Audio Research or Macintosh?

arc more linear more transparent

mac more overtly tubey, somewhat rolled highs fatter midrange and mid bass

both will image well, wide tall and deep

while i do share some of eriksquire’s sentiments about audio research tube amplification, i would also say that no one with decent hearing would mistake the sound of an audio research vsi-75 with a modern solid state amp of the same price range

it is unfortunate that arc tube amps don’t implement best possible measures to deal with tube expiration...

but many many folks learn to manage it and feel the tradeoff is well worth it for the exemplary sound

for some others, not the case... it’s all good... the world keeps turning