Does anyone on this Forum have any experience with Audio research ref 610t monoblocks


Good afternoon. 
I have a chance to pick up a set of very nice Audio research ref 610t monoblocks . I believe there rated at 600 wpc, class A, or A/B, not sure. I think they use around 16-20 tubes. It’s a older amp, older technology. But in the 70s they sold for around 40k for the set. Anyways, I wanted to know if anyone here on the board has a pair, has heard them, and get your honest opinion. How do they sound? Are they noisy? 
How would you compare them say to a Prima Luna,, etc, etc. I know they are super heavy, I think 170 pounds each . And the tubes can be expensive. But I’m trying to find some people that can tell me there experience with these amps. Thank you

agolde1110

Showing 1 response by whart

If this is still alive, I'd have the amp checked by a competent tech, what's the retube cost and how stable is this amp-- I've owned a fair number of early ARC amps and a few preamps and other components. If the amp checks out, doesn't kill tubes and tube replacement is reasonable, the price should be Not Crazy. 

I was more partial to the lower power -- 75 watt- range of ARC but that was many decades ago, when Bill Johnson was alive. Modern ARC can be good. But know what you are buying.