Audio Research CA-50 seek user experience

Has anybody compared the Audio Research CA50 against the Conrad Johnson CAV50?

I owned a CA50 for a couple of years after sifting through a number of separates of similar or slightly lower price (Anthem, CJ Sonographe) and an NAD 317 and used it very successfully with a pair of Spendor SP1/2a's.

Compared to the others I had recently tried, the ARC was very transparent and had a lower noise floor. The power output was lower than the others in every case but with these I didn't feel anything amiss. It is a true high end component, and cheap on the used market for what it sells for.

When I replaced it with a flagship Pioneer AVR and went HT the things I missed were the see through transparency, the very low noise floor and the PRAT. Funny, every time I go back to tubes I love the musicality but then I revert back to the user friendliness of SS.

Hope this helps.

Great unit - *****
If you are broke and are looking for great sound, look no further! Must use good tubes, bias skills is mandatory, once it gets hot............watch out! Great sounding 40 watter!

Gave up my Krells for this! Did not want to get into the Monos, interconnects, pre power and space and was looking for a small setup that is more musical than "calling my friends over to see my new $10,000 power amplifier" situation, I did that all before.........interconnects up to $4000 for a 1 meter pair, and now I have grown older and I am much more matured about commenting on new software then looking for the pot of gold hardware.

Use it with an efficient speakers like 90db or more, I am using this with an Audio Physic and a very very good source!
Analog mostly and you really wont need to look for a new amp! Only problem is you will keep blowing all your cash on new cd's or LP's.

Hifi Choice did a review of this unit around 4 years ago, they very seldom then reviewed amps such as this in the UK since it much more pricy over there, but based on the review , the unit was priced for 3500 pounds sterling, they gave it a all 5 stars for sound/ built/ value so..........just an idea! GOOD LUCK!

I have a Ca-50 that I keep as a "back-up" when I upgraded to a LS 16 & vt 100. I think it holds up very well sonically to the seperates combo. Only lacks finesse at frequency extremes, low bass not as authorative & highs not as spacious or delicate, yet no slouch in either dept. Used with Infinity prelude compositions (96db efficient)& later Infinity prelude mts (90 db), both powered woofer designs. Powered both adequately with no signs of distress. Overall sound is "modern", not vintage ARC sound, i.e.not "tubey" & somewhat solid state sounding only with a rounded & spacious imaging quality with depth. Defintely not sweet, lush or euphonic. Had a cary sli-30 (30 w/ch integrated)before the ca-50 that was sweeter, but smaller sounstage & not as good bass, but very good mid-band. If your partial to the modern ARC sound you can't go wrong @ the used prices I've seen lately on audiogon (sub $1500). Retubing can be expensive with ARC tubes & getting them adjusted right without ARC tubes can be a bear (getting the input & driver tubes voltage balanced properly (it will work, but would wear output tubes unevenly & limit maximum power))This can stress ones sanity if your unwilling to pay a dealer to do the work (ME!)