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

Just to put the re-tubing cost in perspective.... You're looking at about $5k for a set, but that can easily go upwards for premium tubes.

Very impressive amps! I’d be tempted as well. They are almost 20 years old and are likely on need of service. Does the original owner have any maintenance records from ARC or one of their authorized repair centers? In my experience ARC amps have large capacitors that need to be replaced at around 20 years. I had a D-115 that weighed around 85lbs and shipping it off for service was a bit of an event. It looks like these amps when boxed are 200lbs each. Does the current owner still have the original shipping boxes or crates? Can they be re-used for shipping?

Also, the previous advice to pair with an ARC pre-amp is on point. I like the LS 28SE and of course the Ref 5SE and Ref 6SE are highly thought of.

If that doesn’t dissuade you then you should absolutely go for it!

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. 

The 610T is, of course a class AB amp. If it were class A you'd need to air condition in the winter. But it is class A ay lower output and while I couldn't find at what point it switches from class A I suspect it's more than a few watts(Maybe someone knows the class A rating) and except for peaks I bet it runs in class A most of the time.

@agolde1110 

Buy them, you won’t be sorry. I have a friend who has a pair, so I’ve listened to them several times and I drool each time.  Just remember, they do put off a lot of heat. I’ve teased my friend that we could do Sunday breakfast on them. Bacon on the left and the eggs on the right. 
 

Let us know what you decide.

Buy them! I  repeat BUY THEM. Obviously, as long as you xan afford it and all that sort of preconsideration. The others are right, at least about the age, they ain't old. 

Lalitk, 

I don’t have one specific system as some. I have a pair of Magico s3 mk2 speakers , boulder Hercules amp, a couple of dedicated dacs, Also a pair of La scala speakers that I already have a Prima Luna amp and Preamp, as well as a pair of Atc 50s. I wasn’t aware that we are only allowed to have one system to be able to discuss audio equipment. My bad. Before I buy or add something to my collection of gear I’d like to ask around . Thank you for your input , much appreciated. I just acquired a Benchmark La4 after all the good feedback for a neutral preamp. Thank all for your recommendations.

I heard the 610T amps in a biamped system in a dedicated room. The gentleman was powering the midrange/tweeter of a pair of apogee diva panel speakers, he was using krell FPB 750 MCX monoblocks for the bass panels, and an arc preamp. The sound was excellent. He also had to figure out how much heat the system was going to put out into the room so the proper central air unit could be used.

Unless you absolutely need that many tube watts, I would stay away. Heat, tube replacement cost, size, potential service issues, ugly etc. 

It would be helpful to know,

1)What is your rest of the system?

2) What is the service history on 610T’s?

You started a thread asking the community for preamp recommendations on July 31,

“Looking for a reference preamp with XLR inputs and outputs. Looking to spend less than 10k, no tubes.”

I wouldn’t dare pick up 610T’s unless you’re planning to add ARC preamp. This is the only way to fully enjoy ARC house sound. Even then, I would gravitate towards a newer ARC amp.

PS: Don’t forget to factor in the ‘heat’ from 610T :-)

"How would you compare them say to a Prima Luna"

Get real! It appears you’re new to tube amps?

That level of ARC and a value MIC tube amp shouldn’t be in the same sentence, with exception of equal build quality.

Both amps hooked up to same setup at low volume will sound good,and you can nit pick what the ARC does "better". Start bumping the volume-game over, ARC pulls away effortlessly.

I did a double take when OP said that they came out in the '70's!

I believe the REF 610T was released in 2005. personally I would buy without any hesitation… but if you look at my system, I’m a big Audio Research fan.

Audio Research has tried to stay true to a very detailed and musical sound since their origin. While I probably heard them… but don’t remember… I will admit if it was in the offering I would snap a pair up without thinking. What an incredible piece of audio history… I bet not so far out of date as to make it anything but spectacular.