Need to learn about Audio Research

I used to own one of the ARC amps from what many consider the 'golden age' of ARC...the mid to late 80's. This amp was the ARC D70Mk2..and it was one of the best sounding amps I have ever heard. Today, this amp would still be competitive with some of the best on the market. BUT...and here's the thing, it was as noted above, not that easy to work on if it had an issue, and more importantly, it had a criminal protocol if one had to bias the tubes. ( which was required every so often!) 

Criminal as to the potential risk for electrocution! 

Today's ARC's are far superior ( but not necessarily in SQ), but they come at a cost.

@sns Great point about heat being the enemy of reliability. Not only that, but also the fact that the more heat an amp gives off, the quicker the room heats up. In certain climates that is very undesirable.

Living in S.California, I do not want a heat engine in my listening room.

@bdp24   Living in Palm Desert pretty much guarantees that you will be using AC during the summer months. When you add a tube amp like you owned with that many tubes, you will be running AC full bore. Not what i want to hear ( or feel) in my listening room.