to be used with tubes I have never heard this .so has anyone here heard this .second question if that's the case what should I move to for a new amp I like the krell sound. Speakers are revel salon 1 transparent cables