Need to learn about Audio Research

ARC in the 1970’s was at that time relatively reasonably priced. In ’73 the SP-3 pre-amp was $595, the D-75 $995, the D-51 $695.

It was when the Mark Levinson brand appeared that the price wars started, as well as "all out" assaults on advancing the state-of-the art, such as the SP-10 pre-amp, and D-150 and then D-79 power amps.

For a long time ARC had both somewhat modestly-priced entry level products (LS pre-amps. I paid $2995 for an LS-2B in the 90’s) and premium models (the Reference line) with premium prices. Now even the LS pre-amps carry a hefty price tag.

My history with ARC dates back to 1973, when I got one of the systems @whart referred to above: a pair of Magneplanar Tympani T-I’s bi-amped with Dual 75 and Dual 51 power amps, an SP-3 pre-amp in front (I now own a pair of the Tympani T-IVa’s, a magnificent loudspeaker. But it requires a huge room, which I currently don’t have, so they’re boxed up).

That was obviously a long time ago, and modern ARC electronics are very different from the 70’s stuff. Some people have no problems with their pieces of ARC, others do. If you go with ARC, buy from a local authorized dealer, one with at least some experience with the company’s products. Owning ARC can be like owning an Italian sports car. ARC amps are designed with no fuses in the circuits, so when a tube blows (not uncommon in tube amps), it takes with it a "sacrificial" resistor. That means a trip to the dealer (or ARC), unless you are handy with a soldering gun.

How loud do you listen, and how big is your room? One way to go is to get a tube pre-amp and a solid state power amp. You’ve probably heard Maggies benefit from a high current amp, and the MG3.7i is no exception. A fair number of people have found happiness with the Sanders Magtech amp mated with their Maggies.

If you add a pair of subs to the 3.7's, that will greatly reduce the amount of power you need for the Maggies, and increase their sound quality (if the subs are good enough). Removing the bottom octave (20Hz-40Hz) from the speakers and their power amp cuts the power needs in half!

@daveyf: When I was living in Palm Desert (115-120 degrees fahrenheit in the Summer) my system included a pair of Atma-Sphere M60s, with a total of 16 output tubes. It's a great sounding amp, but they put out a LOT of heat!

Roger Modjeski recommended 18" or more of clearance above his power amps, to prolong tube and electronics parts lifespan.